Post by alohaparenting on Mar 22, 2013 0:16:33 GMT -5
So! I wanted to do a Flemish Giant Colony, in the summer they will be out in movable tractors on grass, but for winter the pair of Flemish had the entire horse stall to themselves. I kept waiting for them to breed, nothing.
A few times I exposed the doe to my New Zealand buck, but he does not live in the colony. He has his own xpen and cage and outside run etc.
Anyway! I what I was reading on colonies is pretty much you will go out to feed them one day- and wha-la babies!
And that is just what happened, I went out tonight and there he was a cute little (probably two weeks old already) new Zealand /Flemish baby- I can not wait to see who else is in the nest, and who might be out tomm morning (crossing my fingers he is a smart baby and goes back to the nest tonight)
So we watched him for hours today. He was bouncing all over with both the mom and the male Flemish
I HAD planned to take the male Flemish out when I thought she was bred, but apparently I totally missed her hidden nest - and the baby was my first clue I made sure that I included lots of great hiding places and the stall is huge, but I guess I just totally missed the nest all together.
well, obviously he is with both the male and his mom- and is okay- but I snagged the male out anyway- now I do not want the mom bred directly back- plus I really do not want that little stinker hurt, and am really crossing my fingers he was just the bold baby first out of the nest and more will follow
I really thought I would love this whole colony idea- but it freaks me out to tell you the truth- knowing that for about two weeks these babies have been chilling out and I have no idea how many or how they are doing - this kit is not very young, he is small, but full fur, eyes wide and bright and a hop in his steps - still baby steps, but I am guessing he is 12-18 days old-ish???
any colony raisers who want to chime in with advice? links?
A few times I exposed the doe to my New Zealand buck, but he does not live in the colony. He has his own xpen and cage and outside run etc.
Anyway! I what I was reading on colonies is pretty much you will go out to feed them one day- and wha-la babies!
And that is just what happened, I went out tonight and there he was a cute little (probably two weeks old already) new Zealand /Flemish baby- I can not wait to see who else is in the nest, and who might be out tomm morning (crossing my fingers he is a smart baby and goes back to the nest tonight)
So we watched him for hours today. He was bouncing all over with both the mom and the male Flemish
I HAD planned to take the male Flemish out when I thought she was bred, but apparently I totally missed her hidden nest - and the baby was my first clue I made sure that I included lots of great hiding places and the stall is huge, but I guess I just totally missed the nest all together.
well, obviously he is with both the male and his mom- and is okay- but I snagged the male out anyway- now I do not want the mom bred directly back- plus I really do not want that little stinker hurt, and am really crossing my fingers he was just the bold baby first out of the nest and more will follow
I really thought I would love this whole colony idea- but it freaks me out to tell you the truth- knowing that for about two weeks these babies have been chilling out and I have no idea how many or how they are doing - this kit is not very young, he is small, but full fur, eyes wide and bright and a hop in his steps - still baby steps, but I am guessing he is 12-18 days old-ish???
any colony raisers who want to chime in with advice? links?