Anticipation builds as Willow nears her kidding date of July 7th. If size and bulginess is anything to go by, we think she’s having twins!
Willow is a second freshener, meaning it is the second time she is giving birth. Last year when we realized things weren’t going according to plan, we called the vet and were able to discuss what we were seeing. This year, we aren’t so lucky as we no longer have a large animal vet nearby.
Goats tend to kid on or near their due-dates. While July 7th is Willow’s due date, she may kid a little earlier or later. Having everything organized ahead of time means we can focus on Willow rather than searching for supplies at the last minute.
With this in mind, we are checking and adding to the kidding kit. We’ll need some of it, and hope the rest of it will be unnecessary.
Being prepared will reduce stress — a lot.
Thus far, even though we’ve had to help, goats tend to be reliable kidders. We can have everything at hand, towels, gloves, colostrum, bottles, iodine, all the things, but the biggest thing is moral support — knowing at least one other experienced goat owner/breeder is available to answer questions or give hands-on help if needed.
Community. Books and online resources are valuable, but there is something reassuring about being able to call someone who has seen dozens of kiddings and can help us think through a situation.
We joined a local goat group years before we got goats. Drawing on their years of personal experience has helped build our confidence in our abilities. We know we are capable of assisting Willow if she needs help.
At the moment, though, much like us, Willow is feeling the weight and discomfort of late pregnancy. She looks like she’s swallowed a pannier on either side of her body, and she quietly mutters to herself — likely chatting to the kids. We happily give her daily massages, which we know she enjoys.
For now, all we can do is wait, keep a close eye on Willow, and make sure we’re as prepared as possible for the arrival of this year’s kids.
Every farm, no matter the size, develops its own approach, and kidding kits vary depending on experience, vet support, and comfort level. This checklist outlines what we currently keep on hand here at Point 6 Acre.
If you’re interested, you can download the complete checklist here.
Warmly,
Brin
—
Brin writes about the quieter lessons of small farm life – ducks in the morning, goats in the barn, and the slow work of tending a small piece of land. Between animal chores, soap making, and reflexology work, she reflects on what it means to live well, live simply, and discover what “enough” really looks like.
