Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Googling Goat Stuff!

I'm so glad I came inside to search what a goats private area looks like before birth! First off I was unaware that a water bag comes out first! I could just imagine my horror at seeing an empty sack!!!! I have also stumbled upon some disturbing facts. Like some does don't have milk right away. My does udder is really small compared to others I've seen. Should I get some colostrum from the feed store just in case? Is there a healthier homemade concoction? Also I read that you should assist if there is no progress within 30 minutes. Is that true? I'm hoping and praying everything goes smoothly but I'm nervous!!!!! Okay I'm going back outside to stare at my goats butt LOL!!!!
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18 comments:

  1. The Homestead LadyMarch 6, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    Hi Kelly, I am getting ready to email you some pictures I took of our goats birth..and I will answer some of your questions...the internet is not always acurate...I have never in 13 years had to assist a birth and it takes longer than 30 minutes...anway I will answer your questions in an email...so check in a few minutes...

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    1. The Homestead LadyMarch 6, 2013 at 1:25 PM

      You've got mail...LOL

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    2. KellyMarch 6, 2013 at 3:00 PM

      Thank you! I'm trying to learn everything I can before it happens so I'll know what to expect ☺

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  2. Tombstone LivestockMarch 6, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    When your goat does kid and you unplug her teats to make sure baby can nurse, save a couple of ounces of the colstrum and freeze it. Or you can milk out some the first 12 hours to save. I freeze in sandwich baggies, that way it is easy to thaw out, just break a chunk off. I save from several does so I almost always have some colstrum in my freezer. NEVER heat is up in a microwave it will turn to pudding, put in a container set in warm/hot water to thaw it out. Good luck.

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    1. The Homestead LadyMarch 6, 2013 at 2:24 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. KellyMarch 6, 2013 at 3:08 PM

      Thank you Tombstone Livestock! I googled unplugging the teats after you commented. I remember you saying something about it before and I never looked into it until today. I will save some colostrum for sure! I really appreciate everyones advise. I'm hoping once I get a couple of kiddings under my belt I can quit with all my questions ☺

      Homestead Lady~ From what I learned, the teats have a protective wax like stuff on them to keep bacteria from entering before they kid. I think you just milk both teats a little until you are sure the kids will be able to nurse. I guess sometimes the plug comes out easily and sometimes not as easily. Maybe that explains why some does get lopsided right after birth. Maybe only one gets unplugged?! I should be a goat expert by the time this is all over LOL!!!!!!

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    3. The Homestead LadyMarch 6, 2013 at 3:46 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Hidden Haven HomesteadMarch 6, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    Check out Fiasco Farms website. It is my go to on goats. They have videos,pictures, and step by step things to look for and do if you have to help. I have always tried to be there for each kidding. If no help is needed its still a wonderful experience but if a baby goat is stuck (leg, head, etc) then I can assist. If first time does don't know to lick the face of kid first it may need airway cleared so it can breathe. We have had a kid crossways of the cervix with another kid trying to be born over top of that one. We ended up going in and pushing the second one back and getting the first one unstuck. Buttons ended up having triplets from that delivery and we were able to save all 3. You will do great and it will be a awesome experience you will never forget!

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    1. KellyMarch 6, 2013 at 5:59 PM

      Peggy, Fiasco Farms is where I found out some info today. I won't go into gory woman stuff detail in case I have any men reading LOL, but there is some things I'm looking for that might not be there!
      It's getting close! I'm just trying to be as knowledgeable as possible for her and her baby sake! I want to be there just in case anything goes wrong! It will be AWESOME!!!! I can't wait! Then I move on to the milking adventure LOL!!!!!!

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  4. Mamma BearMarch 6, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    I always give the teats on my does a little squeeze after they give birth and yes...sometimes one or the other will be difficult to milk out because of the waxy plug. A kid will get extremely frustrated trying to get it's first milk when a teat is plugged. A non nursing kid is soon a cold kid and then a dead kid. Yes...animals give birth all the time without our assistance but why make an animal suffer if we can help if needed. I have had does I have had to help and I have went into the barn and found kids that were born during the night and everything came out just fine.

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    1. KellyMarch 6, 2013 at 6:02 PM

      I love the way you handle your goats and all the advise you have given me. Thank you so much! I'm hoping she doesn't deliver during the night and I miss the whole ding dong thing! But if she does please Lord let them be healthy!!!!

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  5. CarolynMarch 6, 2013 at 7:19 PM

    Not sure if it's too late, but here's one of our kiddings a few years ago with PICTURES!

    http://krazoacres.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-else-ya-got-up-in-there.html

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    1. KellyMarch 6, 2013 at 8:09 PM

      Thanks for posting the link Carolyn, it was AWESOME!!! I even read it while eating dinner LOL!!!

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  6. Sandy LivesayMarch 6, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    Kelly,

    I'm learning through you, lol....
    I've read all of these posts, and will continue to read, this way I know what to do when I eventually have goats.

    Hanging in there!!!

    You're doing a good job my friend.

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  7. CarolynMarch 6, 2013 at 10:50 PM

    Sooooooo????????

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    1. KellyMarch 7, 2013 at 6:55 AM

      Still nothing! Last night the hubs even noticed that she is starting to act different. Hopefully soon ☺

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  8. KristinMarch 10, 2013 at 9:11 AM

    I need to stop googling goat stuff. It's making me a nervous wreck!!! I'm anxiously awaiting your arrivals!

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