First Kid of 2021: Iscah & Ja'el

Ja'el, hours old.

As kidding season closes in, does begin to show various signs of impending birth; the ligaments around the tail soften and feel like they disappear, the udder becomes full, and often there is a discharge. One of the sweetest signs is catching a doe "talking" to her belly. As we get closer, we take precautions to make certain our kidding kit is fully stocked and ready in case we need to intervene. We clear and set up our private kidding stalls and we begin checking on the does every couple hours. 

Empty soft drink bottles refilled
with hot water make great insulators,
along with hay.

Iscah, in typical goat code form, hid all signs of her immediate delivery so she could surprise us with a single doeling between noon and 2 pm check in. Sean went out for what he thought would be a quick perusal of the barn for any does in labor only to find a very loud, half cleaned goat kid all alone. Because the temperature was 10* that day, he scooped her up and brought her inside for me to help warm and clean her up a little more. The internal temperature of goats runs much warmer than humans and to go from a wet, balmy 101-103* to an amniotic fluid covered kid, born in 10* can be shocking. Most of our experienced Mother goats make quick work of cleaning up their offspring. Iscah is still new to the game. She clearly made an attempt before deciding that hay and water beckoned, but didn't finish the job nearly well enough to be entirely useful.

When it is necessary to intervene, we normally employ a gallon zip lock bag to encase the kid, then carefully submerge the bag in a sink of warm water. This is a very efficient way to warm kids quickly. This singleton would not fit into the bag. And, since Iscah chose a dirty corner of the barn to give birth and not a nice clean stall, the kid was covered in frozen bits of stickiness and bacterial laden grime. We used a wet cloth to wash her body well from shoulders to hips and down legs. We left the head and tail messy. It is important to leave Momma's scent on the kid, especially since we don't want bottle babies if it can be helped. While I was cleaning the kid up, Sean went searching for the missing Momma. It is very easy to see who had recently given birth. 

Hay nest for added warmth.

Iscah and Ja'el were reunited in a clean, private kidding stall. Iscah has only had one other kid, born 2 years ago. She was vocal and attentive to her kid, but disinclined to let Ja'el nurse. Sean patiently held Iscah's leg to prevent her from kicking her young. It is necessary for kids to get colostrum within 18 hours of being born- the sooner the better. This gives them some protective antibodies that help the kid to thrive. Ja'el was very weak. She had a suck reflex, but the combination of uncoordinated legs and unwilling Momma made it quite a task. We tried for about an hour before Ja'el was too tired to continue and settled into a hay nest to sleep. Being born is hard work! We left the new family to bond and checked on them regularly, encouraging nursing each time. 

Bottles were quickly accepted.

By evening, it was clear that Ja'el needed some additional help. Sean milked one side of Iscah's udder and I attempted to bottle feed 3 oz of colostrum. Ja'el took to the bottle without any trouble. Satisfied that she had a full belly, we returned her to her mom. Three hours later, we offered a 2nd bottle when we were still unable to get her to latch on well- even with guidance. We set our alarm to checked the family through the night, ready to bottle feed if necessary, but weighing that need against the real risk of nipple confusion and potentially working against our end goal of Iscah caring for her own kid. Sean got Ja'el to drink several times through the night and things were looking up at the 5 am check in. 

At 8 am, Ja'el took a turn for the worst, again. Ja'el was curled up next to the hay manger, cold and slow to respond, away from Mom. We brought her inside to warm her once more. A healthy kid can usually maintain their temperature- even in the cold. But, we believe the extra stress of not being cleaned and dried quickly, maybe set her back and made her susceptible to the cold. Once she was warmed, I attempted another bottle. Ja'el refused it for the first time. Not a good sign. We repeatedly tried to get her to nurse from her mom to very little progress.

Sweater time!

Faced with the challenges of a kid who couldn't maintain her temperature nor yet master her legs and a Momma who was reluctant to nurse, paired with incoming snow and more cold weather, we decided to bring both goats into the laundry room for the night. The tiled floor is easy to clean and the room hosts nothing of danger to harm them. Through all of this, I messaged images and video to my local goat people group. Even when you are sure you are doing the right things, another perspective- other suggestions are useful. Ja'el absolutely refused to take a bottle from me. She would nurse for a minute before plopping down to sleep under her mother. We set the alarm and checked the pair through a second night. Finally at 8 am, Sean witnessed Ja'el nursing normally without assistance. Relief! 

Finally sorted and doing well.

We kept the pair inside until the evening. Iscah finally seemed to fully accept her daughter so we took the chance of putting a goat sweater on Ja'el to help keep her warm in the barn. We watched the pair through the night, but no more assistance was needed on our part. And, with a bit of drama, 2021's kidding season has begun. I am thankful that it turned out well. I really needed to begin this season with some happiness. Ja'el's welcome cetainly fits that bill nicely. 

