Goats Born on the farm

This morning when we went to feed the goats, Raven let us know today would be the day her babies were born. Oddly enough Two on the way to the goat barn said, “wouldn’t it be great if Raven’s babies were born today?” He was particularly excited when I told him the good news. He and Avril stayed in the barn all morning diligently and quietly watching Raven and reporting back on progress. Around 11:30 it was time for lunch and I knew the time was really close.

Right after lunch they were once again in the barn. I hadn’t even started the dishes when Two ran back to tell us the nose of the first baby had appeared. I tried to get Mavis and Effie and camera together but we missed both births.

I was quite proud of the older children though who acted as midwives at their first goat birth. Two says, “I saw something black coming out of her but and I thought it looked like poop but when I looked closer there were nostrils.” Then the head came and the rest of the body and he ran to grab the towels while the 2nd one was born in Avril’s presence.
 

Raven with Blackie (kids named them).

Blackie and Jimmy in the background.

Blackie and Jimmy with Avril and Mavis looking on.
 

Two trying to help them nurse for the first time.
 

Effie, our little animal lover, trying to pick up Blackie. She actually succeeded at one point and wasn’t happy when we took him away.
 

Avril holding Jimmy.

It was a great day for the children. A bittersweet one in all honestly for me. After all we are striving towards a working farm and hoped that at least one of these babies would add to our milk production in coming years, but I guess it was not to be. Yes we were given twin bucks.

I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to keep them. But the attentions of the children have won me over. So our first goats born on the farm will stay on the farm, as pets of the children that were there when they were born.