Amber's Babies

Last night I was pretty frustrated with these babies.*

Cinnabon

Cinnabon, is doing great.  Feeds as she should despite the fact she nearly died yesterday morning.  I had brought her in from being with mom all night and at first thought she was dead.  It didn't take long to figure out she was hanging on by the last bit of strength she had.  She was warmed, fed, and after a few more hours was back on the road to normal kidhood. 

Cupcake

The other two were slightly cold yesterday morning, so I had to warm them before feeding them.  They both forgot how to suckle which didn't help.  The rest of the day was spent dripping milk down.  Eventually in the afternoon, I decided to tube the two who appeared to me to be absolutely dull animals.  Okay, I give Cupcake some credit, she is a bit smaller and I think she was a premie. But Biscotti?  Oh boy!  She is dumb as all get out (in my opinion), but I know! She was born early and I need to understand she is an animal.  But...she has issues.  

Last night I decided I was done trying to keep them warm and I wasn't going to tube again.  These animals would need to fight to live, or die.  I know it sounds harsh, but it is life on the farm.  Bottling four babies is hard enough, add babies who can't suck or can't stand is more than I need.  

I attempted feeding in the middle of the night, but only Cinnabon ate.  Biscotti just screamed as usual because...well...

This morning, Cinnabon ate well like a normal bottle baby goat.  Then to my surprise, Cupcake stood nearly upright, beautiful, and actually suckled!  She is so tiny, but she ate.  (She is so adorable.) But Biscotti?  Yep, same dull goat.  Screaming and not suckling.  

Recently I had heard of the Madigan Squeeze and decided to try it (again). I tried it the other day, but don't think I did it tight enough.  So I just finished strapping her up and proceeded to do it again, but this time cautiously tighter.  She lay there sleeping for about 6 minutes (not the ten it says to do) and then I released her.  She still laid there and I was a little nervous.  I then pet her and stood her up.  

Biscotti

She wasn't whining quite like usual.  She also started slow sucking my finger.  Not perfect, but I wonder if I had done for ten minutes if the response to the technique would be greater.  (On a side note, Biscotti was a breech and came butt first.  So I wonder if this had some sort of impact on her well being.)

So, for now we continue bottling these three indoors until they are strong enough to be outdoors like Snowy Serenade.  Then they can be little pen mates.  But first, getting them to walk!

*I realize I never posted about Amber's quads.  I'll post more about that later.  But this is the update on her three doelings.  The buckling passed the first night.