New Baby reindeer to my herd

Thor and Loki were castrated AFTER their antlers started to grow, hence fabulous antlers 2017. Some believe time of castration effects for life but that doesn't quite make sense beyond first year to me... but we'll see... All I know and care about is that they are much loved and apparently all 4 are the easiest reindeer that they have ever owned...
My reindeer are mostly females who have smaller antlers.

 

Beautiful picture. Thor looks so Grand, and shines with health. I would love to see pictures of all 4 of them.

 

What lovely charming pictures= I'm thrilled to find this thread! Blessings to you and your animal babies

 

Just wondering, do they sleep with their head against their bodies like thor is a lot? He does look beautiful.

 

Welcome aboard our happy family Purplebeet.

Sometimes Lotte but they often nap with their heads up or occasionally flat out but that always scares me until I see them breathing - especially with young calves as they lay so flat.

As promised pictures of Frodo. I see him everyday so it's hard to see any improvement but those who see him rarely tell me he is improving slowly. Just waiting for Spring to really trigger his weight gain BUT he's still alive against the odds.


And the antler race - Elsa has won as she dropped her first antler today.

 

Yeah for Elsa, congratulations on winning the antler race! Looks like somebody's seasonal clock is thinking spring!
While Frodo is thin, that is one beautiful winter coat!!! Bodes very well that while he didn't gain weight, he was able to extract the necessary nutrients to bolster his system & help him with his other issues. Frodo we can see the light at the end of the tunnel & it's not too far away. Karen you have done a remarkable job with him.
Lotte, I don't know about you, but I can't imagine sleeping with that rack on my head! Whatever they have to do to be comfortable is good.

 

Like dafodily said, Frodo is still thin BUT Karen, he has come leaps and bounds from some of the last pictures of him I have seen! Bless his little heart, I do believe he really wants to live and is fighting to do so! Every day that goes by is one more day of victory for you both!
Good job Elsa, but now you look lopsided!

 

I'll just add the old compilation of Frodo pictures when I first purchased him for comparisons for me as well. See what you think - not great improvement BUT he was just going into traditional reindeer Winter weight loss time when compilation done.....

 

Karen, if that winter coat is a reflection of Frodo's overall health (and I believe it is) you have a healthy reindeer! Which I believe will be very evident by the antler rack he will grow this summer! Gandalf had better bring his A game if he wants to impress the ladies.

 

I think he is looking better and to me he definitely looks as though he has put on weight since you first had him. "Keep fighting Frodo and you will make it!"

 

Karen,

I think, all things considered, he looks pretty good. I know he has a winter coat now, but his spine looks less prominent. You would know more than I would as you can actually feel his body's confirmation (which is as important as looking at him), but even if you don't think he has gained any weight, he certainly doesn't look like he lost weight. I think he has done well under your care and certainly you have given him his best chance as you have fed quality foods, regular vet visits, a network of other reindeer herders to help problem solve, experience and a very watchful eye to notice any subtle changes.

I think he may make your Facebook page this year along with the rest of your lovely reindeer

Go Frodo Go!

 

I have an ongoing slight worry with Frodo. I have never been able to firm his dropping to "rabbit pellets". His fecal counts come back as completely clear of anything in the last few months and he has been tested for everything me and my vet can think of.. but I cannot get anything beyond "firm toothpaste"??
AS to Gandalf, he'll impress the girls come the RUT, I have no doubt. He'll grow so quickly once Spring sets in and although the girls are in charge now, as he is a baby, he is a big baby and has attitude.
If Frodo survives (which I think he will now) I will be "running" two bulls through the rut (I am having to reinforce some fence lines ) but thinking that I will only give Frodo 2 girls and Gandalf the other 6 but we'll see.

PS he was in Winter coat when I got him but it may have thickened, Summer coat is very short and dark.
ie Summer coat Lexi, Mischa and Freddie in Summer coats



Lexi (above far left in Summer) below Lexi in Winter coat stretching and Mischa laying on left.

 

I HAD to be brushing my teeth when I read that >.<

 

Sorry Shimmer about the toothpaste.

What do you think?
A friend has suggested I make dream catchers from Elsa'a sheds. Her antlers, along with Mischa and Lotte's have a natural curve. I usually sell their sheds for coat hooks, candle holders etc BUT there is a lot of mythology behind the reindeer with the native reindeer herders and dream catchers seem so right...
This belief I love...
"In the beginning there was a White Reindeer…
From this white reindeer, the world was created.
His bones were the foundation & his flesh the land. His veins and tendons were the rivers and his white coat the mountains, meadows and endless forests. His head the firmament. His shining eyes became the stars in the sky, however his heart was deeply sunk into the earth.
Since the beginning, life continues and the world continues to turn with millions of invisible threads – the pressure on the earth and all life the White Reindeer will collect and hold together.
If you listen closely, the heartbeat of the White Reindeer is still audible…."
A dream catcher in the making???

 

I love the belief of the white reindeer and I think dream catchers are a wonderful idea.

 

Kudos to you for bringing Frodo along so nicely!!!! You are the one and only handler that could have kept him alive through the winter!!! You really are the reindeer whisperer!!! Your herd is looking beautiful!!!
I also like the white reiceer and dream catcher idea!!!

 

How nice you are able to repurpose the antlers! Hope you have much success. I would love to have their sheds just as they are to put on my fireplace mantle, but regretfully live too far away to get them.

Very excited to see Frodo's improvement! Thanks for the photos showing coat differences in winter and summer. I knew they looked different in photos because of the seasons, but it was nice to have a side by side comparison.

 

Brilliant news.

Well Frodo must have been feeling better than he looked - he will be handing round the cigars in May after all. I have seen a baby kicking in Katya's tummy this afternoon so I will be on belly watch of the others over the next few weeks. If he managed one girls he may have caught a couple more.

I had been bending hubbies ear that maybe Katya just might be pregnant as she had been pushing her daughter Belle away at feeding times which is unlike her past behaviour but hubby just thought it was my wishful thinking.
Yummy mummy to be Katya.

 

WAY TO GO FRODO!!!! Belly watch is ON... I am so happy for you Karen. Bless your heart, your hard work paid off!

 

Yahoo!! And you thought he couldn't be a daddy. Lol. Just goes to show you mother nature has her own ideas. So happy for you.