Almost time

Well today is Jemma’s “due date.” Nigerian Dwarf goats have a gestation from 145 days to about 157 days. After 157 days it is time to call in the veterinarian because something could be wrong. So today is day 145 of Jemma’s gestation and thus the watch for labor signs has begun.

This will be our first time having a goat give birth here on our farm. We have read the books and are now trying not to be nervous. The books all say that goats give birth the vast majority of the time with no issues and then those same books spend the next 20 pages outlining all the problems, malpresentations, and issues that can happen. After reading all that the only thing both my wife and I felt like doing as praying. While the books say almost all the time things will go fine, it is hard not to be nervous and worried reading all the possible problems. So while we have all our birthing supplies ready and the baby monitor is turn on in the barn so we can keep an ear on Jemma, we just keep praying that everything well go well and smoothly for both Jemma and us.