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Farm Photos of the Week
February 13, 2006
Photos and text by Debbie
Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent.
Goat Giving Birth at Celebrity
Dairy
Siler City, NC

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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This page last updated August 17, 2008.
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URL:
www.growingsmallfarms.org
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