New Baby reindeer to my herd

Sorry folks, at this time of year (the rut) very little to report unless it is stressful as I cannot interact with most of the herd as the 2 entire boys have their own paddocks/with their harem - testosterone going through the roof...

I have Boris and the babies to cuddle but all the rest of my herd are off limits until testosterone levels reduce from the entire boys.
I can only watch the two rutting paddocks... and "pray" that no issues... and for now everything going smoothly despite Frodo getting more stressy by the day!
Picture, Gandalf in field shelter eating - bonus, bulls often forget to eat for 8 weeks!

 

Well, good for Gandalf. This is his first rut, maybe his tummy is still reminding him.
Poor Frodo knows Gandalf has more ladies!

 

Freddy & Storm update.. Boys will be boys!

Despite only being youngsters Freddy and Storm have decided that at this time of year they need to decide who is boss.
Freddy broke his antler first but didn't back down, so now Storm is without an antler too.

Don't worry at this time of year there is no feeling within the antler (just like breaking a nail), just a lot of hurt pride.

 

Soooo... Who is Boss?!!?? They look like neither one feels very bossy right now.

 

They look like two kids who broke mums favorite plate! If they stay like in this picture they do have a left and right antler!
Nice to see the boys though, thanks!

 

Elaine says Freddy has risen to the top... She is feeling pretty sorry for Storm as he has only broken his antler today and feeling pretty miserable... but she is quietly on Freddy's side as he's "teacher's pet" and Storm has been bullying him for weeks....
It's hard to not show favouritism..

 

Elaine was probably flashing back to Storms mama bullying all the castrate boys.
They are both beautiful boys, and you are right sanddollar15, together they have a pair...

 

Although baby Herman started chipping at his velvet weeks ago, it seems baby Bruno is winning as he got really busy overnight...
Got to love the cute "cow lick" he has between his eyes too.

(and if you look closely you can see Pookie cat becoming more brave by the day).

Big brother Herman, far left.

 

Baby Bruno has such a cute little face, he looks as though he is telling you how clever he is stripping his velvet! Pleased to hear that Pookie cat is still around and getting braver.

 

I do see Pookie cat sitting off to the right! Love and trust conquers all! Yes Lilaclady, he does have that look and his face is just adorable! Thanks for the pictures!

 

Nothing exciting for the herds' followers but just sharing why reindeer turn me grey and why vets are on "catch up"...
Boris and other castrates need a little help with hormones, at this time of year to encourage them to strip their velvet and also in the Spring to help them drop their antlers..
In UK, hormone used to be available for cattle to gain weight etc but now banned. So for our castrate reindeer testosterone needs to be acquired via human drug source (sex change drugs... I need to wear gloves when administering!)..
Recommendations from vet have changed every year (he started at 0.1 ml) and gone up by .02 ml each year - must be a health and safety issue as myself and another owner are going for 0.2 this year..
It's a tricky balance as to whether it works or we create a dangerous Rambo castrate... but we are way ahead of vet recommendations as his are behind the ball...
If it is dry tomorrow then Boris will have a shot of He Man Juice!!
I am pretty confident that he won't become a horror!

 

LOL... He might go back to harassing your other big boys, with gusto!

 

Love the pics!!! I especially adore the one of Bruno...and the "off in the distance" pookie pic!
Good luck with the testosterone stick! Boris is enough of a character without the "macho juice"!

 

Well he has had his Macho juice today... So I might be skiiping around his paddock too... First time I have gone to 0.2 mils.
.....
Boris has had an injection of "He Man" hormones today..
Most of our neutered pets don't need help with hormones but reindeer do in order to start their antlers cooling, persuade them to strip velvet and later to drop antlers... Too much and he'll become a nightmare, too little and it won't work... and we are talking 0.1 mil a couple of years ago but this year I have upped to 0.2 mil..
Gloves required to administer or I'd be growing a beard tomorrow!

And I am guessing that I haven't got an ostrich nesting... Pookie cat must have given up her cat hotel, moved back into hay barn and decided that reindeer aren't that scary after all.
Difficult to see on this photo but a massive nest, inside about 10" outside about 3'..

 

That is some nest!

 

I certainly hope that Boris doesn't start chasing you around the paddock

 

Freddy & Storm update, just wait till they are castrated and it will be "handbags at dawn"

These yearlings were becoming nightmares so Elaine and Scott sawed off their antlers this morning and they went straight into this battle - must say it made me giggle... Both trying to exert dominance but without the "stabby bits"... Freddy wins and hopefully now all will quieten.
Scott says that Freddy has now lost that angry look in his eye (later in the day) so hopefully all will calm now status lowered...
Hey ho, the joy of the rut and they are FAR worse the older they get - weight behind charges, large antlers and anger...
At this time of year it is really hard to remember they are our cuddles bunnies for the other 9 months...

 

Wow, it IS a good thing they had their antlers sawed off! They just don't know it yet! I hope for Elaine and Scotts sake
they do calm down real soon! Thanks for sharing the video, and other than "being boys" they look wonderful!

 

The 2 boys playing rough. Thank goodness no antlers! Was it difficult for Elaine & Scott to saw off their antlers? Thanks for sharing the video.

 

Wow it is just as well they had no "stabby bits" to hurt each other with