Spring brings with it a series of challenges.
The first one we've been dealing with is slipping tendons in a couple of our ducks - we assume caused by "over enthusiastic" drakes. To be honest I'm as close as I've ever come to popping one of my birds in a pot - a couple of these drakes now run when they see me coming with the hose - honestly - they are persistent little boys! A couple of the female Saxony's are now presenting with a slipping tendon.
Meet one half of Limp Biscuit:
We've found that elastic ankle strapping bandage is the best way to go - we do have to replace it every few days as they are in out and out the dam, but when the strapping is in place, no limping. This bandage had been in place for quite a few days and we noticed a slight limp starting up again
Quick check of the leg to make sure the bandage isn't irritating and we're ready to put the new one on:
One nice clean new bandage!
One duck on the run
Back with her friends - and they get hard to pick after a while (we're thinking of changing to bright blue or pink bandages!)
Now - the other necessary evil at this time of the year is shearing Alpacas. Which is an undignified process no matter how you look at it. The boys had to be penned, and a wonderful bloke who really knows his stuff arrived on Sunday morning. A little tricky to catch them, but once caught, they are tipped onto a mat on the ground, their front and back legs secured in a hold which spread-eagles them. And they are shorn. With Adam' holding, Tim shearing and me doing the roust-abouting. The good thing is that they are basically pretty healthy - toenails needed clipping, Vit D injections and vaccinations done.
Now they are sulking badly and won't come near me - but I'm hoping they will eventually forgive us.
Before:
Big Fluffy Boys!
Itty Bitty Tiny Boys!
Turns out most of them ended up in garbage bags. We've got some serious fleece processing to be getting on with now. Socks and jumpers here they come.
Dalziel:
Pascoe:
Wieldy:
Hat:
Oh and because you simply can't keep a man away from a fire - our new fire pit:
Last night's dinner came out of the pit - cooking away whilst we chased around on night rounds. I suspect this will get a bit of a working out over the upcoming summer.
