Saturday, December 29, 2007
So long, Port-a-potty!
We have a functioning indoor toilet now. No interior walls, no wash basin, no bathroom door, but a nice beige toilet that flushes. Something to celebrate!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Updated: Jacob Sheep for sale - four horned ewes
We are selling many of our Jacob sheep. I've roughly aged them in categories: oldest, older, middle, younger, 2006, and 2007 lambs. Three of our four starting Jacobs were from the Lasseau flock, and it is likely that our "oldest" ewes are daughters of the original ewes. In 2006, every ewe lambed with singles, twins, or triplets.
Here are our four horned Jacob sheep that are for sale, listed from older to younger:
Twisty Left/"Gilda" - Middle - Possibly daughter of Spot Face based on how they hang out in family groups. She surprised us with a ewe lamb early Sept 2007 (picture below).
"Sueprize", September 2007 4 horned ewe lamb of Gilda:
Bent Right/"Marilyn" - Middle
Here are our four horned Jacob sheep that are for sale, listed from older to younger:
Twisty Left/"Gilda" - Middle - Possibly daughter of Spot Face based on how they hang out in family groups. She surprised us with a ewe lamb early Sept 2007 (picture below).
"Sueprize", September 2007 4 horned ewe lamb of Gilda:
Bent Right/"Marilyn" - Middle
Updated: Jacob Sheep for sale - two horned ewes
We are selling many of our Jacob sheep. I've roughly aged them in categories: oldest, older, middle, younger, 2006, and 2007 lambs. Three of our four starting Jacobs were from the Lasseau flock, and it is likely that our "oldest" ewes are daughters of the original ewes. In 2006, every ewe lambed with singles, twins, or triplets.
Here are our two horned Jacob sheep that are for sale, listed from older to younger:
Spot Smile - Older
Pippi, 2007 ewe lamb (on the right) - daughter of Mandy, granddaughter of an Oldest two horn.
Sadie, 2007 ewe lamb - daughter of Granny4horn, an Oldest.
Here are our two horned Jacob sheep that are for sale, listed from older to younger:
Spot Smile - Older
Pippi, 2007 ewe lamb (on the right) - daughter of Mandy, granddaughter of an Oldest two horn.
Sadie, 2007 ewe lamb - daughter of Granny4horn, an Oldest.
Jacob Sheep for sale - Ridgecroft Connor
Connor - 2006 ram we bought from Peggy Van Beek. We like what he's passing along to the lambs but we replace our ram every two years or so.
Ridgecroft Connor, Reg. No.: C075-07
Bred by Marguerite E. van Beek. Twin, 2/14/2006.
Sire: bideawee Noel CO77-02
Dam: Brink May Lady Heather B192-98.
Some of Connor's offspring from 2007:
2007 4 horn ewe lamb:
2007 2 horn ewe lamb:
2007 ram lamb - 4 horn:
4 horn lamb and his sire, our ram Connor.
2007 ram lamb - 2 horn:
Ridgecroft Connor, Reg. No.: C075-07
Bred by Marguerite E. van Beek. Twin, 2/14/2006.
Sire: bideawee Noel CO77-02
Dam: Brink May Lady Heather B192-98.
Some of Connor's offspring from 2007:
2007 4 horn ewe lamb:
2007 2 horn ewe lamb:
2007 ram lamb - 4 horn:
4 horn lamb and his sire, our ram Connor.
2007 ram lamb - 2 horn:
Updated: Jacob Sheep NOT FOR SALE
We are selling most of our Jacob Sheep, not because we do not love having them, but because we are moving and it will be a year or two or three before we have decent pasture there. We will keep a small flock and build from there, maybe buying some ewes in a couple of years to augment what we have.
These are the Jacob Sheep we are keeping, and why...
Gimpy Granny/"Granny Z" -- Two horned Oldest. Formally known as Granny but she was injured last winter and is now Gimpy. Vet said this will heal 100% but she still limps at times and heck, I got attached to her while we had her semi-confined. One of the 2006 ewes for sale is from her or Spot Face, another Oldest.
Small2GoodUp/"Bettina" - Younger, 2005 or earlier. She is Robert's choice of who to keep.
SNDau/"Mandy" - 2006 two horned, daughter of my favorite ewe, Spot Nose, an Oldest, who died last winter.
