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April 2008 Entries

30th April 2008

Another nice day, in fact it was so nice I took the rugs off the horses. I left Eleanor's coat on as there was still an occasional cold breeze and I don't want her spending any extra energy keeping warm.

Today I started work on training the boys to load on and off the float - I stated by having the float in their paddock so they got used to it. Then I opened it up and placed feed inside - it wasn't long before they happily walked on and off by themselves. Tomorrow I will halter them and see if they load on and off whilst on a lead.

The website is still down - I am not sure why but I think it is a problem with the server that I have my hosting with.

29th April 2008

I am not sure when this update will be uploaded as my website has been down for 24 hours and I have no idea when it will be back on line.

Thankfully the weather took a turn for the better today - it is still chilly but sunny.

Poor Eleanor felt the recent cold snap more than anyone else, including Platinum. Even though she had plenty of feed, had a coat on and was confined to the shelter last night she was still shivering and reluctant to rise. I was very concerned and warmed her with hot water bottles, heat packs and thermal blankets until she stopped shivering. I gave her some tepid water with glucose and yet even more feed and stayed in the shelter with her for several hours to make sure she would be OK.   It was interesting sitting amongst the herd in the dark, no one seemed concerned by my presence and they all simply cushed around me and Eleanor chewing their cud and doing what llamas at rest do. Platinum is a little terror, he waits until someone has settled down into a cush position and launches himself at them - no wonder he is frequently covered in green patches!!

28th April 2008

It has been snowing on and off for an hour or so - we are also getting intermittent sunshine, hail and rain so the snow isn't settling. I have just gone to check on Platinum and Eleanor (the thin girl we are looking after for some friends) and they seem quite happy sitting in the shelter. Eleanor is wearing a coat and Platinum is snuggling up to mum. Thank goodness Mascara didn't hold out much longer having him or he could have been born in the snow.

27th April 2008

Today we picked up a couple of llamas that we are looking after for a friend. There is currently great excitement in my herd as they are all trying to say hello to the new comers over the fence. It is starting to get really cold and we are getting the odd heavy shower or hailstorm.  I think I will lock everyone under cover tonight - just to make sure they all stay nice and dry.

26th April 2008

It is a beautiful day today but apparently a really cold change is expected overnight - with a possibility of snow on Monday!! All the horses will be rugged up this evening and I will give everyone extra feed - if things get really bad I will lock the llamas into their shelter - just to make sure Platinum is protected.

I did spit offs today, April Showers sat and had a mating to Chilli. Rhapsody sat but wasn't mated -  she is only two so I thought I would wait for spring before trying her again, just in case she is still a bit too young to conceive. Clover spat so she has ovulated, Nicky is still spitting, Lady Bridget and Juanita are not interested and Mascara is becoming interested but still has another week or so before she will be mated.

25th April 2008 - Anzac Day - Lest We Forget

No farm update today, just recognition for all past and present service men and women and their families for all the sacrifices they have made.

24th April 2008

Well after sitting for just 48 hours mummy hen has decided now isn't the time to hatch some eggs and has moved off the nest. I am relieved as we really don't need any more chicks at the moment.

23rd April 2008

We definitely have a broody chicken, my plan is to try and get her off the nest so I can collect the eggs, replace them with fake ones and then let her sit for 22 days. I will then put three young chicks (already sexed so we know we are getting hens) we buy form the pet shop  under her. Fingers crossed my plan works - they frequently don't!!

Max our new resident horse has settled in really well and seems to be enjoying having Diesel as a companion. The only time they play up is at breakfast when they both want to be fed first, which with only one pair of hands is impossible. I have to separate them or they will try and steal each others feed.

22nd April 2008

I am still improving and almost back to 100% - I just have coughing fits every now and then. I am not sure where today has gone as I don't feel I have accomplished much - I think I can blame Platinum as he is such a great time waster. I think we have another broody chicken which is a bit of a pain, I will go back to the nesting boxes later to see if she is really broody or was just laying her egg.

21st April 2008

I feel a bit better although I still have and cough and some trouble talking - as I love to talk this is a bit of a problem!!

Some disappointing news as Clover sat for Elijah yesterday. She had been spitting off Chili but sat really quickly when I bought Elijah in - maybe she doesn't fancy Chili??? I also questioned Lady Bridget's behavior but when I put Chilli with her today she steadfastly refused to sit. I will try her again in a few days with Elijah to see if that makes a difference.

