New Baby reindeer to my herd

Best wishes for an easy collection of your new boy!

 

So very exciting! I think you made the right choice. Good Luck!

 

Thinking about you and the trip to A&E lol. Seriously I hope that all goes well and will look forward to updates when you have time.

 

I seriously shouldn't have worried about him being rutty... He is so far off it isn't true due to poor condition, thankfully, as I need to get some weight on him quickly)... He's in quarantine for now... vet is booked for a full blood works but can't come till Wednesday if a non emergency... but I injected him with wormer as soon as he was caught up.. He's a gamble, but his temperament seems good for an entire import as long as the "easiness" isn't a sign of ill health - time will tell.
His owners were led to believe he was 3 or 4 but looking at his ear tag and knowing his importers numbering system I believe (and hoping due to his small size and antler growth) that he is only 2 - Same age as Hector.... but even so Hector would have eaten him for breakfast... even last year!!!
His name was Digby but as I have a dog that comes to live with me many times a year by the same name. He has been reChristened Frodo for the start of his new life.....
It won't be an easy road but I have taken the first steps with him... sitting in the stable for the afternoon while he slept... Keep your fingers crossed for us.


A better picture, (the Public Face as I daren't publish above photo on a page that people may think this is what MY reindeer look like!)... but you needed to see the worst to see reality... I know I have lost too many this year BUT mine always look healthy and well cared for, I hope!

 

Well Karen, congrats on getting Frodo this far! He does look a little odd shaped to me, I am hoping it is just the camera angle! Good thoughts and fingers crossed that all will be well and he can grow into a beautiful reindeer!

 

Gosh, he is small. I suppose the good thing is that he's clearly come through a lot, and lived, when so many reindeer die young even under the best conditions. That sort of tenacity can only be a good thing to pass on if/when he does become a father, right?
Fingers crossed that he shapes up well and can impress some of your girls!

 

Am glad that you and Frodo have got back without any problems. He does look a rather sad little thing but hopefully with your love and attention he will blossom into a healthy young man. Good luck and will keep my fingers crossed that all goes well with the vet check.

 

Shimmer, for whatever reason this year appears to have been an awful year for most livestock owners in UK... A friend lost 4 of his 6 goats in the same period I had my awful losses and sheep losses for others were beyond too... Dreadful year for all.
I am not sure Frodo will be a Daddy this year, maybe next as my girls are all way bigger even Lexi who is a year younger... I just hope I can make him healthy.

 

I am positive that you, in a couple of weeks, will have your new Frodo look nothing like poor Digby. Very soon he will start thinking he's in paradise. The best of luck to you.
You can do it!!

 

Karen - You truly are a much needed rescuer of Frodo. I hope he will soon realize what a blessing it is to come live with you and receive your wonderful care. Best of luck!

 

Thank you all but it will be a struggle as reindeer metabolism is unlike other animals. Whatever you feed them throughout the Winter months they can not and do not put weight on, only loose... With reindeer you have to pack weight on in the Summer for their Winter losses and we haven't got much Summer left... I hope & believe he is far from going into hormonal rut (thankfully as once he does that the end of weight gain for year). Most healthy males are already in rut but he is showing no signs thank goodness... Lets get feeding him and get those results back from vet ASAP to see if I need to jab with any trace elements (my guess is copper deficiency but will have to wait as it can be overdosed - but reindeer need way higher levels than for instance sheep). It's going to be tricky.

I am sure some will remember my worries on Hector's weight loss over Winter with his hormone surges but he went into Winter with so much more weight!!! It will be a major worry getting Frodo through the Winter... But it isn't me without a challenge - love turning grey overnight!!!

Edit Ythanbank have seen my post on FB and sent a comparative photo of Thor (one of my babies from last year) now 16 months old (so either one or two years younger then Frodo).... A picture says a thousand words!

 

Well Karen, I am glad he is not in rut, that just makes his transition a little easier! Yes, it would not be a day in the life of "Karen" with out some kind of challenge popping up! I do think Frodo looks much better lying down than standing on those very thin legs! I know you will do your very best to get him
through this winter!
I agree with lottidah, Thor is just beautiful! Karen, when you give your herd all the love and nourishment their bodies need, off spring like Thor are the out come! And it is very clear that the Ythanbank farm is just carrying on where you left off!
Thanks for posting the wonderful picture!

 

OMG! Thor is beautiful. You will have Frodo looking like that next year. Have Faith!

 

Will keep fingers crossed that you can get him through the next year. Make sure he doesn't get bullied when he is introduced to the rest of the herd. It will be hard enough without that!

 

OMG!!!! Thor is gorgeous!!!! If anyone can bring Yodo to a healthy, manly reindeer....its you!!!

 

Lol... Brooke, you brought to mind Yoda. "The Force" was strong with that little guy!
May be a good nickname for Frodo once he is strong and healthy, and chasing the girls...

 

Fantastic picture of Thor, love that he has his front legs in the feeding trough (this all mine!)

 

Lilac - Thor may have thought he was claiming it BUT Loki had probably spat in it first to make his own claim!
Apparently, Thor is a very noble boy but Loki (picture below) is extremely mischievous and full of energy. He gets the others running round the paddocks, just for fun, and then runs rings around them after they quit, out of breath and he still has energy to tease them afterwards! He may be smaller but he rules the roost.
Photo, Loki - another looking in fabulous condition, thanks to Ythanbank.

Bless him not so statuesque as Thor but then that's genetics BUT a very healthy mischievous boy... Still twice the size of the one I have just purchased that is a year older at least... !

 

Both of them looks incredible. How is Frodo doing today?

 

ooops! I did mean Frodo. Thanks joanc for the kind correction....and a giggle. I was a bit groggy....after a nap.

Karen - I adore the spirit of Loki! The pic is amazing!!!!