10/07/2026
Update on Goat show and first fall kidding
The show was a bust for us, we didn’t place where we would’ve liked, but it was fun to get out in the ring again. Miss Mini Skinny will perform at another level as a senior in milk. Thank you to Erica Hopkins at Twin Willows Farm and to all her family who worked together to put on a fun well organized fall event!
The day, however, went downhill from there. Avril had lost her ligaments that morning, so I knew she’d kid sometime that day (Sunday). Around 3pm she was hanging out by the bucks seeming flirty and tail wagging (hormones are weird ya know?). I put her in a pen so I could watch on camera and nothing was happening until 6pm and she started having stridorous respirations. Great. This doe kidded in Feb and lost the litter to what I assume was ketosis or hypocalcemia. It took days to get her back to health. I started treating her immediately and labor progressed some, but no regular contractions. I was able to collect urine and she was not in ketosis so I assume hypocalcemia. By 9pm she was dilated enough to get a hand in and I found a spine and belly, no legs and head was oriented away. I couldn’t get ahold of any legs, much less get it turned. Thank you Dr. Seth at Eel River for the 11:00pm Sunday night C-section. He delivered 3 kids, 2 of which passed on the ride home and the 3rd required a couple hours of hypothermia resuscitation. As my friend Felicia has said, “a goat isn’t dead until it’s warm and dead.” As of yesterday I’d say we have a live buckling! He’s been in the house on a bottle for a couple days and now in a pen with mama, who has accepted him, but there’s no nursing relationship. I’m still treating Avril and she’s improving day by day. We had already planned to sell her after this kidding, but now she’ll be officially retired from breeding and seeking a new home as a pet.
We are currently accepting prayers and well wishes for the next 2 kiddings to go smoothly! Bailey and Groovy Girl and due in a week and a half.
