Updates, due dates and baby pools

Look who's back...

Friday afternoon I rode Gabe home from his temporary exile.  I had thought that Emma would have had her baby by now and she wouldn't have to worry about him, but y'all know how that has worked out.  Tessa at least was glad to see him...

I tried to keep them separated for a while to make things easier for Emma, but Gabe used his teeth to pull the fence post out of the ground and let himself in.  I finally banished both him and Tessa to the shed (now dubbed the painted-shark-aquarium) so Emma can stay in the barn where she is most comfortable and I can most easily keep an eye on her.  I also ran a loop of fence wire over the the top of the post.  I think he will likely decide that that particular trick isn't as much fun as he thought.   I know it is terribly mean, but I can't help but hope that he get a nice good zap on that big pink snout. 

Ever since Memorial day when I thought Emma was going into labor and then she quit, the baby has been very quiet.  After two weeks of no movement, I finally saw the baby kicking yesterday morning and again this afternoon.  I was very relieved to see it, I've been rather worried about Baby.  Of course, I have, once again, been trying to figure out when this baby is due.  I have gone back to the few hard facts that I have:  On Dec. 3 I had a blood test for estrogen sulfate drawn on Emma to tell me whether or not she was pregnant.  The mare or jenny tested has to be AT LEAST 4 months pregnant for this test to work.  What this means is that, unless I have messed up the math completley, Emma has to be at least 11 1/2 months pregnant. 

Emma's blood test came back off-the-charts high.  When I spoke with the neonatal vet at Cornell about this test and the vet who drew the blood, they both told me that the high level probably indicated that Emma was at least 5-6 months pregnant when we drew the blood and very possibly farther along than that.  That would make her at least 12-13 months pregnant right now.  Donkey gestation is 11-14 months. 

What all of this means is that....I have absolutely no idea when the baby is due.  Which brings us (in a rather long winded way) to the baby guessing pool.  Emma has fooled everyone. The latest date submitted was June 11th, a date that, when I first read it, I scoffed at just a bit (sorry).  I thought "no way can Emma make it all the way till June 11."  Foolish, foolish me.

So, this leaves a bit of a quandary.  Do I start over from scratch and let all of you submit a new guess or do I take all the names on my first list and let Emma draw one out of a hat?  I am putting it up for a vote.  What would you, dear readers, like me to do? 

Note:  if no consensus is reached I reserve the right to arbitrarily flip a coin and decide.  Democracy can only go so far on a farm after all.

The Weekly Belly 6/8/12

I wish I knew what was going on in there...

Mixed Signals

So, here is a question for any of you who breed donkeys (Mel!?)...about 3 weeks ago now, I thought Emma was going to have a baby at any moment.  The reason that I thought this (despite that fact that her udder had not gotten anywhere near as big as I though it should) is that the baby dropped.  You know what I mean right?  The baby moves into position and all of a sudden the belly goes from being wide as a house to narrow and pointy.  Usually, this happens when birth is, at most, a couple of days away.  I double checked my old text books and my newer donkey books and they all agree about how these things should proceed...

Emma doesn't seem to agree because the baby dropped, but now, Emma is getting wider again.  It's like the baby decided to roll over.  I have never seen this happen before.  I checked with the vet, who said "maybe it's a donkey thing".  (Can you tell that there aren't too many vets with donkey experience around here?)  Anyway, IS this a donkey thing?  Am I being paranoid?

I will freely admit that I have absolutely no objectivity where Emma is concerned.  Actually, I find it hard to be objective about all of my animals.  This is why doctors are not supposed to treat members of their own family.  However, my riding buddy also saw Emma during this time and she agrees, the baby dropped.  I am not making this up.  I also know that the muscles and ligaments in her pelvis are like mush and have been for at least the last 4 weeks.  I think you can see it in these photos...

Compare this shot I took on Easter...

 

To one I took this afternoon... 

Two weeks ago, you couldn't see the belly at all from this view.  And no, I didn't get any decent pictures, I didn't think I would need them.  I didn't think I would see the belly popping out the sides like this again... 

Her udder has continued to get larger, but she still has no milk.  I guess that is what we are waiting for.  Emma is doing well, she is happy and healthy, although bothered by the warmer temps.  I am hoping that her temperature regulation will work better after the baby is born and she matures more. 

So, does anyone have anything to tell me about donkey babies doing flip-flops before they make an appearance in the world?

The Setup

A commenter asked me if I am sleeping in the barn.  The answer, thankfully, is no.  I have done so in the past and have some interesting stories to tell as a result, but I am rather glad I don't have to now.  I didn't have foal-watch in mind when I built my barn, but I do like to be able to look out my windows and see my horses.  It's the very first thing I do every morning and it always gives me a sense of satisfaction to be able to look out and see my beasties hanging out, content with their world.  It has the added bonus that now, with the addition of a low wattage lamp, I can get up and check on Emma right from my living room.

