Finally! I've done something with the Jacob fleece, and I'm proud of it!
Thanks to Betty B who has encouraged me and facilitated some of our fleece becoming yarn.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Jacob fleece put to use
Finally! I've done something with the Jacob fleece, and I'm proud of it!
Thanks to Betty B who has encouraged me and facilitated some of our fleece becoming yarn.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Goats, the end.
Recently we sold our Nigerian Dwarf goats -- four does and buck. The does have moved to their new home already, and the buck will leave soon. He was staying through November for the sake of three young does who are here for breeding. They leave this afternoon.
It's been fun having them all here. And in our current efforts to simplify at least a little while we work at finishing our new home while heating both homes and taking care of work and farm needs through this fall and into the winter season, something had to change.
RNB and I discussed which animals we were most attached to. RNB: the sheep and peafowl. Me: the horses, chickens, and guinea fowl. So, perhaps in our future we will have goats again. But for now, it's the end of our goat-owning story.
I have especially loved the kidding time. And as stressful as it is, there have been awesome rewards for helping a rejected kid survive a winter's birth.
Thank you, dear goats! I wish you all well in your new life.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Life lessons from the goats
I received an email update this morning about the twin Nigerian Dwarf bucklings we sold to a friend earlier this fall. As I was writing back and filling her in with my current job search efforts, I realized the goats may offer me some good guidance.
This is what she wrote:
"Just wanted to give you an update on our boys. We finally got the sheep to accept them and we put them all in together. The first day went fine and they were all getting along fine. I brought them into the stall again for the night because the weather was not so great and I didn't want them out in the cold. The second day started well but my mom called me around noon and said that she didn't know how they did it but the goats were out and the sheep were not very happy about it. We went to see if there was a break in the fence somewhere but I didn't find anything.
I brought some grain, so I shook the can and they came back into the sheep pen and I went out and shut the door and started walking toward the house and they came running by me!! So, I watched this time and they were jumping up to the top of the sheep house and then just a short little hop from the top of the sheep house over the fence. TADA, freedom!! So, now they are free goats. They have the run of the farm all day and stay in the barn at night. Talk about happy goats. They think that our pool deck is a playground and they love to play king of the hill with the stairs. They hang out with the horses quite abit unless the horses go down into the big field and then the goats stay near my house and eat tall grass that never got weedwacked this summer.
I know that next summer when my mom is trying to grow a garden we will have to find a better solution to the jump the fence problem, but for now they are fine. We love them to death, they are getting so they come when I call them, but if I don't have grain they don't stick around. Thanks for them."
This is what I wrote:
"I'm looking for more work. Maybe I should start trimming horses again. No definitive action on the resumes I sent out for clinical social work jobs. As much as I like working for someone else (security type reasons) I might need to take the plunge and work for myself again. Trimming? Start a private practice? I'm so cautious right now about spending money and I think I would need to spend money to get something set up in order to start making money...
That's MY update -- not much about goats although maybe I can learn a lesson from them. Hmmm... Don't like the current 'enclosure'? Jump the fence and go find fun and freedom. If someone shows up offering something enticing -- run to them, otherwise, keep finding the good stuff on your own."
Maybe I will compile these ideas into a little book called Goat Soup for the Soul? What do you think?
This is what she wrote:
"Just wanted to give you an update on our boys. We finally got the sheep to accept them and we put them all in together. The first day went fine and they were all getting along fine. I brought them into the stall again for the night because the weather was not so great and I didn't want them out in the cold. The second day started well but my mom called me around noon and said that she didn't know how they did it but the goats were out and the sheep were not very happy about it. We went to see if there was a break in the fence somewhere but I didn't find anything.
I brought some grain, so I shook the can and they came back into the sheep pen and I went out and shut the door and started walking toward the house and they came running by me!! So, I watched this time and they were jumping up to the top of the sheep house and then just a short little hop from the top of the sheep house over the fence. TADA, freedom!! So, now they are free goats. They have the run of the farm all day and stay in the barn at night. Talk about happy goats. They think that our pool deck is a playground and they love to play king of the hill with the stairs. They hang out with the horses quite abit unless the horses go down into the big field and then the goats stay near my house and eat tall grass that never got weedwacked this summer.
