Reed and I visited Betsy’s farm this afternoon and during our tour we saw a herd of Boer goats, a variety of chickens, ducks, guineas, a pea hen, Holstein calves, cats, fallow deer and a dog named Rowdy. The Boer goats are starting to have babies and we saw a set of twins and a set of triplets, each a couple days old.
Before we left to go home we decided to look at the baby goats just one more time. Holy Smokes – another goat had gone into labor in the next pen in the nursery. We waited and watched.
The first baby born was a boy they named Reed.
The second baby goat born was a girl – she was named for Reed’s twin sister, Myra.
In the meantime Betsy’s husband went out to start chores and yelled “more babies over here!” Another mama had just had a set of twins in an outbuilding. He grabbed the wet slippery babies and handed them to Betsy. Reed and I ran ahead to open doors in the nursery. Threw some fresh straw on the floor, laid the babies down and he brought the mama in, dragging her by her horns.
While we were admiring the two sets of twins, the first mama started to have contractions. Holy Smokes again! She had a third baby – another boy that we named Nolan after Reed’s older brother.
Triplets are not always welcome since the female goat has only two nipples. Every third baby becomes a bottle baby or a part time bottle baby. It’s lots of work and no, I did not bring one home. I think I’m getting too old for that much work and I get way too attached.
Reed got to help guide the baby named Reed to the food faucet.
It was an awesome afternoon that could not have been planned. Reed and I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I am still on a “high” just writing about it!
Eric, Nikki and Camber left this morning. We were concerned about Hazel’s reaction to a 17 month old. She has never met a small person before and Jack Russell Terriers are known to be very impatient with kids but we were thrilled to see Hazel lick Camber, follow her around the house and share her bed. Here are a few pictures.
It was such fun to have her here but I’m too old to keep up with a 17 month old.
She liked all the cats except the black one named Dino.
Oh my goodness, what a day, what a week – I’ve got to get back to sewing! Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and are ready to decorate for Christmas!
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful day!
Is Hazel settling down? The last few pictures you have put up of her, she looks pretty relaxed.
How did you manage that? 😊
Katie -prayer???? She is very relaxed except for playing ball – then she’s wild! It manageable – ha!
Thank you for the pictures and narrative very informative. What a great day.
wow–I am tired just reading the post—what a day –Reed is lucky to have seen all that–he will always remember this day–also what a darling little girl –always interested in what you post–thanks
This post made me so happy for you and for Reed. What a wonderful memory he will hold close. So few children are able to experience life on a farm these days. We live in the country surrounded by acres of corn and beans and a random pasture of black angus, but you have brought to life a real farm like those I visited as a child. Hazel seems to have found her special niche too with Camber. Thanks for the smiles!
A special day for Reed he will never forget! I can just imagine his happy heart as he falls asleep tonight!
Amy – my heart is pretty happy, too!
Love all the pictures. Nothing like family and goats! Bet Reed won’t forget this day.
WOW!! I lost count of how many babies there were. That would be exciting to experience so many babies and to see brand new ones too. Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing your day.
When I read your posts that include your time with Reed, this quote always comes to mind:
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Reed is a very lucky young man!
Linda – that brought tears to my eyes!!
Whew! What a day for you and Reed! Seeing actual birth is very special and glad he was able to see it first hand. And, so many babies. Baby goats are adorable, but a handful, I’ll bet.
Sew away, Mary. That will be a nice relaxing change.
Mary, we are so lucky you remembered to bring your camera…what a wonderful day, what a busy day. thanks so much for sharing all of these wonderful things that most of us never get to see or experience. MJ from Hudson WI
What a special day for both of you. How much fun is it to have a goat named for Reed and his siblings🐏🐑. Camber and Hazel just love each other. Very cute to see them in the same bed. Thanks for sharing, Mary.
The PS. Questions. Do Boer goats always have their babies in the winter? Is it hard to keep them safe and warm? Do they sell milk, make fudge, make soap? I grew up in a small town where most of my friends had Guernsey cows. No goats.
