Friday, 10 September 2010

Toad Hall Jolly Ruffo

Our new addition is most definitely the best cria we have ever produced - he is superb.



We have decided to call him Toad Hall Jolly Ruffo - which started out as him being called a ruffian because he is into everything, very nosey and introducing himself to all the other alpacas whether they wanted to meet him or not. 
Wellground Scriptwriter (the new daddy) has both Jolimont Commisario and Jolimont Arsenia together with NWA Ruffo and the Hermitage Lady Ruffo in his bloodlines so we decided to take a bit of both names



Toad Hall Brittania seems quite pleased to have company that is smaller than herself

Monday, 6 September 2010

A Welcome Surprise

Our new arrival is absolutely stunning.  Sid had not told me one important aspect of this lovely little chap - he is a superb light fawn, a lovely surprise.

Cambridge Princess is registered as a mid fawn but looks slightly off white but her parents were mid fawn and dark fawn.  He weighed in at 8kg and has fed well today.  The rain held off until 6pm and then we had to shut them in which did not please Princess very much but she has settled now in her shelter together with Bluebell and Tania.  Scriptwriter has done us proud.

HE'S A DADDY - AT LAST

Cambridge Princess has just given birth to a fine male cria by our very own 'Wellground Scriptwriter'.
All weekend she has been up and down and yesterday we were due to go to grand daughter Holly's Christening but we had to go in shifts as birthing looked imminent but Princess waited until today when at least it is a bit drier (at the moment).

I am at work so no photos until this evening as Sid is 'home alone' so to speak.

Thursday, 26 August 2010

Technology Restored

Thank goodness - we have phone and Internet, hopefully I haven't put a jink on it now.

We have been very lucky regarding the weather, until yesterday that is.  At lunchtime it started to rain and rain and rain on through the night but today has been dry but dreary - very autumnal.

Anyway, let me make an introduction.  This is Toad Hall Britannia.

Formerly known as Lady Red, or socks, or boots or little one.  She is now a month old and only wearing one splint.  We have called her Britannia (Tania for short) as she has had a variety of red, white and blue leg coverings.

She only wears one splint now as the right foot is flat on the ground and the left one is not far behind.  Hopefully the excellent progress she has made will continue.

Monday, 23 August 2010

Down but Not Out

Unfortunately we have not had a phone line since last Thursday, it just rang and rang at the exchange but not the house!!!!  Everyone thought we were out (no chance!!).  The phone is now rectified but no internet - hence a visit to borrow a working internet line to let the world know we are all progressing well and hopefully will be back soon.

Wednesday, 11 August 2010

Slowly but Surely

Our latest arrival continues to improve - we haven't given her a proper name yet, just in case.  She gets called various things, Red, Lady, Socks and Boots but hopefully if she continues to  progress next week she will have a proper name.

This photo was taken on Day One

Her legs are now almost straight and she is on tip toe instead of the joint.
This photo was taken on Day 12
She is now two weeks old and growing well.  There is 'give' in the foot now to start to bring it forward but we know that it will be a long haul.  She has a lot of strength to build up in her legs before she is in the clear. 

But when wearing her splints she stands tall and proud


Monday, 2 August 2010

Hopeful

Our Lady in Red is growing well, gaining half a kilo a day.  We are bottle feeding - Bluebell has never had enough milk to feed her cria in the past and we thought this might be due to the traumatic births she endured but this time we don't know as the birth was fairly straightforward but it could be because Red can't stand long enough or because she hasn't got enough milk, but it is not a problem - the teat is eagerly taken and what is wanted is consumed with gusto and then she immediately goes and sucks on Bluebell so she has the best of both worlds and Bluebell is content too.

We are flexing the feet as often as we can and are waiting to hear back from various vet hospitals about splints or tendon re aligning.  This has to happen quickly now as she is growing and there is the problem of bone deformity if something is not done soon - and then we may have to make a very unpleasant decision.

As you can see from the pictures we have moved Blue & Skye into the same paddock.  Bluebell was getting quite stressed about us picking up her baby so often but has relaxed now she has more company.  Skye too is enjoying investigating the new arrival and cannot understand why she does not follow her round on her bronking sessions but they do walk around together a little.
She looks perfect in this position - if only!!!!! 

At least the problem is not genetic.  I must thank everyone for their e mails etc., especially from America and Australia where they have encountered this problem before and things have turned out well in the end.  So everything crossed.