First buckling born
Second buckling... resembles his sire.
The doeling is pure black not a single white hair, just like her dam.
This picture is a good comparision in size to her brother.
Well imagine my surprise to find Nocturne in labor weeks before her expected due date. I bought Nocturne as a bred doe and was given a due date of March 10th. So that was the date we were planning on. Friday morning when I went to feed the does I noticed Nocturne wasn't eating like she should be. So I got her a couple horse treats (all the goats LOVE these) and she quickly ate them down. So I thought nothing more of it. Later that afternoon I went down to check on the kids and she was standing in front of the barn door. I had to sort of push her out of the way to get into the pen. I went over and played with the kids for a bit did a couple little chores, scratched some does, and when I was leaving, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, something hanging from Nocturne. I rushed over to her, looked at her backend and sure enough she was streaming with birthing fluid. I was thinking "this can't be right she is not due yet." And then I started to worry what if something is wrong... is she too early? But there was nothing to do about it now, other than deliver impending babies. So I get her into the kidding pen, gather my kidding supplies, and an hour later I am delivering babies.
She had triplets! Two bucks and a doe and did excellent for a first timer. While the first two bucks born were of normal size and seemed healthy and alert, the doeling was extremely tiny and very weak. My first thoughts when I saw her was "oh no she is too small she will not survive." But of course I had to give her that chance. So I left mom clean her off for a moment to bond, and then wrapped her up and give her to my daughter to try and warm up while I tend to the boys. After the boys have had their cords dipped, and nursed from mom on their own, I turn all my attentions on the doeling. I try to get her to nurse from her dam, but she is just too weak. Still can't stand or nurse. So it is time for drastic measures so off to the house she goes. We tended to her all day, getting her warm, stimulation, meds, feeding her colostrum with a syringe, until finally she starts suckling and trying to stand. She kept improving until 24 hours later she was standing on her own, and drinking from her dam with some assistance. By Sunday morning, she is down there with her family and fighting her brothers off for her place on the teat. And she has no problems getting it either. She pushes those boys right off for her turn. And Nocturne is the most loving mother. She makes sure the doe gets her share. I watched her pull her buckling off to make room for the doe to get in there because the doeling was screaming for her turn. She may be tiny but she has a strong set of lungs.
So all is well and all babies are thriving at this time. I don't know why she is a third of her brothers size... but she is by far the tinest kid yet to be born here and survive. I am going to say survive, because I have high hopes that she has turned the corner and is going to be fine. If you would have seen her at birth and then see her now just 2 days old, you would be amazed at the turn around she has made. She is one that at birth I gave her about a 25% chance. She has since proven me wrong. She has a zest for life, and never gave up. She may be premee in size but is above normal in mind & spirit. This little one is a fighter!
