Sprained ankle at kidding time

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Well, here I sit with my first sprained ankle:( and a goat due to kid next week. I have no idea how long I'm gonna be hobbling about, but I'm not hearing optimistic stories from my family.

In y'all's opinions, what's the least I should see gets done before she kids? I cleaned out the coop a week or two ago, but had intended to do it again next week and put down clean hay(she's on pine shavings).

Now I'm wondering how I'll even get into the barn to help with kidding, assuming the boys are able to tell me when it's time.

Anyone have helpful hints to pass on?

-- mary (mlg@aol.com), December 26, 2001

Answers

The same thing happened to me about a month ago. I was going over the fence to feed grain (I go thru the gate now) when myfoot got stuck and me and the feed went down. Thank God for my boys and my sister cause I done good to drive out to the goats. So maybe you can call upon some family to help. I'll be thinking of you. Mine is still sore when I walk a long time. But after the black and blue colors were gone it got better.

-- Kim (kblankenship@brtc.net), December 26, 2001.

Borrow a baby monitor from a friend, so you can "listen" instead of making trips. Leave the shavings, they are easier to clean up anyway! I use saved feed sacks for kidding. Once the doe starts to push I take a feed sack into the barn, I have them precut so they open up all the way. I set it on the ground and sit on it an wait. Kneel on it to help deliver, and slide it under the doe to catch the mess and the baby. Sqeegy off the birth fluids onto the sack so when it is all over I have a clean kid/kids to take to the baby pen, and just a sack to roll up, and a placenta to find afterwards, which I put into another feed sack. Perhaps some of this will help ease the walking on your foot! Heal fast! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 26, 2001.

Sorry to hear that you're hurting so! I know ankle problems well-uggh. I dislocated one of mine twice in six months. It was fun.(not).

If you can make a list of absolutely everything you might possibly need for kidding, problems included, have that all in a box at the ready, also have a very snug tether set up in case you need to tie her down, then have your boys be your feet for getting the babies out and settled in their pen and all the clean up and after care. I know it's something, but I think 2nd could handle it- what do you think? That way you would be rightt where you would be most needed and have all things you might need within reach.

Hope you heal up quickly!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), December 26, 2001.


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