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Diary of a Goat Lady, Entry 2

3/9/2017

4 Comments

 
Goat Kid Preparation Checklist
​

Stack of clean towels for drying off goat kids - check.
Blue bulb syringe for suctioning noses - check.
​Path worn to the barn from checking on my pregnant goats - check.
Camera for newborn photos - check.
Clean kidding stall with straw, water, & food - check.
Propane tanks full to heat our barn - check.
Baby goats - ummmmm..........

Does anyone else hear the crickets?

The state of things around here can be summed up with a picture of Nickel from today...
Picture
Nickel on 3/9/17 - 10 days before her due date
Oakley is the goat we've been watching closely because we don't know her due date, but since Nickel & Llama both dropped yesterday, now I'm watching them too!  When I say dropped, I mean that their kids moved from being carried high in their abdomens to low, which results in a sunken look at the hips.  This happens as kidding gets closer and the babies are getting lined up in the birth canal.  

Just for your reference as we count down the days, we know Llama is due 3/17/17, and Nickel is due 3/19/17.  We didn't witness the deed with Emma, but we suspect it is around 3/21/17.

Throughout this pregnancy, Nickel has just been large.  She had triplets last year, and I'm fairly confident it is triplets again.  Based on her size, I wouldn't even be surprised to see quads, but I do think it is triplets.  Her extra largeness compared to the other ladies in the herd is likely due to her "queen goat" status that earns her more grain at the food trough everyday.  (For anyone not familiar with goats, they have a self-established pecking order like chickens.  Nickel is the long-standing queen of our herd and won't hesitate to push her authority on the other goats - except our buck, Ziggy.  She doesn't mess with him.) 

So, we are keeping a wary eye on the bitter cold temperatures predicted for this weekend.  I've gone from wanting Oakley to kid NOW to hoping her babies stay safe & warm inside her until we get through this bitter cold snap.

Stay tuned.  The babies can't stay in there forever!
4 Comments
Ronda Chivinski
3/10/2017 11:07:08 am

God bless you Vanessa!!!

Reply
Vanessa
3/13/2017 08:37:09 pm

Thanks, Ronda! And thanks for stopping by!

Reply
COLLEEN
3/11/2017 12:43:13 pm

VANESSA THIS IS SO INTERESTING & SHE IS BEAUTIFUL. CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR HER GOOD NEWS, 3 OR MAYBE 4 GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. TAKE CARE & STAY WELLB

Reply
Vanessa
3/13/2017 08:38:45 pm

Thanks, Colleen! We are so eager to see how many Nickel is having! She's never had a buckling, either, so we have high hopes for all girls :) Though, as I understand it, the gender of the babies is more up to the sire, than her :)

Reply



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    Vanessa from Russell Homestead.  Follower of the Lord Jesus, wife of my knight in shining armor, mother of 5 wonderful children, and joint-keeper of the Russell homestead.  Thanks for stopping by!
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"The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." Psalm 24:1

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  • Home
  • Mini Schnauzers
    • Mini Schnauzers - The Basics
    • Current & Upcoming Litters
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Nutrition >
      • Nutrition - The Basics
      • Recommended Products
      • Life's Abundance-FAQ
    • Past Puppies
    • Puppy Photo Updates
    • Testimonials
    • Past Puppy Blogs
    • Documents
  • Goats
    • Our Goat Herd >
      • Goats - The Basics
      • Velvet
      • Nickel
      • Llama
    • Available Goat Kids
    • Past Goat Kids
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  • Contact
  • Blog