Friday, May 22, 2009

Kids~N~Pigs


As you can see, the kids are getting big. The oldest ones are just about 3 months now, and the youngest are 2 months. The meat goats are starting to put on some size, and the bucklings are getting tall.

Here's Ean and Blondie.

And sweet little Zeeba.


Hey wait, those aren't goats! Melissa and Tim had the pigs in the larger pasture for some excersize. Believe it or not, a 4H pig needs to be walked and kept in shape. That's a whole nother story!

The kids had never seen the pigs up close and personal. Sputnik was the brave member of the herd.
Oxford didn't seem to care. But then again, he is a pig!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Back Porch View

South Garden View

The woods behind the house



The moveable pasture is outback this week

The girls are enjoying being out all day on the fresh grass.

Monday, May 11, 2009

They're Back

I know it's really, truly spring when.....

*We start to see Hummingbirds. Usually right around the time that the crabapple trees are in bloom.

*The Baltimore Orioles return. They have a very specific, clear song that once you hear it you remember. Last year we were able to find their hanging nest. It came down in a wind storm that fall, and Tim found it in
the weeds. He brought it in for inspection, it's pretty neat!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Mr. Cluck Goes Home


After checking with my other chicken owning neighbor, the mystery
has been solved! Mr. Cluck lives on the corner of Rt. 62, and will be
returning home to his own flock today. I'm glad we found his owner,
it's been nice to hear him crow, but it's time for him to GO!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Mysterious Mr. Cluck

So, I'm in the barn last night doing chores. Peacefully milking goats, when the dogs start making a ruckus. Now Maddy isn't the brightest bulb in the box, but this was some serious barking.

I put down my pail and looked out the barn door. Imagine my surprise to see a ROOSTER!
After much pursuit by dogs and myself involving running, dodging tree branches and jumping over a fence, I cornered him and picked him up.

Only in the country do you find a stray rooster in your yard.
I have 2 neighbors with chickens. I packed Mr. Cluck into a carrier and took him to the neighbors to inquire...
"Pardon me ma'am, is this your rooster?"
1 neighbor was home, and he isn't hers. The other neighbor was away, I'll try later.
Only in the country will you have a stray rooster!




Thursday, May 7, 2009

Faces Only a Mother Could Love!

Leetle Friend taking a nap.

Oxford waking to *hopefully* find a treat.

Oxford is still looking for that treat.
Check out his eye..that is one of the things I actually don't like about pigs. To me their eyes look very much like ours. Kind of gives me the creeps.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

New Residents


Eunice Unihorn was very surprised to hear that we have some new residents on the farm.

They're small, fuzzy and awfully cute!

We ordered chicks with our neighbors.

Believe it or not, they actually come in the mail!
In a box, marked "Live Chicks" and you just stop by
the post office and pick them up.
They tell me that bees come that way too.
I think I'd rather get a box of chicks!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Spring Flowers

Here's what's blooming right now....

Short Iris

Tulips of several colors

Grape Hyacinth (they smell so good!)

And the end of the Daffodils

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Spring Pasture


Yesterday was the first day that I turned the girls out onto the fresh, spring grass.

You have to be careful on fresh, spring grass. Eating too much at once can cause digestive upset. Sort of like if a person eats too much rich food at one sitting.
Last spring I purchased some moveable electric fencing. I set it up in a different location around our yard each week. The girls get fresh grass, manure is nicely distributed, and part of my lawn gets mowed! One of the best purchases I've made.

They're all enjoying their pasture, and it's nice to see them outside.