I had the best surprise EVER yesterday! I had decided to take the goats down to the farmgate stand area (which is now fenced off, and safe from the dogs). I leashed up Trouble, grabbed some grain, and led him down the driveway. The others just followed along. I got them in the area, dumped the grain, then realized Lily wasn't there. I couldn't see her in the field... where was she? So, grumbling and groaning that the damn goats were so much trouble, I went up to the pasture to find Lily. I peeked in the shelter, and what do I see? Lily standing next to the most beautiful little tiny baby goat! She was so sneaky! I didn't even notice signs of labour or anything. Just... voila! There's a kid! It's a little doe, and her name is Clover. (all my baby goats will have plant names for now. It's a theme).
Anyway, little Clover looked very strong, but she couldn't seem to find the teat. I waited and watched for over an hour. During that time, I cut down the umbilical cord, and dipped it in iodine, so it would dry up and not get infected. I also realized I wasn't yet ready for a baby... I didn't have anything ready! I needed to make sure Lily had water, and fresh bedding. Oh, and I needed a camera! So, I walked inside, found a likely container to put water in. Walked back out to the pasture, realized I had forgotten the water. Walked part way back to the house, realized I had forgotten the camera. Got the camera, left the container, walked out to the pasture, realized I had forgotten both the container AND the water. Laughed myself silly at what a flustered zombie I was, then finally got it together. Gave Lily water. Noticed Clover STILL hadn't had a drink. I started to worry... apparently they need to get collustrum in the first 90 minutes or so in order to be strong and healthy. It was coming up to that time!
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| First steps! |
Went back inside, grabbed some syringes (which amazingly I had the foresite to purchase just a couple of days before) and a container, and proceeded to milk Lily. I've never milked a goat or anything before, so I was flying blind. There was some wax buildup clogging up the teats, so I cleared that, then stripped out milk and collustrum into the little container. Syringed it up, and fed it to little Clover. I gave her about 5 syringefuls. Then, I showed her the teats... again.... and she finally latched on! Within seconds, though, Lily kicked her off. She seemed really uncomfortable, so I wondered if maybe there was another baby in there. I kept watch for a while longer, then Lily shed the afterbirth. As soon as that happened, she felt better, and let Clover suckle. YAY!!! Almost everytime I checked on them today, Clover was eating. She is healthy and sturdy, but oh, so tiny!! Barely as big as a chicken! I got some pics, but none of them are very good. My flash in my camera decided to die, so I did the best I could. Clover is all brown, with a tiny white fleck on one side. And, amazingly enough, she was even cuter today than she was yesterday!! ;-)
Lily is being a super good mom, especially considering she is a first timer. She is cleaning her, and nuzzling her, and letting her feed as much as she wants. I was hoping for twins, but you know what? Just super happy I have a healthy baby!!