LongLeftUp/"Sasha" - 2006 - daughter of either GimpyGranny or Spot Face, both Oldest two horn ewes. Her sweet personality has grown on me during these past few months since we started advertising our sheep for sale.
We will keep four of the six 2007 lambs for meat. We think someone will want SNDau's 2 horned ewe lamb and the 4 horned Dot Nose ewe lamb, in which case we'll keep the three ram lambs and the injured ewe lamb. But we're not attached to which four lambs we keep so take your pick!
These are the Jacob Sheep we are keeping, and why...
Gimpy Granny/"Granny Z" -- Two horned Oldest. Formally known as Granny but she was injured last winter and is now Gimpy. Vet said this will heal 100% but she still limps at times and heck, I got attached to her while we had her semi-confined. One of the 2006 ewes for sale is from her or Spot Face, another Oldest.
Small2GoodUp/"Bettina" - Younger, 2005 or earlier. She is Robert's choice of who to keep.
SNDau/"Mandy" - 2006 two horned, daughter of my favorite ewe, Spot Nose, an Oldest, who died last winter.
LongLeftUp/"Sasha" - 2006 - daughter of either GimpyGranny or Spot Face, both Oldest two horn ewes. Her sweet personality has grown on me during these past few months since we started advertising our sheep for sale.
We will keep four of the six 2007 lambs for meat. We think someone will want SNDau's 2 horned ewe lamb and the 4 horned Dot Nose ewe lamb, in which case we'll keep the three ram lambs and the injured ewe lamb. But we're not attached to which four lambs we keep so take your pick!
SOLD sheep 2007
Granny4horn - Oldest - SOLD
Dot Nose/Dot - 2007 - SOLD
Spot Face - Oldest - SOLD
Older 4 horned and 2006 4 horned - SOLD (no pics at this time)
Dot Nose/Dot - 2007 - SOLD
Spot Face - Oldest - SOLD
Older 4 horned and 2006 4 horned - SOLD (no pics at this time)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
Fleece information
Royal and Sue Unzicker of Ivy Brook Meadows (www.ivybrookmeadow.com) were here today and I got the beginnings of my fleece education. Here are the notes I took while he was here handling the ewes and checking teeth and fleece (and body condition, too, I think).
Granny 4 Horn: Open type fleece, nice crimp.
Dot Nose: Long, open fleece with some crimp but not a lot.
Small 2 Good UP: solid, dense fleece.
SNDau: has a mane.
SNDau's dau: open fleece, long, some crimp.
Oh dear, I realize he had more comments about fleece than I noted. Sorry! Royal, if you read this and recall something I've forgotten, do let me know and I'll add it to this entry on fleece!
Granny 4 Horn: Open type fleece, nice crimp.
Dot Nose: Long, open fleece with some crimp but not a lot.
Small 2 Good UP: solid, dense fleece.
SNDau: has a mane.
SNDau's dau: open fleece, long, some crimp.
Oh dear, I realize he had more comments about fleece than I noted. Sorry! Royal, if you read this and recall something I've forgotten, do let me know and I'll add it to this entry on fleece!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Original Four Jacobs
Although we have no photos of these sheep, I want to share the registration information we do have.
Sheepside Paul, male, bred by J. Lasseau. Reg. No.: JA 0513
Born 4/85 single.
Sire: Sheepside Samuel, Reg. No.: JA0023
Dam: Sheepside Pearl Grey, Reg. No.:JA3082
Description: 2 horns, 50% black.
Black: eyes, ears, nose, horns, scrotum.
White: feet, knees, tail, hooves.
Jacobs Ladder Renee, bred
Sheepside Julie, female, bred by Jacques and Benjie Lasseau. Reg. No.: JA 4117
Born 4/19/86 twin.
Sire: Sheepside Samuel, Reg. No.: JA0023
Dam: Rudell's Artemise, Reg. No.: JA3073
Description: 4 horn, 90% black.
Black: eyes, ears, feet, nose, tail, hooves, and udder.
Sheepside Jennie, female, bred by Jacques and Benjie Lasseau. Reg. No.: JA4118
Born 4/28/86 twin.
Sire: Reynolds Nestor, Reg. No.: JA0022
Dam: Rudell's Julie, Reg. No.: JA3069
Description: 4 horn, 10% black.
Black: eyes, ears, nose.
