We have had our first ever birth on our farm ... meet Uisce, our newborn Doeling. Holly her Mum gave birth secretly in the dark of night. As her birth date neared I felt a huge sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of this beautiful animal. For two weeks I poured over books and websites about goat breeding, and posted questions on forums ... I just wanted to be sure I'd recognise the point at which I ought to call in a vet. What a combination of relief and shock that I should open the shelter one morning, bleary eyed and unshowered, to find this gorgeous perfect little doeling staring out at me all bedraggled and deshevelled (me, not the goat) ... her fist sight of the wider world, bless her! If I'd known I would at the very least have brushed my hair for the occasion!
I thought Holly would be anxious of me being near her with the new kid, and had planned to leave them alone to bond. But watching quietly I noticed the kid wasn't suckling so I intervened after checking with Holly first. She was actually very keen for me to help by showing the kid where to go for milk. She just didn't show the sucking reflex, so a babies bottle later (following advice from her previous owner), with a little of Hollys first milk in it, and Uisce sucked. I put her straight to Mums udder then, and we haven't looked back since.
This week I've been anxious to get it right for the maternity ward! Again, more research about how much and when and what to feed a newly lactating goat. What treatment and care she needs postpartum, particularly watching for mastitus and taking action to prevent it. Its a little difficult to guess whats right ... I need to milk some out to ease the pressure on her udder - enough to make her comfortable and reduce the risk of infection - leave plenty for the kid - again remove enough so the kid can get her mouth on the teat. Juggling.
There was also no sign of the placenta when I found the kid, so perhaps Holly had eaten it as they do in the wild (so the smell doesn't attract predators and to retain the nutrients so needed after kidding). If it hadn't come out she could be in big trouble with infection looming, so I've been watching her like a hawk, making sure theres no bad smell and that shes in good form, eating and drinking as normal (but taking into account she has just given birth too!). Being responsible for goats is an awful lot like the feeling I have for the health and safety of my own children!
Congratulations Holly! Your baby is absolutely adorable.
ohhhhh...I want a goat!
*pout* stupid city ordinances.
Posted by: Cakes | March 20, 2007 at 03:47 AM