This morning brought the conclusion of the winter 2010 kidding season here on P&CW Farm. Isobel, one of the big black-and-white Tennessee Fainting goats, had been holding out until today when she graced our pasture with twin kids. The pair may have been a bit premature, given the softness of their feet, the doeling's still-folded ear, and the buckling's hairless, almost translucent scrotum; however, by afternoon they were running around the pasture like old pros.
We named the doeling Carla for a dear cousin we saw recently. The buckling is named Kyle for a friend whose birthday is ten days hence. Carla is mostly black with a few white spots on her side, while Kyle has a matched set of white socks that appear extra-fluffy and distinctive facial stripes. I wonder if Joshua, the little multicolored fainting buck is their sire. The absence of blue eyes (phew!), Kyle's classic markings and his longer coat provide clues.
Newborn kids are the sweetest to hold. Unlike babies or puppies, they arrive ready to walk and very cute. Th cuddly phase lasts longer when we take the time to handle them each day. Unfortunately this spring I have not taken as much time with many of them as I would have liked. The kids born in January are the friendliest with us, and seek out human attention.
I will try to handle the newer kids--Jack and Josie, Uncle Phil, Grandma D, Costa, and now Kyle and Carla--more frequently while they are still little.
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