New Baby reindeer to my herd

Karen, there is a machine designed for digging trenches for pipes, cables and the like. It looks like a chain saw on steroids.
It's on wheels & you walk behind guiding it. It should have no problem cutting thru the hard ground & because it's makes a narrow trench not a lot of work to fill it back in. A one day rental from a local construction company would make short work of that task.
Hope your weather improves soon.

 

Poor Katya, at least she is eating well. Hope your weather improves soon and you get the water pipes completed.

You mention there are signs the boys may be going into rut early - is that weather related?

 

And the main cause of Katya's weight loss - the Monster himself, Herman. He now launches her off her feet when he wants milk!
His father Frodo behind

 

Wow, poor Katya, he is a growing boy after all! I hope he out grows his need for mothers milk soon!

 

Yes, poor Katya! When will Herman be weaned?

 

I usually wean mid August but the babies were a little later this year but I may see if I can keep on schedule for Herman at least. Bruno and Fergie aren't pulling their mother's down as much but Katya will stand for brief feeds from the other babies too so I would have to remove her rather than Herman. Playing it day by day as he still needs milk.

 

It certainly is a delicate balance of the babies still needing milk and the mothers being drained of their strength
and energy!

 

The entire boys' antlers, Frodo and Gandalf, are starting to cool off so I am expecting them to start stripping their velvet off in the next couple of weeks.


Boris' will continue growing for a while longer yet. (caught yawning).

 

Boris looks as though he is laughing at a joke you have just told him!

 

Yes he does Lilac, or his own plans for naughtyness...

 

He's probably laughing as he beat the girls to the food. They were sheltering from the flies in far field shelter & didn't hear me arrive.. He finished eating before they showed up!

 

Just look at how orderly they are going to get their food! Well behaved! lol As always Karen thanks for sharing your herd and their pictures with us all!

 

It's a Reindeer Parade.
I know you get busy Karen, sooooooo much to do before Frodo and Gandalf have a complete change of personality.
Thank you for taking the time to post on my favorite thread.

 

I can't believe how big and beautiful all the boys antlers are! You will need to be extra careful during rut this season for sure!

 

Love the line up photo! The boys all look so grand with their fine headgear!

 

I can't wait to post a photo of Frodo (12 months on from purchase) but here's 11 months... not sure I would even believe it's the same reindeer! He will be going into Rut a lot healthier and if he doesn't cover all his girls this year then I will kick his butt


Can this be the same boy???


Can't say everything is roses though.. We have had a ridiculously long dry hot spell (really hot) and a draught for 12 weeks (UK usually has the odd day of sunshine and plenty of rain). My pasture is dry and brown, where usually lush grass... Feed bills have trebled. I am struggling with weight on yearlings (who grow rapidly in their first summer - Gandalf + 12" at the shoulder since January) and Katya is a severe worry as she is feeding the Monster, Herman and any other babies that latch on - she has started to gain now (2Kg at last weighing)...
Non challenged adults looking great.. But I will never be happy unless I'm worrying about somebody!

 

I'm not sure that you should try. He looks more than capable of kicking YOUR butt.

 

LOL... Shimmer, I think Karen had a temporary memory loss... maybe from the last time!!!

 

Frodo is certainly a very handsome looking young man now, you must be very proud of him. I just hope that the reindeer worry about you as much as you worry about them