Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

Dear Onion has STILL not had her babies... She is doing a grand job of keeping us on tenterhooks but we are not worried - yet! A little like human babies, kid goats don't always turn up on time. Onion is now on day 148 but up to day 152 or longer is still okay although 150 is usual and we have never had a goat kidding beyond day 151. We are glad the kids did not arrive yesterday as it was very wet and cold. Today began cold but ended warm and dry. It is so much nicer to have animals being born when the weather is good - both for them and for the human observers - that's us!! We have had occasions over the years when we have stood getting colder and colder as we wait for the latest arrivals to pop out into the world. Jack has also been known to eat her dinner in the barn just in case she misses anything!!!
This is a photo of Onion taken earlier today - she is looking a little like she might want to give birth quite soon... maybe. Her eyes are what we call a little 'starry', not quite focused. She keeps sitting back on her haunches, which probably helps to take the pressure off her chest so she can breathe more easily (although she is lying okay here). She is feeling and looking very 'flabby' around her back end. Her udder is now quite bagged up: all signs that something should happen very soon!!
We have to keep reminding ourselves that we are now on a rollercoaster for births despite all being focused on Onion these last few days. Sage and Thyme are due to give birth from Friday, Crumpet our brown rabbit tomorrow and then the dairy goats have their turn in the first couple of weeks of May. So come on Onion, you need to start the ball rolling here and then the rest will follow, hopefully!!!