Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

Three weeks today is the first 'due date' for our pygmy goats so we really are starting to count down the days. Thyme is due first, followed by Sage and Nutmeg, then Parsley, Onion and Garlic. We will predict right now however, that this will NOT be the order they give birth in - there is no such thing as definite dates and orders when goats give birth (same as with humans really).
As the photos of Sage and Onion show they are now HUGE: real barrel-shaped. A little like a pregnant woman, moving around is a bit harder for them and so they are spending more time resting and also more time eating. Their growing kids are demanding a lot from their mothers and they need to keep themselves full of food and therefore energy!! For us, their human owners, being prepared is the key!!! We have our lambing and kidding box ready with essential items such as: gloves, to help pull out any 'stuck' kids or lambs; colostrum, in case 'mum' does not produce enough in her first milk - colostrum is ESSENTIAL for a newborn kid or lamb as it contains all the goodness the young animals needs to keep them alive once they are no longer being protected in mum's womb. Without colostrum, they may die. Our box contains all sorts of other goodies, syringes, heat lamps, towels etc. We hope we won't have to use any of the contents but we have them all ready just in case 'mum' is not quite up to the job!!!
About a week before, we will also give the pygmy goat area a full clean and put fresh bedding in there so there are as few nasty germs around as possible.
As ever we are excited and worried in equal measures!!!
(PS - Nutmeg's nose by the way seems to be much better...)