White: feet, tail, udder.
Jacobs Ladder Renee, female, bred by M. Hescock. Reg. No.: JA 4158
Born 4/4/86 single.
Sire: Jacobs Ladder 86735, Reg. No.:JA 0027
Dam: Jacobs Ladder Rosemary F84204F, Reg. No.: JA3110
Description: 4 horn, 60% black.
Black: eyes, nose, horns.
White: left ear, tail, feet, knees, udder.
B/W: hooves.
Sheepside Paul, male, bred by J. Lasseau. Reg. No.: JA 0513
Born 4/85 single.
Sire: Sheepside Samuel, Reg. No.: JA0023
Dam: Sheepside Pearl Grey, Reg. No.:JA3082
Description: 2 horns, 50% black.
Black: eyes, ears, nose, horns, scrotum.
White: feet, knees, tail, hooves.
Jacobs Ladder Renee, bred
Sheepside Julie, female, bred by Jacques and Benjie Lasseau. Reg. No.: JA 4117
Born 4/19/86 twin.
Sire: Sheepside Samuel, Reg. No.: JA0023
Dam: Rudell's Artemise, Reg. No.: JA3073
Description: 4 horn, 90% black.
Black: eyes, ears, feet, nose, tail, hooves, and udder.
Sheepside Jennie, female, bred by Jacques and Benjie Lasseau. Reg. No.: JA4118
Born 4/28/86 twin.
Sire: Reynolds Nestor, Reg. No.: JA0022
Dam: Rudell's Julie, Reg. No.: JA3069
Description: 4 horn, 10% black.
Black: eyes, ears, nose.
White: feet, tail, udder.
Jacobs Ladder Renee, female, bred by M. Hescock. Reg. No.: JA 4158
Born 4/4/86 single.
Sire: Jacobs Ladder 86735, Reg. No.:JA 0027
Dam: Jacobs Ladder Rosemary F84204F, Reg. No.: JA3110
Description: 4 horn, 60% black.
Black: eyes, nose, horns.
White: left ear, tail, feet, knees, udder.
B/W: hooves.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sheep surprise
What a surprise to see a pint size spotted wooly thing out in the field next to a big sized spotted wooly thing! A 'summer' lamb!
One of our middle aged 4 horned ewes has a ewe lamb. I suspect this is largely due to the lack of surviving lambs during the horrid weather we had last winter. Breast feeding reduces the likelihood of breeding, or of settling, not sure which. *g*
So, this changes our numbers for now. Back to 17 Jacob sheep. Most are still for sale. In face, I need to work on the sales flyer for the folks interested in the old and quite rare bloodlines we apparently have in our little flock.
The new ewe lamb is colored quite like her mom -- mostly white with darker areas at shoulders and face, but light muzzle. No pictures yet. But here is the ewe mom:
One of our middle aged 4 horned ewes has a ewe lamb. I suspect this is largely due to the lack of surviving lambs during the horrid weather we had last winter. Breast feeding reduces the likelihood of breeding, or of settling, not sure which. *g*
So, this changes our numbers for now. Back to 17 Jacob sheep. Most are still for sale. In face, I need to work on the sales flyer for the folks interested in the old and quite rare bloodlines we apparently have in our little flock.
The new ewe lamb is colored quite like her mom -- mostly white with darker areas at shoulders and face, but light muzzle. No pictures yet. But here is the ewe mom:
Monday, July 30, 2007
Heron
We are growing a pond. Some excavator involvement plus lots of Mother Nature with seep water, perhaps springs, and gravity. (How does one tell if water coming out of a sandy hillside is seep water or spring water?)
There were frogs' eggs there before we were finished shaping the pond. Yesterday RNB reported on a green frog who came intentionally close to him and croaked away. RNB moved him away from where he was digging and the frog came back to him. We figure the frog wanted RNB to know without a doubt how grateful he was for this new environment we created.
RNB also reported seeing footprints of a heron. This morning I saw the heron. Without camera I have only my memory for pictures of this lovely bird. Perhaps another time I will capture her/his image to share here.
I can imagine RNB's deep excitement about drawing pond-loving life forms here where they can thrive and we can enjoy their proximity. I do love the chorus that emanates from a pond!
