March 30, 2009

Rose's New Family - Goat Birth Pictures

*Warning, graphic pictures of the birth process of a goat below*

This is Rose, she is a red Boer/Nubian cross doe in our goat herd. I knew what day she was bred by our Boer buck Joker so I knew about when Rose was due to have her kids. I was keeping a close eye on her. She was checked less than two hours before and she wasn't showing the typical signs of pawing the ground, getting up and down or talking back at her stomach so I thought she might have her kids later the next morning. My 10pm check however found Rose had sneaked one by me because she already had one kid on the ground when I got there. Not that Rose needs my help but I do like to be there just in case there might be a problem and this night was rather cold as well.
I didn't miss everything though, as the water bag indicates another kid is on the way. This is Rose's second kidding, so she gets right to business giving birth to her second kid.
If you look close you can see the front legs and head of the kid. This is what you want to see, two front feet followed by the head resting above and between the front legs in a normal presentation.

A good push later and the head is out now. The hard part over, the rest is quick to follow. It looks like we have a pretty black and white paint colored kid! I was crossing my fingers and thinking pink thoughts hoping it was a doeling.
Rose is such a good mom, she starts cleaning and talking to her baby before it is even all the way out.
It is a cold night so I am sure to help Rose get her kids dried quickly so they do not get chilled. After this I dip their umbilical cords in iodine but otherwise I don't interfere so Rose and her new babies can bond.

Congratulations and good job Rose! They are both girls! What a nice looking family.
It does not take them long to stand up and start looking for their first milk. Rose continues to bleat and talk to them, she must be telling them how precious she thinks they are.
Now they are "punching" at the air and Rose's stomach looking for her teats so they can nurse. You are so close...getting warmer...
Nope, that is her armpit..no milk there....but neither kid gave up and it did not take them long at all to find their first meal. With full bellies they laid down and napped for a bit. Rose passed her afterbirth and got some well deserved warm molasses water which she drank down with enthusiasm. Mama Rose and her two new girls are doing great!

*Pictures can be made bigger by clicking on them.

31 comments:

Mary said...

This is so cool. Thanks for posting it :D

KathyB. said...

I never tire of watching new births on the farm. What beautiful little does ! Congratulations!!!

ChristyACB said...

That is just wonderful! She looks so very happy with her two girlies and the girlies are adorable. Thank you so much for sharing that moment with us in pictures.

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Rose and Jennifer! Two darling new babies! I am really getting my baby goat fix with all the babies on my favorite farm blogs! I've been around for puppy, kitten, guinea pig, hamster and mouse births, but I have to see the goat births through you!!!

Nancy in Atlanta

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. 5 more weeks for me. I can't wait. I really hope I don't miss the big event.

Jennifer said...

What beautiful girls! Thank you for sharing the experience.

Tania said...

A couple of healthy looking kids you have there. Won't be long and they will be full of life and looking for mischief.

Tania

Leasmom said...

Never saw goats giving birth before. Nice video, thanks.

Heart of a Cowgirl said...

What a good mama! Such sweet little babies. Glad to hear all went well.

Esther Garvi said...

Aw, those little babies are just so adorable! We missed our kidding- Esmeralda was just done by the time we got back from work. It was precious to spend time with the newborn though! I can't believe that was in October, time has flown!

Boozy Tooth said...

WONDERFUL!!! Oh Jennifer, thank you so much for posting Rose's beautiful birth process and her two adorable babie doelings.

I love how you were there just in case but allowed Rose to do her thing with minimum intervention. That's nature, afterall. But the love and respect you show your animals is second to none.

Congratulations to you my sweet friend. I hope all concerned have recovered from the excitement (and hard work!) and are settling in.

What a joyous occasion. Enjoy it!

Mary Humphrey said...

Catching a birth is difficult to do, at least as far as taking photos is concerned, and you did a wonderful job. Jennifer, I never stop being amazed by the conception and birthing process. Rose has a gorgeous new family, by the way!

Nic said...

Very cool! I love it when they have girls! Tell Rose her babies are very cute:-)

Nic

farmlady said...

Oh my! You are soooo lucky. What a wonderful experience this must be. I want more goats...,and pregnant mommies..., and cute little babies.

Congratulations to Momma Rose and her babies. It was a job well done.

diane said...

amazing photos!
what cute little girls! :)

The Rambler said...

Whoa...I didn't think I'd see that today :)

But still beautiful!! Congrats to the new mommy!

Thanks a bunch for visiting me on my SITS day!

xoxo The Rambler @ My Rambling Thoughts.

Sandy said...

Awesome! New life!

I came by to welcome you to SITS! It's great to have you in the SITStahood:0)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the doelings!

Carma Sez said...

there's a first for everything! They are so adorable...

Stopping by from SITS to say "hi" and welcome!! I know that you will enjoy being a part of this vibrant community of bloggers :-)
carma

Pattie said...

Wow that is just too wonderful Congrats :)

Lanny said...

Too cute, too cute, too cute! Slimy but cute!

said...

Well done, Rose! I got more than I bargained for but happy for mom and babies! ;o)

Welcome to SITS, it's great to have you as a SITSta!

Anonymous said...

OH....I'm a country girl and have seen births many times but I can't wait to tell all my city friends to check you out. What great pictures!! Thanks for stopping by my place today, by the way. Oh, and if post anymore pictures of snakes....even small harmless worm snakes.....I won't be stopping by here again. *wink* (just kidding) I'm deathly afraid of anything resembling a snake. (not kidding about that part) YIKES!

Anonymous said...

I'm okay with the goat birthing, but I couldn't stick around for the snake picture. =)
Stopping by to give you a big welcome to the SITStahood! We are glad you joined and look forward to seeing you around!

Anonymous said...

Very cute kids.

Welcome to SITS!

Anonymous said...

Lovely girls..Congrats to Rosie and the farm;)

Girl Tornado said...

Such a sweet mama and beautiful babies!! Glad all went well. :)

Claire MW said...

Wow! Great job on those photos! Thanks for posting them! I hope I can see the whole process sometime! Stuffin just beat me to it this time. Lambing soon though!

Anonymous said...

New life is one of the most precious experiences! Beautiful little kids.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Congratulations! They are a nice looking family!

BloggessJ said...

Congrats on the new babies! Off to add you to my blog roll!