First Day with Baby Belle

About midday, Phil and I grew concerned for baby Belle. She was curled up next to the haybale, and hadn't moved in a few hours. Her mother would call, and she wouldn't respond. She looked entirely tuckered out. Her mouth was still warm (good!), and the rain was not chilly, but due to the persistent rain, she had never yet been dry. When, at last, she began to shiver convulsively, Phil and I went to take action.

She stood on her own, and staggered around on new legs, but after she sought her mother and laid down again without making contact, we corralled Bethany and Belle into a pen of their own. Phil put a tarp over part of it, and tied Bethany's head. I milked out some colostrum, but then Belle realized she was supposed to be doing that, so she came over eagerly and nursed a good long time.

I'm used to baby lambs, who need maybe eight ounces or so of colostrum at a time. I've had to carry Belle about the paddock a few times today, and she is a chunk. I picked up Jadon for comparison, and I would guess that little Belle weighs about 60 pounds (oh, how happy Bethany must be that her baby is OUT!).

A 60 pound baby needs about 1.5 quarts of colostrum about four times during the first day. That's about 24 cups, or 1.5 gallons! She should have a good amount of antibodies, with that much food.

We're leaving mama and baby in pen for a bit. The rain has now stopped (6.5 inches this week!), but until it's a little more dry, we'll leave them to bond, and keep that equal opportunity nurser Beatrice away for now.

Belle's little poops are good, too. She passed her meconium, and has started to poop the bright yellow colostrum poops. Perfect!

Because we missed the birth itself, we aren't sure whether Bethany is retaining the placenta, or whether she birthed it and then ate it. Some mamas do, wanting the extra nutrition.

None of our other animals have had any issues with retained placentas, perhaps due to the free choice kelp. My immediate assumption was that she was retaining it, and Phil's immediate assumption was that she was not. Time will tell. If she grows feverish in a couple of days, we'll have to take DRASTIC ACTION, but until then, we'll bask in healthy animals. And the end of the rain.