There were frogs' eggs there before we were finished shaping the pond. Yesterday RNB reported on a green frog who came intentionally close to him and croaked away. RNB moved him away from where he was digging and the frog came back to him. We figure the frog wanted RNB to know without a doubt how grateful he was for this new environment we created.
RNB also reported seeing footprints of a heron. This morning I saw the heron. Without camera I have only my memory for pictures of this lovely bird. Perhaps another time I will capture her/his image to share here.
I can imagine RNB's deep excitement about drawing pond-loving life forms here where they can thrive and we can enjoy their proximity. I do love the chorus that emanates from a pond!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Babies
I got home from errands and discovered four goslings out and about with goose and gander! Good job, Momma, with your setting and hatching!
Shortly after I got home, a knock on the door. Someone stopping to tell me there is a big black bull, ya know, with big horns, running down the dirt road. Oh, thanks!
Hmm, I wonder how he got out. Well, first I'll wonder if indeed it is the bull because all of our black bovines have big horns!
I was about to have lunch but decided gathering the loose animal takes precedence. I scoop some sweet feed into a small red bucket and head out. I first scan the pasture where the cows belong and see the bull, and the cows, and the two young heifers. That means the coming two year old steer is out.
The good news? He sees me and comes a-runnin'!
The bad news? He has no experience of the delightful taste of what is in my bucket (compared to the older cows and bull who come running to anyone with a small red bucket) and so his running in my direction only brings him closer to home but doesn't help him come follow me through a gate or two.
In fact he thinks it is best to run off down the paved road.
So I think it's best to re-think my plan.
Which I do. Fortunately he returned most of the way on his own and decided the grass just outside the upper pasture gate was worth consuming. That little window of time allowed me to open some gates between where he was munching and where he would be inside our fencing, and walk a large circuitous route around him so I could come in behind and ask him to walk forward.
All went quietly and well and bingo -- steer behind fencing again.
I walked him around a few fences until he was in the pasture adjacent to where the other cows were. I opened that gate and stood aside while he hesitated before barreling through the opening heading off toward the bellows of his family.
Meanwhile the sheep came to see if I had some sweet feed for them, and I stood around trying my best to take a count. I counted 14, then 16, then 17, then 15 sheep, so I'll assume there are 17, which is the number I got last time I counted, a couple of weeks ago. They look fat and well, content I suppose would describe them. Unless I stepped a bit too close and their contentedness turned instantly to worry and off they went. I was looking for the older ewe who injured her leg last winter. She is either no longer lame, or no longer among the living. Some day when I can get closer (such as when I do have some sweet feed and they mob me) I will have a better look for her.
Shortly after I got home, a knock on the door. Someone stopping to tell me there is a big black bull, ya know, with big horns, running down the dirt road. Oh, thanks!
Hmm, I wonder how he got out. Well, first I'll wonder if indeed it is the bull because all of our black bovines have big horns!
I was about to have lunch but decided gathering the loose animal takes precedence. I scoop some sweet feed into a small red bucket and head out. I first scan the pasture where the cows belong and see the bull, and the cows, and the two young heifers. That means the coming two year old steer is out.
The good news? He sees me and comes a-runnin'!
The bad news? He has no experience of the delightful taste of what is in my bucket (compared to the older cows and bull who come running to anyone with a small red bucket) and so his running in my direction only brings him closer to home but doesn't help him come follow me through a gate or two.
In fact he thinks it is best to run off down the paved road.
So I think it's best to re-think my plan.
Which I do. Fortunately he returned most of the way on his own and decided the grass just outside the upper pasture gate was worth consuming. That little window of time allowed me to open some gates between where he was munching and where he would be inside our fencing, and walk a large circuitous route around him so I could come in behind and ask him to walk forward.
All went quietly and well and bingo -- steer behind fencing again.
I walked him around a few fences until he was in the pasture adjacent to where the other cows were. I opened that gate and stood aside while he hesitated before barreling through the opening heading off toward the bellows of his family.
Meanwhile the sheep came to see if I had some sweet feed for them, and I stood around trying my best to take a count. I counted 14, then 16, then 17, then 15 sheep, so I'll assume there are 17, which is the number I got last time I counted, a couple of weeks ago. They look fat and well, content I suppose would describe them. Unless I stepped a bit too close and their contentedness turned instantly to worry and off they went. I was looking for the older ewe who injured her leg last winter. She is either no longer lame, or no longer among the living. Some day when I can get closer (such as when I do have some sweet feed and they mob me) I will have a better look for her.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Visitor in the night
We have an unknown number of visitors in the night. Certainly lots of rats, some we see and some we don't. Some visiting cats come to eat the food left out for our barn cats. I'm certain the local fox venture near as well.
