annie the big B is giving birth

[slipknot711]

Exactly 7 days from penny. Up to 30 babies but half were stillborn. I feel like it was my fault for some reason.... but I feel blessed to have so many healthy babies

[guidofatherof5]

Congrats on the babies, celebrate the birth and don't get down on yourself.

[slipknot711]

I am. I saw one open its mouth looked to gasp for air... I thought it was one of the dead... but I just knew the yawn look was something special... so I wet him rubbed his side gently of course blew air near face softly of course and rubbed the shed off his head and he started yawning and stretching and I wet him in my hand and put him under the cfl lights for a lil warmth and he perked up... was amazing to me. I almost cried.

[slipknot711]

So 15 alive and perky but sadly 12 didn't make it

[guidofatherof5]

Can you describe the stillborns? Did they just not break out? Underdeveloped? Yoke sack still visible? Any of them "fuse" to themselves?
I know this isn't the happy part of the birth but it would still be important info. to post or get photos of.

[slipknot711]

One was all mush.... grey eyes and all. No yolks. They never broke thru sac.... I put them aside and waited till I tried to assist. Did I do something wrong?

[guidofatherof5]

One was all mush.... grey eyes and all. No yolks. They never broke thru sac.... I put them aside and waited till I tried to assist. Did I do something wrong?

I don't think so. If they can't break out of the sack on their own I think there is good reason to leave them alone. I don't mean to sound harsh and this hasn't always been my stance. I have learned over time that nature really does know best in these situations. The strong usually do survive and for good reason. Passing on the best possible genes to the next generation is what we all want.

[slipknot711]

That's true. Thank you Steve. I think you'd be proud of the first born ones.

[guidofatherof5]

Both them and you.;)