[Burra]

I thought it was time I posted an update. Both leverets are doing really well and are now weaned ready for release over the weekend.

I did modify the milk quite drastically as although they were 'developing' on semi-skimmed goats milk, they weren't gaining weight. I started off putting a couple of drops of cod-liver oil on their heads, as I noticed that they would wash each others faces after a feed and thought it would be a good way to get them used to the taste without risking putting them off their milk. Then I mixed up some olive oil with cod liver oil and started to add up to a couple of mls to each feed. This helped, but still wasn't really enough, so we drove down to a big agricultural place and managed to find some lamb milk replacer. I started to add powder to the goats milk until after a few days it was finally at the same strength as esbilac puppy milk replacer, and then they finally started growing!

They soon started eating alfalfa based rabbit pellets, and we made some lovely fresh hay for them from local grass very similar to the ones they'll be eating after release.

I've been amazed at how differently they behave. The male is a complete extrovert. He will drink like mad, then look at you for a second or two and leap at your face and lick you constantly for as long as you'll let him. The female hides at any sign of human activity and is very reserved and thoughtful. She will flick drops of milk off her paws, and this soon turned into a way of saying 'go away - I don't like that', using one paw for mild annoyances and both front paws for major ones. I've also caught the male annoying her by licking her face too much and she will sit up and flap both paws in his face. After a few days that turned into nearly a full blown boxing match as he licks, she flicks, then he flaps back and they sit there for a few seconds flapping madly at each other. She always gives up first though and bounds away and tries to hide from him.

I've tried to make sure they were only handled for feeding, and for the last week the plan is not to handle them at all. That suits the female well, but the male still goes crazy when he sees me and tries to jump into my arms when I open the run to feed them. I just hope he forgets me after the release - he's a bit too tame for his own good!

I'll let you know how the release goes, and try to put some more photos up. Thanks for all you help and encouragement everyone - it's much appreciated!