New Baby reindeer to my herd

Sorry we didn't get to see that photo of Boris!

 

I bet Boris wasn't hubby's favourite reindeer at the time, but I bet it was funny to watch. Apologies to your hubby!!

 

Belly update... add Katya and Ana to the list. So that's 4 positives & for all the experienced mothers..
Just Lotte (but she's tricky as the four I've spotted so far have chewed a lot of coat off their tummies now that we have warm Spring weather and she hasn't) and Elsa who will be a couple of weeks later.
Katya

(Unicorn) Ana

 

It is getting very exciting to think there is going to be some little Hectors or Hectorettes, plus Katya's baby of course!

 

OOoooh such exciting news!!!! So 4 babies for sure....crossing fingers for 2 more!

 

It would be so great if Lotte had a baby, as she and Hector grew up together. 4 for 4....that's really goood!!

 

That is such great news and I am sure you are beside yourself happy! I agree with Lilaclady that
it is exciting to think their might be little Hectors running around and such fun for you!
Great pictures and fingers crossed for the other two girls!

 

Congratulations Karen, fingers crossed for the last two ladies and for smooth delivery of nice healthy calves.

 

Okay, I see the antler drop as a sign of hormonal change. I could be wrong but I would think that would be a good sign of pregnancy. Of course, as little as I know, I could be all wrong on that.

Creosote, yes, I remember those days. I hope you had good protection from the caustic effects it can have. It is no longer available here in the US for horses. There is something called "Stop Chew" instead. IDK if the railroads still use creosote for railroad ties.

 

It's banned here too Noelle, it's actually creacote I'm using, it's a substitute wood preserver but I just used the "old fashioned" name.

Well it's an antler drop day today.
Katya has dropped one and despite hunting the paddocks twice, I can't find it.
Boris had a bloody forehead this morning and I thought he had just "knocked" his new growing velvet beneath his old antlers but he had in fact lost a front tine (castrates can shed differently as new antler growth pushes off old) but I found his front shed tine while looking for Katya's. Hopefully the rest of Boris' will drop over the next couple of days - needless to say his testosterone injections 6 weeks ago didn't work!
I'll post separately on a "tricky meeting" I had today but all turned out well, thankfully..

 

Ah poor Boris looks like he's got a weird coloured bruise on his forehead. Karen, if the antlers have no blood supply after the reindeer shed their velvet, why did he bleed?I thought they were all hardened off by now.

 

The "bruise" is terracyacin that I sprayed on to prevent infection (I'm sure he didn't need it - but you know "kids" they need some magic spray!). As to blood supply, it is mostly in the velvet and while growing the centre is bone marrow. The blood supply dies dies off from tip down to bottom but the base still has the slightest blood supply as that is where the new growth will start very shortly after shedding.
You will see from 2nd photo of Hector's new growth starting already.
First photo the bit Boris shed, that I have taken a photo of the bit attached to head so that you can see the extent of blood supply.

(I haven't posted this on their FB page so hoping to do it through Photo bucket... If it doesn't work I'll try a different way.. Techno numpty here!)
http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/gamebeckkaren/media/20170317_165735.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

Hector's new antler's growing


And the silly of Boris yesterday that I missed sharing. Hope it makes you smile.

Give me a shout if you can't see the Photobucket photo of Boris' shed and I'll try to find a reason to put it on their FB page as I know how to share from there!!!

 

Thanks Karen, can see the photo bucket pic just fine by clicking the link, and your hand puts the size of the antler in perspective for those of us not familiar with the exact size of a reindeer and their antlers. Its a wonder they don't have a sore neck all the time from balancing those antlers, or why they don't have balance problems when they suddenly drop one. Nature sure has some mysteries

 

All your Kids are so healthy, and bright eyed. I can see the boys still have their winter eyelashes.
Thank you Karen, for all the pictures and updates on your beautiful Kids.

 

I hope that Boris wasn't putting his tongue out to you!

 

Great pictures and great information...thank you! I did giggle for sure at silly Boris, and Hector always puts a smile on my face!

 

BLZ, that bit was only Boris' front tine and actually the reindeer themselves are a lot smaller than most people expect!

Joan, in Winter they haven't any eyelashes but I have noticed they are starting to grow in all reindeer and something I will be sharing shortly as Lexi has one eye with white lashes and the other eye of brown... so cute.

Thor and Loki update from their wonderful new owners

I had a visit Yesterday, only had a few hours notice and I was dreading it. A top London Chef who has herds of Red, Fallow and Sika at various Stately homes that provide his restaurants with venison.... I loaded myself up with info as to why English reared reindeer would cost more on a plate than truffles and caviar but he was lovely and it seemed he just wanted to meet deer that weren't squirly & learn about them!! Phew... breath again...
Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy to support the Sami herder and I have eaten reindeer meat produced by native herders, as they are like cows to us.... but my reindeer are NOT for burgers!!!

 

Bravo, well said Karen! I agree that any animal "I" grew or raised I would not want turned into food either! Thor and Loki look very happy and healthy! It was great to see them! Thanks to their owners for keeping us up dated!

 

Great video of Thor and Loki. They really love playing together. I watched another video of Scotts called Raging Bulls.
So funny... not what I expected to see.

 

Joan, I haven't seem that, I don't think - Would rename "Raging Baby Bulls", big boys play harder!!!
Please share if you can and I'll let you know if it is Thor and Loki - they are the only entire boys they have and they will have the "snip" in the next couple of months.