More in the Morning
Now there are five. Don’t know if she’s done yet.
Poor little mama! She must be so tired. As I leave to teach an art program at Folklore Village (check out folklorevillage.org for some very cool stuff) this morning, I’m quite certain Globule is working out Number 6. Hunched in a pile of loose wool locks, she’s kneading the nest and appears quite anxious. She’s now been giving birth since yesterday at 4 pm. I haven’t actually seen any babies emerging from the birth canal, as I often do with the goats and sheep, so cats must be quite fast at expelling them. Early this morning I found Number 5 cold, wet and on the concrete floor of the garage. I submerged him/her up to the chin in warm water for a few minutes and gave him a good rub down, during which he squealed quite a bit. I took that as a good sign and tucked him in between some warm siblings. Now I see that he immediately crawls right out and that’s likely what got him into trouble in the first place. Being adventurous isn’t very safe for baby birds or cats, who will be abandoned if they leave the nest. Mama’s got plenty to do right at home and she can’t afford to venture out for one and leave the rest. I raised a lot of adventurous baby birds in my Chicago backyard because their wanderlust landed them on my back porch steps while their cozy brothers and sisters peeped away in the white pine above, staying put and getting fed.
Ann Boyd said,
May 24, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
I’m really glad humans don’t have litters of babies. One’s enough work!
kriss said,
May 25, 2007 @ 7:09 am
Oh, Glob was so tired and bedraggled when she was done! She looked like she’d been through a washing machine. Although I sort of felt like that each time I had one! Every time I come in the garage, she runs right up to me for a snuggle. I think she’s pretty freaked out by the whole thing.