Well, dear reader, we are experiencing a break in the birthing action of baby season. I must admit, I am a bit relieved to have a break. So far, we have seventeen healthy babies and one who is making a recovery. Thankfully, all our girls are doing well. Everyone is healthy, recuperating from delivery, and producing enough milk to feed their little ones. It was a bit touch-and-go for a while, but we have finally hit a blissful lull.
I am sad to report that we lost our little brown boy, who was experiencing neurological problems. He passed away peacefully on Thursday morning. It was emotionally draining to see him suffer. I prayed over our sick little boys before I took my Heavy-B for a walk on Thursday morning. I asked that if they could not be fully restored, please bring them home and end their suffering. When I returned from my walk about twenty minutes later, the little brown boy had just passed away. I thanked God for answering my prayer. I was sad he didn’t make it but relieved his suffering was over.
Lily’s little twin, who has been stunted since birth, continues to fight and is making progress. He can now stand on his own, and he takes the teeniest-tiniest steps. If left to his own devices, he walks on his front knees but can get his back legs under him. He is making leaps and bounds this week, which is such a relief. We have brought him back to the heated garage for the next few days since it is cold and damp. I don’t believe the cold or stress from the chill will help his progress. He sits on our laps while we do computer work. Having a baby in the garage is a nice distraction. I have named him Mr. Tinkles because he tinkles a lot. Tinkles now eats two bottles at every feeding and asks for snacks between meals. His appetite has never waned. I feel cautiously confident Tinkles will make a full recovery. He will also make someone a wonderful pet because he has been raised as a bottle baby. Neutered little boys who are bottle-fed make the absolute best pets.
After months of being pregnant, delivering, and feeding babies this time of year, our girls always look a little worse for wear. I hate it when our girls look thin and shaggy. As soon as the babies are weaned, and the grass comes in thick and lush, our girls will return to their sleek, healthy selves. However, right now, everyone looks like they need a good bath, a haircut, and to put on about ten pounds.
As soon as the weather warms into the 80s and remains in the 60s throughout the night, The Bean and I will give the girls their annual spa day. A spa day is when we give them a nice warm bath, trim the hair on their legs and udders, give them an exfoliating sugar scrub on their udders, and slather them with our unscented moisturizer. We are brushing the girls daily, Abu too. Socks, our little woolly mammoth Boer goat, needs to have the de-shedding tool used on her fuzzy coat. The girls are not fond of the bathing process, but they all feel better when it is done. It will take us several days to get everyone done. When I build my new goat barn…more of my plans that make my husband twitch…I plan to have a spa area for my girls and a heated nursery for my babies. Actually, I think I will request the whole facility to be heated. Nobody enjoys the cold; the older we get, the less we like it.
So, my dear reader, that is what is happening here on the farm. We have reached a nice balance. Everyone is healthy and thriving. We have four more girls to deliver in the next month or so. If you can attend our little event here on the farm on May 6th, you will see the babies bouncing in the field. We have so many beautiful patterns this year. Also, you will get to meet Lil’ Lester, the main character in my in-progress children’s book. Les is quite the little man. I think he will need a bow tie to make his social debut. Who doesn’t love a baby goat in a bow tie? The very thought makes me smile. Sigh.
As always, stay safe, be smart, make plans to attend our farm event on May 6th, meet everyone in person, and keep washing your hands.