New Baby reindeer to my herd

OMG. I'm thinking big bull calves for Twig and Mischa!!! Still 5 weeks + to go!

 

They do look huge!

 

Oh my!! They do look on the large side, BUT they seem to be enjoying a lazy Saturday! Maybe they got into the pork pies!

 

Great news.....
I have now seen kicks in the tummies of the remaining 2 girls, Elsa & Lotte. So that's 6/6.
Hector has been a busy boy - extra dandelions for him today.
Elsa

Lotte

It's going to be so much fun with 6 little ones running about, if they all make it.

PS forgot to say Crystal Collection Reindeer, Minnesota had their first baby the day before yesterday - they can be found on the internet (first I have heard born this year). USA usually start a couple of weeks before we do.

 

Outstanding!!! Congratulations!!! Hip Hip Hooray for Hector!!! The prancing and pawing of many little hoofs...
Karen they have the best possible chance to make it, they have you.

 

Congratulations to Hector! Hope everything goes smoothly with the births and all 6 make it. Will certainly be fun for you keeping an eye on 6 little Hectors!

 

Yay! I said it would be all six to be expecting mums! That is just wonderful, and it will be interesting to see the difference in the 5 little Hectors and the one calf from Katya who is not bred with Hector as she is his mum! No wonder he was losing weight! Now all we can do is hope they are all born healthy little calves, and babies and mums come out no worse for wear!
And great news out of Minnesota, let the miracles of Spring begin!

 

Hip Hip Hurray!!!!! All 6 are going to be mommies!!!! I pray that each & every baby & Mother come through fine and healthy!!!! Karen - You sure are going to be busy with a large jump in the number of your herd! Please take some naps now....so you will have the energy, once baby watch starts.

 

More exciting news and a picture I can share. A second calf has been born, this time Fairbanks Alaska - for George who works for Reindeer Research Project, Alaska.

I am always envious as they calve earlier than us, their reindeer (and antlers) and therefore calves are loads bigger but they don't have the colour variation we do, so I wouldn't swap. (I'm not into meat market, so prefer those white marking, silver/white coats. I can recognise who is who from afar). Our stock comes from a different continent.

Just as an aside, Lotte and Freya were born at 7lbs (Freya only just tipped scales at 7lbs and I hadn't deducted weight of sling). When I asked friends in US about Lotte (the first 7lber), they said they had never had a 7lb survive but I have since learned that our adults are smaller...
Picture second calf born - this one Fairbanks, Alaska... she's huge

 

ooh she is soooooo cute! Her mama still has her antlers???

 

She is gorgeous. Would love mine to be as big... George has had one tip the scales at 22 1/2 lbs!!! WOW. Their's are huge, but they are a different strain, originate from a different continent and George breeds specifically for size for meat but he and Reindeer Research Project have cracking babies...
Edit - he has just weighed her and she tipped the scales at 15.5 lbs! That's one big girl.

 

She certainly is a beautiful big girl!

 

Thanks for sharing all the photos - very exciting to see so much good news! Hector has indeed proven his worth, and I can't wait to see the little ones!

 

Beautiful picture of mother and baby in Alaska! Imagine 15lbs! but she is a stunningly
beautiful baby! Can you imagine what Karen will go through if all Hectors off spring are blessed with his temperament!? Such fun! I can't wait!

 

If they are like Hector, Sanddollar, then I may have to rethink hand feeding lichen as I already get mobbed by Hector and his mother Katya. I have to hold it high above them while I try to break off pieces to feed the others. Katya and Hector try to climb up me - it will be a nightmare!

My Gardening Guru, Boris believes in very early pruning of all willow trees.... not sure I agree as there will be little left to harvest for the rest of the herd.... later!

Lilaclady is coming to meet them tomorrow, so excited. Hopefully she will report back!

 

I am very excited for you and Lilaclady too! I hope she finds her wayand has good weather, and the best time meeting you, and Hector, Freya, Boris and all the herd!
I Boris and his early pruning, he just wants to get the tastiest early growth first!
I think you will have to get longer arms when feeding Lichen to Hector and the 5 little Hectors and Katya! I think you have created monsters who just you and their Lichen!

 

I can't wait to hear about the visit!!!!

 

The visit is very exciting. We all wish we lived closer to visit......but then you would never get anything done. Oh, you could just put us to work. Your pictures are great. Thanks.

 

I love the picture of your "gardening guru" I am so disappointed not to be able to visit you today due to having caught some horrible flu type bug. I hope to be able to rearrange the visit as soon as possible though. Maybe I should bring Hector and Katya their own present of Lichen, but not sure if I want to be mobbed! Hope to see you all very soon.

 

So sorry you are sick, Lilaclady! You must be so disappointed! On the bright side though, you do have something wonderful to look forward to and think about with anticipation while you are down.....Hope you will be better soon!