Notes on Goat Labor

(List of Notes at bottom of post)

So we've been watching this gal for weeks.

And we've noticed many of the signs of impending labor:

Her udder bagged up about two weeks ago.

(They can "bag up" or fill up with milk anywhere from a month to seconds before labor)

Her belly started dropping.

(They carry the kids up high for most of the pregnancy, then drop 'em lower a couple days before labor. You know this has happened when you start to see a sunken area above the baby bulge.)

Her ligaments were loosening.

(Any guide to goat labor will tell you ALLLL about how the tail ligaments disappear.)

But nothing happened. For days.

When I checked on her and all the other goats this morning, it was business as usual. Grazing, resting in the shade, no babies. Darn. Maybe tomorrow?

Around noontime we get a call from our uncle who was doing some work from us.

There's a baby in our pasture!!! Yay!!!

I immediately run outside, straight for the pasture. Barefoot, through the bee-filled clover, up over the fence, through the sticker weeds. Yup. I should've thought that through. But I was so excited to meet the new baby.

When I first came upon the two, I was a bit worried. I didn't realize she had just had this kid. He was still slimy, his cord wrapped around his back a little, and Dolly (mama) was barely cleaning up.

Last year, her first freshening, she wasn't the best of moms. She hardly let her twins nurse (one of them adopted a different doe as her mom. lol) and was awful on the milk stand. Last year, I had to help the kids to their first colostrum and even carry to her the kid that she walked off and left right after birth.

Ugh. First fresheners.

So, I was skeptical. …Okay, worried!

But instead, she was amazing. Fabulous. Redeemed.

Upon my arrival, Dolly immediately went about chewing away the cord and eating the rest of the slime. She talked to little Felix the whole time. It's really sweet the way the mumble and chatter to the kids.

Silly Felix, though. Within the first few hours of his life, as we observed him, Felix has already shown a great deal of personality! He's a bold little dude, if a bit confused. He spent a good five minutes pecking at his mom's chest and trying to nurse her collar before he found her teat. He hobbles around, but is sturdier at this point than any other kid we've had.

About an hour after first finding him, I went back out to see how he was doing. We like to give mom and kid plenty of bonding time, so we check up periodically and try not to get in the way too much. Which is hard to do. I mean, really, really hard.

When I went out this second time, I sat criss-cross-applesauce beside the two. Felix was already hobbling to and fro, learning how to use his legs. He comes up to me and I pet his little head. Next thing I know, he climbs into my lap and starts trying to nurse my fingers, my shirt, whatever he can get his little mouth on!

Such silly goats.

So, about those notes, right?

1. You may have noticed I never mentioned dipping the cord, wiping down the kid, or helping him find the teat. At Heart of the King farm, we "assist" as little as possible and only as much as necessary. We feel it only makes sense to allow nature to do as nature does, and it is in the doe's nature to take care of her baby in all those ways. Granted, if a kid or mom does have issues, we will address them. We aren't negligent.
2. Waiting for your goat to kid is painful. You can't wait to see it, hold it, pet it's little nose. But you have to, and it's hard.
3. And it's only made worse by all the differentiating signs of labor. Some are obvious and mean within a couple  day (those I wrote out at the top). Those that mean very soon can be a lot harder to understand. Some goats get super friendly or noisy as they go into labor. Others get quiet and go off to themselves. Some never give any distinguishable sign. 
4. That means you may walk outside to a new set kids, or sit and wait while your goat tells you all about what's going on, but at least you're there and can help if things go awry.
5. If things do go awry, this link explains basically any version of awry and can help.
6. Once the kid(s) are born, all you really need to do is make sure their cord isn't dragging on the ground as they walk, and make sure they get milk. You'll know if anything else is wrong. It will be obvious.

So, that's it! 

-Katie

A Guide to Rabbit Tractors

We've raised rabbits for a couple years now, and it's a wonder why we haven't tried rabbit tractors sooner. They've become a bit of a miracle for us, cutting down on feed costs… and simply being awesome! The rabbits are happier, lounging in the sun and nibbling on grass all day. We love to go out and play with them, and they are always running up to the side of the tractor, excited to see us.

For those who not familiar with them, rabbit tractors are like chicken tractors plus a bottom. They are larger cages with a wire (or wood slat) floor. They are kept outside where grass can poke up into the cage as rabbit food. And the rabbits love it much more than boring pellets.

The Cages

Rabbit tractors come in a variety of types and sizes, and the more creative you get, the more options you have.

All tractors, though, have a few simple requirements: small enough wire the rabbits don't get out, larger wire on bottom (not too large!) to allow more grass to poke through, and at least a partial roof to allow shade during the afternoon.

