Bucks and Babies

Happy Monday, dear reader. We are coming off a very busy, but productive weekend. Our dilemma over a billy goat is solved. On Saturday morning, The Bibbed Wonder and I traveled to Somerset to purchase a registered Nubian buck. The woman from whom we purchased the buck raises show goats. We had three to choose from. There was an older buck who had been proven to produce strong, healthy babies. He was three or four. In my experience, even a bottle-raised buck begins to demonstrate some signs of dominance and aggression by this age. I loved my Ace, but even bottle baby Ace was starting to rear up at us when we entered the pasture field during rut. It's not that he is mean; it's just what they do. I immediately dismissed this fellow from our options. 

Also up for consideration was a beautiful spotted boy with funny white hair on top of his head. He reminds me of the llama on The Emperor's New Groove. I was immediately drawn to him, with his beautiful moon-spot pattern and his charming white tuft of hair. Sebastian is the name of the spotted boy. He was born last spring, is a good size, has strong confirmation, and is a lovely boy in general. However, The Bibbed Wonder was partial to a young buckling who was born this past spring, and his ears went on for miles. He was the size of our babies born this past spring, so he isn't very big. When the breeder said the little guy was reluctant to do what bucks do because the older girls intimidate him, we easily decided on Sebastian with the spots. 

Sebastian is settled in a stall away from the ladies. Our one Boer wether, Lester, is keeping him company. Les is happy to be inside with all the hay he can eat and not being pushed around by the bossy dairy girls. The ladies are already showing strong interest in Sebastian. Aggie is particularly vocal and attention-seeking. That makes for a lot of drama in the barn. 

The Bibbed Wonder plans to quarantine Sebastian and Lester for a week to ten days. Sebastian has been given vitamins and probiotics to help with the stress of changing homes and herds. He has also been dewormed and given a strong antibiotic as a precaution. Although he appears healthy and cared for, after the debacle in August, we can't be too careful. Once his quarantine is over, he will move to the pasture across the field with a small group of ladies and, of course, his companion Lester. Sebastian seems to be gentle and easy to get along with; he goes with the flow. I don't think we will have any issues with introducing him into the herd. 

Also, Miss Lola gave birth to triplet boys on Sunday morning. We had plans to attend a special event at church, but Lola had different plans. She gave birth to two healthy-sized boys who look very much like their father, Ace. She also gave birth to a black-and-white boy, who is the tiniest baby we have ever delivered alive here on the farm. He was so tiny, I was amazed he was alive. Sadly, he passed away within hours despite all our efforts to save him. The firstborn is strong and healthy. The secondborn is not very robust. He struggles to get on his feet, nurse, and has very little control over his movements. We have given him vitamin supplements, a nutrient-rich drench, and thiamin. Sometimes, kids fail to thrive due to nutrient deficiencies. This is especially common with multiple births. Time will tell if this little guy is meant to make it. We are doing everything we can to help him, but sometimes these things are beyond our control. 

Lola is a nervous and attentive mom. She is doing better the more time she has in a quiet stall, undisturbed and alone with them. When I checked on her at 11:30 last night, she was cuddled into the hay with her firstborn. The secondborn was on a heating mat to help regulate his temperature. Eric created warming boxes in each nursery stall. Newborns and very young kids have difficulty maintaining their body temperature in cold temperatures. Of course, Lola chose to deliver when the temperature drops to freezing, and today's high is supposed to be 37. Sigh. I swear, goats try to die, or perhaps they enjoy watching us stress. Either way, I wish they would stop such behaviors. 

So, dear reader, that was my weekend. It was productive, busy, and filled with good things. I enjoy my goats immensely, and anything to do with them is rewarding. If you are so inclined, please send out some good thoughts for our baby, who is struggling. Maybe include Sebastian in those good thoughts. The poor guy has had quite a shock losing his friends and family from his original home. I think it must be very frightening and stressful to be an animal who is forced into an unknown situation against his will. You never know what kind of owner you are going to get. Fortunately for Sebastian, we will love him and do our very best for him, but some creatures aren't that lucky. I feel for him. 

On this winter-like November day, stay safe, be smart, do the very best for those in your care, trust that everything will work out, and, of course, keep washing your hands.