We had another winter blast this week. That lion was white as we got an inch of wet snow March 1st. Dipped into low teens for 2 nights, and barely to freezing for the daytime. But it's better now and I hope that was the last of it. They say 70s for the weekend. Aaah. Just in time for the big Dalton, GA show.
There's quite a few babies in the boxes now. I learned a nifty new trick for sexing early thanks to a forum member. Look for teats which would be does. It was easier on dark bellies....they light up like little LED bulbs. I'm not commited to all the brokens' sex yet.
I've been bringing the boxes in at night because it's been so cold. Can't afford to lose any of these babies. Born Feb 24-26:
Angeni x Dot.com - 2 black buck & doe, 2 broken blacks. After rough first tries, Angeni is an excellent mom.
Misty Moon x Moonwalker - 1 black VM doe. Misty is also raising 2 from other litters. She's so funny. She's very vocal and complains loudly when I take her box in and out. Proving to be a very good mom.
Lorelai x Dot.com - 1 black doe, 1 broken black buck. She's also raising a fosterling.
Iron Maiden x Broken Rule - 1 blue doe, 1 smoke pearl buck, 1 broken buck. Can't tell the broken's color yet, doesn't have much pattern. This was Maiden's 2nd try and she's doing fine. She's a nice looking little doe, but wasn't shown much because she hated show biz. She's a calm brood doe. The broken was fostered to even out the numbers in the boxes.
Minerva x Silverado - 1 broken buck. Either blue or smoke. Not enough color to tell. It was fostered.
I can't remember who got which fosters. I made notes in the barn, but it's not in front of me right now.
Hamilton's Infiniti x Black Tye - 1 black doe, 1 broken black buck. Finally got a live litter out of this doe! She was frustrating. She ate her last litter to pieces and I couldn't tell if they were alive when born. She doesn't build a nest. I got lucky this time. She had them late in the evening and I caught them in time. Whisked them into other boxes. Misty has the black, and Lorelai has the broken. There was another broken but she had already taken its head off. Grrr and yuck!!! Trying to decide whether she's worth rebreeding. Leaning towards not.
Painted Lady and Black Majik failed again. DOA.
In the older litters, now about 6 wks old:
Nahani x Axl - 1 himi buck. I'm sure it's an "ee" (non-extension) himi....very little point color. Coming from 2 sable pts, it will probably have washed out points. But that's ok. If type is worthy, he will be useful with sable pts.
Ayasha x Dot.com - 2 black bucks, 1 broken black buck. The broken was fostered to Nahani. Has a nice blanket pattern and promising type. 1 of the solid blacks might be a keeper, the other is a BUB and will be petted out.
Jean Geni x Axl - 2 sable pt bucks. 1 is very small and cute, possible keeper. The other is a petable BUB. There was also a himi but it died of enteritis at 3 wks. Happened so quickly, wasn't time to attempt to save it.
Dreamboat Annie x Garner's Gunn - lost hers at various ages to fading. She raising a broken (charlie) black from Broken N Happy.
HBB's Broken N Happy x Dot.com - 3 broken black bucks. 2 with nice pattern fostered to Broken Trust. Broken Trust's kits died of fading. The other broken is now the lone survivor with Annie. I think it's a true charlie doe.
Dot.com is throwing excellent pattern. All of his babies have showable markings, but not the same cool dottiness. I wish he's throw some more dalmations.
I'll be rebreeding the open does today. Would have done so earlier but I was waiting so the litters are due the middle of the week. If I breed Fri - Sun, litters will be due Mon - Wed. That gives leeway for show weekends. Also waited for warmer temps.
Today, I'm in show mode for Dalton, GA tomorrow. Been over a month since the last show and I'm looking forward to it. This is a pretty big show. I also get to see friends I don't see much on the other side of the mountains.
Signs of spring:
Daffodils have buds, and daylilies have sprouted. I have to get dirty and take care of spring cleanup. One thing about the south is the winter weeds. Bluebirds are staking their claim on real estate. There's several bluebird houses scattered around the property to choose from. Robins have appeared, and for a few days, a huge flock would poke around the lawn. Robins don't usually flock, but these might be migraters on their way farther north. Goldfinches beginning to put on their bright yellow spring finery. Song Sparrows singing their spring songs, as well as other birds. I'll be opening the windows when it's warm enough to let in the fresh air and bird song. I love spring!
