jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 6, 2014 4:19:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Scott. I'd like to take credit for that, but I think James coined it last go round. C'mon, James. A couple pics and one sentence? You call that a pupdate? Are you busy or something? How are they all doing? Are their eyes open yet? How's mama Maggot doing? Communicate, man! Clients came by yesterday and Maggot stood in front of the whelping box guarding her pups. So, she is on the possessive side right now. When they start growing teeth she will have a change of attitude. Mother nature has a way of weening mama away from pups. This is probably the 14th litter over a 15 year period and it amazes me how the operation is so repetitive. She has been a superb mother. Maybe the best. Some lay on the pups, do not like feeding, are restless, get in and out of the whelping box constantly. She is intent on going outside and nesting. Digging under the house, outbuildings, etc. Other than that, she is easy. Their eyes and ears will become operational soon. Then they will start to enter 'the terrible 2's and 3's. So week 3,4 and 5 are hell. Then they get moved outside where they can defoliate the well fertilized weedy puppy pen. They will also be weened at that time and screaming for their mama. Get put on regular food, and create lots of fertilizer. The puppy pen has a walk-in house that is climate controlled. Most litters have enough sense to go to the end of the run to do their duty, some not. So clean-up is easier if they have good instinct. The whole operation is a bit of an art form. Not a lot of info on rearing pups. It is a learned process. Wife started selling pups w/a contract to breeding rights. So we have two more litters planned for this year from females living w/other people. Same arrangement for males, contractual agreements to stud rights. That way the females are not puppy milling, as we are against that. But that is about it in a nut shell Jean. I am preoccupied with my outdoor kitchen project and keeping the farm in order. Plant season is winding down and I am catching up with mowing/bush hogging and other requirements. The ice storm made a mess. And i have lost 30 pounds busting ass cleaning up. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 6, 2014 7:02:45 GMT -5
Thank you, James!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 8, 2014 7:35:08 GMT -5
As Jean says, a pupdate. Day 3 verses day 14. Pups are vocal having grievances w/each other. Individual personalities are falling in place. Fat little butterballs. Maggot is 3.5 years old and enjoying her first litter. Excellent Mommy.   |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 8, 2014 8:22:03 GMT -5
Wow, they're sure growing fast! They've more than doubled in size. Mama must have some high octane juice. Thanks for the pics, James, nice way to start a Sunday morning. It put a smile on my face  |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 8, 2014 9:17:45 GMT -5
Wow, they're sure growing fast! They've more than doubled in size. Mama must have some high octane juice. Thanks for the pics, James, nice way to start a Sunday morning. It put a smile on my face Glad to make your day Jean. puppy sitting offer still stands. |
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575 
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 8, 2014 12:39:11 GMT -5
Wow! Good milk conversion going on there! I really like the dark thick fellow second from right, but the small one in the center having to fight for it is the one I would want. IMO "runts" often have superior intelligence.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 8, 2014 13:34:04 GMT -5
Wow! Good milk conversion going on there! I really like the dark thick fellow second from right, but the small one in the center having to fight for it is the one I would want. IMO "runts" often have superior intelligence. The dark thick fellow is w/out a doubt the milk hog. When he is 8 weeks old that runt will kick his butt. Runt is small and has to use strength to overcome the over sized lardbutts. The runts seem to have a higher metabolism and are usually females. The females are tough and the males are soft in this breed. Clients start visiting at about 5 weeks and they always pick the runts out of sympathy. We don't sell them to inactive families. Usually athletic active single people. They are persuaded not to buy the runt. Often the 'A' dog. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 11, 2014 12:06:01 GMT -5
Glad to make your day Jean. puppy sitting offer still stands.
Puppy sitting? Respectfully, that would most assuredly be a firm, adamant and resounding no thank you. OP puppies are like OP kids - when they start to get obstreperous and act up, I can always just walk away, lol.
I prefer to enjoy them vicariously through you, from afar. Two thousand miles is a good distance. Why do you think I've been pestering you for pupdates? (Which reminds me, I think we're due for another one soon.)
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 11, 2014 22:25:59 GMT -5
Glad to make your day Jean. puppy sitting offer still stands.
Puppy sitting? Respectfully, that would most assuredly be a firm, adamant and resounding no thank you. OP puppies are like OP kids - when they start to get obstreperous and act up, I can always just walk away, lol.
I prefer to enjoy them vicariously through you, from afar. Two thousand miles is a good distance. Why do you think I've been pestering you for pupdates? (Which reminds me, I think we're due for another one soon.)
Again, obstreperous ? Pupdate, under the sill. Maggot not wanting to feed, they attack screaming. Will have to ween in less than a week.   |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 11, 2014 22:34:11 GMT -5
Again, obstreperous? I've never used that word on you before, lol!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2014 23:06:13 GMT -5
you guys go to petco and buy every color pup-collar?
I get why. Just am noticing the sincere dedication to your craft, and commenting in my obscure way............
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 12, 2014 7:04:08 GMT -5
you guys go to petco and buy every color pup-collar? I get why. Just am noticing the sincere dedication to your craft, and commenting in my obscure way............ The collars are all about ID. Watching an over bite on 2 pups. Over bite can correct during growth. The main reason is to keep up with the DNA tests that were sent in. The Ridgeback club of America takes donations to fund the DNA testing. We are participants. They are tracing down a deafness gene. So that future breedings will not add to the problem. Puppy mills and non-members may perpetuate the problem. A lot of breeders seem arrogant and do not want to sell to just anyone. Selling a clear stud dog to unscrupulous breeders is more than frowned on. Ridgebacks are well bred for the most part and have some of the best hips and non-displastic joints of any large dog. Allowing them to live a pain-free active life. Thanks to planned breedings. A problem with pure breed dogs. Nothing is simple. |
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