Graphic Video: Breach Birth~ Naomi & Bailey Kid Over the Weekend

As predicted, Naomi kidded yesterday. And, in typical Naomi fashion- she stole off into the field to have her kids without our prying eyes or helping hands. Sean cared for the afternoon chores on his own yesterday. So as to not steal his joy in gifting me the afternoon "off", I let him... Until he raced back inside with a shout of, "Kids dropped in the field.... Naomi.... looks like one is already dry and standing... you want to help?" Storm door slam. Boots a-movin'.

Of course I wanted to help. Well, to be completely honest, I was tired and *really* wanted to nap, but that was not going to happen, regardless of kidding. Sean grabbed towels and headed back to the field. I slid on my boots and barn coat, grabbed my camera and followed Sean to the barn.

Naomi was laying under the outside manger in a mess of discarded hay from before the winter snow came. As advertised, one kid was nearly clean, mostly dry and standing wobbly. Naomi was clearly still in labor and pushing hard. I was mortified to spy the unborn kid's leg sticking out, no head. Sean said, "It's breach." as the thoughts formed in my mind. We didn't wait. Sean immediately reached inside, hooked the other leg and pulled it free of its mother's body. Naomi may not like to have our assistance, but she needed it today. It was difficult to see if the kid was moving or not and there was no time to wait or inspect. I braced myself that it might be still-born. Sean applied steady pressure and pulled the kid free. We both sighed in relief to see the kid kick and sputter.

Trauma forgotten. Naomi cleans Jareth.
Tobey enjoys some Colostrum. 

I picked up both the kids and Sean led Naomi to an empty, clean kidding stall in the barn. Sean grabbed some fresh hay, grain, and a bucket of fresh water while I helped clean and dry the kids. Naomi kidded twin bucks. They are gorgeous. One is red, like his Momma. We'll name him Jareth. The younger buck is black with a white blaze on his forehead and white saddle across his hind legs. His name is Tobey. They are both Nigerian Dwarf/Lamancha cross. They both have lamancha "elf" ears. :)

After things settled, we gave Bailey a once over. I suggested that we put her into the other empty kidding stall for the night. "I can, but she might not kid for days still. Do you want to keep her confined all that time?" Sean asked. I did think she was close, but Sean was right and I was still tired. I should have gone with my gut.

Chloe was very interested in what was happening on the other side of the wall.

This morning, Sean went out to check on the new baby goats and their Mommas and discovered Bailey had kidded in the night. She had one pure white kid curled up with her. Sean looked around to see if she'd had a twin, which we expected. No kid in any of the doe stalls. He turned to come inside to relay the good news, but then thought, "I better check the buck stall, just in case..." And, there she was. Curled up in a corner, sleeping peacefully. Another tawny kid. They were both dry and cleaned off and the placenta had already passed. Sean took a minute to give them a once-over and check for their gender. Two does! Both Lamancha "cauliflower" eared! Winner! These ladies will stay here on the homestead. We named the pure white lass, Rebecca and her sister is named Tabitha. We'll call them Becca and Tabby.

Bailey is attentive and cleans her kids regularly. This one is Tabby. 

Tabitha: Sanaan/LaMancha Cross.
Where do you keep your extra cute? In your wattles, of course!

 That brings the total to fourteen kids born on the homestead this year; six does and eight bucks. We believe that we have three more does to kid; Leah, Cassie, and Phoebe. I think they are due next month, but goats being goats... who know? ;)

Becca the beautiful. Sanaan/LaMancha Cross.

Tobey~ Nigerian Dwarf/Lamancha Cross 

Jareth~ Nigerian Dwarf/Lamancha Cross

Thanks for visiting tonight, friends. We're glad you did.
~Sean & Sonja ♥