I know that next summer when my mom is trying to grow a garden we will have to find a better solution to the jump the fence problem, but for now they are fine. We love them to death, they are getting so they come when I call them, but if I don't have grain they don't stick around. Thanks for them."
This is what I wrote:
"I'm looking for more work. Maybe I should start trimming horses again. No definitive action on the resumes I sent out for clinical social work jobs. As much as I like working for someone else (security type reasons) I might need to take the plunge and work for myself again. Trimming? Start a private practice? I'm so cautious right now about spending money and I think I would need to spend money to get something set up in order to start making money...
That's MY update -- not much about goats although maybe I can learn a lesson from them. Hmmm... Don't like the current 'enclosure'? Jump the fence and go find fun and freedom. If someone shows up offering something enticing -- run to them, otherwise, keep finding the good stuff on your own."
Maybe I will compile these ideas into a little book called Goat Soup for the Soul? What do you think?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Tis the season
For a reason I no longer recall, I never published this entry on May 15th when I wrote it. Perhaps I expected I would have more to say. Today, on yet another chilly November day, I think it's time I submitted this, as is, for the reminder of what is to come, as an investment in a future I can count on -- merely six months from now! Whooppeeeee!
Asparagus is coming! Asparagus is coming!
Rhubarb is up! Rhubarb is up!
The orchard is flowering! The orchard is flowering!
The iris are blooming! The iris are blooming!
Asparagus is coming! Asparagus is coming!
Rhubarb is up! Rhubarb is up!
The orchard is flowering! The orchard is flowering!
The iris are blooming! The iris are blooming!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Good news this morning!
Despite my nightmares and worry last night, we found three adult guineas and a passel of keets this morning and successfully herded them into an empty stall in the barn.
So my latest question -- can anyone answer this? How do you count a moving mass of little bodies?? I have no idea whether we have 12 or 15 or 21 keets!
I ran into this same question with the recent hatch of chicks. I did take a photo and perhaps can count from looking at the picture. Yeah, I could do this with the keets as well. But we had a visitor here one year shortly after some keets hatched and she looked at the swarm and said, "Oh, look -- you have 27 keets."
How in the world could she look and count like that???
So my latest question -- can anyone answer this? How do you count a moving mass of little bodies?? I have no idea whether we have 12 or 15 or 21 keets!
I ran into this same question with the recent hatch of chicks. I did take a photo and perhaps can count from looking at the picture. Yeah, I could do this with the keets as well. But we had a visitor here one year shortly after some keets hatched and she looked at the swarm and said, "Oh, look -- you have 27 keets."
How in the world could she look and count like that???
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Blessed and helpless
They probably go hand in hand.
This afternoon I noticed some of our guineas crossing the road. Not unusual, except there were a bunch of little things moving with them.
KEETS!
Headed for the tall grass across the road. Darn!
Blessed by the arrival of babies. We never know if a guinea has been lost to predators or is sitting on a clutch of eggs. I guess it was the eggs this time.
So I head out and around to herd them (flock them?) back toward the barn yard. I would feel most safe if I could get them all into a stall or bird pen for a few weeks.
I succeeded in getting them turned and headed for the house and barn. Then I heard the peeps. Some of the keets were not with the rest of them and the adult guineas. Darn!!
I went over to the edge of the road and listened. I heard a peep or two and starting a useless and frustrating search, kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack. The grass there has not been cut for years, is long and thick and of course, the keets went silent when I moved.
Time for plan B. Herd the larger group of guins and keets back to the tall grass for a reunion. I succeeded with that however they entered in a slightly different place and headed off up the hillside. I saw one keet enter the field separate from the rest, and heard another, but couldn't find them. This is the helpless part. I stood there for 15 minutes, waiting to hear a peep-peep-peep to help me locate them in the jungle of grass. Nothing. Meanwhile the troop had moved on up the hill and out of my sight and earshot.
