unexpected arrival of kids

[white_rabbit]

This past April, one of our girls had twin kid does. We still had our billy mixed in with everyone because he was a pleasant goat. Unfortunately, last week, and then this morning, each of these girls had a kid. The kid born last week (in subzero temps) appears to be doing OK. (We didn't get our house done so we are living in town and out goats are with friends.) She and her mother are currently in the sheep pen and toasty warm at night. The boy kidded this morning (in serious subzero temps) has been rejected by his mother, our friends are trying to see if his aunt will adopt him, but we're running out of options quickly. I was very surprised by the arrival of these kids. Everything I have read indicates does need to be a certain size/maturity to become pregnant. With the gestation period, these girls became pregnant at just a couple months old! Has anyone else had this happen or heard of it happening? Thank you in advance.

[WileyCoyote]

Yes, it has happened; one of my employers raises goats for sale and some are always born outside of the spring season. Heard the expression, "Randy old goat"? Well, the young ones are, too!

:o

Anyway, your being removed from them is difficult. We would milk all available goats, pasteurize the milk, and baby-bottle feed it to the rejected ones. They are a trial because of the hooves (not like feeding puppies or kittens or other soft-pawed critters!) and they will fight you to get at the bottle if they smell the milk or it is close to feeding time! We had goats who were 'mothery' even without kids and they would keep the kids warm.

Hope that helps.