New Baby reindeer to my herd

CWD! I had not thought of that possibility, as for some reason, I thought they were from the UK! Where are these reindeer from?? Where were they imported from 2 yrs. ago??
If they are still so emaciated after 2 yrs....it would actually fit the CWD symptoms, wouldn't it? (eeek!!) Plus, it would be undetectible until they died - and that might be a reason why they would have passed the Vet check.
Do you know if they sold the third reindeer, or if it did indeed die?? If it died - wouldn't the Vet have checked for CWD and then notified the owner??
Or, if he sold it.........
Can you find out what happened to the third reindeer?? And maybe talk to the sellers Vet??
Oh, Karen - I agree wholeheartedly with Lilaclady! I'm so glad you made your decision in favor of your own herd first!! The consequences could have been...unspeakable.
Please consider yourself hugged to (almost) pieces!!

 

This has been a hard decision for you, but I truly believe you have made the correct choice. There were so many unknowns that could have been devastating to your beautiful reindeer. As sorry as I feel for those poor creatures (and angry that anyone could let them get that way without asking for help), I had great concern about you taking them - especially with your new babies coming.
Peace and blessings to you!

 

and hugs go out to you Karen, as I am in tears here with you! And I agree with all Willow and others have said and I know this decision has NOT come easily! Bless you and your beautiful herd and looking forward to those beautiful babies coming soon! I hope they ALL have Hectors personality

 

Once your new babies are here you will realize you made the right decision. It was just too big a risk! I'm so glad you thought of CWD as that would have been awful. We would all like to rescue all the poor animals but we can't and just have to make sure we do the best with the ones we have. You made the right decision. Just too many unknowns. Looking forward to your new babies.

 

Thank you everyone.

I am still 95% convinced that it is the management of their herd, as they have nothing to graze, their browse (mature trees) is too high.

First picture (Autumn) they had a handful of sycamore leaves, which are mildly toxic but reindeer livers can cope and the recent pictures I requested, they had put an armful of long grass in with them (guessing because I had questioned weight)... long grass has far less nutrients than new grass that the can nibble at (once my grass starts growing, I get Wilma the tractor out weekly to make sure they have young rich grass). Picture on their website just showed sugar beet in their troughs with just a few pellets.... you would need to see my spoilt reindeer rations here which vary throughout the year due to their varying needs.

Winter, (strange for most livestock but for reindeer low protein/nutrient requirements & they just won't put weight on, it's just their metabolism as adjusted to Arctic Winters ), spring everything take off & they need higher protein and calcium for antler growth (and if in calf their slightly suspended embryos start to grow very rapidly... more calcium required, at the same time as antler growth). By the end of summer they should be carrying plenty of weight to see them through Winter (boys should be the only worry as they have rut as well as winter metabolism). Most of my doubts are from the pictures I saw of them at the end of summer, as all should have fabulous body condition (even if coats dodgy).
Farmlilly as to CWD it would be such a very, very slight possibility. And no, if the reindeer that is no longer on the "radar" had died then it wouldn't have been tested... Even in USA, only a few States were CWD is rife do heads have to be cut off and routinely posted for State autopsy... it is very stressful for owners whose aged reindeer die and they can only bury their bodies (less heads). No testing as yet here..
I have advised present owners.

I hope I have answered all your questions.. I am still finding it very hard to come to terms with the decision I have made (selfishly for my herd). If you have a "burning question" that I haven't answered, please fire away but otherwise I find it hard to turn my back on them..

So pro temp... only minor, but Lexi has dropped her second antler... it must be itchy... and will the "Mighty Mouse" Freya have a better set this year... surely not but she's got more growing time.. "THE MOUSE THAT ROARS"! Freya is and always has been Lexi's boss - bless the little might!
Lexi scratching head.

 

Lexi has such a pretty face and you just have to Love "little Freya" the bossy one!

 

Thank you Sand for going in a happier direction.
Hopefully I can start to bore you for a couple of days with udders... and +/- 7 days the first "honker" for this year..

 

I so understand! So udders it is! lol So do you think Mischa is still going to be our first new mom of this season? And I think it will be a BOY! Hows that for putting it out there!

 

Not absolutely certain but if I had to bet, Mischa first... but Twiggy is always "modest" with her udder... She chews her belly hair but doesn't do "Brazilians" so is always bushy and not obvious to see what's happening. Ana will also be close...
I think between 30th April and 8th of May I should have the first 3 on the ground??? Scary... Katya will be just after them, then I think Lotte and finally Elsa... but all finished by 3rd week of May???
We'll see.
Thanks again Sand for understanding.

 

Wow 3rd week of May and all babies born! That is amazing, Well we will all just have to wait till nature takes it course!
Brazilian?? Really! lol Now there's an image!
You are more than welcome!

 

Karen - LOL "Brazilians" ....too funny!!!! I adore your humor!!! I'm so happy you arrived at your decision! Okay..that's all for that discussion. I also love that Freya is the bossy girl. She certainly needed that fighting spirit. h tummy/udder watch is full on now!!!
Possibly should start a betting game...with who is 1st, date/time of birth and what gender? Anyone interested???

 

Brookeham, I think Mischa, May 1st and a Boy and because of what Karen has said I think she will be the 1st one to give birth! I have no Idea with the time lol

 

I think Twiglet's going to be first, a little girl on 3rd MAY and about 11kg.

 

Keep guessing ladies/gents... still no little ones but we have to be getting closer!

I thought you may like to see my lot having silly moments today. They were spread all over the paddock and each having mad jumps but I was scanning backwards and forwards trying to catch them - missed a lot of leaps and twists but captured quite a few. Hope it makes you smile..

 

They look as though they were all enjoying themselves having their silly moments!

 

Lol!! Love your 'sillies', Karen!! Has Spring put a 'spring' in your beautiful herd??!

 

What fun! Some of them looked like they were running sideways!

 

I said that I wasn't purchasing the very thin reindeer and intimated that I had turned my back and wanted to move on... and thank you all for understanding. I cant completel turn my back..

Elsewhere others have asked me to report to RSPCA, but that wouldn't work as few vets know reindeer let alone RSPCA which I have very little trust in.
I am trying a different tact, to try to keep them on side, educate & get their reindeer healthy.
My email to them..
Wayne,
If I can be of any help, please just ask.
I really would love your girls but to be honest they worry me with their lack of weight.. If it’s nutrition or deficiency in trace elements or worms that are the cause, then I could cope but if it’s TB then it would put my whole herd at risk.
You have a wonderful healthy herd of alpacas but your reindeer look a little worrying. Reindeer are very tricky animals, as I have learnt by trial and error. I don’t claim to know everything, far from it, but I am in touch with reindeer owners worldwide, who have been a fabulous help over the years... In the UK, help is hard to find and help “on sale” isn’t always the best...
If you want to visit my lot or would like me to come to see yours, just ask. I can’t promise the answer but if there is one, I’ll try my best to find it.
Let's wait to see if the accept that they need help..

 

Brilliant! I knew it wasn't over!Fingers crossed they want some knowledge and help from someone who quite clearly knows more than they do!

 

Well darn you know me too well... Have you been lurking in my bedroom and seen me tossing and turning with worry!! ???
I have turned my back on them in my paddocks (which is where I would prefer them) BUT I am hoping I can help them/their owners in situ.... I still want those babies to be healthy, and even with me one day as long as my herd aren't put at risk...