Immaculate goat conception? Need some advice..

Steph in MT · #1 01/30/12, 07:16 PM

Hi all!
We have two Boer girls that we put in with our Alpine/Boer cross buck on Oct. 30th. Husband and I have been noticing that one has been getting reeeeaaaaly fat lately. I had husband confirm yesterday that, yes, it did look like she was bagging up. I had called my friend that gave me the girls a few weeks ago and asked if it was possible that her buck had gotten to her and she said no- that he hadn't gotten loose. Said girl goat would've had to jumped in with him and back out again without her noticing.
Fast forward to this afternoon- she's giving birth! First was teeny and stillborn, second (a buckling) must've been dropped right before I got there and I watched her drop the third (a doeling).
We quickly moved mama and babies into the maternity ward, away from daddy and her older daughter so they wouldn't get squished.
Mama is most interested in eating, but is licking them. They were born shortly after 4 pm and it's 6 pm. Neither has gotten on their feet yet and the buckling seems weak to me. I've put them each up to her teets a few times and they did drink. How long should I let them stay with mom before I think about bringing them inside? I'm being a total worry-wart!

I just don't want to wait too late, but I don't want to interfere with nature if they should be okay.
Their "goat house" is wind-free and full of dry straw but it will be getting down to 25 tonight. Please, any advice anyone can give me would be most appreciated~
These aren't my first goat babies, I've midwived three sets of pygmies, but none under these circumstances...
Steph

Alice In TX/MO · #2 01/30/12, 07:20 PM

My dairy kids get up quicker than that. I'd wonder if they are premies.

Steph in MT · #3 01/30/12, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

My dairy kids get up quicker than that. I'd wonder if they are premies.

Could they be 2 months premature? They're bigger than my pygmy babies, but that's all I have to go on... Mama is kinda small as far as Boers go. Forgot to mention too that this isn't her first kidding, just her first since I've had her. Any advice?

Thanks~
Steph

Alice In TX/MO · #4 01/30/12, 07:35 PM

No, I didn't mean THAT premie..... but, they should have been on their feet.

Steph in MT · #5 01/30/12, 07:41 PM

I hope I didn't come across snippy- it was an honest question.

I'm thinking she did come to me already bred, but I don't know how much I should interfere with mama. I just would hate to lose them due to negligence on my part.
Thank you for your input, I do appreciate it.

Steph

Alice In TX/MO · #6 01/30/12, 07:49 PM

Oh, no. You didn't sound snippy. I thought I hadn't been clear.

Are they up?

Steph in MT · #7 01/30/12, 07:52 PM

trying not to be in mama's face too much- going out in a few to check and I will update.
Thank you~
Steph

Jyllie63 · #8 01/30/12, 08:15 PM

If they still aren't up, I would bring them in...just my opinion. They need to be fed and kept warm and if you don't feel momma is doing that I would intervene.

Backfourty,MI. · #9 01/30/12, 08:37 PM

Make sure momma's teats don't still have the wax plug over the opening & that the babies are really getting the colustrum they need.

Make sure they stay in the goat hut & warm with the momma. I'm assuming they are good & dry. Put a hot water bottle under a towel in a corner of the hut for the babies to snuggle on & stay warm.
I would stay out in the barn with them till you know for sure their nursing & getting around. If they are still not up moving around I'd bring them in the house too. Some babies stumble around for an hour or so but they are usually at least up & stumbling.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you & the babies & let us know how they do.

Donna1982 · #10 01/30/12, 09:00 PM

Have they had a shot of bose? I too would bring them in if they are still not up. Fingers crossed for them.

Steph in MT · #11 01/30/12, 09:07 PM

just checked in on them- they are dry and warm (except for the buckling's legs- still chilly). I made mama stand up and let them drink. She was laying with them. Doeling was thirsty and seems perkier than the buckling who I only got to drink a little bit. She seemed like she was almost able to stand, but him, not so much. He kind of feels like a little rag doll.