The other night I startled a new kitty eating the barn cats' food. As it scurried off I noticed the white stripe down it's thick dark tail. Hey! That's NOT a kitty!
Then the missing chicks as well as the missing cat food. Argh. Then last night the telltale fragrance, in the barn. Double argh. RNB could smell it on me when I came in from the late night hay feeding to the horses. I could smell it on me!
And who do you think was in the rat trap this morning?
Amazing claws.
He/she was relocated. We may meet again because RNB decided to release him/her on our new property. Huh? We do not think alike about some things.
The other night I startled a new kitty eating the barn cats' food. As it scurried off I noticed the white stripe down it's thick dark tail. Hey! That's NOT a kitty!
Then the missing chicks as well as the missing cat food. Argh. Then last night the telltale fragrance, in the barn. Double argh. RNB could smell it on me when I came in from the late night hay feeding to the horses. I could smell it on me!
And who do you think was in the rat trap this morning?
Amazing claws.
He/she was relocated. We may meet again because RNB decided to release him/her on our new property. Huh? We do not think alike about some things.
Wolf teeth
Sofia had her wolf teeth removed by the same vet who took the x-rays. She did well. Actually, both of them did well -- Sofia and the vet. Quite a strenuous job for the vet, and Sofia my dear horse was more cooperative than I ever could have imagined. Drugs probably helped -- a lot!
Fuzzy picture that shows size:
Clearer picture:
Fuzzy picture that shows size:
Clearer picture:
Sofia's x-rays
I wish I had a picture of them. Perhaps when I go meet the vet and look at them I can capture them digitally to share here. I do love x-rays of a horse's feet. Am I weird?
Anyway, the results are: no bone involvement with the puncture wound of this spring. I had the vet/chiro here to assess her readiness to resume some 'work'. HA! Work? This gal doesn't know the meaning of the word. She lives the life of leisure with the occasional request to carry me around for 1/2 hour. I do want more with her and she has the mind to take us exploring. Meanwhile, that vet said get x-rays. Not the first time I've heard that suggestion.
But I was ready to find out what they show and did get the x-ray vet out here. I am glad to now know there is no bone involvement. But Sofia is still off. I hate to call it 'lame' but I suppose it is in fact lameness we're talking about. Vet/chiro and X-ray vet both tell me to put her back to work. Oh, I hadn't the boldness to tell them it won't be "back" to work, simply "to work". And give her some low dose of aspirin to reduce the little bit of swelling in her foot and relieve some pain that may get worse once I ride her more. The idea is -- and won't be confirmed without an MRI which means it won't be confirmed at this point -- that scar tissue within her hoof capsule is limiting her movement and indeed a bit painful. But work will help her break the adhesions and leave her more flexible and mobile as originally designed.
So, good news. Nothing can be defined as limiting to her future! I have ridden her a few times since those vet visits. We're working on the basics of go, turn, and stop. Once she is more responsive to my steering requests, I'd like to take her out on a trail ride!
Anyway, the results are: no bone involvement with the puncture wound of this spring. I had the vet/chiro here to assess her readiness to resume some 'work'. HA! Work? This gal doesn't know the meaning of the word. She lives the life of leisure with the occasional request to carry me around for 1/2 hour. I do want more with her and she has the mind to take us exploring. Meanwhile, that vet said get x-rays. Not the first time I've heard that suggestion.
But I was ready to find out what they show and did get the x-ray vet out here. I am glad to now know there is no bone involvement. But Sofia is still off. I hate to call it 'lame' but I suppose it is in fact lameness we're talking about. Vet/chiro and X-ray vet both tell me to put her back to work. Oh, I hadn't the boldness to tell them it won't be "back" to work, simply "to work". And give her some low dose of aspirin to reduce the little bit of swelling in her foot and relieve some pain that may get worse once I ride her more. The idea is -- and won't be confirmed without an MRI which means it won't be confirmed at this point -- that scar tissue within her hoof capsule is limiting her movement and indeed a bit painful. But work will help her break the adhesions and leave her more flexible and mobile as originally designed.