Thanks for joining us, Friends. We are very happy you are here. 
Sean & Sonja 

That face! Ja'el looks like her Momma.
We think she'll be naturally polled, too.

Goat Kids are Here!

Kidding season is a roller coaster of emotions. Some years there are more highs than lows. It will take many highs to even out the lows of this one. But, we have a beginning...

I have been praying incessantly for wisdom and guidance to do what is best, for grace to accept the outcomes I didn't desire, and in thanks for all that we have been blessed to receive. Even in the moments of heartbreak, there is always something to be thankful for if you look. I don't know that the three kiddings yesterday were an answer to my prayer. I don't know that it works that way, but they were a balm for the exposed nerves of my soul.

Sean has been taking the midnight and 3 am feedings for Fredrick. It is a kind and loving thing for him to do. The alarm Sean sets rarely wakes me, but the missing familiar warmth when he goes usually does. I wait for him to return and inquire, "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, they look good. Resting. Chewing their cud or sleeping." Sean replies.

"Okay" I murmur and drift back to sleep for the next 3 hour window.

Happy, proud Momma ♥

Last night, I waited for Sean to come back to bed. When he didn't, I got up to see what was amiss. It was raining. The weather turned from hovering around either side of 1* for the past couple of days to a balmy 30* night and brought with it rain. I saw the light from the barn and in its glow, Sean scooping rain water pooling outside of the kidding stall door. I watched him for a bit. His rhythmic scoops and body language said nothing was wrong with the animals, just repair work that needed to be attended to. My mind was awake, so I wandered back into the kitchen for a glass of orange juice. Our dinner dishes sat accusing me from the kitchen sink. I was awake and didn't want to go back to bed alone, so I washed them. Then, I turned my attention to cutting some cotton for the Bee's Wax Wraps I planned to make in between routine chores or emergencies. When Sean still hadn't come inside, I ventured back to the studio to see what what amiss.

Warm, dry and sweatered!

I saw him inside the kidding stall. From the corner of my eye, I noticed our kidding kit was not by the door. Strange. I flashed the outside light to get Sean's attention and watched his movements as he came back toward the house for any sign of distress or sadness in his step. What I saw was a man, tired but at peace. "We have a girl. She's perfect. Keziah kidded."

"You didn't wake me! You didn't need my help?" I asked more sharply than I intended from concern for the animals and alarm that something happened without me.

"You needed some sleep. And, it was done before I got there. Keziah kidded, cleaned and dried without me, too. I wanted to let you sleep until morning and show you then." I paused pulling on my barn boots. "Go ahead. You're not going to sleep until you do anyway." Sean laughed. Together we walked back into the rainy night to the cozy warmth of the barn.

Getting Colostrum

Sean was absolutely right. She was perfect. While Keziah stood eating fresh hay and watching us, I wrapped the kid in a towel and sat with her on my lap. She was the slightest bit damp, but warm and fluffy. The towel was for my piece of mind. That, and to catch any meconium that might unexpectedly emerge. I sat for an hour in the quiet, breathing in the scents of hay and new baby, praying my thankful appreciation for this gift my soul so badly needed. Sean, bone-tired and barely standing, gathered the rest of the kidding kit, looked over the rest of our herd and then led me back to the house.

In the kitchen, I began setting out souffle cups to pour 50 new scent tarts. At 5:30 am, my brain was still too awake to sleep. Besides, if I got started on them now, by the time Bethany came to work, they would be cooled and ready to label. And, I could pour another 50. "I have to close my eyes for a bit, Babe." Sean said. "Of course. I am not staying up, either. I just want to do this and I'll come back to bed, too. (Pause) What time do you want to get up- just in case I get on a roll?" I asked.

"I'd love to sleep until 7:30 am." he replied. I finished the tarts and made my way back to bed around 6:30 am, but I couldn't sleep. In the dark, I went over the things that would need to happen during the day. The projects that must be finished, the wonder of a new kid, the relief of fresh colostrum for any new kids who might need that, the thankfulness for Freddie having fresh milk available... so much to consider.

At 7:30 am, Sean woke as planned and set out the the barn to check on the kids and collect 6 ounces of colostrum from Keziah. She has a ton of it. He ended up filling an 8 oz bottle from one side without taking even half of what she was producing. We'd repeat this milking every few hours to collect what Freddie needs to thrive and grow. You may wonder, "Why not just see if Keziah would adopt Freddie?" That seems logical. It would mean so much less effort and work on our part. And, we could do. Except there is Lily to consider. She carried this kid. She birthed him and cleaned him. She is bonded to her lad. Would it be best for her to foster her son? Weighed in the balance of convenience for us or what is best for her, she wins. Every time. No contest. So, we collect milk from Keziah into a bottle and immediately feed it warm to Freddie- every 3-4 hours, around the clock.

