Goats Are Us . . .
Cerra and I noticed Sunday that Dagney was beginning to bag up. I knew it wouldn't be long before she kidded. I was very concerned about this since she had such a hard time last year. If you will remember, she had 4 kids last year and needed a lot of help delivering them. Cerra was finished with her job and was getting ready to go back to Utah. With Dillon and Cerra gone and me at work all the time I was worried that Dagney might get into trouble and that I might loose one or more of the kids or, even worse, Dagney. I tried to think good thought and make last minute preparations.
I went to work early Monday and stopped and bought a bale of straw to provide fresh bedding for the upcoming event. I planned to spread it out as soon as I got home Tuesday morning. When I did get home Tuesday, at 4:00 a.m., I was really, really tired. I thought to myself that I would just go take a nap for a few hours then spread the straw. Something whispered to me that I should do as I had planned. I am glad I listened to that little whisper.
I went out back when I got home and noticed right away that the heat lamp wasn't on in the shed. I checked the connection by the garage. I had the AM and the PM times on the timer mixed up. I corrected the problem before going out to the shed. As the light came on, I heard that familiar, high pitched bleating that only new baby goats make. I hustled out to the shed to find Dagney and her three beautiful, still wet, new born kids. Dagney looked at me as if to say, "Thank goodness you turned on that light!" I hurried and got some straw, spread it out, and cuddled with Dagney and her babies under the heat lamp until the kids had dried off a bit and found their legs. Each of them got a nice snack and settled down in a warm bed of straw to take a nap. Then it was Dagney's turn.
I got Dagney a big bucket of water, a couple flakes of hay, and closed the door to the shed so she wouldn't have to compete with the other goats. She didn't waste any time in slurping down a big drink of water and then went to munching on the tasty alfalfa hay. She did really well kidding this year and seemed to have a smile on her face as I stroked her head and told her how beautiful her babies are. Tomorrow I will take some pictures and post them so you can see the newest additions to Almosta Farm. TTFN :)
I went to work early Monday and stopped and bought a bale of straw to provide fresh bedding for the upcoming event. I planned to spread it out as soon as I got home Tuesday morning. When I did get home Tuesday, at 4:00 a.m., I was really, really tired. I thought to myself that I would just go take a nap for a few hours then spread the straw. Something whispered to me that I should do as I had planned. I am glad I listened to that little whisper.
I went out back when I got home and noticed right away that the heat lamp wasn't on in the shed. I checked the connection by the garage. I had the AM and the PM times on the timer mixed up. I corrected the problem before going out to the shed. As the light came on, I heard that familiar, high pitched bleating that only new baby goats make. I hustled out to the shed to find Dagney and her three beautiful, still wet, new born kids. Dagney looked at me as if to say, "Thank goodness you turned on that light!" I hurried and got some straw, spread it out, and cuddled with Dagney and her babies under the heat lamp until the kids had dried off a bit and found their legs. Each of them got a nice snack and settled down in a warm bed of straw to take a nap. Then it was Dagney's turn.
I got Dagney a big bucket of water, a couple flakes of hay, and closed the door to the shed so she wouldn't have to compete with the other goats. She didn't waste any time in slurping down a big drink of water and then went to munching on the tasty alfalfa hay. She did really well kidding this year and seemed to have a smile on her face as I stroked her head and told her how beautiful her babies are. Tomorrow I will take some pictures and post them so you can see the newest additions to Almosta Farm. TTFN :)
posted by Kathleen Hawkins at 5:15 AM
3 Comments:
I can't be crying at work. . . next time you have such a sweet story, you should give us fair warning so that we don't end up in tears during office hours.
That is so sweet. I wish I could have been there. I'm so glad that Dagney is okay and that all the babies were born happy and healthy. What a good girl. And wow, is she fertile Myrtle or what? Isn't it uncommon to have that many and now its two years in a row of multiples. How fun!
I can just see my sweet momma all cuddled up with a bunch of new, slimy, little goats under the heat lamp. Sounds like your kind of heaven!
Can't wait to see the pics and to hear the names. Kisses to the new babes. . .
Love you mommy!
Early Monday morning (somewhere between 4am and 6am) I looked in the shed and it looked like the heating lamp was on the ground. I went in to check it out, and it was hung but was reflecting just right off of the feeder to look like the bulb was on the ground when peering through the chicken door.
While I was in there, so was Dagney. She was alone and munching on cud. I don't know what it was, but she looked close. She wasn't in active labor, but again, she looked close. I petted her and gave her kissed and then went about packing. I was going to tell you, but I fogot...
I am so glad it all went well. It seems to when nobody is there. I think "Almost-A-Farm" is blessed that way.
I am so sad that I missed it, but can't wait to see the pics. Love ya Mom!
HEAVEN IT IS!!! Be sure to check out the Kid Pics. I love y'all too!
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