I took a risk. I suppose either way the same results. Maybe I should have kept the bunch close to home and shrugged my shoulders about the stragglers who would not survive on their own. Ha! Me? Shrug my shoulders when I have a chance to save some baby animals? Not likely!
I have no idea how many will show up tomorrow. The adults do group together, not sure why, but maybe they will share the protective roles out in the wilds tonight. And maybe I can herd them into the barn tomorrow and help keep safe and alive whatever keets survive this first night.
Helpless with no control over Mother Nature. Now that's the truth, isn't it!
This afternoon I noticed some of our guineas crossing the road. Not unusual, except there were a bunch of little things moving with them.
KEETS!
Headed for the tall grass across the road. Darn!
Blessed by the arrival of babies. We never know if a guinea has been lost to predators or is sitting on a clutch of eggs. I guess it was the eggs this time.
So I head out and around to herd them (flock them?) back toward the barn yard. I would feel most safe if I could get them all into a stall or bird pen for a few weeks.
I succeeded in getting them turned and headed for the house and barn. Then I heard the peeps. Some of the keets were not with the rest of them and the adult guineas. Darn!!
I went over to the edge of the road and listened. I heard a peep or two and starting a useless and frustrating search, kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack. The grass there has not been cut for years, is long and thick and of course, the keets went silent when I moved.
Time for plan B. Herd the larger group of guins and keets back to the tall grass for a reunion. I succeeded with that however they entered in a slightly different place and headed off up the hillside. I saw one keet enter the field separate from the rest, and heard another, but couldn't find them. This is the helpless part. I stood there for 15 minutes, waiting to hear a peep-peep-peep to help me locate them in the jungle of grass. Nothing. Meanwhile the troop had moved on up the hill and out of my sight and earshot.
I took a risk. I suppose either way the same results. Maybe I should have kept the bunch close to home and shrugged my shoulders about the stragglers who would not survive on their own. Ha! Me? Shrug my shoulders when I have a chance to save some baby animals? Not likely!
I have no idea how many will show up tomorrow. The adults do group together, not sure why, but maybe they will share the protective roles out in the wilds tonight. And maybe I can herd them into the barn tomorrow and help keep safe and alive whatever keets survive this first night.
Helpless with no control over Mother Nature. Now that's the truth, isn't it!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Our good mom
The bantam hen who conscientiously hatched out a dozen eggs earlier this summer (sure doesn't feel like summer tonight!) is sitting again. I estimate any new hatching should occur in about a week. I wonder if she'll catalyze the miracle again?
We have to rearrange some of the bird housing if she does. We put our two new blue peahens in the pen where the hen is broody. Hen is in a little gambrel hutch, peahens are either pacing the fence line or roosting as high as they can get.
The last hatch have taken to roosting in the larger peafowl pen where in fact they grew to a feathered and flying age in safety. The main bird predators here are hawks. So one night I will move each of those youngsters to another roost, and then move the peahens to that larger pen.
Some day I have to let the white peahen and her chick out of the barn. They've been living in a stall with a window, again for safety reasons. How will I know when the chick can fend for her/himself? I wonder if the hen/chick pair would share the peafowl pen with the new blues.
I know, pictures are in order!
We have to rearrange some of the bird housing if she does. We put our two new blue peahens in the pen where the hen is broody. Hen is in a little gambrel hutch, peahens are either pacing the fence line or roosting as high as they can get.
The last hatch have taken to roosting in the larger peafowl pen where in fact they grew to a feathered and flying age in safety. The main bird predators here are hawks. So one night I will move each of those youngsters to another roost, and then move the peahens to that larger pen.
Some day I have to let the white peahen and her chick out of the barn. They've been living in a stall with a window, again for safety reasons. How will I know when the chick can fend for her/himself? I wonder if the hen/chick pair would share the peafowl pen with the new blues.
I know, pictures are in order!
Bats!
So much is going on this time of year, however I am excited to have met two bats this evening flying 'round and 'round in the barn. I did net one of them long enough to have a little look at it then it figured out how to get free of the netting which was clearly too open to hold that clever creature.
RNB says they are probably looking for a cave to winter in. The barn would not be enough temperature protection for them -- sure, for tonight but not for the winter months. I hope they find someplace suitable.
