Book Squirt

Kidding Season – Zipporah

This entry is part 2 of 21 in the series Kidding Season

Mom and Dad had gone to run a couple of errands, and they would be back in three or four hours. We had checked the goats before they left, and it didn’t look like any of them were going to have their babies. So I was in the soap room with Indigo, Jade and Hewitt, helping Indigo with one of her birthday presents.

While I was in the middle of that, I got a phone call from Emery.

“Zipporah’s going , NOW!” he exclaimed, hanging up on me. I set my phone down and ran, grabbing my sweatshirt on the way. “Colter? Zipporah’s going!” I yelled as I raced out the door.

Colter caught up with me as we got closer to the barn and we ran together. We could see Emery outside the barn, talking on the phone. He hung up as we got there and said “I think she’ll be going within an hour or so.”

I groaned. “You could’ve told me that! I ran out here in my good jeans and sneakers, and I left my phone. I’m gonna go change.”

Colter and I headed back to the soaproom, changing quickly. With first fresheners like Zipporah, you never knew what was going to happen.

When I got back to the barn, I started getting ready. I put my phone and watch by the goat notebook, grabbing a towel as I headed into the stall. Emery was in there, on the phone with Mom and Dad. “They’re on their way – they’re leaving Clarksville now.” he announced.

I looked at Zipporah, then at Colter. “She’s not going to make it that long. Can you go wash up?” He looked at me like I had two heads. “Wash up? I’m not washing up until it’s absolutely necessary.” I glared at him, then looked at the door as it slammed shut. It was Emery, and he was putting gloves on.

Thor and Baxter watching the birth

We called Mom and Dad and they talked us through it. At first we thought both of her hooves were one giant hoof – we couldn’t see them very well, so we thought it was one huge baby. But it turned out that it was the two front hooves, they were just sitting right on top of each other.

Me holding Zipporah

Mom and Dad were six miles away. “You know, I kinda want her to have this kid before they get here.” I whispered, not wanting Mom to hear me over the phone. “Yeah, same here.” Emery said. Zippy was wandering around the stall, with us following her.

Twenty seconds later, she lay down and started pushing, screaming the whole time. She’s always been our most dramatic goat, and she’s gotten good at using her vocal chords. 😀

Mom’s voice came over the phone – “What’s happening?”.

“She’s pushing, and there’s a hoof, there’s a nose, No Emery, grab that hoof! You need to help her. Pull the baby!

Mom started talking again. “Okay, Emery, are you listening? Help her. Grab the baby above the knees and pull. Okay?”

Emery managed to get his hands on the legs and pulled. I had a towel waiting, and the moment there was anything for me to grab I grabbed it. Immediately I cleared out the nose and mouth, feeling very relieved when the baby started moving. Next I cleaned off the butt and checked – it was a girl!

Drying her off

Somewhere in that period of time, they hung up the phone. We all started shouting out names, wanting to name her before Mom and Dad got there.

“Galaxy! Let’s call her Galaxy.” Everyone agreed with me. “Look, there’s Mom and Dad!”

Colter and I headed out the barn as the Hulk came up the driveway. It stopped and Mom and Dad hopped out, walking quickly to the barn. “Galaxy and Zipporah are both fine!”

Greyden taking Galaxy into the warm milk room

We milked Zipporah and fed Galaxy, put her collar on and let her loose with the other babies.

Emery feeding Galaxy

Taking a picture to tweet

Emery with the baby girl he delivered :)

It was very interesting delivering a baby without Mom and Dad there. I think we could do it again, but I’m not sure I’d want to!

With two down, there are only nineteen goats left to kid!

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More in this series:<< Kidding Season – Myna BirdKidding Season – Carina >>
Category: Kidding Season
  • Grammy says:

    What a great rendition of your first “solo” delivery (sans parents)! We had to laugh, sorry; I know you weren’t laughing but the way you wrote it was immensely entertaining. Maybe that solo on OB was a really good thing after all.

    February 26, 2013 at 4:07 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Thank! Oh, I know Solo was good for me. 🙂 Love you!

      February 27, 2013 at 8:31 AM
  • Linda Rudy Long says:

    Wow!! Love the story!!

    February 27, 2013 at 12:47 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Thanks, Linda! 🙂

      February 27, 2013 at 12:49 PM
  • Sandy S says:

    Well that is pretty awesome!!! The little goats are so darn cute!! Wish I could hold one…. 🙂

    February 27, 2013 at 12:57 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      If you ever come out this way, I’m sure we could hook you up with a baby to hold. 😉

      February 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM
  • Karen Sanford says:

    Hi, I’m a school teacher. Here’s what I think. I think someone is doing a great job of homeschooling you children!! 😀

    February 27, 2013 at 12:57 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Oh, thank you so much! I’ll make sure my Mom sees this. 🙂

      February 27, 2013 at 1:01 PM
  • April says:

    Brett, great story! Great author! You may have a writing career ahead of you! I need to come see these babies!!!!!

    February 27, 2013 at 2:33 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Thanks, April! (Should I call you that?) I was actually going to look up your phone number and call you – you really do need to come see them. Bring your girls with you! 🙂

      February 27, 2013 at 3:25 PM
  • womenwhowrite502 says:

    You are an great reporter and writer… Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    February 27, 2013 at 3:30 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Thanks! 🙂 Miss seeing you. 😉

      February 27, 2013 at 3:40 PM
  • womenwhowrite502 says:

    oops. change an to a.

    February 27, 2013 at 3:31 PM
  • Dorothy Horton says:

    I’m sure there is a good reason, but why can’t the baby nurse from the mother instead of being bottle fed? Loved your story, Brett. It sounds like an exciting evening!

    February 27, 2013 at 9:57 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      When we bottle feed them, they learn to come to us for food. We are essentially their moms. That makes them love humans more. And this way we can make sure they are getting enough milk – if a mom has triplets, there’s a good chance she won’t have enough milk for all of them. With bottle feeding, we can supplement the mom’s milk so that they are getting all they need. 🙂 Thanks! It definitely was. lol

      February 28, 2013 at 7:53 AM
  • wendi lau says:

    That was a really good blog entry, Brett. You captured the excitement and action and even had time for someone to take pictures. Was it you? Great goat name, by the way. Good job with the goats and great teamwork, Jonas kids.

    February 28, 2013 at 3:33 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      I didn’t take the pictures – one of my brothers did. 🙂 Thanks!

      February 28, 2013 at 3:48 PM
  • anissa hall says:

    great story, and I agree with other readers, your parents are doing a great job teaching you all that they do!!

    February 28, 2013 at 5:47 PM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      February 28, 2013 at 7:30 PM
  • kpdxham says:

    Great post & good job kids … 🙂

    March 14, 2013 at 11:25 AM
  • Ruthie says:

    Boy that was sooooooo entertaining! I envy you your beautiful moments! Living city life has no concept of getting down to nature at it’s best/worst! Keep on doing and enjoying what GOD gave us initially! Consider yourself blessed with what your parents have given you in many ways! Keep up the GOOD work! Happy Easter!

    March 31, 2013 at 10:41 AM
    • Brett Jonas says:

      Thank you! And a Happy Easter to you too. 🙂

      April 1, 2013 at 8:24 AM

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