Our First Kidding - Need Some Guidance PLEASE [THEY'RE HERE!!]

[MissDanni]

Ok placenta has passed and she ate it. I'm guessing that's fine? My momma dog always ate hers.

The babies are nursing now and she has milk from both nipples! I was worried as the breeder said she only had milk in one last time she had babies. I did have to get one of the going though as the little baby couldn't get it started.

We have one boy and one girl! I am SO keeping the girl! Wish I could keep the boy but I already have two bucks.

Trouble is a bit clumsy, she actually stepped on one of the babies when I was just out there... I hope that's not going to be a problem? Perhaps shes just getting used to having them underfoot.

This is so GREAT!!!!

Thank you all so so very much for helping me through this!!

 

[elevan]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Handle those kids LOTS in their first 48 hours and continue to do so through their first 2 weeks of life. Since they are being dam raised that is the very best way to make them human friendly.

eta: eating the placenta is fine...gross but fine. she should also get better about having little ones underfoot.

 

[cindyg]

I agree with the handling, mine are on their mom but run to me for lovings whenever I go out, have started standing up with front legs on me to get picked up. I also missed the big event, but started picking them up as soon as I got out there and discovered they had been born. Mom doesn't mind a bit but she won't let my other goat baby near them. Congrats!!

 

[nibblygoats]

Yay for you and the babies! That is everyone's dream kidding, for sure! You can always keep the boy as a wether I agree, handle them as much as you want and they will be fine. Congratulations to all

 

[doxiemoxie]

Congrats! The placenta will actually help replace needed minerals and protein, even if its yucky to think about. So its good that she ate it. We, of course, need more pics.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Nice! And I'd give them all the snuggles they'll endure! I'm sure he meant well and some animals probably do fuss about their babies being handled by humans. Congrats!!

 

[Cara Peachick]

Wonderful news! Congratulations! BTW, I think the fail safe method for checking the sex os to look under the tail and count the holes . 1 = boy; 2 = girl.

Turns out Trouble had no trouble at all!

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Congratulations!!! Glad it all went well!

 

[MissDanni]

I'll try to get some better pictures up today, the one I posted was as soon as I saw them and they were still pretty messy then.

I have named the girl - Since she was born on my late Grandmother's birthday we have decided to name the girl kid in honor of her, Shirley (Shirl for short).

The little boy has already been spoken for and will be weathered. They have yet to give me a name for him, so for now he's lil-man.

My daughter says they look like tiny little cows because of the black with white patches.

I must say I was surprised at how small they are, although I'm being told they are pretty big for twins.

Now here come the questions!

1) The boy had an issue yesterday afternoon with (we call it pasty butt, our baby chicks sometimes get it) poop stuck to his bottom, it was pretty awful, almost like someone had stuck a caramel or toffee candy to him. Ok gross I know but that's the best way I can explain it. I had to place his bottom in a dish of warm water to try and soften it up and loosen it off. Once I got him cleaned up I put Vaseline on his bottom end and up his tail a bit so that he wouldn't get it stuck to him again. Now is that normal for the first few bowel movements to be sticky like that? :/ The little girl isn't having this problem.

2) Now although Trouble is milking from both nipples, one side of her udder is much larger than the other. Also she looks like she has a LOT of milk and to me it looks like she may be pretty tender in the udder area, especially the larger side. Should I perhaps milk off a few ounces to relieve some of the pressure or just leave her be?

3) So Trouble eats hay, whatever she wants, whenever she wants and she gets goat ration in the morning and the evening, about 1 quart each time. She also goes on walkabout and eats a little of this and a little of that. Someone mentioned that I should cut her ration in half because she will get too much milk and the babies might not be able to get any out if she gets too full? Is there any truth to this?

4) Feeding Trouble - Is it alright for me to feed her the ration in with her babies? They wont try to eat the food and choke or something would they?

5) When will the little boy be able to go to his new home? Is it like 6 weeks or how does this work with kids?

6) Banding - My breeder said she would band him for me at 3 weeks. Then I think its 10 days before you snip off the crusty parts and remove the band? Someone correct me on this if need be. The girl who is getting him wants it done because she's worried he will be all stinky and messy. Neither of my two boys are stinky or messy, but I guess some could be.

7) When should the kids start eating food and is it ok for them to eat what I feed the others? Hay and rations.

8) How long do I wait before I allow Trouble to start "Dating" again.

Ok! I think that's all the questions I have for now lol I'm sorry guys I just want to make sure I'm doing everything properly for these babies and momma. I am so sold on goats now, I can't wait to have more!

Yesterday I cleaned out Troubles area so her and the little ones went outside for a little bit, it was so cute how they followed her around. At one point they started to follow my daughter around and would cry for her to wait up if she got too far ahead of them. One of the dogs got curious and came a bit too close and Trouble made for her with a big head butt .... she missed the dog and got me right in the thigh ... needless to say it hurt like heck and I'm expecting to see a nice bruise today. I shouted when she did it and she came over very apologetic so I forgave her as it wasn't intended for me. The dogs now make VERY wide circles around the goats.

We are all in love with the new babies, I lost track of DH Saturday night; we had family over and were playing guitar around the fire pit, I went looking for him and sure enough he was in with the babies holding his new baby girl happy as could be. He was so worried about her because she is the smaller of the two, but she is drinking, walking and even starting to play a bit, I even noticed her belly filling out a little. They both are doing so very well and Trouble is an excellent momma.

Again, thank you SO very much for being there for us through all of this, someday I hope I will be able to share everything I have learned with someone else and support them the way you all have been supporting us.

 

[cindyg]

I must say that Trouble looks quite a bit like my Angela, who is a Pygora, and presented me with twin doelings three weeks ago. Totally unexpected, she was pregnant when I brought her home and newbie that I am, I had no idea. Being such a newbie, I have no answers to your questions re milking but I can say that the girls are beginning to be interested in what their mother is eating and will nibble on hay, leaves etc They are starting to put their little noses into the feed bucket that has beet pulp and goat rations mixed in. Still nursing of course as well. I decided very quickly that I was keeping these babies, but I know that I will have to part with any future ones as I just do not have room. Where in Canada are you btw? You have a lovely website.