We are being visited by young skunks, probably also looking for a winter home. I can tell when a new one arrives because the dry cat food -- left out for our barn cat -- disappears much faster than her usual consumption rate. So I put out the have a heart trap and the next day ask RNB to please relocate the guest.
They are cute. Too bad they eat cat food, bird food, and raw eggs, not to mention their unwelcome odor should I surprise them!
RNB says they are probably looking for a cave to winter in. The barn would not be enough temperature protection for them -- sure, for tonight but not for the winter months. I hope they find someplace suitable.
We are being visited by young skunks, probably also looking for a winter home. I can tell when a new one arrives because the dry cat food -- left out for our barn cat -- disappears much faster than her usual consumption rate. So I put out the have a heart trap and the next day ask RNB to please relocate the guest.
They are cute. Too bad they eat cat food, bird food, and raw eggs, not to mention their unwelcome odor should I surprise them!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Addendum
More young life on the farm discovered this morning.
Imagine my surprise when I headed out toward the barn's side door to pick some grass for the caged birds, and suddenly smelled something -- well, yucky smelling! I had passed into this narrow walkway in the barn without having a look at the hav-a-heart cages lining the passage. They have been empty for weeks, maybe months.
But not this morning! A young skunk was startled by my approach and did what it knows best to do to discourage any animal who threatens -- accidentally or intentionally -- its well-being. Sprayed!
Yuck! Pee-eww!
It's more of a musky smell like the weasel family makes, and it got me on my left knee. Pants quickly into the wash with a good dollop of Nature's Miracle added to the detergent, knee scrubbed and clean pants donned.
What is amazing is that RNB can't smell this new perfume I'm sporting despite the change of clothes and washing. It is unusual for me to envy him his loss of olfactory senses, but today I do!
Imagine my surprise when I headed out toward the barn's side door to pick some grass for the caged birds, and suddenly smelled something -- well, yucky smelling! I had passed into this narrow walkway in the barn without having a look at the hav-a-heart cages lining the passage. They have been empty for weeks, maybe months.
But not this morning! A young skunk was startled by my approach and did what it knows best to do to discourage any animal who threatens -- accidentally or intentionally -- its well-being. Sprayed!
Yuck! Pee-eww!
It's more of a musky smell like the weasel family makes, and it got me on my left knee. Pants quickly into the wash with a good dollop of Nature's Miracle added to the detergent, knee scrubbed and clean pants donned.
What is amazing is that RNB can't smell this new perfume I'm sporting despite the change of clothes and washing. It is unusual for me to envy him his loss of olfactory senses, but today I do!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
New life in July
Nothing like some new life to brighten my life.
This is not one of our farm animals, however it is young and has made a home here. We will be trying to relocate it to prevent garden devastation!
Our Nigerian Dwarf goats have been popping! So far, two sets of twins from earlier this month, and one single born yesterday.
Doeling twins and mom. (I had a naming game last winter for our unnamed goats however this gal never got a name. Suggestions are welcome!)
Joanie and her buckling twins.
Bliz's buckling, who looks identical to Bliz's last buckling.
It's fun when Bliz has kids because she was a bottle baby and is tame. So it's pretty easy to get close to her babies.
The hen who hatched a dozen eggs -- they are all thriving. They love it when I bring them a fresh handful of grass and weeds.
This picture of them makes me feel dizzy! Soon we will let them out of confinement as the chicks are feathered and starting to fly.
I've been watching our white peahen sitting on three eggs in the raspberry patch. I should call it a raspberry tangle due to our lack of pruning for a few years. Great spot to hide a nest! Yesterday I noticed the nest was empty and some shell pieces strewn here and there. A fox disaster? This morning I saw the pea hen resting in one of our outside pens. Thinking she might be injured as well as exhausted from her broody time, I brought her some food. She got up to come eat and oh-my-oh-my-oh-my, she was sitting over one live peachick! Very exciting indeed and let's all put out good thoughts for this little one's ongoing survival! Thanks!
This is not one of our farm animals, however it is young and has made a home here. We will be trying to relocate it to prevent garden devastation!
