Devonviolet Acres

[Devonviolet]

LOL! Too funny, @Baymule! I certainly am blessed with a husband who is very accommodating. I did run it by him first, and made sure he was okay with getting Rosemary. Sometimes the initial response is, "Wellll . . . . " so, I walk away and revisit it a week or so later. That time gap is usually enough to convince him he wants to say "Yes".

On naming the kids, I took a clue from @Southern by choice, for her pups, and bought colored collars. Each kid gets a different color & are named accordingly. Of course, the girls will get the pink & purple collars. I just have a problem naming a buck or wether Pinky. Kinda like calling him a boy named Sue.

 

[Devonviolet]

I don't have a lot of time to post, because I'm almost out of data. But, I just HAD to let y'all know that we have two new kids on Devonviolet Acres, as of 8:30 this morning.

Day 150 for Ruby was April 19th. But, she delivered two bucklings, 23 days before that. I couldn't see the part of the yard, where they were born, because the hoop hut was in the way. I was on the front porch, planting onion sets in pots. The dogs pitched a fuss, and DH went out to see what the problem was. He then came to the gate and said I should get out there, because we had kids on the ground. When I ran out there, they were lying on the ground, soaking wet and Ruby was in the goat shed.

I jostled them, to get a response, and both reacted. So, I picked them up and carried them to Ruby, so she could clean them. She gave a few cursory licks and walked away.

DH got towels and we dried them off. I tried to put them in front of Ruby, but she walked away and laid down in her favorite spot next to the goat shed. So I called Goatgurl, to get some guidance. She suggested I milk colostrum out and give it to the kids ASAP.

DH got a couple folding crates & put towels in, for the kids to lay in. I put Ruby on the milk stand and got about 2 cups of colostrum. We then took the little guys in the house.

I tried giving them the colostrum with a Prichard's nipple, but neither one could suck. After several attempts, I used a red rubber catheter and a 35 cc can tip syringe to tube feed them 15 cc of colostrum by gravity.

Several more attempts to get them to take the bottle failed. They would sleep a little while and wake up crying. Eventually I decided maybe one more tube feeding would give them a better boost. 15 cc each and they slept for over an hour, at which time I tried sticking my finger in their mouth to check sucking reflex. It was weak at first, but after a few tries, it got stronger. Once I felt a good strong sucking, I stuck the nipple in their mouth. It took a couple tries, but eventually they each started getting the hang of it.

They must have gotten enough colostrum, because they have been asleep for several hours. I know they will most likely be up in the middle of the night. So, I plan to sleep in my recliner, so I will hear them and get up to feed them.

It's been a long day, but I can't say it wore me out, as I am energized by the progress I'm seeing in the little boys.

While I was feeding the kids, DH put Ruby in a stall in the barn. She seemed to be happy to be there. Nibbling on the hay, grain and greens that DH gave her. After dinner I went out and while sitting on a 5 gallon bucket, I milked out more colostrum.

It was so sweet! When I finished milking her, Ruby turned to me and leaned her head against my knee. Then she started licking my hand. When I leaned forward, she touched noses with me and sniffed my face! She has had a hard time of it lately. I could tell she didn't feel well the last several days, so I gave her special, very gentle care, and I think she was showing her appreciation.

I have some photos on my phone, and will post them later, after I have a chance to upload them.

 

[Mini Horses]

Ahhh. Early but, with care may do well for you. I am sure you are going to give it your best!!

 

[Devonviolet]

Here are some photos of our new little guys in the folding crates we put them in.

This is the one that was weakest at first. I weighed him and he weighed 5 lbs 4 oz. Not bad for a preemie. His brother was 4 lb 12 oz. As goatgurl said, "Can you imagine how big they would have been if they had gone full term?

 

[Bruce]

Good dogs!

 

[Baymule]

Well done Violet and Deo! If not for their alerts, you probably would have lost both kids. Give them both a treat!

Lots of hugs and cuddles for the twins, they are adorable. They have a good momma, not Ruby--YOU!

 

[Mini Horses]

They may be weaker but sure don't LOOK preemie. Maybe 2weeks early...some does will not carry the full 150 days so I'm thinking 2 not 3 weeks. Maybe RJ got her on first visit? At least you have fresh momma milk for them! That's a plus.

 

[CntryBoy777]

They are soooo Cute!!..........Congratulations DV!! Glad ya got them to sucking, hopefully Ruby will take em back and things will work out for all of them....

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Congratulations on the little cuties!!! I’ll say a prayer that they do well!

 

[Baymule]

The babies didn't make it. Devonviolet is devastated. She consulted with the vet and mentors here on BYH, the kids were just too early and their lungs weren't developed enough. Their breathing was labored and she said their lungs rattled with every breath. The smaller one died this morning and the bigger one died this evening.

Many of us have been there, it is a club that nobody wants to belong to. She is broken hearted, she will rally when the next babies come, but right now she could use a great big hug from her friends.

I know one thing, when I lost babies, then the ewe, then another lamb that I had to put down, my BYH friends helped me through the heartbreak last year. Through my grief and tears, the warmth, love and care from my BYH friends helped me get through a tough time. There is nothing like our BYH family.

I am posting this for her because she is out of Wi-Fi (thank you metered satellite internet service) and because she needs a little time to pull it together. Big hugs to you my dear friend. We all love you and God Bless You.