Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Maybe I'll Finally Get Some Sleep Tonight

Genevieve, a Nubian doe, has been in a family way for the appropriate amount of time. And knowing it was getting close, not only because of the calendar date, but because of her telltale signs, I've spent the past 2 days checking on her every 2 hours, even throughout the night. I'm utterly exhausted! But after being in labor all night these were the product of her efforts. Twin boys, 8 lbs. and just a little under 7 lbs. Mom and kids doing just fine, getting to know each other. Even though she's a dairy goat, we've decided to let her raise her own kids and we'll just take some of her milk for us (rather than the other way around which would be to take the kids away, milk her and bottle feed them). After all, I've raised enough kids myself (my own human ones) that I don't need to be taking of anyone else's. Seems too much like babysitting to me.

8 comments:

Peggy said...

cute kids! I agree with letting mom nurse the babies. I try to milk early morning then let the kids have the milk all day and then I get a little milk in the evening. I think kids grow better nursing their mom.

Shelley said...

Those twins look sweet! How long do they nurse from their mother?

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm glad I stopped by. Congrats on the kids. Too cute. I'm debating as to whether to stay up tonight too but I'm so tired right now. They probably will not come tonight anyway...or maybe with that mindset, they will!

Phill said...

Happy sleeping, I hope! So many folks I know have been up around the clock worrying over and birthing goats this past month.

Bethany said...

I know exactly how you feel! Two nights ago my doe looked like she was going to go and several people in my family took shifts going out to check on her. She didn't even going until 7:30 in the morning..arggg! :)
~Bethany~

Andrea said...

Oh, they are so adorable!!!
I just love baby animals.
Life is just amazing. A~

Sandy@American Way Farm said...

Thanks everyone for your comments. Hope the babies come soon for those of you who are spending nights checking on them. Sleep is a good thing!

Shellmo - Their mom nurses them as long as they want, or until she gets sick of them. If they were bottle fed they'd be weaned at 2 to 3 months, depending on how well they're eating other foods, but mom will let them nurse a little longer. We'll dry her up ourselves to give her a 2 to 3 month rest before she kids again in the spring.

Tonia said...

Cute babies!! I am watching one of the last girls to kid here very closely!! She had trouble last year and with the trouble ihav ehad this year with others I am getting nervous as she gets bigger and bigger! She just keeps plodding along!!!
I usually let moms raise their babies But this year I pulled the set of triplets just born and am going to milk mom and bottle feed babies.. I thought I woul dsee if it helped mom with her condition. She tends to put everything into the bucket and babies and gets skin and bones!! SO we will see! Its good practice for my girls to help with the bottle babies too! LOL