Jane and Ja'el

I planned on joining Sean in the barn for morning chores. I had my work clothes on and was getting my camera ready to snap more images when Sean came back into the house. "Grab the kit. Jane has a kid in her stall. It's clean and mostly dry. Looks like she had her just after we left the barn this morning." That got me moving! What???? Yes, we know the does are all due now, but seriously, we were in the barn for a couple hours in the middle of the night. She was not in any labor at that time. We checked very carefully. Jane usually kids multiples, so we were prepared to assist should there be a need.

It turns out, there wasn't a need. One single, perfect, chamois-colored, lamancha-eared doeling was her gift to us this season. We cleaned up the placenta and helped finish drying this newest addition. She has lungs! Most kids are pretty quiet after being born. This lass made all sorts of noise every time we picked her up and she lost sight of Jane. Not pain, just annoyance at being handled. "She is going to be trouble!" Sean predicted. I think he is going to be right. She wasn't more than an a couple hours old, but she had mastered using her feet and getting milk down like a pro. I couldn't be happier with her addition. Two girls! Finally, things are feeling like they are headed in the right direction.

We fed Freddie his morning bottle, got the newest Mom and daughter situated with hay, grain, fresh water and fresh bedding. We hayed all the manger stalls for the other does who were awake and wondering where their breakfast was. Filled water buckets. Snapped some pictures. Looked over the other does due for any sign of labor and went inside to grab our breakfast.

After breakfast, Sean spent time in the barn reorganizing his wood-making tools and cleaning out additional kidding stalls. With both Rachel and Abigail due any time, we wanted to get them moved over into private stalls and since Sean was home for the day, it was a good time to make that all happen. Around noon, another bottle was collected for Freddie.  Everyone looked in good order. Sean left to buy more hay. Bethany and I worked on Bee's Wax Wraps. Sean was gone about 90 minutes.

Upon his return, he checked the barn again to discover that Abigail kidded twin boys, passed her placenta and was eating hay like nothing happened. Bethany and I went out to help towel them dry, dip umbilical cords, remove the soiled hay and take pictures. The kidding stall available for Abigail had started to puddle water in it. The kids couldn't stay there. The weather was predicting lots of rain over the next 24 hours. Those puddles would only grow. Wet babies and cold nights is a recipe for disaster. Sean jumped into action and quickly built a raised floor from pallets and OSB. Bethany and I kept Abigail and her lads safely away from the rest of the herd while Sean prepared the new floor for their stall. In an hour, we had them moved back, safe and dry.

I collected another bottle for Freddie and checked the current herd of kids and their mothers, and gave Rachel a thorough once-over. She is heavily pregnant. Those kids should be here any time. We'll be watching her closely- for what that is worth. I think that in typical goat fashion, yesterday's does waited until we were out of sight and worked double time to kid those babies before we returned. I can imagine them saying something along the lines of, "The humans have left for the moment. This is not a drill! Drop those kids! Now!!" Kristen thinks they are gremlin-goats; they got wet and multiplied. It is as good a theory as any.

Keziah and Atarah

So, as promised, this is a post full of sweet, new baby goats to admire. We have named Keziah's lass, Atarah; pronounced At'-a-rah. The occurrence of this name is briefly mentioned in 1 Chronicles. She was the 2nd wife of Jerameel, of the tribe of Judah. The name means Crown. It is a lovely name and apt. Miss Atarah sports a lovely crown like marking around her head.

Ja'el

Jane's girl has been named, Ja'el. She is the heroine who killed Sisera and with that, delivered the Israelites from King Jabin. Our little lass is full of spirit. Sisera would not stand a chance. Plus, Ja'el literally means "wild or mountain goat".

Lightning

Thunder

Abigail's lads bear the names, Thunder and Lightning. Lightning has a blaze resembling his name across his forehead. Thunder has white storm clouds on his hind end and the name seemed like an obvious compliment. Both are 100% Lamancha. As lovely as these lads are, they will be offered for sale once their mother has weaned them.

We plan on breeding 8 mothers per season- so long as those on the list are in good health and are willing to cooperate. The animals have their own thoughts on this. The most prevalent one being, they all want to breed. All. The. Time. *Sigh* We are hoping and praying that by moving the big bucks to a completely separate enclosure in a completely separate part of the homestead, backed up by an electric fence and soon to be installed roll-bars, that maybe- just maybe, we will be more in control of this aspect of our homestead. (A spring post with our new layout will be posted. If we have good success, you are certainly welcome to modify our plans to help contain your lads.)

As for this season, we are still anxiously awaiting new kids from Rachel and Bailey and Jemimah's first kid(s). These could come any time now. Additionally, we suspect that Haddassah, Phoebe, Naomi, Anna, Chloe, and Cassie are all pregnant. We'll keep you updated.

Thank you for visiting with us, friends. Today it is a pleasure to invite you into our world. ♥

~Sean and Sonja ♥