I did some more training with the boys and I am really pleased with their progress. Merlin went for a walk around the house paddock today - tomorrow I will take him down the driveway and then weather permitting  on the weekend Ken and I will take both boys off the property for a walk.

Platinum is still doing well, he has discovered the joy  chasing the chooks - this has always been popular with crias, especially those that don't have a playmate their own age.

We have a new visitor to the property, a friend has lent us their beautiful  gelding as a companion to Diesel - the two horses  seem to have hit it off well which is great news.

20th April 2008

I am a little under the weather at the moment as I have a sore throat and a bit of a cough. I lost my voice for a while this morning but thankfully it is a bit better now.

Platinum is doing well, yesterday he was jumping all over his mum, who was very tolerant. It is a shame we don't have any other crias due as I know he would love a playmate.

I had a friend come for a farm day experience yesterday - we didn't really get to do too much as I wasn't 100% and the weather wasn't really very nice. We did do the routine jobs such as feeding, poo patrol, filling water, checking everyone etc. We also cleaned out the shed and chook pens.

18th April 2008

Platinum is going well, he is such a time waster - the house is a mess, washing hasn't been done but I have spent plenty of time in the paddock enjoying his new cria antics. I am a bit worried about Jessie as she didn't want her tea this afternoon. Hopefully her appetite will be back tomorrow.

17th April 2008

I have decided to call our new boy Platinum - it seems to suit him. He is such a beautiful colour, both Ken and I stood in awe this morning at breakfast as it was the first time we were able to get really close to him. He has a lovely long soft fleece - I  think he takes after Elijah.

Rhapsody had a mating with Chilli today, Nicky is still spitting off at 22 days and April Showers also spat at 7 days. Right towards the end of a rather long mating (about 30 minutes) Clover sat near the yards so I will spit her  off tomorrow - just to make sure she is still not receptive.

16th April 2008 - Mascara had a beautiful little boy

Mascara kindly decided to put me out of my misery today and had her cria. I noticed labor started around 10AM. By the time I got my camera ready the head and legs were out, then it was an anxious wait until the shoulders passed. Once they were out he was on the ground fairly quickly - I think he was wriggling around by 10:45. Placenta passed within 30 minutes, around the same time he stood up for the first time (after quite a number of attempts). I did take photos throughout the birth which I will compile into a birthing page over the next few weeks.

Mascara is a wonderful but very protective mum. I can't get too close to him, neither can any of the other llamas. She stands still while he nurses, he tires to nurse off everyone but his mum is the only one that will stand still for him.

15th April 2008

The phones are back!!!! I am so relieved as I was worried that Mascara might go into labor, something could go wrong and I wouldn't be able to get hold of the vet. As it is I have phones, internet but no baby.

It is a funny day today, sunny and warm one moment and then overcast with a cold wind the next. I have left Jessie's rug off as she has a shelter so she can get out of the wind and it is good for her to get some air and sun on her skin.

14th April 2008

Still no phone lines and I have no idea when they will be back - the joys of living in the country. Telstra have directed all calls to Ken's mobile but with very poor reception and a dying phone it keep cutting out. I will keep writing my diary as otherwise I will forget what is happening.

Kristy has headed back to Sydney today, her visits are always too brief but as she works two jobs it is hard for her to arrange time off.

It is overcast today but not really cold, yesterday we had some hail stones, the poor chickens were running around trying to escape these stones falling from the sky. Ken ran outside and herded them all into the llama shelter.

13th April 2008

No update yesterday as I had to go to Canberra as my family were having a party to celebrate our 30th year anniversary of emigrating to Australia. It was a busy day as we had to decorate the hall which involved blowing up about 100 balloons, put up flags, photo boards etc. Still the party was lots of fun and it was wonderful catching up with family and friends. Kristy came down from Sydney and then came back to the farm with us to spend a few days.

I am not sure when this update will be uploaded as there was a storm shortly after we got home and we have lost both our phone lines. Poor Austin was most distressed, I am just happy it didn't happen before we got back as at least he could come inside and hide in the cupboard - his safe place.

I did get some good news a friend of mine recently won four ribbons at a Queensland Alpaca show, I was especially thrilled to hear that Maggie May's son (our first ever alpaca with the Braecroft prefix) was awarded a first.

11th April 2008

I did some more clicker training with Chilli and halter and lead training with Merlin today. Both sessions were very enjoyable and successful. Merlin is now leading well and Chilli will do almost anything to hear the click and get his reward.