The simplest rabbit tractors are a large square cube made from cage wire. The roof is made to flip up, and a piece of old plywood is kept on top with a brick. Ours are 4 foot by 4 foot.

We like to get crazy with the extra wire and tin we have on hand and create tractors of different shapes and sizes. We've experimented with triangular cages, domed cages, and anything else we can come up with.

The easiest way to have rabbit tractors is to buy them. You can probably find somewhere that sells them, but chicken tractors are much more popular and readily available. Just add wire to the bottom so that the rabbits don't dig out.

Large dog crates or bird cages bought at garage sales or auctions make for good tractors as well. Make sure that there are no large openings for rabbits to escape out of. If they can get their head through, they can probably get their body through!

When sizing your tractor, try to keep about 4 sq.ft per rabbit. Don't overcrowd your tractor or they can run out of grass too quickly and starve or become competitive and fight.

How They Work

When your rabbits are in their tractors, you'll need to move them from spot to spot every time they run low on grass. If you start to see bare spots, move it immediately. Rabbits constantly need grass; they will quickly lose weight and even starve without it.

We move our tractors twice a day, every morning and every night at the same time we water. We have to move them more often when the grass is sparse or the cages more densely populated.

Rabbits tractors can be a great way to feed out rabbits being raised for meat. They do need to be supplemented with pellet, but it definitely reduces feed costs!

Accessorizing 

Other than grass, your rabbits need a few things to keep happy and healthy in their tractors.

The most important is water. Rabbits constantly need water, no matter the season. A simple dish or bottle will work, just the same thing you use for regularly caged rabbits. In the tractors holding a larger population, we like to use 1 gallon gravity waterers by Little Giant.

Rabbits also love and need cubby holes. A small place to huddle in and hide makes them feel safe and happy, especially during the night. A cheap bucket, pail, or small box will suit this purpose. I like to make plywood huts by hand. They just need to be large enough for a rabbit or two to crawl in. 

Really, I only do this for tractors holding a single or pair of rabbits. Larger groups are fine huddling together. (And it would be unreasonable to supply each rabbit with a cubby hole.)

Also, make sure the rabbits can get out of the weather. If their roof is not rain-proof, their cubby hole needs to be. Make the tractor light enough to move, but heavy enough not to be carried away in the wind. With enough shade and water, rabbits can usually hold out in the summer, but they need to be brought inside during the winter.

So Basically…

Rabbit tractors are a great way to cut feed costs and get your rabbits a little closer to their natural habitat. With some care and attention, they can be a great addition to any farm or homestead.

We love experimenting and are always learning new things.

-Katie

Also, some further notes:

Dog crates make nice rabbit tractors. Fun cubby holes and weeds as treats make it home.

Rabbits love to climb in anything. Anything! Old buckets or stained tubs are just fine.

Although a bucket that hangs on the side is added fun and allows for more grass space on bottom.

Experimenting with Goat Hobbles

So, while exploring Pinterest and checking out different blogs about farming and homesteading, I found a little gem called Granny's Best. It's a lovely blog following the adventure of owning and operating a Goat Dairy and Creamery.

While I was exploring and pinning from the blog, I came across a really cool idea to help with does that kick and jump around on the milk stand: velcro goat hobbles.

I've never heard of hobbles before and especially not this way of making your own. Goat hobbles are like handcuffs that go around the goat's upper back legs to keep them from moving. These velcro ones are made from cattle leg bands.

I was so excited! I have one especially difficult doe who is due soon, and I entirely related with the story on the blog. So I immediately ordered a set of ten (neon pink!) leg bands from Amazon.

When the package came in the following tuesday, I had forgotten all about the hobbles. There were chores to be done and other projects to take over my thoughts. But when I opened the box and saw the leg bands my excitement was renewed.

Our milkstand that my Daddy built. Roomy enough to fit two does. We use a lead rope to tie the goats off.

I went out to the barn and prepared the milk stand for its first usage in a few months. Then, I dragged in our stubborn, very round doe Dolly.

The way these velcro hobbles work is two bands around the legs are bound together by another band in between. I figured I would strap one not too tightly around each back leg just above the pastern, then strap those two bands together.

Bad idea!

I wrestled with my doe, holding her legs still, forcefully pulling her back up when she laid down, strapping the bands too loose and yelling at her when she popped them off. It was a bad experience for both of us.

I threw my hands in the air. Forget it! We'll just butcher her in the fall. (Our usual angry response to naughty critters. :P)

Dolly

I went inside. I visited Pinterest. I went outside. I did some gardening. I refilled the rabbits' waters. Then, I went back out to the barn to try the hobbles again.

