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Friday, January 27, 2012

Life's lil' Luxuries & The Unbearable Waiting Game

Yesterday I took advantage of the beautiful weather & did some much needed cleaning. Scraped all the old bedding out of the barn, limed the floors, let it air and added a fresh layer of new dirt. Dumped in 2 big ol’ bags of fresh shavings and turned the goats loose to check out their new spic & span sleeping area.

Bleuberry LOVED it…more so than anyone else. Everyone else sniffed, nibbled on a few shavings and then headed back to the alfalfa pellet feeder. Bleuberry luxuriated in all that freshness…










That is an expression of pure bliss!

Silly girl! Speaking of Bleuberry…. We drew blood and sent off samples to Biotracking to test for CAE & pregnancy. My CAE results came back last Friday (Negative!! Woo Hoo!) and two days ago I got my pregnancy results and am very happy to announce that Bleuberry is pregnant and due March 5, 2012! She’s a big girl (can‘t tell if she‘s pregnant by looking at her like you can with Sabrina), who doesn’t cycle regularly and didn’t take last year so I was on pins & needles waiting for those pregnancy results!

And of course we get to that “Waiting Game”......

Apparently Sabrina is out of the loop, but she was due to kid, YESTERDAY. Since I’m pulling her kids to bottle raise on CAE prevention, I need to attend the birth. Which means for the last week I’ve been doing barn checks every few hours….around the clock, day & night... (to say I’m slightly grumpy & really sleepy is an understatement).

Yesterday afternoon looked promising though. She started digging, nesting and moaning a bit. I thought “Surely it’s today!” Bleuberry was the only goat Sabrina wanted around and she would actually cry if Bleuberry left. I snapped this picture of them in the barn together… Every time Sabrina would groan, Bleuberry would start grooming her… So Sweet!



Since I’m not well rested and over the moon excited, you can guess that Brina didn’t kid yesterday. After a few pitiful hours, she got up as if nothing was going on and chowed down on hay. This morning though her belly has dropped and is hanging low instead of bulging out high to the sides, so maybe, just maybe we can have some lil ones before the day is up….

Waiting...waiting...waiting....

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is wrong with her neck? That dark patch?

Cute pics, love how she's rollin around like a puppy!

P.T

* Crystal * said...

I had to shave their necks to draw blood for the CAE/PG test, so what you're seeing is just a shaved area.

Thank you, I wish I could have got one with her legs straight up in the air, but all of those shots came out too blurry :( She stretched, scooted, & rolled around for a good 15 minutes before she finally got settled in & still :) lol

Mr. and Mrs. Hoosier Homesteader said...

We are playing the waiting game with one of our Saanens. She doesn't look close to going anytime too soon. She isn't due until the 31st, so we'll just keep listening in on the baby monitor. Good luck, and I can't wait to see pics!

* Crystal * said...

Oh I wish a baby monitor would work here!!! My barn is too far from the house for a reliable signal.... I'm thinking of investing in a barn cam for next year..... These long walks to the barn at 2am are getting old! lol

Wishing you healthy babies & an easy delivery for your Saanen :) I told Sabrina she was late & needed to get started and the only response I got was a burp in the face...

katlupe said...

Oh, she looks so happy in her shavings! Hope she has her babies with no problems.

petey said...

There is no way I could live without a barn cam. When you DO get one, get one that has color. It's hard to tell whats going on at night sometimes when your eyes won't focus and its all in shades of grey!

Leigh said...

What great photos. Bleuberry really made me grin. She reminds me of our cat Riley, when he's luxuriating in his chosen spot. :)

Does Biotracking give you an anticipated due date with your results? That's convenient!

Congrats on your twin bucklings! Its a good start. :)

Jill said...

I am also on barn duty, I have 2 girls that lost their plug yesterday evening and their back sides are swelling. I have been checking on them several times during the night and today but no more progress. Waiting patiently.

* Crystal * said...

Thanks Katalupe! Sabrina had twin bucks on the 30th..... Big boys, but easy, by the book delivery :)

Gearing up for March kiddings now :)

Petey, thanks for the tip!! I NEED a barn cam!!!

Leigh, I so wish Biotracking could give an estimated due date, but unfortunately, they can't. They can only tell you if she's pregnant... But at least knowing, & finding out the CAE status at the same time is great.... Now I don't stare at Bleuberry wondering "Are you?" lol

Aww Jill, the waiting sucks!!!! I hope by now your girls have delivered with no complications & hopefully you're enjoying your new babies :)

Carolyn said...

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http://neighborlyplace.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award.html

Helen said...

What happened to you...? It's been over a month I'm close to giving up.

* Crystal * said...

Hi Helen!

Been a rough kidding season, so I've been out of commision here lately.

I'm going to try to update my blog soon..... Not having home internet, and having a hectic round has made it harder to keep up.

BTW- Sabrina ended up having twin bucks....big boys, one 12lb & one 8lb! Sabrina went to a new home as a milker for 1st dairy goat owners (shes the perfect starter goat), the smaller buck went as her companion wether, the other was sold as a future herd sire :)