Goat at Estonian Hobby Farm Gives Birth to Rare Triplets

A goat at a hobby farm in Kambja Municipality, Tartu County, in south-eastern Estonia, has recently given birth to triplets, which is unusual. Domestic goats typically give birth in spring and have one or two kids at a time. The goat, named Lucy, lives at Vahtra Hobby Farm, and the news was reported by Estonian public broadcaster ERR.

Her three kids, two females and one male, are now just over a week old and settling in well. Owner Maia Näkk says the two sisters are calm and well-mannered, while their brother is still learning how to behave. She describes him as very curious, fond of prancing about and given to butting others a little. The owners want to teach him to be calmer so that he does not grow up to be a head-butter.

The young male seems to have taken the habit from his father, Uncle Julius, who still has to be kept apart from the other goats despite his age. He is occasionally allowed to come and sniff his offspring.

A delivery without help

The family spent weeks preparing for the birth, including more than one sleepless night. Lucy nevertheless managed on her own and delivered all three kids unassisted. When the owners reached the barn after work, at around 5 or 6 p.m., the kids had already been born. Näkk says her heart nearly stopped because nobody had been there and they did not know whether everything was all right. The family was especially surprised because it was Lucy's first time giving birth.

Heili Poom, a schoolgirl who helps on the farm, says she is usually with the goats when she is not at school, helping them socialize and get used to people. She finds the work rewarding and enjoys it when the kids climb into her lap, grow and thrive.

The kids will spend a few more months with their mother's milk and the family's attention before moving to new homes.