10th April 2008

I did spit offs today, Nicky wasn't receptive, April Showers sat and had a mating, Rhapsody also sat and everybody else spat, kicked or ran. So at this point, I think Clover, Lady Bridget, Mascara & Juanita are all pregnant to Elijah. Nicky is 15 days post mating to Chilli and April Showers and Rhapsody still need to fall pregnant. Chiquita is still too young to even think about adult activities.

It is a lovely autumn day here today, I did some halter and lead work with Chilli it is still going well. Mascara is at day 335 today, she isn't slowing down but is rather wide. It shouldn't be too much longer - at least for the sake of my nerves I hope it isn't too much longer.

9th April 2008

Mascara is getting huge, although she really hasn't slowed down much. It has been cool and overcast for the last few days so I haven't done any more work with the boys. If the weather cooperates then I plan on doing spit offs tomorrow - I will be very excited if any of he girls Chilli mated spits. Although it is too early to tell if they are pregnant it will be a positive first step.

8th April 2008

Everyone seems settled into their new paddocks. It is grey and overcast here today. I have lots of paper and computer work to catch up on so I think I will focus on that today. I would like to do some training with the llama boys - but will see what happens with the weather and how quickly I get my other work done.

7th April 2008

Today I moved the girls into another paddock with more feed. Their main paddock was getting a bit light (we really need some rain). I also moved Elijah into a better paddock and reconfigured the shed so everyone has access to shelter.

The boys halter training is going well, now I can just show the halter to Chilli and he will put his nose in. Chilli was halter trained before I got him so for him it has just been refresher work. Merlin is also going well and stood still while the halter was put over his nose and secured. I will have to start working on leading lessons soon. I am also trying a bit of clicker training with Chilli, he is a smart boy and is quickly learning to target my wand.

6th April 2008

Ken is home today so he will trim the horses feet and spread some more of the base we bought for the horse shelter and yards. If the weather is nice I will do some more halter training with the boys. I might also ask Ken to take some new photos of everyone. Overall though I think we will have a nice lazy day.

5th April 2008

Sad news today - we have lost both our wee chicks (Domino and Checkers) - poor mummy hen was a bit lost this morning, you could tell she was looking for them. I am not sure what happened, they were there yesterday afternoon when I checked but not in the coop this morning. Ken put them to bed last night  so I am not sure if they were inside or not.

I had a good training session with Merlin and Chilli - both stood still and let me catch them with the catch rope. I was able to maneuver them around the pen with just my body and even managed to do some TTouches on both of them. Chilli is the more relaxed of the two but he has had more experience with being handled.

4th April 2008

We had our first frost this morning, but is a lovely sunny day now. All the horses are unrugged and I will let the fire go out as I think it will be warm enough without it. I do need to collect more kindling today as Ken used the last of it up this morning.

Khan's ear seems to be getting better, I am not sure when he needs to go back to the vet to have the stitches out. I think he has another two days of antibiotics to go.

 Not much else happening here, I copped a face full of spit yesterday, I inadvertently got caught up in an altercation between Chilli and Merlin - not to worry a nice hot shower and all was fine.

3rd April 2008

The cool change arrived with vengeance. This morning I had beanie, gloves and thick jacket on while I did the morning chores. The llamas all had breakfast in bed, I just love our new shelter. It stops all the wind and is so big there is enough room for everyone to sit and relax. When I went in this morning everyone was sitting chewing their cud waiting for room service.

2nd April 2008

It is really windy today and the weather forecasters say a cool change should occur overnight so I will rug all the horses this afternoon. I have also put extra feed in the chicken coops so everyone can have something to eat without being blown across the paddock. The llamas don't like the wind so have been spending most of the day hanging around the shelter.

1st April 2008

The start of another month - time is flying by quickly again this year. I spent the morning doing my BAS and other paperwork. This afternoon I must spend some time doing the housework.

It is a beautiful autumn day, very crisp and cold this morning but now it is just lovely, sunny and warm. The chickens are having a great time scratching around - the chicks are all growing and more hens are starting to lay - we got 9 eggs the other day.

I can't believe that Mascara should have her cria THIS MONTH - I am starting to get the familiar feeling of excitement, anticipation and sheer dread in case something goes wrong. I have organized a swap with some friends of mine. I am borrowing their imported chute and scales in return for a coupe of services to Chilli. It will be great as for the first time I will be able to get an accurate weight on all my girls and more importantly weigh the cria without needing to pick them up.