Farm Photos of the WeekFebruary 13, 2006 Photos and text by Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent. Goat Giving Birth at Celebrity Dairy Siler City, NC
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The busy kidding season starts in early February and runs through March. About 160 kids will be born at Celebrity Dairy during this period. Whitney May, Celebrity Dairy's head cheesemaker and herdsman, offers Apple some water and molasses as she starts labor on a cold and rainy day in February. Apple has lots of company - humans, goats, a turkey, chickens, and peacock all share the relative warmth of the barn.
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A young buck with a memorable "curlicue" on his forehead gives Whitney a "goat-lick" in her hair as she tries to stay warm while tending to Apple.
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The amniotic sack makes an appearance and signals the beginning of labor. |
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Apple remained very quiet and calm throughout the entire labor, which took about 40 minutes. This is Apple's third kidding.
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Whitney checks Apple's progress as her herdmates look on. When a doe is giving birth, her herdmates will often gather around, putting their heads on the mom for support.
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You can now see the nose of the kid emerging from the birth canal. Proper presentation is seeing the two front legs come first, with the kid's head rested on top.
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Apprentice Tristy Evely lends a hand as Whitney starts to pull. Many does at the dairy give birth totally on their own. Whitney will lend a hand if the birth is taking a long time or there is a problem.
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