Our Nigerian Dwarf goats have been popping! So far, two sets of twins from earlier this month, and one single born yesterday.
Doeling twins and mom. (I had a naming game last winter for our unnamed goats however this gal never got a name. Suggestions are welcome!)
Joanie and her buckling twins.
Bliz's buckling, who looks identical to Bliz's last buckling.
It's fun when Bliz has kids because she was a bottle baby and is tame. So it's pretty easy to get close to her babies.
The hen who hatched a dozen eggs -- they are all thriving. They love it when I bring them a fresh handful of grass and weeds.
This picture of them makes me feel dizzy! Soon we will let them out of confinement as the chicks are feathered and starting to fly.
I've been watching our white peahen sitting on three eggs in the raspberry patch. I should call it a raspberry tangle due to our lack of pruning for a few years. Great spot to hide a nest! Yesterday I noticed the nest was empty and some shell pieces strewn here and there. A fox disaster? This morning I saw the pea hen resting in one of our outside pens. Thinking she might be injured as well as exhausted from her broody time, I brought her some food. She got up to come eat and oh-my-oh-my-oh-my, she was sitting over one live peachick! Very exciting indeed and let's all put out good thoughts for this little one's ongoing survival! Thanks!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Knock, knock. Who's there?
Sunday afternoon. A knock at the door. I look out the window as I approach the door. State Trooper? Hmm, I wonder if someone else has complained about our birds in the road. Free range birds -- just can't control them!
Trooper: "I was driving by and heard a loud screaming and thought I would make sure everything is alright."
Me: "Oh, I bet you heard one of our peacocks. They sound just like a person in distress."
Trooper looks around, unsure, eyes bugging a little as if it's his first day on the job, maybe his first cold call after suspecting domestic violence.
Trooper: "Sorry to bother you, M'am."
Me: "Oh, I'm glad you stopped and checked this out, glad you were concerned when you heard that noise."
I wonder how he'll write this up in his report today!
Trooper: "I was driving by and heard a loud screaming and thought I would make sure everything is alright."
Me: "Oh, I bet you heard one of our peacocks. They sound just like a person in distress."
Trooper looks around, unsure, eyes bugging a little as if it's his first day on the job, maybe his first cold call after suspecting domestic violence.
Trooper: "Sorry to bother you, M'am."
Me: "Oh, I'm glad you stopped and checked this out, glad you were concerned when you heard that noise."
I wonder how he'll write this up in his report today!
The latest surprise
Another spotted fuzzy thing in the field. Smaller than the others. Huh?
I'll get a picture. Lovely coloring from what I could tell. Our surprise summer baby created a surprise summer baby. Seasonal genetics? Not likely. Probably just a chance winter breeding, obviously just before we sold our ram!
A four horned lamb out of a four horned ewe (Fine Fettle Sueprize), out of a four horned ewe (Fine Fettle Gilda) who also gave us a four horned lamb (won't be registered but named George) earlier this year. I'm curious about the genetic strength of four horns in some ewes versus the others.
The bad news: this new lamb appears (from a distance) to be a ram lamb. The good news: one less lovely ewe we'd be tempted to keep! The bad news: we were likely to cull the ewe as her upright horns are much too forward. The good news: she produced a very nice colored lamb and having given us one of the few superb-for-spinning fleeces this year, she may have procured a slot in our flock.
On another note regarding the Jacobs, we have decided to buy Betty Berlenbach's nice two horned ram, Unzicker Captain. His breeder, Royal Unzicker, bought one of our older ewes last fall, and now we'll have some of his bloodlines in our flock. Captain has coloring we like and very nice fleece.
I guess it's time RNB and I sat down and figured out how many ewes we want in our flock, and consider selling some if we are not going to keep them all. I do wish it were easier to photo these sheep -- that's my current excuse for not getting them registered yet! I have named them all, secured our farm prefix with the JSBA, and tracked all the bloodline info I can regarding the rams we've had here over the years. It's those photos that are holding me up, I must admit!
This is from earlier in the year. It's not raining right now so maybe I'll go take some pictures of the new arrival.
