I finally found Solana's tail ligaments. Still hard as rock. I've heard it feels like jello when they are ready. Funny way of putting it but the description helps. How quickly can they usually soften? Over a period of days, hours or ...? -Kim
I have this framed and on the wall in my milk room. ~ Doe's Secret Code of Honor ~ The doe's secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before its time. (Time being determined by the following factors): 1- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner's house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent. 2- "Midwives" must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close. 3- For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting. 4- If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," Wait until they load the car, then begin pushing! 5- Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. 6- When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait at least three more days. 7-You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait. 8- The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time. 9- If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works! 10- Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too. Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation!
Simply, a doe can not kid without the muscles that she moves her tail with, on each side of her spine, are gone. These muscles are called the thurls. When she does loose these muscles (ligiments) with no control over her tail most does carry their tail over their backs, like a wry tail (which is a bad thing if you have a baby born with one). But will she kid tommorrow after she gets her wry tail? No....but she will eventually kid Full, tight, shiney udder full of milk, the shine even shines through the hair if you don't shave...is your best key. But honestly more than half the new folks on the forum will never see any of their kids born this year. Vicki
Thanks for the info Vicki. But what is a wry tail? Never heard of it. Why is it a bad thing? :??? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Doe's Secret Code of Honor.... That has got to be the funniest thing I ever read! Thanks for the really good laugh. I loved it! :rofl
It's ugly, the doe can not pull her tail down to cover her vulva, which leads to skin cancer and a dry vulva/flystrike and infection. Vicki
Oh my. That sounds horrible. I'm glad she's not like that. Could she become that way though after kidding? :ugh -Kim By the way....The Doe's Secret Code of Honor MUST be placed as a post for all to read. I think a lot of people would find it so perfectly hillarious! :rofl Just a suggestion.
Thanks Sara. I'm glad it is posted. Thanks to everyone that has answered my question here so far. I appreciate it very much. (And thanks Vicki about the wry tail thing. I'm glad she won't have that problem.) -Kim :thankyou2
It is difficult at first to feel ligaments. It took me quite a while to pick it up anyway...maybe I'm just slow?? Even now I can tell when they are getting loose, but I can always feel the ligaments. They just stretch out a lot.
Thanks. I finally felt them and they seemed very tight and hard still. So I think she'll give me a little time. Though after reading the Doe's Secret Code of Honor (above) I'm not so sure of anything anymore. :lol -Kim