We had more matings on the job list today, Veruschka sat when we spat her off yesterday so she had an appointment with Gianmarco's Masterpiece. Legend wasn't very impressed when we walked off with his mate, he knew he was off to see the ladies!
Then it was the turn of Midnight Star, she has been desperate to be mated since the spring, but we had told her she had to wait. Star is just over 14 months, so younger than we would usually mate, but she is a big girl and mentally rather advanced for her age so we decided that we would give her a go today.
Loki enjoyed himself and it ended up being the longest mating of the year to date, Star enjoyed it that much she ran after Loki wanting more! Hopefully that will be her lot until next year. It will be interesting to see what she produces with Loki as Star is actually a multi.
Both Wynfor and Minimus have gained weight today which is good. Wynfor is back to where he was before he lost weight earlier in the week. I am now even more convinced that he'd taken a knock from someone as he is much happier today.
We have managed to stock up on our straw for the year, Alan (farmer friend) stopped us this morning to day he had done some small Barley straw bales so we could go and collect some from the field. Small bales don't get made too often so we were straight over to fill the little trailer.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Simultaneous matings
Firstly I must thank those of you for your kind comments on my photo labelling, Paul thinks I'm rubbish on the computer, so I will be pointing those out to him later!
We have had another busy day, it started off with some matings, Gabby had a date with Mr Guinea, we have repeated her mating from last year as her cria, Lady Godiva is fantastic so hopefully we will be blessed with another next year.
At the same time Legend of Spartacus was working hard with Little Miss Irraquoy, another repeat of last years mating, in the hope of a female version of Niveous (he is a little stunner, with a big attitude).
Simultaneously Gianmarco's Masterpiece was on the case with Ursula who decided after a little complaint that she would let him do his stuff. The three boys were all orgling away to see who could get the loudest and who could last the longest, as we'd predicted Marky took that crown!
Whilst the matings were going on Chiquita and Imala sat in hope. It's only a week since they gave birth so they will have to wait a little while yet. Chiquita was so desperate she was trying to climb in the pen with Golden Guinea; maybe she is letting us know that is who she fancies this year.
We had a job and a half getting Guinea back into his field as he refused to leave the ladies, he sat down and would not move. It took almost half an hour and various persuasive tactics, at this rate I can see we will have to put him in the trailre when his services are required. He is usually ok when he has worked but he knew that Chiquita wanted him and didn't want to miss out!
We had some Lambivac injections to do for some of the cria which all went well. The two big boys and two little boys have also been weighed. Kazuo (10 weeks old today) is 24kg and Ochre (8 weeks old yesterday) is 24.2kg, the two littlies are also gaining. Thankfully Wynfor has put on a small amount today, 110gms so hopefully he is getting back to normal, whilst Minimus weighed in at 5.69kg.
We have had another busy day, it started off with some matings, Gabby had a date with Mr Guinea, we have repeated her mating from last year as her cria, Lady Godiva is fantastic so hopefully we will be blessed with another next year.
At the same time Legend of Spartacus was working hard with Little Miss Irraquoy, another repeat of last years mating, in the hope of a female version of Niveous (he is a little stunner, with a big attitude).
Simultaneously Gianmarco's Masterpiece was on the case with Ursula who decided after a little complaint that she would let him do his stuff. The three boys were all orgling away to see who could get the loudest and who could last the longest, as we'd predicted Marky took that crown!
Whilst the matings were going on Chiquita and Imala sat in hope. It's only a week since they gave birth so they will have to wait a little while yet. Chiquita was so desperate she was trying to climb in the pen with Golden Guinea; maybe she is letting us know that is who she fancies this year.
We had a job and a half getting Guinea back into his field as he refused to leave the ladies, he sat down and would not move. It took almost half an hour and various persuasive tactics, at this rate I can see we will have to put him in the trailre when his services are required. He is usually ok when he has worked but he knew that Chiquita wanted him and didn't want to miss out!
We had some Lambivac injections to do for some of the cria which all went well. The two big boys and two little boys have also been weighed. Kazuo (10 weeks old today) is 24kg and Ochre (8 weeks old yesterday) is 24.2kg, the two littlies are also gaining. Thankfully Wynfor has put on a small amount today, 110gms so hopefully he is getting back to normal, whilst Minimus weighed in at 5.69kg.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Someone must know how it works!