I did squeeze mama's teets to make sure milk was coming out.
So, should I bring them in? I think I can milk mama with no problem- she hasn't minded me all up in her business so far and she was licking my face like I was one of her babies. Got a bag of powdered goat colostrum and rubber goat nipples but what should I use as a bottle? Thanks everyone for being there with advice- I really appreciate it as I'm kinda lost as what to do-
Steph

Ranger · #12 01/30/12, 09:12 PM

If it were me, I would bring them in. Not standing to nurse after all this time isn't good, and I'd be afraid of loosing them if they stay out. Good luck.

Backfourty,MI. · #13 01/30/12, 09:28 PM

If you decide to bring them in I would milk momma & use her colustrum & milk. That way maybe she'll still take them back tomarrow if they seem able & strong enough.

Sometimes if the doe was in labor along time the babies are also just tuckered out too & may need a little extra time. Did you give Bo-Se or if you don't have that do you have any Vitamin E gel capsules? If you give the Vit. E capsules, poke a hole in them & squirt the liquid from 1 or 2 capsules in the mouths of the little one's.

Don't forget to worm momma too.

Dam raised babies don't drink a lot at time. Just lots of times throughout the day & off & on through the night. It sounds like momma is being a good momma too.

Steph in MT · #14 01/30/12, 10:33 PM

Okay, babies in and chillaxing in front of the woodstove. Milked mama with no problem and trying to feed babies with an eye dropper. Little girl's a bit more aware, but little boy is still pretty droopy- he did lift his head on his own though after he'd been by the stove for a little while. His body is warm, but his poor little legs are still chilled. Don't have any Bo-Se or Vit. E unfortunately. What about fish oil?
How often should I try to get them to drink?
I have a feeling it's going to be a long night...
Thanks everybody and keep the advice coming!
Steph

JustRSize · #15 01/30/12, 11:27 PM

Steph, I know you said that the little boy's body is warm but feel inside his mouth. It
should be warm, and if not he needs to be warmed up more. If he needs warming up I would put him in a plastic bag (with his head sticking out) and put into very warm water until he warms up. Of course you could take his temp to see what his actual temp is.

Hope this helps...:-)

~Carla
JustRSize Acres
SW Oregon

JustRSize · #16 01/30/12, 11:29 PM

Oops - I meant to say also that unless he is warm (on the inside), feeding is not good.
They have to be up to temp in order to "use" the food, or it will just cause problems
for their tummy.

~Carla

Steph in MT · #17 01/31/12, 05:49 AM

Well, we all made it through the night!

Got up and fed them a little bit at 2 and they both seemed perky and liked the idea of milk, even if it was coming from an eye dropper. Stood them both up and they were able to stand for about a minute until they plopped down again. There was peeing and pooping the cutest, tiniest little goat beans I have ever seen.
Woke them up for a bit more milk at 4 and they (especially buckling who had been so weak) slurped up the milk quite happily. There was more peeing and pooping. I stood them up to drink this time and after flopping down after a few minutes they both stood up once on their own!
I'm sure they're still not out of the woods yet, but I'm a heck of a lot more hopeful this morning. Gonna feed them once more at 6 before I head out to work and put them out with mama. Keep fingers crossed that all is well when I get home around 1.
Thanks everyone for all the advice- I was so totally unready for this! Big lesson learned...
I have been taking pictures and will post tonight!

Steph

Backfourty,MI. · #18 01/31/12, 06:09 AM

Keeping my fingers crossed for your little ones Steph & hope you come home to happy, bouncy little ones!

Cannon_Farms · #19 01/31/12, 06:12 AM

with larger litters sometimes they cant move around so well so they get muscle atrophy and can take a day or two to get moving. There wasnt much to three of the quads I had born last week, two are still coming in at night but after that first day they where able to stand so hopefully yours will find their feet today.

Alice In TX/MO · #20 01/31/12, 06:20 AM

Please do not use powdered goat colostrum. Milk the mom, use her milk.

The stories of failures with store bought colostrum/replacer are legion.

She's cooperating with you, which is a *miracle.* I'd go with that.