Friday morning started on a very exciting note - at morning barn check I found Millie in advanced stage of active labor with string of mucous hanging and strong contractions. She delivered a beautiful set of triplets by 11:30 - kid #1 came first but breach with rear legstucked under so I had to rearrange some, kid #2 was facing forward but face first so I had to find the front feet and arrange in proper presentation, kid #3 also head first with both legs backwards but flew out once repositioned. Two does and a buck very uniquely colored - kids and mom doing well.  The bliss turned somewhat bittersweet when upon drying the babies I discovered one doeling had a deformed leg - further examination also revealed incomplete pelvis with a hip bone missing on one side. She was alert and otherwise normally formed but not able to stand obviously and her abdominal cavity showed some abnormalities as well. We gave her the kindest thing we could that day - peaceful passing as we said goodbye. This was my first encounter with deformities in my herd, though I have seen something very similar in two other herds before. Sad as it is, life on the farm also means very close ties to the reality of both life and death and we have learned to take the good with the bad. Not to minimize the tragedy of such events, but there is just nothing to be done about an animal born unable to function and little if any quality of life with such burden. Trying not to dwell on these moments, we choose to focus on the rich blessings God bestows on us daily and we are humbled in the acknowledgement and acceptance of His will and grand plan.  Remaining two babies are doing well and we are enjoying them very much. I think I am going to name the doeling Bittersweet and will say I am growing extremely fond of her. Here she is with her many cute faces .... hard not to fall in love :)      The buckling does not have a name yet but we welcome all suggestions.He is a handsome boy that is very long and level, finer boned than his sister with beautiful markings, head and lovely breed character. He is available and looking for a new home. His dam is a heavy producer that is steady through her lactations and hard to dry up she has that much will to milk. Easy to milk solidly attached udder.    |
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