New Baby reindeer to my herd

I love your reindeers Karen! They are adorable. So fun.
I've spent the last week or so reading this thread when I've had some extra time. Thank you for sharing! I'm glad you are still keeping everyone posted!

 

3mamarae - lovely to have you back as a neighbour after many years of absence and poor you, had about 2 years of this post to wade through - you didn't have to

Pictures today were a bit "same old" and video was out of focus, so instead adding a photo of Twig last week...
This is a reindeer stretch. It is a good way of gauging if they are happy and healthy. If they are feeling good, they will stretch when they first stand up.. It's something I look out for but rarely get on camera.
PS she must have been feeling good, as it seems she got two squirrels..

 

Twiglet has "healthy" written all over her! And it looks like she has Spanish moss flowing from her antlers!

 

Just had a helper send me this picture..
I have only just released to all she is home as didn't want to explain why... But

"Katya is back..
We just missed her so much.
It seems she doesn't want to pull the sleigh but practising riding on the back...
Hey ho she's female, and wants to hold the reins... Go girl."

 

I think she is happy to be home.

 

I think she is thinking.... I better be more useful around here...so they don't send me away again. Now how does this darn thing work?

 

Hector definitely has a favourite, Mischa.
It's lovely to see them play fight, if she doesn't have a calf in the spring I will be very surprised, as she seems to like him a lot too.

I haven't seen this gentle behaviour, during rut, before but maybe they are replacing with the usual chase since Hector has been lame. Lameness only shows at high speed and improves daily so am sure it was just a tight corner or a rabbit hole but nothing serious.

 

Awwww what a cute couple!!! I love when Mischa rubs her head on Hector's back....true love!!!! But then he still needs to come get a cuddle from Mum.

 

My thoughts are: 1) Hector has never had to fight another bull for control of a harem. 2) He and Mischa have known each other since he was born. 3) You are a part of his herd although not his harem.

I think all these things contribute to the more "romantic" side of Hector and his coming to you for "petting" may be just his way of re-affirming that you are a part of the herd. (After all, you disappear for hours at a time! )

 

Caviar, I keep being warned by other herders that a bull so tame (during the rut) can be very dangerous if he turns on me,.. as he isn't frightened of me at all... I seriously take this on board..

I will not enter his paddock until he drops his antlers (antler drop = hormone decline).. But him still being cuddly has an upside as if he needs medical attention then I can easily get him on a bull pole (4ft metal pole, with trigger action) and sort any issues, while someone with serious muscles holds on the pole...

Myself, I prefer having them not afraid of me, just in case there is a health issue..
Options.. talk to someone nicely who has muscles to hold a raging bull on a steel pole 4ft away from them while I treat safely.. or have a bull that needs medical attention at other end of paddock and "may" charge and kebab me while I try to catch him..
Okay daily feeding is easier with wild bulls as they stay away but I have sorted that problem as I shoot feed over fence in guttering.. I prefer tame babies that aren't frightened of me..

 

Wise advice. Always respect testosterone no matter what the species.

 

They are so sweet together, all lovey-dovey

 

Hector and Mischa together! I hope Hector keeps his kind and gentle ways, only time will tell,but that is a sweet video to watch! Thanks!

 

Sand, once the Rut is over then Hector will revert to a cuddles bunny until next year (reindeer testosterone levels are very seasonal, thankfully).

I have had loads of update pictures of Thor and Loki's progress today. Thought you may like a little insight..

 

Thank you Karen, for the up date on Thor and Loki! My goodness they are growing into such beautiful
young reindeer! I forget who is who, but the one with the red collar has a beautiful dark face, which make him just strikingly handsome! lol Of course I them both!

 

Loki Red head collar and Thor green.. They were planning to castrate both boys in the Spring but Thor (green head collar) seems to be a favourite of their only female, who has never had a "mate"...They are thinking of "risking" keeping Thor entire for one breeding season... so he might become a daddy yet...

 

Well, that would be great if at least one of "your" boys could become a dad! Their female has good
instincts on liking Thor!

 

Karen that would mean that you would become a reindeer grandmother!

 

Lila - scary but I'll be a reindeer grandmother a year sooner if Hector produces babies in May

Pleased to report that Hector is sound again and he's back to chasing/herding the girls at full gallop. It must have been a bad muscle strain. He's off his food and losing weight but that always happens with a bull in rut.

 

And what a proud, loving Grandmother you will be!