So, good news. Nothing can be defined as limiting to her future! I have ridden her a few times since those vet visits. We're working on the basics of go, turn, and stop. Once she is more responsive to my steering requests, I'd like to take her out on a trail ride!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Chicks!
The unmistakable sound of a chick peeping. Where is it coming from??? I finally tracked it down -- under the stairs in the barn. From what I can tell, there are two hens nesting under there, and I placed the newly pipped chick under the wing of the closest hen where I saw two other chicks. I have exactly NO idea how we will extract them from where they are, or where we will house them once we've done that. I would leave them there except we have one really, really good barn cat, who is equally handy and interested in rodents and birds. Not much chance for these chicks without more protection!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Various species
A few pictures from the farm...
One of two Baltimore orioles that RNB spotted this morning. Picture is lousy, taken through the old farmhouse windows.
Some horses on the hillside and closer is one of the twin bucklings enjoying time on our local "mountains".
Our fantail doves nest under the eaves of the milkhouse.
A very protective gander leads the way for the gosling and his goose mate.
Front view of peacock in full display.
Side view of peacock in full display. Notice the penned peafowl paying close attention!
One of two Baltimore orioles that RNB spotted this morning. Picture is lousy, taken through the old farmhouse windows.
Some horses on the hillside and closer is one of the twin bucklings enjoying time on our local "mountains".
Our fantail doves nest under the eaves of the milkhouse.
A very protective gander leads the way for the gosling and his goose mate.
Front view of peacock in full display.
Side view of peacock in full display. Notice the penned peafowl paying close attention!
New kids
The doeling who is most friendly (likely because she was bottle fed!) gave birth to twins on Thursday evening. These kids will be friendly because they take cues from their mother. One mostly black buckling and one honey colored doeling. The doeling is already spoken for and what a cutey she is. I'll get a picture posted when the rain subsides.
Ok, rain subsided enough! Here they are:
Ok, rain subsided enough! Here they are:
Friday, May 11, 2007
Waiting
One white doe is ready to kid. I see her lanquishing in the shade, panting more than the heat demands. Her udder looks full. Her eyes sleepy. Her sides bulging. Twins? The buck rubs on her. I wonder if that is some natural wonder that we humans have lost.
One time I was home during a kid birth and the only way I knew something had happened was the cessation of sound and activity in the farm yard. Silence. A few moments later when I checked on the doe and she had her newborn there, I remembered the stillness. And knew they all knew. Attunement. I beg to be attuned as the animals are.
One time I was home during a kid birth and the only way I knew something had happened was the cessation of sound and activity in the farm yard. Silence. A few moments later when I checked on the doe and she had her newborn there, I remembered the stillness. And knew they all knew. Attunement. I beg to be attuned as the animals are.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
A taste of spring
The hay field at the VT farm is greening up, Brownie had her kids which I mentioned before, and at least one gosling has hatched as of this morning! The weather is perfect for outside projects -- 50s-60s during the day with a breeze. Not too hot, hot too cold.
Brownie and her kids at a few hours old:
We had to clear fifty trees from the access road and driveway after the recent wind storm. Here's a view of the road near where our drive joins it:
This week's house progress was special -- some window holes were cut and some windows installed!
Although I have not yet had the privilege of seeing any of the local moose population in person, someone left their calling card close to the back porch. You may want to click on the picture for the larger version.
Brownie and her kids at a few hours old:
We had to clear fifty trees from the access road and driveway after the recent wind storm. Here's a view of the road near where our drive joins it:
This week's house progress was special -- some window holes were cut and some windows installed!
Although I have not yet had the privilege of seeing any of the local moose population in person, someone left their calling card close to the back porch. You may want to click on the picture for the larger version.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Farm news
Our new farm is progressing! The old barn we're dismantling and moving is starting to look like a frame. All of the siding is removed from the long addition, and the stalls and feeders are gone from the main floor. The milking parlor is currently being dismantled. RNB bought some special tool to remove the standing seam roofing. We had hoped to sell the metal roofing material but maybe it won't be so useful because we have to cut it to remove it.
Despite the humungous wind storm in this area recently, we had no damage to buildings! Phew! Yes, road clearning activity was required (50+ trees down across the class 6 road and the driveway) and who knows what the woods look like now. Plenty of firewood, that's for sure.
