Real Farmers

 We recently experienced the defining point of feeling like real farmers - it was the moment that I was delivering my first goat baby, that wasn't quit entering the world correctly, and JD was unable to come provide moral support because he was butchering chickens! For the record, he couldn't have done a thing to help me since he knows even less than I do, but I was desperate. This also was our first batch of meat birds and I am super thankful that I ordered 25 instead of the 50 that JD initially requested; it took him two days to build the proper equipment and have them looking like birds from the grocery store.

I did not enter the picture until it was bag and seal time. I did the first round with JD and then Julia helped on the second day. By the end, she did the last several on her own.

Back to my goat delivering, Tori and I headed to the barn to feed the animals for the night when we discovered Lady in active labor. It appeared to be a baby head that was out, but it was hard to tell with the sack and fluid still intact. Since the tiny bit I know included that the front feet were supposed to come first, I knew things were not going just as they should. I called our friends and neighbors that have sheep and asked what to do. With them on the phone as tech support, and the gloves that Tori got me from the house, I managed to help reposition things enough that she delivered the baby. I cleaned the baby's nose and watched him take his first breath. We got Lady some molasses water and watched her clean the baby while the other kids came streaming from the house to see the new baby. About that time, Lady laid down and popped out the second baby boy with little effort. As I cleaned his nose and waited for Lady to turn to even look at him, I saw Bella in near hysteria in the corner. Bella has a unique ability of hysterical crying without making sound. When I asked what was wrong, she bawled that it was all making her stomach hurt. I sent her in the house. 

baby #2

 This isn't a good quality picture, but look at that sweet baby face looking at his momma.

Here's a bonus picture of my egg layers tucking themselves in for the night.

The next morning we all went out to see two dry, steady goats walking around with their mom.

This one is currently Bandito -

Bonus picture of Tally, the cat that loves goats, so opts to sleep in the stall with them.

And here is Mini Vinny or Baby Cow or Avalanche; he doesn't quite have a name yet, but he sure has a sweet face!