Bottle Baby Update

 

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I am so glad to report some great news - our little house goat baby is doing fantastically well!  She had a hard time eating for the first several days, she's still working on how to use her tongue.  When she tries to suck, it just falls out the side of her mouth and she doesn't actually put suction on the nipple, she just pumps the milk back into the bottle.  She also wouldn't really take the nipple to start with - I had to force it into her mouth, just the right way, then hold it there, and hold her tongue in with my fingertip, and then rub my chin on her head the right way while making smacking noises (I think it spurs the innate sibling rivalry instinct!) - and then she would suck for a few seconds.  If I did this 5 or 6 times, she might get an ounce in her.  Then I'd try to get 2 syringes in just plain force-feeding by dribbles, until she was fighting it so hard I was afraid she's aspirate the milk.  That would usually get me as much as 1.5 ounces.  She was getting maybe 4-5 ounces a day - I don't know how she made it those first 3 days, honestly, that's not nearly enough, but she kept improving in spite of not really eating.  Last night, I got her to do a pretty good job, and she ate 3.5 ounces at a sitting, all bottle.  This turned out to be the best thing yet - I can't swear that she slept through the night, because I did!!  First time in 4 manic days that I didn't get up multiple times overnight!  This morning, she chugged 4 oz, and spent the next 15 minutes bawling and frantically attacking my chin for more - but babies can fatally overeat, so I made her wait a while for seconds.  This time, I really didn't even have to hold her tongue in - I still have to start her on the nipple, get it placed just right, but then she's getting the hang of it.  I think in a day or so, she will be taking a bottle like an old pro.  

So - I'm officially designating her out of the woods, barring some freak accident, and that means we need a name.  If anyone has a good suggestion for a strong yet dainty, fighter yet snuggler, tough yet adorable name, let me know!  Right now, the best suggestion is Willow - bends but won't break - but our sheep kind of have the corner on the tree names, although I could make an exception if necessary :)  

We are still in the sweet, charming stage of having a house goat - she hasn't starting eating enough to be pooping and peeing everywhere, but is adorably trotting around exploring, and likes to cuddle on the couch whenever possible :)  Malachi is hunting her right now (with a sword!), she sneaks off and hides under beds, couches, tables, behind the woodstove, wherever.  In fact, I just looked with him and can't find her...  I need to go do a thorough search - then take her to the pasture for the day.  If any of you are familiar with the Wallace and Grommit sheep episode, you have an idea of living with her.  If you aren't - go watch Wallace and Grommit, it's awesome! :)  She trots around, in exactly the posture of that little stowaway sheep, and I can never find her but hear this faint clop-clop-clop from somewhere in the house - unless she's asleep, and then it's impossible. But she's just so adorable - once she's pooping on everything the charm will wear off, but for now it's awfully sweet :)

Here's the rest of the goat update - Cinnamon had 2 dead babies by dawn on Wednesday - don't know why, she's been crying for them ever since.. Sonia had two little beauties Wednesday morning, Sweet Pea had one yesterday morning, the only one yesterday (thank goodness, as we also had the alpaca shearing!), and Gretchen had 3 on Wednesday  as well.  One of those didn't make it though I tried of course, she's establishing a pattern of trips with an unexplainedly weak one that just dies.  Of the other two, one is still not able to stand so we have to help him nurse every few hours.  The girl is vigorous and goes after her own milk, but if we can't get this little guy walking Gretchen will neglect him as well.  I think she's just bought herself a ticket to freezer camp this fall, we can't justify keeping a lousy mother like this.  It rained Wednesday evening, and she just left the two lying on the ground - we had to bring them inside and stay up until midnight getting them warm, they were almost comatose, but after they warmed up and ate, they were okay.  We've got them shut in a house so we can force Gretchen to nurse them until they're doing better.  Otherwise, the babies out there are all doing great, even in windy and cool conditions.  They're nursing well, the mamas are doing great, and except for Gretchen's boy I'm not concerned about anyone.  I'll keep y'all posted!

Comments

Greetings from Arizona

Amy and family., just wanted to send hellos from Arizona.
Love to see your updates. Sometimes I wish I chose to stay at your farm to help with all the excitement. But, I am having a great time here at the Grand Canyon.
I have a possible name for your little critter; KOA. It is a Hawiian name meaning brave fighter or warrior. Friends of mine chose this name for their daughter.
I wish you all well. Happy trails, Dan.

Hi!

Hey there Dan,
We miss having you around - but obviously you're having a blast at the Grand Canyon.
Thanks for the name suggestion - we like it! I'll see what else we get in the next few days, but we need to pick one soon, and that's a great one - thanks! Keep in touch!

Your writing

.....is just so VISUAL. I'll have visions of little hidden goats for the rest of the day, no doubt. Thanks so much for taking the time to document this. Photos, at all?

I try!

My goal is to make it feel like you're here, so thanks! I guess it works :) I will try to get some pictures of as-yet-nameless-baby-girl up in the goat gallery later. I tried to take some yesterday, but she literally won't stop trotting around the house and they were all blurs of her tail end :)

Lovely place

Looks like you have a lovely place there.

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