[PyrNet-L] Patou's Kids

[Adrienne Wilder <draggon@STC.Net>]

One of the Pigmy goats began the day with great agitation.  Patou paced 
the perimeter of the small lot, quietly, but watching the world 
intently.  The goat was in labor and he new it.  He had been sticking 
close to her for several days.  I nearly forgot about the possibility of 
babies until this afternoon, in the hottest part of the day, Patou began 
barking.  I went out to see why on earth he would leave the security of 
his shade trees, to find the mother had dropped her young ones.  While I 
often regret having to confine him to such a small area, the benifits of 
such confinement were revealed today.  I could get pictures easily and 
the goat had no where to hide.  I ran in and got my camera, came out to 
find Patou licking and cleaning the young ones.  The mother had a few 
more contractions but neither afterbirth or new babies appeared.  While 
Patou knows me well, he still watched me carefully and often moved 
between me and the little ones.  Several times, free way the rooster, 
tried pecking the babies and Patou would intervene.  While hot and 
thirsty, he only lookeded away a few moments to grab a quick drink.  
When the babies began to stand, he would follow them close behind.  He 
let them try and nurse off him without hessitation.  When the mother 
took interest in one, leaving the other he would pull it up close to him 
with a gentle nudge, and begin cleaning it also.  When both babies were 
standing, he went to the center of the lot and began barking his biggest 
meanest bark, then slowly circled mom and her young ones, pushing the 
other curious animals, even his beloved geese, back.  After he seemed 
satisfied I went in to get mother and young.  He wasn't too happy with 
me and tried several times to push me away. Finally he let me pass and 
watched as I caried the babies out and led the mother into a kennel run 
where they would be safe from the chicken and other goats. 
Patou is quite the proud "father" today....
Milk bones any one????


-- 


Adrienne Wilder  
Murrayville GA

"Oh, to be loved by a dog!"

Home of:
The golden gang,
Patou and the evil sister geese.
and many stray cats.