Spring has arrived and so have the babies.

The miracle of birth loses much of its wonderment and awe when it's 2am and you are up to your elbow in a goats uterus.

Okay, that was a bit graphic, but it is the reality of farming. Early this morning, one of our LaManchas went into a rough labor. Luckily it was a beautiful night - mid-50s - and we had the bedroom window open for the first time this year. About 1:30am Mindy heard the goats hollering. I could recognize the voices as Selena and Dodge. Well, our goats don't make noise in the middle of the night unless something serious is amiss. Since we were expecting Rochelle to give birth in the next few days, Mindy went out to check. I dressed and followed after I heard the cry of a new little kid. We waited a while, but Rochelle was clearly having trouble getting the others out. Mindy gloved up and went in to check it out and sure enough, they were turned and badly positioned. A bit of feeling about, some false starts and she managed to rearrange and pull both of the remaining kids out safely. Triplets - 2 bucks and a doe. All solid black except for one buck which has a single spot of white one side. By 3am, they new family had been moved to fresh, clean quarters, the kids had been fed and mom given a clean bill of health. A quick shower and we were back to bed by 3:30. I checked them again at 6, made sure they were nursing and cleaned up the placenta. All three seem healthy and quite vigorous and Rochelle is her usual attentive mothering self. At least she picked good weather for it this year.


There should be 2 sheep giving birth in the next 3-4 weeks as well. Selena won't be due for several months. Spring has arrived.