Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Oh boy... or girl!

Sigh...


Apparently Penny got herself knocked up before she arrived here at the end of August.



She started bagging up and bulging out last week. My friend who breeds Boer goats think she's due in about two weeks... or maybe sooner. Maybe a Christmas kid... or kids. She has bagged up more since I took this photo a few days back.

I'm having a heart attack because I know zilch about kidding! However, I am learning and am also going to talk to the farm vet soon. When the time gets closer (if I can tell, geez!) I will start bringing her and a friend into the barn at night in case baby is born then.

If you'll remember, Ophelia gave birth to her piglets on Easter Sunday in 2014. I am really hoping this goes as smoothly as Ophelia's deliveries did. I have a lot to learn in a short amount of time!

Meanwhile...


...it is so mild and muddy here, I am having to clean everyone's hooves thoroughly every day. Finney is very good now about having his hooves picked out! Saul the donkey, however, is magnificent! I don't even need to tie him up, and he starts lifting his foot for me as soon as I touch his leg, then stands perfectly still while I clean out his foot. I have such good animals! :)

Meanwhile, in the house...


...Annuk was keeping an eye on things!





I put that china rooster up there so the cats wouldn't knock it over. Sigh....

29 comments:

  1. Christmas goats...I can't think of anything more fun than that! I hope everyone is healthy it all goes well!

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  2. Cats can go anywhere!! I think Christmas goats sound wonderful! Good Luck!

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  3. Don't Goats just get on with things by themselves? Plenty of good names about for a Christmas Goatlet.

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    1. Yeah. They don't make a terrible fuss like our woman do. I know. I've watched it. It was hard work for me.

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    2. Bahahaah MEN! Yes, they do get on with things but you have to be prepared if they things go south and the vet can't get there fast enough. That's what I'm worried about! :)

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  4. LOL at Cros's comment! You will do fine as a goat-midwife, Natalie. I adore Saul; he's precious. LOVE the cat next to the rooster way up on your kitchen cabinets. Have a great day.

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    1. Saul is a really special animal. I can't say enough good things about him and his gentle presence and his sense of humour!

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  5. Christmas kids would be wonderful ! I am sure all will be fine and you will do wonderful . Yup the ground isn't even close to being frozen here either I don't think we will get a permafrost in the ground this winter . I dread bugs will be really bad next summer because of the lack of cold ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

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    1. Ugh, I hadn't thought about summer bugs... that will not be fun.

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  6. With the number of cats roaming through your life, you'll never lack decorative objects to row up there on top of the cabinets. Can't you just see everyone in a tidy line?

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    1. Well, since they keep knocking down all my decorative objects, I may as well put cats up there!! :)

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  7. best laid plans and all that....

    we have a friend who has goats that may be able to give you some insight: https://www.facebook.com/BrokenTeepee

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    1. THanks very much for the link! I am off to check it out.

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  8. I have lots of things to comment on but I can't get away from my immediate reaction to that first photo. And I really had to study it to finally see it correctly. I thought I was looking down on a large white chicken (Penny's tail was its feather-topped head) and a full-grown Beagle was being popped from its nether regions!

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    1. Bahahaha! But I can see why you were confused. And she's gotten bigger since I took that!!

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  9. Love all the animal photos. Our first cat Linus loved to sit up on the top of the kitchen cupboards too.

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  10. I see a kid naming contest in the future ;-)

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  11. Have you opened a home for fallen women?

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  12. Annuk is probably wondering why the rooster had the "prime" seat lol!!! Best laid plans right? Same for the kidding!!! You will be fine! If anyone can do it, YOU can! xoxo
    catchatwithcarenandcody

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    1. Oh boy, I sure hope so.. thanks Caren!

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  13. Professor Google tells me you should be ready for "up to three with an average of two but often just one" little kiddies. Enjoy (?)

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  14. I can't wait to see if she has twins. I would be a nervous wreck. Hope she has an easy time and all goes well. Oh, if you ever have a free second, my daughter posted a sweet story about a kitty cat that made me think of you. You can see her story on a mothers journal on my blog list.

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    1. I am already a nervous wreck about it!! :)

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  15. Gorgeous pictures !! These animals are so beautiful !!
    Have a nice weekend :)

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  16. Here is hoping that the birth goes smoothly!

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  17. Merry Christmas !!

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!