Yesterday, March 4th, was a crazy day. Over the past couple of days, we had been very worried about Apple, because she was not going into labor and went well past her due date. On day 153 (normal gestation 145-155 days) Apple was not looking any closer to kidding, so we induced her that day with hormones to bring on her labor. Oddly, she did not respond to the hormones as we expected. Normally, the dose of lute and dex takes 36 hours, but Apple did not go into labor until well beyond 40 hours. The anticipation and worry over a doe in labor is, for me, excruciating! All the worry was for nothing though as Apple delivered two healthy bucks in under two minutes, unassisted.
Twin Willows S Confetti & Twin Willows S Carnivale. Both boys are SOLD.
As I was drying off the new bucks I heard a goat begin loudly crying behind me. It was Cali, who apparently had watched the whole thing, and was jealous. When I got the bucks dry and comfortable, I took Cali out of the pen and checked her ligaments. Sure enough, they were gone. Thankfully, my husband arrived home and prepared a kidding stall for Cali. It wasn't long before she was in labor.
Just before midnight, Cali delivered. There were four babies in all, and one was a toxic little peanut baby (long dead premie) who we think weakened the systems of the other three babies. Two did not survive the birth, and one little 2 lb doeling was left to struggle for survival. She had a very rough start as she was very weak, but I worked with her throughout the night to get her body temperature up, tube feeding her and trying to get her to take a bottle. At four hours old she tried earnestly to stand for the first time. She was not successful. Shortly after, she had her first bottle. By nine hours old, she successfully stood up and took her first steps. This sweet little doeling is now doing very well and she has a great chance of survival. She will be reunited with her anxious dam as soon as she is strong enough.
Introducing our newest retained doeling, Lotti.
Just before midnight, Cali delivered. There were four babies in all, and one was a toxic little peanut baby (long dead premie) who we think weakened the systems of the other three babies. Two did not survive the birth, and one little 2 lb doeling was left to struggle for survival. She had a very rough start as she was very weak, but I worked with her throughout the night to get her body temperature up, tube feeding her and trying to get her to take a bottle. At four hours old she tried earnestly to stand for the first time. She was not successful. Shortly after, she had her first bottle. By nine hours old, she successfully stood up and took her first steps. This sweet little doeling is now doing very well and she has a great chance of survival. She will be reunited with her anxious dam as soon as she is strong enough.
Introducing our newest retained doeling, Lotti.
Twin Willows S Carlotta (Strong One in Italian)
RSS Feed