May 31st 2021
What a day!
It all started (and ended) so well, but it all went south in the middle….
My good friend Tania came to visit for the first time in forever due to Covid restrictions. Very excited to see her again after such a long break. She brought her partner Glynn with her, who I had never met before (see Covid issues, as before). Seems like a nice chap I thought, and clearly interested to see the alpacas, which can only be good.
Off we went to feed everyone, carrots shared out too, mainly to Felicia! I’m not sure she quite understands the concept of sharing mind you. lol.
I suddenly became aware that Heather wanted to go back out into the field, quite urgently, which is not like her at all. We let her out and she rushed off down the field and it became clear that she was in labour.
We were all very excited. Tania had never seen a baby animal born before, so we watched from a distance, so as not to upset the very independent Heather.
All seemed to be going well until I noticed that there was a head but only one leg showing. Not good. So I rang the vet. “Oh good grief” she said, I couldn’t be further away from you, and I have just arrived at an emergency. You are going to have to go in and straighten the leg out! Eeeek!
We caught her, with some difficulty, got her into the crush, got all of the necessary lube and antibacterials etc then checked to see who had the smallest hands (not much room in there!)
Out of nowhere Glynn said ” I’ll do it!”, I’m a biology teacher so I know the theory, It’s kinda what I do…. and in he went! After a bit of a struggle, working against contractions, he managed to get the second leg out. Then with a firm pull, out she came!
A fawn girl, 9.7kg which is big, and none the worse for her ordeal. She took a little while to get to her feet, but was suckling from a cushed position even before she got up, she’s that big.
Dam Apollo Heather (SDB)
Sire Apollo Ellington (SW)
Thank you so much to Glynn and Tania for all their help, I think they enjoyed it, but WOW, not what they were expecting.
We felt Glynn deserved naming rights and he has called her Solomons Clearsky Rosina in memory of his nan. Welcome to the world little girl.
Just as a p.s. we also sold three yearling boys in the same day, Bertie, Busby and Boss. We are very pleased for them to have gone to Bumblebarn where they will be trained to do mini walks and animal wellbeing experiences with the lovely Beckie, who is a trained shearer (by Bob Shaw, no less). We will miss them though.
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