New Baby reindeer to my herd

Karen why would you need a bull in your herd? And for how long it won't be possible to make imports?

 

Arielh a bull would be necessary for next year's babies (male reindeer are known as bulls). Import ban at the moment 2 years but I don't think it will be lifted...


Anyway, why I logged in at "silly o'clock" for me. I couldn't sleep and saw in mails a late message saying lady (through intermediary) may have changed mind about selling her bull ans sent her phone number... I can't call till am as it's close to midnight here BUT keep your fingers and toes crossed for us!!!!!!
He's an import not sure how old until I speak to her but she just has castrates so guessing he's only a yearling or she would have already castrted BUT also guessing he is a difficult boy if she is going to part with him!!!! Will have to collect him quickly (if she agrees tomorrow) in order to worm, vitamin etc before he goes into rut otherwise in a couple of weeks it will take 12 men "with a death wish" to pull a rutting bull to the ground! Eeek!!
Keep those fingers crossed for at least 24 hours - farming may be difficult!!! xx

 

OMG Karen, that seems like the best news ever right now! I have crossed everything but it was hard to type! So I will finish this, say a few prayers all will be well, and go back to crossing fingers, toes, eyes what ever it takes!

 

Good luck Karen!

 

Hope that luck is on your side, keeping everything crossed here, even the dogs and cats lol!

 

Left a message first thing morning but still no reply - hoping she is just having a family day and hasn't changed her mind... I will call again tomorrow... .... So still stressing and I don't even know anything about him or how much money she wants!

In the meantime I have been re-jigging handling facility for those that don't like needles or hoof trimming (Elsa & Twiglet). I do hope that no carpenters follow this post or they will see my mistakes. My plan is to feed them into coralle and let them exit daily through chute (while they are in home paddock). To the floor I will add the scales too when required - Mischa has already put a request in for her hooves to be trimmed and weighed BEFORE feed.

Immediately, all those who have never been caught in the chute were happy walking through but it may take Elsa & particularly Twig (as she a pretty switched on girl) a while to gain confidence.

 

Mischa is obviously hoping that if she is weighed and her hooves trimmed before she eats that you will not think she weighs too much!

 

Not being a carpenter myself, I would say "Job Well done!" We always think "It could be better", but as long as it gets the job done safely then it is great!

 

Feeding time... Anyone would think I never feed them BUT Mischa's waistline shows otherwise! This is their second feed of the day and of course they have grass, tree browse, picked willow, & haylage 24/7 too... Maybe they are just pleased to see me!

AND my best news I have spoken to the owner of the bull that might be available to purchase - he is about 3 years old, his name is Digby and I keep checking my emails as she has promised to send photos this evening... (so Lilaclady you may get a FB message with his picture as soon as it comes - so that I can share on here ). Owner hasn't come up with a price yet.... but as he's the only one in the UK that seems to be available, I'm guessing I won't be telling husband..

 

Great video Karen! I think they are just glad to see you with those feeding buckets! And just in case you are not fast enough, they know how to feed themselves! I am hoping all goes well with Digby for you both! I am also hoping "she" is not a gouger (someone who raises the price during a crisis)! Fingers and everything crossed for you here across the pond!

 

Of course they are pleased to see you, as you are their mum, food is always good as well though! Hope that you do get a picture of Digby soon, love the name. What hubby doesn't know won't hurt him lol!

 

Lilaclady, I think hubby will know when she pulls the furniture out on the lawn and puts a "for sale sign" on it!

 

Very true Sanddollar!

 

Or when he only gets PB&J sandwiches for the next year!

 

I have a bad feeling about this bull actually materialising. I am checking my emails every few hours and still no pictures or contact from his owner. I know I am panicking but the rut is approaching very fast and I need to make sure he is healthy before I integrate him with the girls and keep him in neighbouring paddock for a few days so that they get used to him. I have asked his owner to worm him but she was thinking of fecal worm counts which will take another few days.... If he falls through then I am st*ffed for this year... But off to buy peanut butter and jelly, just in case.... Thank you for the giggle ladies!

Anyway to cheer up this post - a friend in USA after getting her reindeer ready for the eclipse yesterday.

 

I kept checking on FB to see if you had sent a picture. I do hope that this woman is not mucking you about! Love the photo!

 

Stressing stressing beyond... I have sent another text saying I'm a techno Numpty so haven't received pictures (resent email) or any updates of when I can collect him (and still no price).... No response . Doesn't look hopeful..... but the only entire bull that may be available in the entire UK.

EDIT...Lilaclady are you now PSM??? I have just received photos of Digby.... Don't want to post on my FB page but if I send to you via FB message I can share on here... I need his genetic but my goodness he is half the size of Hector and meant to be a year older...

 

Ok, 1st who knew that a lady's under garment was all one needed to protect our eyes when looking at the solar eclipse! Brilliant!
2nd Well at least you have a picture,it is a start, even though he is smaller than our beloved Hector! You must admit he was a wonderful reindeer! As long as he (Digby) is healthy, and the price is right, then maybe he is small but mighty! Good luck and still keeping things crossed!

 

You did say they got him in poor health and have nursed him back. Could be that malnutrition is the reason for small stature. Will your girls be impressed enough to make the purchase worth it? I'd hate to see you spend and then still have no babies. It would still be a year lost but with money lost as well. Maybe you could negotiate a deal dependent on "live foal" outcome (as we say in horses)? Or a baby in return instead of actual cash?

 

This is Digby... Meant to be at least a year older than Hector was.
I was expecting a BIG heavy boy for an entire 3 year old (a year older than Hector).... Okay different genetics and the only entire male available in UK but Freddy at 4 months is more impressive.... What do other keepers think they are doing???


Hector at 2 years before he started to pile on summer weight (so at least year younger)!!!

Spot the difference!!!