I remembered to take my camera out with me whilst I was paddock cleaning today and got a few shots, I didn't manage to get all the babies together though.
I left the quad for one minute here and as you can see the pesky monkeys are trying to work out how you switch it on! From right to left we have Lucia, Pearson, Ochre & Meketaten. The last three are Guinea cria and they have certainly inherited their dad's friendly persona.
They soon got bored of the cleaning activities!
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Back to the desk job
Wynfor is continuing to concern me, he seemed rather lethargic this morning and didn't really want to move out of the girls way when they came for breakfast.
I decided that after his weight loss yesterday I thought I would offer him a bottle. He wasn't in the slightest bit interested so I decided I would give him some jumpstart gel which he didn't seem to keen on either; he tried to cough and spit it out. It did make him go and get a drink from mum though to get rid of the nasty taste so at least I know he is drinking.
I have seen him drinking a few times but he's never on for very long, Imala has plenty of milk so I will keep a close eye on him. He seemed to be walking a little stiff this morning so I'm not sure if he's been knocked by someone and is feeling a little sore. By this evening he seems to be moving better and is a little livelier so we will see, he hasn't lost any more weight and has gained 40gms.
Minimus is now over 5kg, he put on a huge 310gm today which was 6.4% of his body weight in one day!
I'm off to pick up some Lambivac from the vets tomorrow so I will mention Wynfor to him and see what he thinks.
Other than on baby watch I've been working on the computer most of the day, so I now have square eyes - I certainly don't miss my office job that's for sure! All the cria weights are now up to date, I fine it fascinating how different family lines follow certain trends. It is also a great way to compare cria from one year to the next. This years youngsters are growing faster than in previous years.
I have also been updating the shop which was rather out of date. I've been marking all the sold items and have almost finished, next job is to photograph the new stock and get that on there. I may need Paul's help with that though - website work gets a bit complicated for me.
I decided that after his weight loss yesterday I thought I would offer him a bottle. He wasn't in the slightest bit interested so I decided I would give him some jumpstart gel which he didn't seem to keen on either; he tried to cough and spit it out. It did make him go and get a drink from mum though to get rid of the nasty taste so at least I know he is drinking.
I have seen him drinking a few times but he's never on for very long, Imala has plenty of milk so I will keep a close eye on him. He seemed to be walking a little stiff this morning so I'm not sure if he's been knocked by someone and is feeling a little sore. By this evening he seems to be moving better and is a little livelier so we will see, he hasn't lost any more weight and has gained 40gms.
Minimus is now over 5kg, he put on a huge 310gm today which was 6.4% of his body weight in one day!
I'm off to pick up some Lambivac from the vets tomorrow so I will mention Wynfor to him and see what he thinks.
Other than on baby watch I've been working on the computer most of the day, so I now have square eyes - I certainly don't miss my office job that's for sure! All the cria weights are now up to date, I fine it fascinating how different family lines follow certain trends. It is also a great way to compare cria from one year to the next. This years youngsters are growing faster than in previous years.
I have also been updating the shop which was rather out of date. I've been marking all the sold items and have almost finished, next job is to photograph the new stock and get that on there. I may need Paul's help with that though - website work gets a bit complicated for me.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
More than one tiny baby at Barnacre
The weather has been much better today so I have been out with the topper, with all the rain and the warmth the grass seems to finally be growing - in places anyway. I have topped one of the girls resting paddocks, it's the one they are moving into next so I am hoping to thicken it up a bit before hand. I also cut the strip to the side of the house, that is actually looking the best it have looked for months.
Minimus's eye drops seem to be helping and his eyes aren't looking so sore. He is continuing to do well and is now up to 4,88kg. Here he is in between Pearson (on the left) and Kazuo (right), they are only 4.5 weeks and 9 weeks old respectively but look massive in comparison.
We weighed most of the babies tonight and the are all gaining nicely with the exception of Wynfor who has lost a little weight since he was weighed yesterday. I will keep a close eye on him over the next few hours.
Minimus's eye drops seem to be helping and his eyes aren't looking so sore. He is continuing to do well and is now up to 4,88kg. Here he is in between Pearson (on the left) and Kazuo (right), they are only 4.5 weeks and 9 weeks old respectively but look massive in comparison.
We weighed most of the babies tonight and the are all gaining nicely with the exception of Wynfor who has lost a little weight since he was weighed yesterday. I will keep a close eye on him over the next few hours.