I'll get a picture. Lovely coloring from what I could tell. Our surprise summer baby created a surprise summer baby. Seasonal genetics? Not likely. Probably just a chance winter breeding, obviously just before we sold our ram!
A four horned lamb out of a four horned ewe (Fine Fettle Sueprize), out of a four horned ewe (Fine Fettle Gilda) who also gave us a four horned lamb (won't be registered but named George) earlier this year. I'm curious about the genetic strength of four horns in some ewes versus the others.
The bad news: this new lamb appears (from a distance) to be a ram lamb. The good news: one less lovely ewe we'd be tempted to keep! The bad news: we were likely to cull the ewe as her upright horns are much too forward. The good news: she produced a very nice colored lamb and having given us one of the few superb-for-spinning fleeces this year, she may have procured a slot in our flock.
On another note regarding the Jacobs, we have decided to buy Betty Berlenbach's nice two horned ram, Unzicker Captain. His breeder, Royal Unzicker, bought one of our older ewes last fall, and now we'll have some of his bloodlines in our flock. Captain has coloring we like and very nice fleece.
I guess it's time RNB and I sat down and figured out how many ewes we want in our flock, and consider selling some if we are not going to keep them all. I do wish it were easier to photo these sheep -- that's my current excuse for not getting them registered yet! I have named them all, secured our farm prefix with the JSBA, and tracked all the bloodline info I can regarding the rams we've had here over the years. It's those photos that are holding me up, I must admit!
This is from earlier in the year. It's not raining right now so maybe I'll go take some pictures of the new arrival.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
New life
One bantam mix hen went broody, and because she created her clutch someplace other than where I collect eggs each day, we decided to let nature run her course and see what happened.
A few days ago I noticed the hen had a different look about her, no longer that spaced out broody look. She was alert. So I was alert, too. The next morning I could see a few downy little heads peeking out from under the hen's puffed up presence. The following morning we figured she'd had 24 hours to hatch all the best eggs, and we moved her and her brood to a safer place. Twelve chicks, cute as can be of course!
Here she is just before we moved them. It amazes me that she can warm, hide, and protect a dozen chicks under her small body!!
A few days ago I noticed the hen had a different look about her, no longer that spaced out broody look. She was alert. So I was alert, too. The next morning I could see a few downy little heads peeking out from under the hen's puffed up presence. The following morning we figured she'd had 24 hours to hatch all the best eggs, and we moved her and her brood to a safer place. Twelve chicks, cute as can be of course!
Here she is just before we moved them. It amazes me that she can warm, hide, and protect a dozen chicks under her small body!!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Recent sightings
I love the signs of wildlife around here, and I love when I meet some of the locals in person.
Skunk with really wide white markings, freshly caught in the barn.
Local skunk removal service.
Moose print next to the pond, compared to my "women's size 9" muck boot.
A woodcock sitting in the road.
The turtle I moved to the pond, before she wandered off.
Skunk with really wide white markings, freshly caught in the barn.
Local skunk removal service.
Moose print next to the pond, compared to my "women's size 9" muck boot.
A woodcock sitting in the road.
The turtle I moved to the pond, before she wandered off.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Spring is sprung
Spring is sprung and the grass is greening. The sheep are finding the new growth irresistible and hopefully, nutritious as well. Another week of warmth and sun and I'll probably stop feeding out hay to them for the season. Hurrah!
I was very excited to find moose tracks right into the pond! The water was clear, the ice is gone, and in my walk around the perimeter, I noted two places where a moose had walked into the pond and out again, leaving some prints in the mud/silt bottom, and some prints along the bank.
Some day I will see one a local moose not just the hoof prints.
I was very excited to find moose tracks right into the pond! The water was clear, the ice is gone, and in my walk around the perimeter, I noted two places where a moose had walked into the pond and out again, leaving some prints in the mud/silt bottom, and some prints along the bank.
Some day I will see one a local moose not just the hoof prints.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Lambing season
We have lambs. Jacob lambs. I love their spotted little bodies and the amazing life energy that flows through their little growing bodies.
