Saturday 29 May 2010

Three in a row!

So this morning we wondered if we would have another cria, Dee was now at 355 days, Bannock at 349. We had a lovely girl yesterday, could we be lucky again?
An early morning check of the herd revealed a lovely healthy Runa (pictured below) but no-one looking ready to give birth.

However, we reminded ourselves that we are dealing with two seasoned pros here. Dee is 13 years old and the two cria she has had with us have mysteriously appeared without warning. Bannock is of the same ilk, she is 10 years old and is another who will be grazing one minute and giving birth the next, no mooching around, no signs, they take it all in their strides these girls. We have to have our wits about us.

Sue took Angus off to his swimming lesson at 9.30am (Oh Daaahling your backstroke is simply divine! Look, he needs to be able to swim! Ok!) I was left with checking the lardy girls.
Sue and Angus returned, we lunched, nothing. No sign from anyone, grazing as normal. In fact Dee was munching hay in the shed.

After lunch I wandered out and went down to the shed. As I got near Dee walked purposefully out. Dee normally just wanders about aimlessly, she would whistle silly little tunes if she could, I'm sure of it. This was different. She strode past me without so much as a glance and headed for a large empty part of the field. She appeared to be on a mission. I turned and watched her. After about 50 yards she turned in a circle and lay down. I ambled over to see if she was alright and saw two front legs and a head being pushed out! It was that quick!

Five minutes later and Dee presented us with another girl, a beautiful brown girl! Just what we had ordered! The truly magnificent Jack of Spades has done it again. Three girls in a row, colours as hoped for! Obviously our Mums have a large part to play but so far Big Jack is doing the business. Big Time!

She was another strong girl weighing in at 7.9kg with very long and difficult to work legs. She was born in a pretty ropey bit of weather so I took her and Dee back to the shed and they got down to being mother and daughter.

It wasn't long before Reeya (yes she has been named already, Reeya is an Indian name meaning Gem) was rooting around for her afternoon tea and she was soon latched on.

Sue and I are absolutely delighted with her, she will probably be either dark fawn or light brown and is very pretty (aren't they all?).

Reeya and Dee are staying in the shed with Bannock (Dee and Bannock are big buddies) until the rain passes which should be late this evening. If it clears up I will let them all out for the night which is forecasted to be dry.

Another great day in the mighty land of Patou!!!




9 comments:

Amiryck said...

FABULOUS - what more could you ask for!?

Patou Alpacas said...

Nothing really................it's almost getting a bit embarrassing.

Lucy said...

Fan-bleedin-tastic Patou! Well done all round.

Suzan said...

How wonderfully exciting!!

Unknown said...

That's some wish list coming true guys...3 beautiful coloured girls...well done all!

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

Fab, all healthy and the colour and sex spot on!

Apple Vale Alpacas said...

Great news, glad to hear they went smoothly - Dave

Zanzibah Alpacas said...

Congratulations...on your fantastic....baby girls !....you are on a roll !!...lovely pictures and its nice to get them here safe and sound. Whats next on the wish list !!.............Jayne

Jeff said...

Congratulations! Wonderful looking girls.