My 2 pygmies have had their babies - Bluebell on tuesday and Rosie today. Bluebells was a nightmare! Both are first time kidders and when she had it she ran to the opposite corner of the shed and glared at it as if to say "what the hell's that!" I have never had goats kid so all new to me too. She did start to lick it when I moved the kid near to her but wouldn't let it suckle. Every time the kid touched her side she would move away - she licked it beautifuly clean but for hours wouldn't let the kid feed. After an hour and a half - after ringing the vet - I had to milk Bluebell (not easy!!) and dribble the colostrum into the babies mouth. I could only get 10 mls at first but it was a start. Over the next 6 hours I managed to get 35 mls into her. After about 7 hours she would let her kid near her and even stand under her but even though we had held Bluebell to try to latch on loads of times - no good.
I had resigned myself to hand rearing the kid. At 11pm we went in to do the last feed - Pete to hold her still while I milked her - then all of a sudden the kid started to feed. What relief!! I got up at 3am ( as you do!) to check and she was feeding again. All has been well since. We named her Lily.
Today Rosie had hers. Things couldn't have been more different. I did tell her to pay attention as I didn't want a re-run and it seems she did! She had hers at 7.30 this morning - so pleased to see it born. She immediately started licking it and within half an hour had allowed her to feed for a few seconds but now is feeding well. We have named her Daisy. Really lucky too to have had 2 girls. They are so sweet and I am so relieved!
I had resigned myself to hand rearing the kid. At 11pm we went in to do the last feed - Pete to hold her still while I milked her - then all of a sudden the kid started to feed. What relief!! I got up at 3am ( as you do!) to check and she was feeding again. All has been well since. We named her Lily.
Today Rosie had hers. Things couldn't have been more different. I did tell her to pay attention as I didn't want a re-run and it seems she did! She had hers at 7.30 this morning - so pleased to see it born. She immediately started licking it and within half an hour had allowed her to feed for a few seconds but now is feeding well. We have named her Daisy. Really lucky too to have had 2 girls. They are so sweet and I am so relieved!
Look forward to hearing about them grow and seeing pics.
