Bit of a surprise this evening!

Cygnet · #1 02/24/08, 09:16 PM

I have a SMALL nigerian doeling (around 30 pounds) who was exposed to a buck last fall. Her birthdate was 3/27/07 and she this five and a half months ago that she was exposed.

You can see where this is going.

The last few weeks I've been going, "Hmm. She might be pregnant."

I have a buck who's pretty good at fence jumping. Think I've mentioned him before. He's now living in a stall.

Mind, this was a "might" be pregnant. I have a spayed doe who looks more pregnant than she does. Did. She had a bit of a gut that might have just been rumen, and a little udder. I was checking her over last night, actually, and she had nice tight tendons, I couldn't palpate any baby movement, little udder development. I figured if she was pregnant she wouldn't be due for a few more weeks. I was planning on taking her in to the vet in a few weeks to confirm pregnancy and discuss options.

Did I mention she's really, really, REALLY tiny? I never would have intentionally bred this doe. She's small enough that I can pick her up and carry her around under one arm. She's TOO tiny, I like my goats a little bigger.

Well, I went outside tonight to feed and heard little baby Nigerian goats.

Figured it was the oh-my-God-she's-gonna-pop pregnant three year old doe I have.

Nope. "Trouble" (really her name! And well earned!) was quite proud of herself. I have noooooo idea where she was hiding those babies. She's had twins, and they're not little twins by Nigie standards. They're big, healthy, sturdy babies of about a pound each. One boy, one girl. She's being a good mother, has lots of colostrum (and lots and lots and lots ... I got milk all over my arm when I bounced her to check for any more), and everything looks good.

*shrug* She was only, what, five months or so when she conceived? I am so glad that everything turned out well. She's a lot like her dam, so I'm not surprised she's being a good mom, but I am astonished that those two babies came from that little tiny doe who didn't look anywhere near that pregnant. And that she didn't have any obstetrical difficulties. It was a FAST delivery -- there were no babies and no sign of labor when I was outside earlier.

(She was running and playing yesterday!)

The three year old doe was exposed at the same time, so I should have more babies soon.

-- Leva

mawalla · #2 02/24/08, 09:45 PM

Lucky you, dodging the bullet on this one! Glad no c-section was needed! Congratulations!

Cygnet · #3 02/24/08, 10:20 PM

I'm just still in shock that she was ready to go. And they're definitely full term -- the babies look great. Very vigorous. They're already up and running and playing.

Her brother had jumped the fence into the doe pen around Thanksgiving (I'd have to check my notes to be sure, but somewhere around then), so I figured if she was pregnant, she was about three months along. She gave absolutely no sign that she was that close. I was looking at her yesterday and no signs of imminent babies.

Her mother and sisters all tend to look like they've swallowed watermelons whole when they're carrying, and give VERY clear signs of impending birth.

Her father's the daddy. Sigh. I didn't think he'd bred her, just the older doe who was obviously in heat. Classic story, I guess.

Cat · #4 02/24/08, 10:47 PM

You do realize, don't you, that...

Bit of a surprise this evening! - Goats

Congrats on a could-be-catastrophe-gone-right!

goatkid · #5 02/25/08, 12:28 AM

Congratulations on those new babies. Sometimes Nigie does can surprise you. My adorable little Mimi was the product of an oops mating between a Nigerian doeling and a Nubian buckling on my friend's farm. Her dam had no problem delivering her twins either. Of couse I didn't breed Mimi this year. I want to wait til next fall to breed her Nubian for mini Nubies.

goatkid · #6 02/25/08, 12:44 AM

Congratulations on those new babies. Sometimes Nigie does can surprise you. My adorable little Mimi was the product of an oops mating between a Nigerian doeling and a Nubian buckling on my friend's farm. Her dam had no problem delivering her twins either. Of couse I didn't breed Mimi this year. I want to wait til next fall to breed her Nubian for mini Nubies.

Jyllie63 · #7 02/25/08, 05:41 AM

Wow! How wonderful that all are okay! I agree with above poster Cat...Pictures please

waygr00vy · #8 02/25/08, 06:15 AM

Congrats! I also had a pretty tiny doe kid with twins a few weeks ago. I waited until she was two because she was so small. I debated breeding her but she finally got enough size i felt it would be ok, and took her to a friends with a pretty small buck. The only reason I knew she was bred was because she was developing an udder. Then out she pops a healthy set of twins...she wasn't even that wide! Sometimes they suprise you!

myrandaandkids · #9 02/25/08, 02:34 PM

I too have a little "trouble" she is about 3 years old and looks like a chubby little barrel, didnt think she was bred till utter development and movement started, thought she was just plain chubby. never saw the buck do his job and decided she was going to be just a pet and not breed her anymore...lol...sure is cute...cant wait to see those babies

christij · #10 02/25/08, 03:06 PM

I have the same delimma about my yearling lamancha doe. I never saw Little Guy with her but I'm not around 24/7. She is small so I hope she isn't bred.