• Mar. 10, 2007
Weekend Wip's
I thought it might be interesting to know the basics of how we handle the births around here - (caution - graphic goat birth pictures ahead) we try to keep a very close eye out and attend the births. This is especially important if it's a first-time "mom" or very cold weather. When the animal starts to actually give birth, the first thing we see is like a large bubble. We look to see what part of the kid (or lamb) is presenting...what we want to see is 2 front hooves and a nose. That's good!! If the tongue is sticking out, that means the birth needs to happen asap and we may pull the baby if it's taking too long. If we see 2 back feet, that's still ok, but we have to watch things closely. Last year we had 3 back legs coming at once - oops, that means the babies aren't taking turns. That's when you actually have to get your hand up in there and try to untangle things. One of the guys that works for us is a very experienced shepherd and so we call him if we are in a panic.
Here we are trying to figure out what part is coming out first. (a picture from last year)
When the kid is born, the umbilical cord usually breaks right away, and if the sac isn't broken we help the mom open it up- we want to wipe the mucous away from the nose and mouth right away.
Yes, those are my hands there. Can you believe I still get called the "city girl!?!" I think I've earned my dual citizenship by now. ; )
If there's stuff up its nose we stick a piece of straw up there, which makes it sneeze stuff out. The mom will usually get right in there and try to clean the baby off, she licks and licks and licks. We have old towels out there to help here, especially if it's cold and/or there's more than one baby. We get a heat lamp set up, and we dip the umbilical cord in iodine all the way up to the body. (prevents infection) Then we want to see the baby getting up and trying to nurse. If they are weak we might massage them a bit and squirt some milk into their mouth ourselves. If they are cold we cut holes in the arms of old sweatshirts - instant goat sweater. Usually they don't need that, they are amazingly hardy. The mom gets some fresh water and a handful of grain and some hay. I could go on and on but I'll spare you any more details. I hope those pictures weren't too gross - we think it's cool!
Here's the sock I've been working on - although I've paused that for now so I can finish up my mom's birthday present. I'm using Lorna's Laces Sport in Watercolor, which I got from a contest at Stitchenforkids several months ago- I love it!!.
Comments
• Mar. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Birthing is never a pretty sight, but at least babies are beautiful! Right? Those socks are gonna be really pretty, I've seen that yarn in person I think. I really love Lorna's Lace's yarn. It's nice stuff!
• Mar. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by
That last comment was from Danielle, aka: aknittingmom! I forgot to say who I was, oops! Ha, ha,ha......bye.
• Mar. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I'm a city girl too, so I know nothing about birthing animals (and life on a farm). Glad I can get a sneak peak of the goings on of a farm from you...thanks :)
Love your socks. That's a very pretty color way.
happy knitting :)
hakucho
• Mar. 11, 2007
Is it wrong for me to say...
Posted by LLA
... that the pictures *were* totally gross :) - but I thought it was fascinating????
And, yeah, I think that you've earned the right to cast off your "city girl" status if you want to. I don't know many city girls who can help birth a goat! (so, so, cool!)