This season has brought sorrow though. I do not know how the ewes feel, only how I feel. We have had stillborn lambs and just today I found the small runt (survivor of twins or triplets, I may never know) dead at three days old. Between times of flowing tears, I question what could I have done differently to prevent each of these deaths.
Mostly I hope my excitement about the thriving lambs will replace the sorrow I feel this morning.
From the apparent width of some ewes, there are more lambs coming. Spring is a time of inherent hopefulness as Mother Nature brings new life in a myriad of ways.
Here are some pictures of the newcomers to our Jacob flock:
Marilyn and her ewe lamb, Magnolia
Bettina and her ewe lamb, Begonia (also pictured are side of Sasha and head of Mandy)
Izzy (Isabella) and her now deceased ewe lamb, Ivy
This season has brought sorrow though. I do not know how the ewes feel, only how I feel. We have had stillborn lambs and just today I found the small runt (survivor of twins or triplets, I may never know) dead at three days old. Between times of flowing tears, I question what could I have done differently to prevent each of these deaths.
Mostly I hope my excitement about the thriving lambs will replace the sorrow I feel this morning.
From the apparent width of some ewes, there are more lambs coming. Spring is a time of inherent hopefulness as Mother Nature brings new life in a myriad of ways.
Here are some pictures of the newcomers to our Jacob flock:
Marilyn and her ewe lamb, Magnolia
Bettina and her ewe lamb, Begonia (also pictured are side of Sasha and head of Mandy)
Izzy (Isabella) and her now deceased ewe lamb, Ivy
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Welcome, Snowcap!
That's his name. A mostly white buckling was born last night in one of our latest frequent snow falls. I heard his mother (who really needs a proper name!) crying out when I was doing late evening chores, and checking on her, I was fortunate to witness this little fellow's arrival. This morning when I checked his gender, I noticed what looks like a round tan circle on his head! Hence his name. First and only buckling of this go round of kids.
Meanwhile the barn bunch of kids are doing well. I weaned off the heat lamp a few nights ago, and they are starting to nibble on the pellets I put out for the doe/mom of triplets who is in the barn with her three and one of Brownie's twins. I think this doe will be named Joanie -- Roanie Joanie. I did pretty well naming the ewes, slowly getting names for the does. "Bottle Baby" and "Baby's Baby" are a little feeble, ya think?
Here is the crew in the barn, taken a couple of days ago. From left to right: Joanie, Daisy, Spike, Dancer, and Teacup.
Meanwhile the barn bunch of kids are doing well. I weaned off the heat lamp a few nights ago, and they are starting to nibble on the pellets I put out for the doe/mom of triplets who is in the barn with her three and one of Brownie's twins. I think this doe will be named Joanie -- Roanie Joanie. I did pretty well naming the ewes, slowly getting names for the does. "Bottle Baby" and "Baby's Baby" are a little feeble, ya think?
Here is the crew in the barn, taken a couple of days ago. From left to right: Joanie, Daisy, Spike, Dancer, and Teacup.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Side-tracked by pictures
After responding at the Sugar Mountain Farm blog (http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog) about my camera, I am uploading one of the first digital photos I took. I was living in Maine at the time -- July 2003 -- on my little acreage which I privately called Cherimoya Farm, and yes, there is a story there.
I had a landscaped pool in my back yard, adjacent to the deck off the master bedroom. I loved the chorus of frogs on that piece of earth, and had the opportunity to create this pond in hopes it would attract more music makers. Which it did.
Here is one who took up residence and soothed my soul. A frog in fine fettle!
I had a landscaped pool in my back yard, adjacent to the deck off the master bedroom. I loved the chorus of frogs on that piece of earth, and had the opportunity to create this pond in hopes it would attract more music makers. Which it did.
Here is one who took up residence and soothed my soul. A frog in fine fettle!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Growing kids
We have the unusual situation of bottle feeding three kids at the same time. Which on the bright side means I get to witness their growth and changes up close and personal! Born January 1, 4, and 7, they are now 2-3 weeks old. All have budding horns and I have to wonder if they have that itch and nag feeling similar to when teeth come in. Anyone remember that lovely experience from childhood?
