Well...I haven't posted for awhile...it has been quite a struggle with Ellie. Her pre-delivery issues unfortunately got the best of her and she delivered only 8 babies...five alive and 3 dead and seriously stuck! She ended up being in labor for over 3 days, we had to pull the last three HUGE babies and Dr. Kahn finally had to come on the 3rd windy rainy night. He cleaned and flushed her out and gave her the best shot at survival that he could. She did survive, but with the onset of milk fever...lost two more of the live babies. It was a tough couple of weeks. Josh and I pretty much lived out there with her and the babies until we knew for sure that she was gonna make it.
She did not get up for 6 straight days, did not eat for 6 straight days, did not poo for sick straight days....to say we were all stressed would be an understatement! But on the night of the sixth day, I (who was sleeping on a cot in the hog barn) woke up to Ellie's snout in my hair?!? Gotta be honest I was overjoyed and scared to death at the same time!
Needless to say...Ellie is alive and healed (Thanks to The Lord and his Dr. Kahn).
Her 3 boys: PayDay, Mr. Jenkins and Chompers (named because upon being stuck he bit onto Gary's glove and was pulled out by Daddy) are healthy wild little piglets now.
I am happy to report that all is well on the piggy front!
The goats are all wonderful and we are preparing with great joy for Storm's impending delivery. After her 4 month illness and two miscarriages last year, we never thought she would kidd again. So Feb. 9th can't come soon enough! I will be home with her even if I have to quit my job...
I can't wait! :) We have reduced the herd quite a bit trying to consolidate farm costs.
We lost Shelbie in November right before Thanksgiving due to her chronic illness. She put up the good fight with her disease and far outlived her forecasts after she was diagnosed. We will forever have her in our hearts! Her passing was heartbreaking and joyful at the same time as we loved her, but knew she was hurting. I still cry often as I walk past her resting place under the pine in the front yard. Kyle also struggled greatly at the loss of his precious Shelbie!
We must go on though as this is how life rolls.
We are beginning the journey into Farm Agritourism and are making alot of improvements around the farm! It is an exciting time right now. The sites are finally all done and the Etsy store is up and going one product at a time! We will have a kick-off farm party in April and other exciting activities coming up...so stay tuned! :)
Posts