I figured I would start with a much more chill goat. My wether Dobby, who we really are butchering in the fall, is also known as Chillax because of how laid back he is. What I forgot is that he doesn't have a collar, has never been tied off before, and panics when he's alone. He just seems laid back in the comfort of his pasture and herd.

After noticing his lack of collar, I retrieved the lead rope we use to tie goats to the stand and looped it around his neck, clipping it to itself. That's when any semblance Dobby had to his alter ego "Chillax" was gone.

Dobby

He hated the idea of being lead. He refused to move, forcing me to either drag him or push from behind, then he'd jolt forward randomly, going exactly in the wrong direction. When I finally got him on the stand he danced around like a tap dancer, stomping and never standing still. I gave up. I dragged/pushed him back into the pasture.

Goodness, I just realized what I bad person this makes me sound like. Hopefully fellow goat people understand. Please?

Okay, it's time to do what I should've done from the beginning. I go fetch my best doe and kindest milker Raini. She actually squats when i touch her udder which makes milking that much easier.

The lead rope I used on Dobby is usually tied o the milk stand at a perfect length to hold the goats where they need to be and not allow the goats to move, but when I walked Dobby out, I had to use the lead rope, and when I brought in Raini, I switched the lead rope to her.

As I walked up the center aisle of the barn, my best doe at my side, I watch from the other end of the barn our miniature pony walk in through that gate, into our open feed room, and from there into the adjacent chicken coop!

Jazamin

I hurriedly tied the goat to the milk stand, allowing a long length for her to move around with. I run into  the feed room and I hear a noise behind me. The goat jumped off the milk stand and couldn't move because she was still tied to it at an awful angle. But she's not choking. So she isn't the priority.

I chase the pony into the coop, and when I enter I slow down. The pony is more or less scared of us and we've been keeping her in our backyard. Also , we keep a halter and lead rope on her for easy, gentle catching. Just grab the lead rope off the ground.

I do so, and as I walk the horse back to the backyard I see Dobby, back in the barn, heading in the same direction. Ugh! I had left that gate open, too.

I led the horse into the back yard and preceded to chase down, grab, and drag by the horns that darn goat. It sounds mean, but please, you have to understand, there was no other way! It's hot outside, the heat of the day in the prairie sun, and my stress and frustration levels were skyrocketing.

I finally get Raini back on the milk stand properly, and we actually have a nice time. She ties off without a problem, just stands there. I treat her to a little sweet feed and touch her udder. She squats for me. I love this goat.

I play with the cattle bands for a while, trying to figure out a faster way to get them on the goat. Then, I got it.

Instead of tying them first to the goat's legs then together, prepare the middle link by making it into a loop, about an inch, inch-and-a-half in diameter. Then strap that loop to the first leg. Then to the other leg. Wa-lah!

Getting it on the second leg is harder because the goat doesn't want to bring it's legs so close. You could make the middle band wider, but the wider it is, the more motion it allows the doe. Another mistake I made was attaching the hobbles just above the pastern. They really need to be above the hocks.

So it all worked out for the best. I walk my best doe back out to the pasture and decide to take some pictures. I realize I left my camera at the milk stand and run back to get it, leaving the gate open. When I turn back, Raini is gone!

She had made a quick run for the rabbitry (where I had left the door open!) while my back was turned. Ugh.

Oh well, all's well that ends well. And it did end well. All the critters were put in the proper place, the hobbles were figured out, and I walked around the barn and closed all the gates and doors.

So, lessons learned:
          1) Always have patience. If it's going to happen, it will. Don't get so frustrated.
          2) AND ALWAYS CLOSE THE BARN DOORS! Lol. For real, though.

-Katie

A Small Lesson in Space Management

While doing farm chores today, I noticed something I always saw, always liked, but never thought about. We are so busy, going about our chores, dreaming up bigger and better plans, finding ways to make those plans fit onto three acres. We fret about how to fit everything together, and as it comes together, we forget to take notice of just the beautiful way it all works out. Space is multipurpose, amenities tucked into tight places instead of roomy orderliness.

Asparagus grows tall at Heart of the King Farm.

The thing is… it's working out amazingly. It seems no matter how hard we dream, we are provided the perfect solution, the perfect way to make it happen. And I can't imagine how I've let such a blessing go unnoticed. But I realize it now, and I'm so thankful. So, so thankful.

I realized all this looking at our storm cellar. Living in tornado alley, we have a very necessary, but not so pretty cement cellar that is half in and half out of the ground. It was an eye sore, and in the way.

