Triple the Trouble

We have been watching Annie, our Nubian Dairy Goat, very closely.  It was a couple days past her due date and she was as wide as the north side of the barn.  Every day we talked to her saying, "Annie, is today your big day?"  The answer was negative until Thursday and then things began moving quickly.  Tricia first noticed Annie scratching the ground by the woodpile.

X marks the spot

Tricia walked out from time to time to check on the expectant mother and pretty soon...  She saw a sac protruding and she could see tiny hooves.  The water hadn't broke yet, but curious chickens gathered around and soon took care of that problem, pecking until the sac burst.

Here comes Annie's first baby

Tricia was taking it all in of Annie's first baby, when another kid arrived!  "Twins," Tricia exclaimed! She was admiring the twins when yet another one popped out.  Triplets!!!  The curious onlookers in addition to Tricia, including cows and chickens, arrived to welcome the new barnyard critters.

Three baby goats

Annie began the task of licking them to clean them all up.  At this point Tricia called me to tell me about Annie's babies.  She told me that she wasn't absolutely sure, but she thought that there were two doelings and a buckling.

The triplets' first bath

The amniotic fluid from 3 babies made a big mudhole, so Tricia grabbed some hay and laid it down to make a comfortable "nest" for Annie and her babies.  One of the females quickly popped up on her legs and began looking for milk.  It is very important for the babies to get the mother's first milk (colostrum) to give them antibodies to ensure good health and a good start.

Where's the spigot?

The chickens were causing all kinds of problems, so Tricia moved the little family into the barn where they could have some privacy.  All of the kids began looking for milk.  There is a problem here.  There are three baby goats and a goat only has two teats.  That means there's always someone left without.  They'll have to learn to wait their turn and learn to be patient.  Tricia ensured that they all nursed and got the colostrum.  Fortunately, they are all very healthy.

Wait your turn, little one.

I tell you what; baby goats are about the cutest little creatures on God's earth. Sometimes they appear to be smiling!  This little girl has a pattern on her head similar to a skunk.  I was tempted to call her Skunk-face, but that's not a very endearing name.

Smiles everyone, smiles!

There is one little buck, so we think we'll call him, Buckwheat.  After The Little Rascals TV show, we'll name one of the girls Darla.  As far as the other girl, the jury is still out.  We'll figure out something to call her soon.  They are so active and seem to be enjoying playing with each other.

Annie and her children

It is impossible - utterly impossible, to pass by these little creatures and not pick them up and hold them!

Benjamin and one of the girls

They all have spots similar to Annie, except their spots are gray in color, whereas Annie's spots are whitish or brown.  One of the little girls is solid black on her side, but has a spotted head.  They all learned to latch on and nurse Annie very quickly.

Milk!

With each passing hour they got more lively.  Sometimes a little too lively.  Pretty soon the kids got tired.  With bellies full of milk and a day full of adventure, there's nothing more satisfying than taking a nap - especially cuddled into a cozy ball with their brother and sisters.

Nap Time!

One little update:  Sunday morning the kids started something Tricia calls, Popcorn.  Popcorn is where the kids start jumping straight up in the air like kernels of corn in hot oil.  They are so playful. Well, they were doing the popcorn thing and the little buckling, Buckwheat, popped right up under Rosie, our 950 pound Jersey cow.  Rosie stepped on the little booger's leg.  Buckwheat's popcorn play was over for the day.  In fact he was not putting any weight on the leg at all.  I checked it out and there were no broken bones.  We were fortunate, but we quickly put the newborns in the "nursery" - away from the cows.  By Monday afternoon, praise the LORD, little Buckwheat was almost 100% back to normal, putting lots of weight on the leg and only walking with a very slight limp.  I'm sure the popcorn game will commence again tomorrow - only this time, safely out of Rosie's way.