Locally, where we still live, Brownie had kids yesterday morning. Triplets! They were doing well but one got fatally clobbered by a goose. Wrong place at the wrong time, poor little thing. I cried. And moved the doe and her surviving bucklings to a stall for a few days. The geese are sitting on eggs and have proven they are to be avoided. Unfortunately, one nest is in a goat house, so future conflict is a really possibility. I'll wait till these cute little ones are larger and stronger before they are put back in the goat pen.
Cows are well. Sheep are well. Horses are well. The drizzley rainy weather of late is helping the fields green up nicely! Waiting for the asparagus to come -- that's always the first harvest, and usually abundant beyond what we can use. Family, neighbors, and the freezer will receive some of our asparagus. Chickens are laying, guineas are out in the fields, maybe eating the earliest ticks? We have been adopted by a third barn cat who is quite keen on the local rodent population so he is welcome here.
Sofia continues to improve though still limping. She limps going uphill more than downhill, and there is a little heat just at the back of her pastern on that one foot. No raised temperature anymore. I wish I understood biomechanics enough to determine just what was injured based on how she moves. It's enough for me to study her limp to develop confidence about recognizing hind foot lameness. Front lameness has been easy, using the phrase: head down, foot sound. Not quite so clear with the hind sound or lame foot, from my attempts to see this and recognize a pattern. I suppose I could google it and learn from someone else's discoveries!
Despite the humungous wind storm in this area recently, we had no damage to buildings! Phew! Yes, road clearning activity was required (50+ trees down across the class 6 road and the driveway) and who knows what the woods look like now. Plenty of firewood, that's for sure.
Locally, where we still live, Brownie had kids yesterday morning. Triplets! They were doing well but one got fatally clobbered by a goose. Wrong place at the wrong time, poor little thing. I cried. And moved the doe and her surviving bucklings to a stall for a few days. The geese are sitting on eggs and have proven they are to be avoided. Unfortunately, one nest is in a goat house, so future conflict is a really possibility. I'll wait till these cute little ones are larger and stronger before they are put back in the goat pen.
Cows are well. Sheep are well. Horses are well. The drizzley rainy weather of late is helping the fields green up nicely! Waiting for the asparagus to come -- that's always the first harvest, and usually abundant beyond what we can use. Family, neighbors, and the freezer will receive some of our asparagus. Chickens are laying, guineas are out in the fields, maybe eating the earliest ticks? We have been adopted by a third barn cat who is quite keen on the local rodent population so he is welcome here.
Sofia continues to improve though still limping. She limps going uphill more than downhill, and there is a little heat just at the back of her pastern on that one foot. No raised temperature anymore. I wish I understood biomechanics enough to determine just what was injured based on how she moves. It's enough for me to study her limp to develop confidence about recognizing hind foot lameness. Front lameness has been easy, using the phrase: head down, foot sound. Not quite so clear with the hind sound or lame foot, from my attempts to see this and recognize a pattern. I suppose I could google it and learn from someone else's discoveries!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Tuesday update Sofia
Yesterday her temp was down to 99.5 which helped me realize she had been running a low grade temp since I started taking her temp. Swelling seemed a little worse at her heel bulbs, but she was moving a bit more easily and when standing still to eat for example, she was shifting her weight a little onto her tipped toe and back again, back and forth.
I contacted my vet and we agreed that another round of antibiotics would be a good idea. She finished up yesterday morning and starts again this morning. I applied Traumeel topically last night after soaking her hoof. Traumeel is a homeopathic remedy to be used after traumatic injury. (That might be a redundancy, to use traumatic and injury together! Aren't all injuried traumatizing to body tissue?!!) Anyway, I massaged her heel bulb area which seemed tender to her, and gave my intuitive version of a lymphatic massage up the leg.
This morning, even better news. When walking she is weighting her foot right through the stride. Brings foot forward, puts it down -- this is all in very-lame-slow-motion -- and limps forward leaving that foot on the ground through the stride. I'm very excited about this!
I'm still undecided about my upcoming travel plans. Today I am attempting to precisely quantify and write down instructions for RNB as he has continued to offer to do Sofia's care if I decide to go away as planned months ago. I had to come to terms with the likelihood that he can indeed do what I'm doing, that I'm not absolutely required to be here as if I'm the only one who can provide her care. Especially with her looking better today, I'm feeling more confident about leaving for 4 days. Not fully confident, but more confident!
