Thursday, March 19, 2009

JR's Morning Feed



I've had a couple requests for a JR update. Last Friday, at 6 months, he weighed 41.6 pounds with a gain of 3 pounds that week. This was a biggy because the most that he has ever gained has been 1 1/2 pounds in a week.
For you folks who are just stopping by or don't follow my blog, JR was full term in September, but weighed only 13 pounds (normal weight here on the farm is 20). He nursed fine but Sonata mom had minimal milk. He's had blood work, been to Michigan State, and we can't find anything wrong except at the beginning he had an immunity deficiency.
Three times a day he gets his gruel. Go here for the recipe.
He's a happy little guy and runs right up to me to be fed. My concern right now is his ears. Can you see in the pictures that he has hair missing? I'm not sure if it is a deficiency in his diet (zinc maybe) or if his friends have nibbled on his ears. Because he is so little, everyone eats their hay above him and they drop it on top of him. I frequently see other alpacas "grazing" on him ☺ Anyway, I'm treating him with some Tree Tea oil that has Vitamin A & D in it.


I sort of liked this picture that I took this morning of the sun pouring into the barn on JR and his mom, Sonata. The shadows are neat......
Yep, he still has a turtle neck on - not for warmth though. I just hate to see him get covered with hay when we are getting so close to shearing.

6 comments:

Totally Timmy said...

He is so sweet and I love his color! My initials are JR..I must have a kinship with the little fellow!LOL

Michele / akkasha said...

It is so good that he is growing well. He looks terrific.

And I think the shirt is a great idea. Heaven knows I am sure he will have some amazing fiber! So it makes sense to protect it.

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

He's overtaken Gaussian!! That was a great weight wain in one week. Guassian is no longer wearing his coat, now it's warming up and the sun is out I thought he would benefit without it now.

Anonymous said...

Jr. certainly owes his life to you Maple! You have been wonderful, feeding him several times a day! I am feeling like he IS goind to make it and hopefully the green grass coming will be his BIG TURN. Could you spray some of that apple stuff you put on the dogs on his ears or does that burn? Maybe that would keep the pacas from accidently nibbling on him...There really is nothing cuter than Junior!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to hear that Junior is getting healthier by the day. Way to persevere.

Anita said...

Oh my, is he not just the cutest thing ever?! Glad that he is doing well! :)

Map