We also have sold three of the kids: two of these bottle babies and one mother-nursed sibling. They will stay here until weaning time of the nursing kid. This is another unusual situation as we've kept in the barn the mother of triplets (one she is nursing and two we are feeding) and the rejected twin of another doe. So this mother nursed kid has become brave and cavalier around me when I'm in there feeding and is accepting my touch, as long as I don't come directly toward her head with my hand. Best deal is when she is scrunching under my knees and I can give her back a good scratching. I'm trying to think ahead to their future life as milk goats. That steers me to be touching them a lot so they are used to being handled.
I am getting better at preparing them for adulthood in another way. Deterring them from jumping into my lap. This is hard to do because they are still in the totally cute baby animal stage! But I know it's not fair to allow some behaviors now then scold them later for the same thing. Their new owner would suffer if she got her kids and they were convinced of their rights to jump up on anybody!
So, today would be a good day to take more pictures of these little darlings. And email an ad to the It's Classifieds for the unsold bottle baby who really could go anytime to an owner who wants to bottle feed the new kid.
We also have sold three of the kids: two of these bottle babies and one mother-nursed sibling. They will stay here until weaning time of the nursing kid. This is another unusual situation as we've kept in the barn the mother of triplets (one she is nursing and two we are feeding) and the rejected twin of another doe. So this mother nursed kid has become brave and cavalier around me when I'm in there feeding and is accepting my touch, as long as I don't come directly toward her head with my hand. Best deal is when she is scrunching under my knees and I can give her back a good scratching. I'm trying to think ahead to their future life as milk goats. That steers me to be touching them a lot so they are used to being handled.
I am getting better at preparing them for adulthood in another way. Deterring them from jumping into my lap. This is hard to do because they are still in the totally cute baby animal stage! But I know it's not fair to allow some behaviors now then scold them later for the same thing. Their new owner would suffer if she got her kids and they were convinced of their rights to jump up on anybody!
So, today would be a good day to take more pictures of these little darlings. And email an ad to the It's Classifieds for the unsold bottle baby who really could go anytime to an owner who wants to bottle feed the new kid.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Jan 4th -- more new life!
Our agouti doe finally did it. She has looked pregnant for months! I found her with twins around 1:30 just before I headed out for a dentist appointment. All looked well, still wet but in the sun with momma licking them both.
What a surprise when I checked them later and found yet another one! Two white with black and one white with rusty red. At the later evening check I decided the youngest one was too weak and chilled to stay out in the goat house with momma and her sisters. So she is in for the night, for warmth and supplemental feed. We'll see tomorrow if her mother will take her back. We had a doe take back a kid last winter and were extremely grateful for that. But that was a single and this is the smallest of triplets. We shall see what tomorrow brings.
What a surprise when I checked them later and found yet another one! Two white with black and one white with rusty red. At the later evening check I decided the youngest one was too weak and chilled to stay out in the goat house with momma and her sisters. So she is in for the night, for warmth and supplemental feed. We'll see tomorrow if her mother will take her back. We had a doe take back a kid last winter and were extremely grateful for that. But that was a single and this is the smallest of triplets. We shall see what tomorrow brings.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New life in the New Year
We've been waiting a long time for new kids. If you'd asked me, I would have said for sure two would birth in August. Wrong. But today I heard a new sound from the goats -- that little voice of a youngster!
Our youngest Nigerian Dwarf doe had a little lookalike doeling.
I checked in throughout the day and evening to see that her momma was tending to her properly. I'm less than fully confident with this doe as her mother was a bottle baby, and did not pass along the diligent mothering qualities usually evident in this breed. So far so good.
This is her, on the left, with her mother, in the summer months.
Now we're on watch for the other does to kid. Two of them look mighty ready!
Our youngest Nigerian Dwarf doe had a little lookalike doeling.
I checked in throughout the day and evening to see that her momma was tending to her properly. I'm less than fully confident with this doe as her mother was a bottle baby, and did not pass along the diligent mothering qualities usually evident in this breed. So far so good. This is her, on the left, with her mother, in the summer months.
Now we're on watch for the other does to kid. Two of them look mighty ready!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