I contacted my vet and we agreed that another round of antibiotics would be a good idea. She finished up yesterday morning and starts again this morning. I applied Traumeel topically last night after soaking her hoof. Traumeel is a homeopathic remedy to be used after traumatic injury. (That might be a redundancy, to use traumatic and injury together! Aren't all injuried traumatizing to body tissue?!!) Anyway, I massaged her heel bulb area which seemed tender to her, and gave my intuitive version of a lymphatic massage up the leg.
This morning, even better news. When walking she is weighting her foot right through the stride. Brings foot forward, puts it down -- this is all in very-lame-slow-motion -- and limps forward leaving that foot on the ground through the stride. I'm very excited about this!
I'm still undecided about my upcoming travel plans. Today I am attempting to precisely quantify and write down instructions for RNB as he has continued to offer to do Sofia's care if I decide to go away as planned months ago. I had to come to terms with the likelihood that he can indeed do what I'm doing, that I'm not absolutely required to be here as if I'm the only one who can provide her care. Especially with her looking better today, I'm feeling more confident about leaving for 4 days. Not fully confident, but more confident!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Saturday pictures with Sunday update
Sofia continues to improve though very slowly... Good that her temp remains at 101 and she's eating well (including her antibiotics which somehow are adequately disguised by cinnamon, devils claw, and alfalfa pellets!), and getting cranky with her companion, Bo. All good signs. She still is extremely lame though. I would like to see her improve a lot with the lameness but assuming some damage to ligaments, that will take weeks to heal... (crossing my fingers for a full recovery)
Pictures taken in the daylight...
Solar view
Front view showing some swelling
Left hind for comparison
All four legs
Pictures taken in the daylight...
Solar view
Front view showing some swelling
Left hind for comparison
All four legs
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Saturday Sofia update
She definitely likes being outside all the time so I'm grateful for the stiff frozen snow. If we had normal April weather right now, I'm not sure what I would do with her as there is major mud in the paddocks this time of year. But minimal right now with this late winter revival.
Sofia's temperature remains at 101 and she is putting more weight on her injured foot. She still cocks it forward to rest and to walk, but puts more weight at rest and when walking. I've gotten her meds into her via food, she still thinks the oral syringe is NOT a good thing, and I'm giving her 100 ml twice a day of Devils Claw for pain relief and anti-inflammatory. I'll back that off some in another day. Healing or pain relief or both? Is that why she's moving more?
Sofia's temperature remains at 101 and she is putting more weight on her injured foot. She still cocks it forward to rest and to walk, but puts more weight at rest and when walking. I've gotten her meds into her via food, she still thinks the oral syringe is NOT a good thing, and I'm giving her 100 ml twice a day of Devils Claw for pain relief and anti-inflammatory. I'll back that off some in another day. Healing or pain relief or both? Is that why she's moving more?
Sofia's April 07 injury
Sofia is in not such a Fine Fettle right now. She stepped on an old fashioned rectangular barn nail on April 3rd. Here are some pictures taken April 7th late in the evening. Click on any picture for larger view.
The nail, against a cloth measuring tape.
Her four feet, showing how she stands, which is also the general position she keeps her foot (right hind) when she walks -- she will draw it more forward than this actually, weight it slightly as she moves forward Major head bobbing but putting some weight on it compared to the Wednesday and Thursday.
Solar view of her injured right hind. It was late, it was dark, I was alone -- not the best prep for photos.
Solar view with me holding the nail for size comparison. The entry point was closer to the heel bulbs than where I'm holding it, about under where my first knuckle of index finger is, with about as much showing (and as much embedded) as shows in the picture.
The nail, against a cloth measuring tape.
Her four feet, showing how she stands, which is also the general position she keeps her foot (right hind) when she walks -- she will draw it more forward than this actually, weight it slightly as she moves forward Major head bobbing but putting some weight on it compared to the Wednesday and Thursday.
Solar view of her injured right hind. It was late, it was dark, I was alone -- not the best prep for photos.
Solar view with me holding the nail for size comparison. The entry point was closer to the heel bulbs than where I'm holding it, about under where my first knuckle of index finger is, with about as much showing (and as much embedded) as shows in the picture.
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