So we put it to work.

Grapes hang from the trellis for easy picking.

Built around the cellar is a tall raised bed where we've grown asparagus, carrots, garlic, rosemary and other vegetables and herbs over the years. Right now it just grows asparagus and grass. Lots and lots of grass.

An old cattle panel bent from one end to the other created an arched trellis, perfect for climbing underneath and picking sweet, delicious grapes--- if you get to them before the birds! They pick them off right when they turn purple and kindly leave us with… a couple.

"After all," Mama Bird says to Baby Bird, "Humans need to eat, too."

Harkness keeps an eye on things.

On one end of the raised bed we keep a small cage and a rabbit that we let out during the day. He is so adorable, hopping to and fro, nibbling on the grass! Just like a rabbit should.

It is humbling to see what amazing work goes on around you, through you and into the farm everyday, and we can be so busy we hardly notice. It's about time I open my eyes and be thankful for all that I have and am constantly given. It's a miracle. It truly is.

…And doesn't that open space beneath the grapes look like a great place for a bench? Another dream we just might squeeze in. :)

-Katie

Bonus: The Small Story of the Killer Birds

This is the story of how I died. (Lol, if you get this reference, go you!)

The morning started out like any other: a glass of chocolate milk, changing from my pajamas into real clothes, stepping out into the morning sun, watering rabbits and moving their tractors, and then I went to take photos for this blog post. 

That's when the horror began.

I took some pictures of the cellar, of the asparagus, of the rabbit (ain't he adorable!). Then I climbed onto the top of the cellar to take pictures of the grapes.

I'm running out of room on my camera, so I'm carefully picking out different bunches of grapes, trying to get a good close up… and I start to hear a weird grumbling sound. Hmm, weird. I keep taking pictures and then I hear a weird grumbling and a pa-caw! I look around and on a t post behind me is a mocking bird.

But it's just a bird. So I go back to taking photos and I find this:

See those twiggy things? It's a nest!

When I realize this, I look back over at Mama Bird. I hear another pa-caw and out of nowhere a second mockingbird (the Daddy?) comes out of nowhere and rushes at me! I screamed and ducked, but the bird stopped before he hit me and turned around to sit on the fence with his companion. 

Okay, so they won't actually hit me, right? I'm good. I keep moving around, checking to see if any grapes might actually be ripe-- of course there were none, those birds were eating them!

I here more grumbling, a couple more pa-caws! I look over to see both birds bulletin towards me, beaks first. I pulled my camera against my chest and jumped out from under the droopy vines one arm clutching my camera and one arm swinging wildly trying to scare them away.

Forget it bird! You can have my grapes!

Well, for now. The birds never followed through on their attack, so they aren't vicious, right? And they were just protecting their young. So, we think we're going to hang up some shiny cds, scare them away.

Maybe we will then be free of this horror!

-Katie 

(for real this time)

Tomato Time

As summer rolls in and winter fades away, the garden takes center stage in our farm life. Raised beds to fill, plots to till, and most importantly plants to plant. Once the seeds are in, winter finally feels like it's over. And when green leaves pop up, summer begins to feel just around the corner.

Last weekend, we spent the finest hours of the day outside, moving raised beds to their new home (closer to the house), wheelbarrowing manure from here to there, and the best part of all- sinking our hands into cool dirt and patting into place the tomato plants in the hopes of nurturing them into tall, strong plants bearing large, juicy fruit. 

Our compost is mostly just hay and horse poo, but thrown in underneath the manure in our raised beds is a thick layer of unusable mohair from shearing earlier in the week, kitchen scraps, and old paper sacks that were taking up too much space, hopefully providing our plants with the nutrition they need to grow strong and sturdy.

Aw, just look at those neers.

As the days go on, the garden and raised beds fill up. We have growing: corn, okra, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers, cucumbers, peas, spinach, carrots, turnips, beets, potatoes, tomatoes, salad, peppers, eggplants, onions, and a handful of herbs. We try to provide for ourselves as much as we can, depending very little upon stores.

Something we discovered with our garden last year was to not overdo it. We had so many plants so close together that it was overwhelming. Squash plants tangled across the walkway so that we couldn't walk around or get to the food. All 108 tomato plants ripened at the same time with thousands of fruits so that it was impossible for us to make use of them all. This year, we decided to learn our lesson, and have dramatically decrease our plant count. We have only 8 tomatoes.

As summer comes closer and closer, work keeps piling on. So much needs to be done. But we know that as work increases, so do the profits- the delicious food and the warm satisfaction and contentment that we know we are doing good, honest work.