The barn from my living room window...

I hung a brooder lamp (with a 20 watt bulb) in my barn and it gives off just enough light that I can see into the barn at night without having to disturb Emma or get too far away from my bed. 

Poor Tessa is feeling rather left out and like she just got kicked out of the Country Club.

"Can I come back in?"

"Please....

"Pretty Pleeeease....

"I Promise to be good...

Emma has decided to keep thinking about everything for a while.  She rather likes all this special attention and has made up her mind to just take her time and get as much as she can out of the situation.   

Waiting and Watching

After 4 days of fairly constant progress and changes, Emma has decided to take a little break.  Meaning, no baby yet.  She is spending a lot more time lying down and napping.  Her udder hasn't changed much today.  It is impossible to tell how long she may do this.  The last mare I had who foaled, got to this point and had her baby 2 hours later.  I have also seen mares get to this point and hold out for several weeks.  It is nerve wracking, but all I can do is keep everything as calm and quiet as possible and watch carefully.  

I have moved Tessa into what will be the Donkey Palace and given Emma the whole barn along with her own fenced area on the lawn.  I took the windows separating the barn from the palace area out so that they can talk through the window.  Tessa is a bit jealous and is moping a bit because Emma gets to be on grass and she can't now, but I think it is safest for Emma.  I don't think Tessa would do anything to hurt the baby or Emma, but you never know.  Tessa acts very motherly toward Emma and I can see that she would be a great mom.  I can see that she would like to have a baby of her own.  I have also seen mares, who want to be moms, steal babies.  Sooo, I think visiting through the window is good for now. 

The crystal ball says:  more sleep deprivation for you!

Foal Watch

Two days ago, Emma's udder quadrupled in size.  The next day it doubled again.  Today, bigger still.  There is no milk...yet, but it's getting there.  We were having a stretch of very nice weather.  However, tonight, it is in the 30's with lots of very cold rain coming down.  Mind you, I am not whining about the rain, we REALLY need it.

Gabe was due to come home today.  Actually, he was due to come home two weeks ago, but I talked the trainer into keeping him another two weeks in the hopes that Emma would have her baby while he was gone and the weather was nice.  No such luck of course.

I can't do anything about the weather, but I did take Gabe down to my riding buddy's house rather than bring him home.  Thank God for good friends who will take in an 1100 pound, walking appetite on short notice in order to keep things peaceful and safe for a pregnant donkey.  Thanks Riding Buddy.

We're as ready as we're going to get and the weather is lousy.  Perfect time for a baby to show up.  I did look into my crystal ball in the hopes discovering what the future holds, the response was just two words:  sleep deprivation. 

Stay tuned, I'll try to update as soon as anything changes.

Sunday Stills - Reflections (and the belly)

I'm having some trouble with my camera so these are a few months old, but they are still my favorite reflection shots....

 

 

And while we're at it, we may as well reflect on the belly.  Emma is showing all the classic signs of imminent foaling, but there's STILL NO BABY.  Emma really does hate rules and apparently she has decided that none of these silly foaling rules are going to apply to HER.  No siree, she is going to have this baby when she darn well feels like it and to heck with all the signs and symptoms!

 Emma: "Just move along and leave me to my grass.  Go on, move along, move along, nothing to see here...

The Weekly Belly 3/31/12

The baby has been awfully quiet for the last few weeks.  I haven't seen any movement at all for a while and I was starting to get a little worried about this.  Well this afternoon, Baby decided to provide a bit of reassurance that he or she is definitely still alive and KICKING.  Looked like the little devil was practicing for the Kentucky Derby.  Poor Emma, she was not amused.  Of course, by the time I managed to get my camera out, fired up and set to video, it was nap time again.  That is the one thing the digital camera is not good at, it is so slow that action shots are a matter of pure accident.  

Emma's udder continues to change every day.  It is gradually getting more full, but it is slow progress.  Yesterday it seemed to shrink back down only to be larger than ever this afternoon.    No one can ever say that Mother Nature doesn't have a sense of humor.

  

The Weekly Belly 3/24/12

The belly continues to expand, but it is also shifting.  Moving lower and getting wider.  While the belly is still growing, the baby seems quieter, not kicking or moving as much.  Foals tend to get quieter as they move into position for birth.  Emma's udder is beginning to fill.  The ligaments around her tail are getting a little looser.  I think it is going to be a matter of weeks rather than months before this baby shows up.

I know this picture is indelicate, but this is the beginning if Emma's udder.  I took this 2 days ago, it is larger today. 

All of these things typically start happening 4-6 weeks prior to birth.  Sometimes they happen within days or hours of birth.  Sometimes, I wish I bit my nails.  It would give me something to do.

