Goat Birth

____Warning!!___These are graphic pictures of a goat giving birth!

Our little blue-eyed Bamboo Acres BP Princess Cruz had her first kidding Tuesday April 28th. She was very cooperative with the photo taking, so we thought we would share...

11:17 a.m.

"Hey! I'm having my babies today!"

The morning started out with lots of crying and laying down, getting back up, pawing...

11:37 a.m.

" I really think I need to push!"

11:41 a.m.

"Look! Isn't that the bubble?"

No, sweetie! It's just goo...we've still got a ways to go...


11:50 a.m.

"Whew! This is taking a long time. I think I need some comforting! Ahhh....Thanks Elsa!"

1:12 p.m.

"Ok, now it's serious! That is the bubble!!"

1:12 p.m.

The bubble bursts - the water breaks...


1:13 p.m.
Here it comes! Two little hooves and the tiny nose (see that little pink tongue?) But the legs are out a little too far so the shoulders are trying to come out with the head...and it doesn't fit! Poor Princess was crying for help so at this point I pushed the little hooves back a bit and helped ease the head out.



1:14 p.m.

The head makes it out...

1:15 p.m.

The first kid is born! A little black and brown doeling....

But wait! What is this?


1:16 p.m.

Another is right on the tail of the first!


1:17 p.m.
And number 2 is born! Wow! Two kids in two minutes. It's the fastest I've ever seen. The second kid is a black and white doeling.


1:24 p.m.
Nine minutes old and the first baby is already trying to stand. Her rear half is still covered in the amniotic sac, but she's not waiting for anything! She did get right up on all fours...and dropped back down again!


1:29 p.m.

Doeling one rests after her first big stand, mom is licking off number two.



1:52 p.m.

"Aren't my babies smart! Only 37 minutes old and they are both standing up and looking for the udder!"

Yes, Princess. They are lovely babies and you did a fine job with your first kidding!

County Fair Goat Show

Yay! It was a successful year at the Maricopa County Fair! We entered 10 Nigerian Dwarf goats, and ended up placing in the top 3 in every class. Four of our Nigerians won blue ribbons, Fairywood IM Storm was the reserve Junior Champion, Fairywood Angel Cake was the reserve Senior Champion, Fairywood Dark Chocolate was the Senior Champion and the Champion Nigerian Doe!!

Here is the champion class with 3 of the 4 being our goats. Jill, Lucy, and Jesse did such a great job showing the goats! Thanks kids!

The little champion was very happy to be back with her babies after the show!

Ready for the County Fair

Oh my gosh! Did I really just shave 11 goats?

Here they are all clean and tidy.

Ok, Mom! Let's go!

This is our sixth year showing our animals at the Maricopa County Fair. We started out with market lambs and pigmy goats, one year Jill even raised a pig! But for the past couple of years we have just shown dairy goats (and poultry, we always have a few chickens entered!) We love dairy goats, especially the Nigerian Dwarfs. The county fair show is really fun for the kids - I think because there are so many other kids there, and the rides, and the judges are usually very nice and helpful.

So come cheer us on tomorrow afternoon as we show our goats! We have most of the Nigerians there, it will be fun to see what the judge thinks of them!