Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Baby pool and baby pictures

I finally saw some baby pictures this afternoon.  My vet got her hands on a special attachment for the ultrasound machine and we were able to see the baby.  Well, at least a leg and part of a head anyway.  We know that junior has at least one leg, a nose and that he is alive and knows how to kick.  Baby is well on the way to becoming a donkey.  Actually, quite far along to becoming a donkey.  I have been thinking that Emma is much more pregnant than I had initially thought.  In the last couple of weeks her belly has really blossomed while at the same time she has lost a lot of weight.  This makes perfect sense if she is entering the final trimester when 80% of the fetal protein is laid down. 

What I was really hoping for from the ultrasound was an idea of when to expect Baby.  As a result of my observations, much chin scratching, speculations and backwards math we all agree that the baby is most likely to make an entrance sometime in April or May.  Gulp.  Emma would have been about 8 months old when bred.  Double gulp. 

Here are some pictures of "The Belly" taken this afternoon...







The only good news as far as Emma is concerned is that she gets to have LOTS more food now.  She is now up to getting a handful of the 10/10 sweet feed three times a day along with 2 flakes/day of second cutting hay to go with the free-choice first cutting.  She also get a 1/4 scoop of Accel vitamins and a 1/4 scoop of selenium/E because New York is profoundly selenium deficient.  We'll stay there for a bit and adjust as needed.

I had to make some temporary changes in the barn in order to feed her.... 

The creep feeder arrangement is to protect her from the circling sharks....

Sometimes it is helpful to be short.

And finally, what you have all been waiting for...a contest.  Leave your best guess as to the arrival of Emma Junior as a comment on this post (that way I'll be able to find them all).  The winner will get one of my handmade (by me) cutting boards.  It will look a little (but not exactly) like this...
It is made of hard maple and/or cherry and the back is grooved so it also acts a bread board.  If you leave your comment anonymously, make sure to include an identifier so I can figure out who you are.  Good luck to all of us!  I know Emma and I are going to need it.
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28 comments:

  1. Rebecca2January 11, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    Interesting blog. Emma is a lucky girl.

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  2. KayJanuary 12, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    Good luck to both of you. I feel horrible for Emma being pregnant, and hope all goes well with the birth. Look forward to reading your blog every morning. I would guess May 22.

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  3. Mel N.Y.January 12, 2012 at 10:08 AM

    Glad to hear the Vet say that everything is ok.
    Have you had foals before? You are realy up on your homework. I was going to mention the selenium deficent/retained placenta thing.
    I would start feeling Emmas bag, just to get her used to something noseing around down there.
    The "sharks" really want to help Emma clean up all that chow. :-)

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    1. The Dancing DonkeyJanuary 12, 2012 at 12:02 PM

      I have raised a foal before but, it has been a while. Thank goodness it doesn't change. Mostly, I am an obsessive researcher. When I care about something, I want to know everything there is to know:)

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    2. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 5:59 PM

      Poor Emma being bred at 8 months. She may reject the foal so I would advise that you do your best to be there at the birth in order to help with the bonding process, which may not work, so make sure you have colostrum, replacement milk etc on hand. The fotos suggest that she is very healthy. Unlike horses, donkeys don't 'bag-up' prior to delivery, making the signs of imminent birth very hard to guess. Good luck with this one, baby donkeys are just the best :-)

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    3. RobynneJanuary 16, 2012 at 4:34 PM

      Ugh, eight months? I dislike her previous owner more and more. Foals are darling little things, and I know you're up for any challenge! One thing I'm compelled to say is that donkeys thrive on basically scrub food, and are notorious for foundering on a diet too rich or overly nutritious for their systems. Keep a very close eye on her crest; if she's getting too much of anything too rich, you'll see it there pretty quick. I had to take mine off of The Natural Vet products completely, even a half ounce of anything was too much. Now they get just first cutting hay. Their cresty necks won't ever go away, though, dang it.
      That said, my vote for her foaling date is May 15! Good luck, and may God bless little Emma.

