Ginger's Babies Have Arrived!

Sunday morning Ginger was acting weird. I was wondering if perhaps she was going into labor. After a few moments, she began acting normal again, so I dismissed it, but decided that I should check back with her every so often during the day just to be sure. I never made it back to check on her until their dinner time, and when I walked into the barn, she was standing there with her water bag hanging out of her. I yelled to her "Hold On Ginger! I'll be right back!!" I dropped my bucket and ran back to the house to get the fellas and some.... towels? What do I need? I don't remember!

By the time I returned to Ginger's side her bag had dropped and she was standing and nervously bleating at me as if she was completely bewildered about what the heck was happening to her body. I led her to her birthing pen as the other goats watched with great curiosity.

Over the next two hours Ginger worked very hard to work her first baby out of the birth canal. John and I both had our hand at helping her get the babies out. We were really getting nervous at how long it was taking... our books said that it should be over in minutes rather than hours - and it had been over two hours. Finally with great relief to all, the first kid arrived. A few minutes later, the second one came out very easily and quickly, in just one push.

Ginger was a great mom from the moment the bucklings arrived, licking them clean and encouraging them to nurse.

One of the bucklings has a problem with one of his front legs. The knee joint doesn't seem to be able to lock, so he can't put any weight on it. That doesn't seem to slow him down much - he still gets around and does his best to keep up with his rambunctious and energetic brother. Asa called him Jumper - but has since changed his name to Ginseng Nibbles Holdee. I've named him Ginseng, and Asa figured that he needed a middle and last name: He loves to nibble at fingers that are put in his face and loves to be held, hence the name. The other fella with the wonky leg has been named Sycamore by Jake.

These are very cute, yet temporary additions to our barn. They already have a new home to go to once they have been castrated and dehorned. A friend of John's from B&D who has a farm will take them to use as scrub goats and pretty ornaments for his property. We will enjoy them very much while they are with us.