Darlene Gives Birth

I am now an official goat mid-wife!

I had the most amazing experience with helping our friends

while their boer goat, Darlene, was getting ready to give birth

that resulted in two beautiful boys.

Darlene was segregated from the rest of the herd

and placed in the shelter next to the house.  

We were ready with towels and medical supplies

and soon the process began.

 Before long we could see a foot, then another foot

and the tip of a nose starting to emerge.  With a little

support so Darlene could push better, baby #1 was born.

Darlene began to clean him until baby #2 quite quickly appeared.

 My friend held the babies while I tied off the cords

and after they were clean we applied iodine.

I continued to wipe down baby #1 as baby #2 was being

attended to. Beau, the half Great Pyrenees and Australian Shepherd 

kept careful watch over the entire process.  He was helping

to clean and keep everyone safe.   He guards

the goats that need human interference while his sister,

Bella, guards the herd.  Both are not only guardians but

but also wonderful family dogs.  Beau

thinks he is a lap dog and that 40# head gets really, really

heavy when he wants you to cradle it in your arms.

I can't say I don't love it through!

We were all thrilled when the babies finally figured out

how to eat and Darlene allowed them to nurse.

It amazes me that the babies were up and walking so quickly.

Darlene was pretty happy the whole thing was over.

Now I can't wait to go see them again!