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I know precisely what you're going through. Our first time this year too - and we just went through our 1st delivery two nights ago. So it's completely fresh in my mind. Here is my experience.
It might help for us to know the breed - some are a bit more prone to problems, also if this is the doe's first time or if she has kidded (with or without problems) before - if you know.
Everything went fine - Murphy doesn't get his way EVERY time.
I noticed extra mucous at about 7PM. We had been seeing a spit wad size of mucous for a few days already, but this was a bit more than usual. At about 10PM the mucous seemed to show a tinged of blood or something, so I made plans to stick it out for the night in the barn. By 12:PM - sleeping bag in hand, I saw the proverbial Amber GOO hanging out - the signature indicator that it won't be long. Our doe did not exhibit any other unusual signs, only a bit of grinding teeth - so that's all the warning I had. She delivered around 2AM.
She was quiet the whole time, except for grinding teeth. I awoke from my dozing when I heard extra grunting - I was expecting some serious wailing, but there was none. When I aimed the flashlight her way, I saw the first bubble and then i knew we were on. Again, not much noise, just teeth grinding and some grunting. The first bubble passed (or broke or something, can't recall - and was followed by the second bubble which had the kid. I did not break it because she got up and the fetus slid back inside her. She did this a couple of times so I didn't want to interfere. Upon the third time she laid down and when the baby bubble appeared, she pushed it all the way out. I do recall trying to see the white hoofs - but I can tell you, that it was not necessarrilly a clear bubble (it was a bit reddish? so i would not have been able to detect whether there were two hoofs and a nose, or not. I was working by flashlight however, so that probably didn't help. When she did deliver, it came as a whoosh. The entire process - from the first bubble - to the getting up getting down, to the final whoosh took about 10 - 15 minutes MAX.
You won't regret having lots of towels at your disposal. If you don't have a bunch already, Goodwill sold us an entire garbage bag full for $2.50. Terrific investment.
She began licking right away. I did not need to swing the baby around as it began breathing and bawling as soon as I cleared the slime from it's head and face. She had a second baby about 5 minutes after. Same process - a bubble emerged, I could see a white spot I figured was hoof - and then in a stroke - whoosh. Be ready to catch or plant the towel where you thing the baby will land. Say good bye to said towel! It will be pretty wet!
She lay there and licked for a long time, while the wee ones struggled to stand. I wanted her to stand up so that they could begin nursing, but she seemed to take her time about it.
I was wondering if there was more to come, so I didn't insist, but was patient.
There was a long bunch of squishy stuff hanging out of her for a bit of time. I kept poking at it, wondering if it was another kid, but it didn't seem firm, just squish. There was also a huge pool of red tinged goo on the straw after she had kidded. It seemed like a lot, but I didn't worry about it. When she finally did stand up, too more long balloons of goo just hung there swinging out her back end while the kids positioned themselves to nurse. I wasn't sure what it was or what to do, but left it alone. It hung there for about 15 mintues before it finally popped and got itself out of the way so the kids didn't bump into it and further slime themselves. After that, the rest of the afterbirth, I much assume, also found its way to the straw floor and created another lake to clean up, but that was it. Show over.
She wasn't too bloody even - though I had earlier clipped the extra fur from her udder and tail area so that wasn't in the way. If you haven't done this I also recommend. I didn't shave her udder, but was happy I'd taken the time to remove the extra fur.
The kids stood up shortly after birth. The doe was obsessed with licking them which I allowed to do. When they started looking around for a teat, I did help them find it and latch on. One of the kids was extremely frail, so I made double sure he got his share.
I worried that they would be too cold, but as soon as they seemed to settle down and be content, (though it if felt cold out to me) so I left them. They were fine the next morning, despite my worries.
I provided alfalfa pellets and molasses water for the doe - she ate the pellets, but wasn't much interested in drinking.
I hope this has helped.
Good luck.Keep us posted.
Last edited by LFRJ; 04/05/13 at 03:06 PM.
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5Likes
Honestly, my first delivery happened while I was at work. Came home to find two of the cutest little babies ever.