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    4. RobynneJanuary 16, 2012 at 4:35 PM

      Ugh, eight months? I dislike her previous owner more and more. Foals are darling little things, and I know you're up for any challenge! One thing I'm compelled to say is that donkeys thrive on basically scrub food, and are notorious for foundering on a diet too rich or overly nutritious for their systems. Keep a very close eye on her crest; if she's getting too much of anything too rich, you'll see it there pretty quick. I had to take mine off of The Natural Vet products completely, even a half ounce of anything was too much. Now they get just first cutting hay. Their cresty necks won't ever go away, though, dang it.
      That said, my vote for her foaling date is May 15! Good luck, and may God bless little Emma.

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    5. The Dancing DonkeyJanuary 16, 2012 at 4:58 PM

      Thanks Robynne, you are right to be concerned as too much weight is one of the most common problems donkeys deal with. In this case though, I think Emma does need the food. She has lost A LOT of weight recently as the baby develops and is verging on the dangerously thin. I have discussed her nutritional needs with the vet and with folks at the UK donkey Sanctuary and we all agree that because of her age and advancing pregnancy, her nutritional requirements are much higher then is normal for a donkey. I am keeping a very close watch on this as I don't want her to get too heavy either. Thanks, and give your fellows an ear rub for me:)

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  4. mrscravitzJanuary 12, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Well I will pick the Infamous April 1st due date! LOL

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  5. LongearsLoverJanuary 12, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    What a beautiful little lady Emma is. Quite a gorgeous head and expression. Sending lots of good energy your way for Emma, baby, and you, of course.

    I'll put in my guess, and run it out a bit by picking June 3rd. Looking forward to see photos of Emma and her baby.

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  6. Mel N.Y.January 12, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    Good for you for doing homework.

    I'm going to be bold and pick June 1st.

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  7. Connie DonleyJanuary 12, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    Going to chose May 3rd. Best wishes on the baby donkey, nothing is more cuter, sweeter then a baby donkey.

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  8. shadowlake2005January 12, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    May 6, my what a big tummy already on that little lady.

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    I'm going to say May 16. I have a donkey identical to Emma. She lost a baby when she was 2 yrs old. I didn't know that jennets should be off fescue hay the last 2 to 3 months before birth. Make sure Emma's hay and pasture is clear of Fescue and she should be fine. Like someone said just be on the lookout for rejection.

    ginacollins@charter.net

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  10. valerieJanuary 12, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    April 23rd is my lucky guess

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    April 23
    vruste@hotmail.com

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Good lucky with Emma. Sounds like you are on top of things and have gotten some good suggestions for what is coming. My guess is May 14th.
    Larry
    letcat1@live.com

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Scout and I say May 9th as the arrival date. Right at lambing and calving time! Don't worry if she rejects the baby; we can always get Buff to adopt the baby!

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  14. AngelaJanuary 13, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    Hi Kris - my guess is a little later..June 11th :-)

    Emma is adorable x

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  15. BernieJanuary 13, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    Emma is such a cutie. Glad to hear that she's doing well. My guess for the date of birth is May 15th

    baywolf2000@hotmail.com

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  16. evemarieJanuary 13, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    April 27! Until then, or for as long as it takes, I'll be sending good vibes and thoughts for Emma and her little dancer--and for you of course!

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  17. the7msnJanuary 13, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    April 9...because that would be the eleventh anniversary of the day I watched a foal be born in my barn. My friends teased me because I was over-organized, over-prepared, and over-the-top anxious about the birth ... just like how I imagine you will be.

    p.s. the circling painted sharks around the creep feeder crack me up.

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    Replies
    1. The Dancing DonkeyJanuary 13, 2012 at 9:33 PM

      Oh lord, you don't know how right you are! I've already had at least four people tell me to just relax and not worry about it. As if THAT could ever happen:)

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  18. MichaeleJanuary 14, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    I pick May 13 - Mothers Day : ) You are taking such good care of her - bless you real good!

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    I am going to pick May 10th. She is such a cutie. Good Luck with everything.

    sillymae@roadrunner.com

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  20. VickiJanuary 20, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    I'm going to go with May 30th. (and I'll cross my fingers for a little jenny)

    Vicki

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  21. kacieJanuary 20, 2012 at 11:29 PM

    April 19!

    -Kacie

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