I do not tell many kidding stories. A person tends to get used to the births, despite the fact that they are quite miraculous.
Iris had kids a couple of days ago. It was a “different” experience.
Iris is an average sized alpine doe. She normally needs a bit of assistance. I seldom need to help any of my other does. I prefer letting nature do its thing.
The story unfolds as such…Sunday morning Iris was standing off to herself. She is a bit more vocal when labor is in progress.
I was concerned to see the remnants of a water sack hanging from her. The order of things was not what I normally see. In fact, I looked around for a dead kid. I decided to put Iris in a small stall, with the notion that I would check on her every 20 minutes. I headed up to the house.
A few minutes after I entered the back door I heard Iris grunting. I also heard another grunt that was not hers.
I headed back down to the barn. Snowball, a snubian, first time freshener, was in labor. She picked a precarious place to have a kid, in a doorway. Half of my herd was looking at me as to say, “Traffic jam!” I urged Snowball towards the middle of the barn, which was readied with clean straw bedding.
I turned to check on Iris, sounding more desperate. I saw one hoof. Just one. Ugh. Not good.
Snowball started grunting loudly. One hoof, then 2nd hoof. She screamed louder. My goats normally do not scream, and normally I do not need to assist.
I took another glance at Iris. Still one hoof.
Snowball began pushing again. I looked at the hooves, made sure they were pointing in the right direction. They didn’t look right. I went in. Felt one head. It was positioned correctly. I decided to pull. It was a job. Wow. But we did it. Mother and new buckling (male goat) are fine.
I checked on Iris, talking to her, “I will not do anything until I see 2 hooves.” Something seemed off. Even the color of the discharge. Dark yellow.
Iris began pushing again, no progress. So, I checked. I felt a head in the right position, and said, “Okay, girl, when you push, I will pull!” Wow, another struggle, but we got that beautiful doeling (young female goat) out.
I knew Iris was not finished. I said to her, “Well, momma, your next one will be fairly simple.” I’ll stand back and wait. I left the pen open.
It was not long before Iris laid down and grunted. No hoof. Not even one. Then I see a tongue. A nose. No hoof.
I was tired, so was she. I am tired a lot lately. It tends to make me very careful and aware with judgement calls.
I went in, beyond the kid’s neck. Shoulders only, legs back. Oh oh. Another push. Out comes an ear.
I cleared the nose and the mouth. The kid took a breath.
And for whatever reason, Iris shoot out of the pen and ran to the back of the barn. A very dirty end of the barn.
The kid’s eyes are open, the head was completely out, and Iris was going at a good trot. Well, she doesn’t run well when her udder is that swollen, and especially while in labor.
And…I was laughing. I said to her, as I calmly walked behind her, “You are one crazy goat chick!”
I told her she was not going to have a kid in that dirt!
So I let her lay down. I gently urged the kids head forward (not a good thing to put much pressure on). I did get a tiny bit of forward movement. I went in and found a leg folded back. Finally, leverage! It wasn’t a difficult pull, I got the 2nd doeling out and I laid her on momma’s side.
I’ll never forget goofy Iris flying down the barn. Her legs were spraying outwards. The kid’s eyes were open. She was going for a ride! What a way to start a new life.
I shake my head and giggle.
The things we see and do.
Praise the Lord I get to experience these beautiful things.
Life is a miracle.
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Oh Mary, I’d have fainted at the thought of it! I don’t seem to be very medically oriented, considering both my kids are in the medical profession. They sure didn’t get it from me.
You’re wonderful, and God is great!
Debbie
Debbie, I used to feel a bit freaked out, but I just roll with it now. Most of the births are uneventful, no problems. These two just happened to be a little different. Have a great day! Hope you are warming up in Illinois like we are here!
Very funny! I can imagine what you described and it made me giggle.
Poor mama wanted it to be OVER!
Becky, it was funny. I will never wipe the image of Iris galloping down the aisle with the kid’s head out, eyes open to the world. Iris can really throw her legs out when her udder is engorged. Hilarious.
LOL Mary, been there, done that though! Life on a farm with goats.
Amy
Oh wow! I’m used to seeing horses. That’s some story, and very interesting and entertaining. Did I count the kids right? Three? A single and twins? Awesome.
How funny! I can’t imagine getting used to it! I guess ya do, tho. WHat a funny image in my head of Iris running all spraddle-legged with a little head hanging out of her rear end! Thanks for sharing that story. I won’t quit smiling for awhile!
Oh my, how funny! (since everything turned out OK) What a sight that must have been, I can only imagine! I don’t know if it is something in the water this year or what but out of 4 does that have kidded so far one kid was breech and two had one front leg back. Everyone is doing fine and great but that is almost as many mispositioned kids as we have had born here in the last 8 years all put together. Hope the pattern does not continue for the next 13 to kid!
Jennifer, good to hear from you. I am very much behind in reading and commenting on blogs.
It was a funny situation! This year, thankfully, the morning with Snowball and Iris was the only time I’ve had odd positions this year. So far, so good!
That is funny and so typical – most goat deliveries are simple and easy – but when they get complicated – they get crazy! I followed my favorite doe around two pasture with the two hind legs of what I assumed to be a dead kid being delivered – out and bouncing as she’d take spurt of trotting and then stand still and look at me as if to say “do something – don’t stand there” – finally had to pour warm water around the legs because things were getting complicated – with her helping a little by pushing – managed to pull out a HUGE very alive buckling – two hours of trotting and he was up and nursing within minutes – goats are amazing.
Hilarious! What a story, Linda Sue. It doesn’t seem to bother the does that they have body parts hanging out of them. We certainly wouldn’t be running around a pasture or barn, at least I don’t think so. Ha ha ha! Goats ARE amazing!
Funny and memorable! Are you going to pick a special name for that doeling based on her start in life?
I had a doe who was never fazed by labor, she would eat right through her labor and the kid would practically crawl out and announce itself before she would acknowledge her motherhood.
You are tired a lot? How are you doing Mary?
I am not sure what I will call the doe, Kathy, but I am keeping her. She is the cutest alpine/nubian. Funny little ears. A nice sized doe. Good idea about using a special name. I will do that and come back to tell you.
Oh yes, I have not caught up on rest for several weeks. I am doing okay, Kathy, but certain things are eating at me (like paperwork, taxes, and a few projects promised out that I cannot meet). But, it isn’t life or death, and nothing is ever perfect. It is all a matter of growth and learning. All is good.
I love it Mary! Thanks for sharing this miraculous story. I can’t imagine all the varying emotions you were experiencing.
It goes with the territory. A person does what they have to do. Push the emotions aside. Thanks, Melissa.
Hi, this is a good article.