My parents have headed off home today with their car somewhat emptier car than when they arrived. I'm not sure what they have left behind other than Tilly & Izzie, my two new kittens!!
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Visitors and a quick vet trip
Another busy day is drawing to a close, and I am certainly ready for my bed tonight, but Paul wouldn't let me miss a blog - he's a real slave driver on the blog!
Chiquita's son, who we have named Minimus (from the Shakespeare play Midsummer Night's Dream) continues to do well. I have got some eye drops for him as the flies are being a real pain, I have also dabbed a little Crovect on his head to try and keep the flies off.
He has gained weight again and is now 4.66kg so we are very pleased with him, Chiquita seems to be loving motherhood and is taking very good care of him. This evening they are shut in the shelter with Imala and her baby Wynfor as the rain is really coming down.
We have had a couple of visitors today, a local lady reserved one of our jumpers at the weekend and came to collect it today. Whilst she was here with her children they admired they girls and their babies who came over to see if there was any extra food on offer!
Then I had a visit from another lady who came to buy a unique gift for a friend, I wont mention what it is as I'm not sure if said friend may be reading my blog.
Chiquita's son, who we have named Minimus (from the Shakespeare play Midsummer Night's Dream) continues to do well. I have got some eye drops for him as the flies are being a real pain, I have also dabbed a little Crovect on his head to try and keep the flies off.
He has gained weight again and is now 4.66kg so we are very pleased with him, Chiquita seems to be loving motherhood and is taking very good care of him. This evening they are shut in the shelter with Imala and her baby Wynfor as the rain is really coming down.
We have had a couple of visitors today, a local lady reserved one of our jumpers at the weekend and came to collect it today. Whilst she was here with her children they admired they girls and their babies who came over to see if there was any extra food on offer!
Then I had a visit from another lady who came to buy a unique gift for a friend, I wont mention what it is as I'm not sure if said friend may be reading my blog.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Just in time
After the busy weekend I had the car to empty and all the show paraphernalia to sort out and put away, not to mention get the gazebo dry.
As soon as the morning feed was over and I had checked over Chiquita's baby (who has yet to be named) I thought I'd get the Gazebo up in the hope it would dry before the rain we had forecast arrived. Mission accomplished, it is now dry and put away ready for the next outing.
I have sorted out all the knitwear, which never quite gets put away properly when I'm packing up at the end of an event and the stock lists have been updated. I need to get the online shop done next or I'll be having people trying to buy things I've already sold!
By the time we'd (my parents are here for a couple more days yet) nipped to Morpeth to get some human food and had the AA out to mums car which decided not to allow us to shut the boot at Morrison's, it was starting to go black.
The heavens opened just after we got home. I'm not going to complain because the grass desperately needs it but our new baby doesn't. He is now shut in the shelter with mum, Grandma Willow and her cria Layla.
The flies are being a real nuisance to him and have made his eyes quite sore. I think I will have to speak to the vet tomorrow and get some cream for them. He has gained another 200gms today which is good. I thought Id leave you with a photo of the little man.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Growing nicely
We were back at Otterburn Festival today, it was the turn of Hughie and Loki to meet the public today. I like to take different animals each day as it is nice for the people that are there both days and it does the boys good to get out and see the different people and surroundings.
I was up early so I could check on Chiquita's little man, he is doing well so far happily running round joining in with the much larger cria. I think he is giving Chiquita a dose of her own medicine as she is running round after him in a panic, just like Willow did when Chiquita was born!
He has obviously had plenty of good milk as he has gained 240 grams in 24 hours, he is now a whooping 4.28kg. His has the most adorable face and his fleece is already looking nice, it is so bright and quite long.
As in previous years Otterburn was much busier today, and the alpacas and our products proved very popular. It is so nice to see people appreciate your hard work - thank you.
I was up early so I could check on Chiquita's little man, he is doing well so far happily running round joining in with the much larger cria. I think he is giving Chiquita a dose of her own medicine as she is running round after him in a panic, just like Willow did when Chiquita was born!
He has obviously had plenty of good milk as he has gained 240 grams in 24 hours, he is now a whooping 4.28kg. His has the most adorable face and his fleece is already looking nice, it is so bright and quite long.
As in previous years Otterburn was much busier today, and the alpacas and our products proved very popular. It is so nice to see people appreciate your hard work - thank you.
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