First time goat mama and the crash course of first kidding on the farm

[Farmingscots]

It’s been a wild ride. She is a brand new mama and we are first time goat owners! Never had babies on the farm yet.
Went out to discover goat had just dropped two does. One was partially dry but the second one was wet and had just been born. We stormed the castle and put her alone with the kids and I think we kind of interrupted everything. But we also discovered that mama and babies are all iodine deficient. Big goiters and underbites. They got too cold and didn’t suckle. Very experienced neighbors came over and helped us warm them up and we got one to nurse and she’s with mama and the other is in “goat nicu” in the house with us. Two tube feedings and temps up to 102. She is making noises but the suck reflex isn’t there yet. When it is we will take her out to see mama and see how it goes. Doing all the things like minerals for mom and iodine on their skin and hanging on for the wild ride. Cross your fingers for me.

 

[Mini Horses]

Sounds like your neighbors knew exactly what to do! Bet mamma will take great care of both That's a pretty little goat family & your daughter seems pleased. She'll have them spoiled in short order.

 

[Farmingscots]

Thank you! A night of getting up to check kid and mama, milk her a bit, then several tube feedings which I’ve never done until now feels pretty exhausting this morning. Woke up to find a louse in my hair so I took a hot shower and put essential oils in it and we will probably have to muck out the shed we put them in last night and spread DE and new straw cause we used the deep bedding method over the winter and never had time to clear it out. So today will be hard work.

 

[Farmingscots]

Can I sprinkle the goats with DE too or do I need to do something else?

 

[Mini Horses]

You can

 

[fuzzi]

How's the new family coming along?

 

[Farmingscots]

Thank you for checking in. The last few days have been quite a whirlwind. The brown one died last night. Spiked a fever and went quickly - after some signs that it might turn out ok. It even stood! Her name was autumn. The other one is back with mama and almost nursing without assistance now - although we check on them frequently. We think we will name her Spring. The brown one was Autumn.

 

[Mini Horses]

It's always heart wrenching to lose one. Sorry for your first time event taking a hard turn.

 

[SageHill]

Sorry you lost the one, she was a cutie.