Morning Bray Farm

The weather was beautiful over the weekend, so we decided to take the ducklings outside for the first time.

Hillary, who we think will become Edmund, was an excited blur most of the time.

Hello, Harriet.

They all seemed to enjoy exploring their new world.

All of the sudden though, unidentified creatures appeared from nowhere.

Hazel (who we think will become Jake): Nobody move!

Edmund: If we don’t move, they won’t see us.

Fergus: Umm, mom? What are those?

Nigel: They sure are funny looking things.

Augusta (who we think will become Augustus, or Gus for short): Who are you calling funny looking, mister?

Hello, Beatrice.

Beatrice: Holy cow, there’s another one coming!

Me: That’s Patrick. You’re going to love Patrick.

I wish I could have known what everyone was thinking.

Bernard: Mamma, why are they making those funny peeping sounds?

Me: They’re ducklings, boys. It looks like we’re going to have three girls (Beatrice, Harriet and Isabelle) and three boys (Edmund, Gus and Jake).

Me: I hope you all are going to get along just fine.

Me: Let’s get your first outside group photo.

From left to right: Edmund, Harriet, Gus, Isabelle, Beatrice and Jake. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

If he survives, which we expect he will, he’ll be a golden goat.

It all started last Monday when Leland didn’t join the rest of the goats and the sheep on their morning walk to the pasture. I could tell immediately that he didn’t feel well, but had no idea what was wrong.

By lunchtime, he was on his side, moaning and straining. I was sure he had bloat. I got half a cup of vegetable oil down his throat, along with baking soda and milk of magnesia, and massaged his left side all afternoon. (The rumen of a goat is on the left side;  it acts as a big fermentation vat.  Bacteria and protozoa in the rumen supply enzymes to break down the fiber in the goat’s feed.)

Monday night, we moved Leland to the garage where he would be warm on a blanket and we could keep a constant eye on him. I know he didn’t feel well because he allowed me to sit with him and stroke his fur. By then, he at least seemed more comfortable.

There were calls to and discussions with several local vets, none of whom were helpful. By Thursday, Leland really seemed to be doing better, but we wanted to be sure he was alright. One thing bothered us… we hadn’t seen him pee in several days.

It happens that the vet who sees our dogs knows goats and agreed to see Leland on Friday afternoon.

After a sonogram, the vet was able to confirm that Leland’s bladder was the size of a pumpkin and full of stones. Leland needed to go into surgery to relieve the pressure on his bladder and make adjustments to his boy parts where it was certain that some of the stones were lodged.

The vet attributed Leland’s stones to his diet and his weight. I’m so angry with myself because I should have known – and didn’t – that wethered goats should not be fed grain. And… Leland’s weight… 104 pounds. The vet said that she was being generous when she suggested that he weigh no more than 70 pounds. I was loving him to death!

We brought Leland home on Saturday afternoon with strict instructions to cut out his grain, increase his salt intake to make sure he drinks a lot of water and to feed him nothing other than grass hay.  The hope is that Leland’s bladder stones will pass and dissolve with the changes in his diet. 

For now, he’s still peeing in drops rather than streams. We’re watching him and making sure he knows we love him. Fingers crossed. ♥

I’ve been in such a funk worrying about this boy. I’m sorry for not posting for so long. 😦

It was one year ago on April 16 that we brought Fergus and Nigel home from the BLM holding facility in Canon City, Colorado.

And it was last week that we received Certificates of Title for them and their adoption became official.

A wild horse or burro actually belongs to the Federal government until the BLM issues a Certificate of Title.  After you’ve had the animal for one year, the BLM sends you a Title Eligibility Letter, which you must have signed by a qualified person (such as a veterinarian, county extension agent, or humane official) verifying that you have provided humane care and treatment for your adopted animal. Once you sign and return the Title Eligibility Letter, the BLM mails a Certificate of Title to you. After you receive the Certificate of Title, the animal becomes your private property.

There was a lot of excitement here at Morning Bray Farm the afternoon the big brown envelope from the BLM arrived in our mailbox. Don showed Fergus his certificate, and Fergus rejoiced at the news of his adoption being official.

Patrick was very excited about all the commotion and wanted to know where his certificate was.

Don’t you worry, sweet boy. You’re not going anywhere and you’re officially a part of this herd, okay?

Then Don showed Nigel his certificate.

And Nigel gave his lip of approval.

Both Fergus and Nigel have come so far in the past year. We’re so thankful that they’re here with us and part of the amazing herd at Morning Bray Farm. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