Diane – please email me for answers to your questions
Wow this is a day to remember!! Babies, babies and babies!
Hazel look so cute on the chair with the baby. She has really grown.
Thanks for sharing.
WOW!!! Reed is one lucky young man!! Not many witness what he did today. those babies are all so cute. Do all goats deliver this time of year or doesn’t it matter? All the calves born around here are into the spring…better weather for survival. Thanks for sharing all the pictures and narrative, I enjoyed it!
I am quilting Christmas table runners for sale and gifts and some projects people have asked me to do. One project is a velvet Christmas Stocking…I have been making them for this family for the last 37 years! Mom, Dad, daughters, granddaughter and husbands. Must get them all done so I can drive to MN for Christmas. I am praying no snow storms the 19 and 20th and new years weekend! Too much open space between MT and MN!I will be just north of you in Owatonna. Maybe I can talk my sister-in-law into going to the shop in Hayward is it? I have been there once with her, maybe again?!
Have a wonderful Christmas. I will look forward to all of your decorating. I don’t think you sleep with all you do!!
I always thought that all “farm animals” were born in the spring–but what does a “city girl” know ?????
The baby goats are just so darn cute——Happy for Reed to see such an event 🙂 Love you (even though I’ve never met you in person) and look forward to your blog 🙂
What a wonderful post to wake up to. I always read yours first when there is one in my email. This one was one of your best, or maybe your best ever. So happy for both you and Reed to be able to experience the events. Always a city girl here but I get to visit a friend every summer who raises chickens. When I wake up to her Rooster I have actually thought of YOU!
You sure had a wonderful holiday. Life is good.
Up early here in Idaho to a tad of snow over some very icy roads. Wonderful to see Camber n Ethel being such a sweet twosome. Their pictures are just delightful.
Reed had such an interesting experience with the birthing of so many baby goats. Isn’t nature wonderful? Thanks for sharing the pictures, Mary. A great way to start my day!
OMG loved seeing the baby goats, so sweet n what a
Great time seeing them born. I certainly agree about being to old
To keep up with a 17 month old baby girl our Ggranddaughter Harper
Over Thanksgiving was always on the move but fun to watch!!!! Thanks
Again for sharing love it!!!!
Reed was truly in the right place at the right time. My cousins always got to see the farm animals being born, I missed out being in town. Cats and dogs are great to see born but nothing like a farm animal or even little chicken hatch. Didn’t see my first birth until I was 30 in nursing school. You’re right about bottle feeding being a lot of work. Did that with goats and calves for the kids FFA projects. Glad not to do it with the grandkids.
WOW! What a day, and week, you have had! What an experience for Reed and for you to be present for the birth of those goats – fantastic. Camber is such a sweetie, yes, following a 17 month old around would be A LOT of work, that’s why we don’t have babies when we are older!!! Hazel is so cute and how wonderful for her to enjoy Camber so much. I’m sure you have lots of sewing to do, enjoy it!!
I have a Boer female named Bouncing Betty – she is delightful.
What a wonderful day for Reed! He will never forget that experience! We used to raise polled Hereford cattle & my girls, who are both grown & married with kids of their own, still talk about the day they helped “pull” a calf. Priceless!!
What an amazing day for you and Reed at Betsey’s farm! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures. I loved seeing Camber and Hazel in the dog bed–so cute!
What an amazing day! I bet Reed had a terrific day!
Reed should write a book on all the experiences he has had, while hanging out with you. Treasured memories that he will carry with him always!! What a thrill to experience so many baby goat births!
Baby goats? How wonderful!
Reed is so lucky to have you in his life and you are lucky to have Reed in yours. What wonderful memories you are giving him. Love all your pictures of the farm, animals and you. Merry Christmas!
I love those pictures of Camber and Hazel, such cuties! And Camber looks like miniature movie star posing on the Hazel’s bed all by herself. Those kid goats are cute. Mary, I am surprised that you didn’t bring one home.
Felicia – they are soooo cute but bottle babies are so much work!