The Spring Rush

Spring has come on like a freight train this year.  We've never had so much warm weather so early before.  The maple syrup season is already over with, almost before it began.  I am already trying to get the garden ready.  I moved the girls onto the back pasture (where almost nothing useful ever grows) in order to give the main pasture a chance to come in.  I rely on the two front pastures to feed everybody throughout the summer, so they need a good start in the spring.  The mosquitoes and deer ticks are everywhere. 

I have been battling old, decrepit farm machinery all week, trying to get things running.  My equipment is a motley assortment of hand-me-downs and cast-offs.  Everything runs, but not without a great deal of persuasion.  I used up my entire month's worth of swear words this week.  I am seriously thinking about trying to trade-in every piece of junk I have for one implement that will just start when I tell it to without reducing me to fruitless violence and frustration.  Animals make so much more sense to me than machinery.  They are logical, they have feelings, they communicate and tell me what they need and want.  The !#$% !!tractor just sits there, leaking toxic bodily fluids all over the place.      

I forgot to take pictures of anything this week.  Or maybe I just didn't want any evidence to exist of me kicking and swearing at inanimate objects. 

This morning I went out and sat with the girls in the sun for a while and listened to them munch on breakfast.  The two of them together are so peaceful and happy, it is so nice to just hang out with them.  I finally remembered to take some pictures of The Belly.  I think the baby has moved into a lower position.  Emma looks less wide suddenly, but her belly is hanging down much lower.  This usually indicates that the baby is going to show up soon, but I have known some mares to go on this way for weeks, even months.  I sure wish I had a better idea of when this baby is due.  Now would be a good time actually.  The weather is beautiful, Gabe is not around to pester her and I want a baby donkey to play with.  The way these things work however, she'll probably wait till the day Gabe comes home and Mother Nature remembers that Spring usually doesn't show up until May.  Oh well, I'll still be wanting a baby donkey to play with at least.    

The Weekly Belly 3/10/12

For a little while, it has seemed to me that the progress of Emma's belly has slowed down a bit.  However, this afternoon I realized that the belly is indeed still expanding at a rather alarming rate.  It just hasn't been as obvious because Emma has also had a growth spurt.  She has gained an entire inch in the last month and has made it up to 43 inches tall.  I do wonder and worry about how Emma's growth might affect the baby and vice-verse, but all I can do is keep giving her good food and lots of attention.  She seems happy and looks good so I guess we're doing OK.  I do tend to worry more then I should as you all have probably noticed by now.  Oh well, it is the nature of donkeys to have long ears and clever minds and it is my nature to worry about my donkey (and everything else in the known universe and possibly a few things outside of it as well).

The Weekly Belly 3/2/12

Emma isn't shy about expressing her opinions, "Put that camera down and LET ME OUT! "

It is getting hard to keep Emma's blanket on, it keeps slithering off to the side and the belly is bulging out the bottom.  I've had to let the straps out about ten inches since December....

 For comparison, this was taken on 12/12/11, no belly bulging out.

Making Progress

I am finally making progress on the Donkey Nursery.  I am not sure why this project has taken me so long, but it is starting to come together.  It has probably been a combination of having changed my mind about a 150 times as to how I wanted to do this and lousy weather.  I know we have been having a mild winter, but that is a very relative term.  Doing carpentry in 20 degree weather is a true misery and power tools do not mix well with snow, rain and ice.

I want this area to be weather proof enough to be cozy for Emma and her baby, but open enough at the same time so that the windows in the main barn are not blocked.  This is what I finally came up with. These windows are on hinges so they will fold upward against the shed roof in the summer, allowing for maximum airflow and still close everything off in the winter.  I still have to add some exterior trim pieces that will hold everything in place and make it all weather tight.  And of course, the plexiglass.

I debated for a long time whether to use plexiglass or heavy-duty plastic.  I am a little worried that the plexiglass could get broken and be a hazard, but I think it will be OK.  I experimented with a small piece that I had and even when it breaks, it does not shatter like glass does and does not become too sharp.  I just don't think the plastic sheeting can stand up to the wind I get here, so plexiglass is what I am going to use.  If I have to, I can add some wire mesh to the inside of the windows to reinforce the plexiglass. 

I am feeling that I really need to get this done and move Emma into it.  While she gets along well with both of the horses and is especially attached to Tessa, Gabe does push her around some. He is never mean to her, but he does like to play and he thinks it is fun to chase her on occasion.  He had several other young, rowdy geldings to play with at his former home and he tries to play with Emma and Tessa that way.  It is often too much for them.  He is starting to get the idea that no one wants to play that hard and he is being better about it.  However, as Emma's belly gets ever larger, she gets ever slower.  I don't want her to feel that she has to run away from him.  I also don't want Gabe anywhere near her when she does have the baby.  He is very protective of his territory and does not allow strange animals into his field.  While this is a good thing where strange dogs and coyotes are concerned, I am worried about how he will treat a newborn donkey.  All in all, I am hoping to have the nursery finished within the next two weeks.  Hopefully, Emma will like it and not feel too isolated. 

The Weekly Belly 2/24/12