April 2011
Failing Animal Husbandry 101
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| Dino working on kid's pen |
April started off full of prenatal preparations for Cinnamon's up-coming change to 'Cinnamommy'. Dino has been busy at the barn building the kidding pen and milking stand, and I've been researching goat birthing in preparation for the big day.
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| Feta + Cinnamon doing some quality control |
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| midwifery station |
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| milking stand |
There are different schools of thought regarding rearing kids, much the same for humans... We're going for bottle rearing rather than letting the kids suckle. Let me be clear that the kids still receive their own mother's milk - you milk the doe and then feed the kids from a bottle. Clearly this represents WAY more work as you're feeding those kids 3-4 per day, but it should make the weaning process much easier as the purpose of dairy goats on our farm, apart from how cute they are, is to have milk. If you are planning on keeping dairy goats I highly recommend the book 'Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats' by Jerry Belanger as well as http://fiascofarm.com/ which is a fabulous on line resource for all things goaty. Cinnamon's due date was April 17th, so in preparation for my trial by fire midwifery I'd cut my nails and shaved her butt - ya well that's life on the farm. The 17th came and went, and no babies. Another week, then another, and well I guess she really was just FAT and not pregnant!!! I've heard down the valley grape vine that there are several other 'hysterical pregnancies' around for goats and cows so not feeling too bad about it. I just reckon we're extra prepared for next year's breeding season!
The Boys Arrive
As we didn't end up with kids, we offered to 'kid sit' a few of our friend's male kids. The reality of the dairy industry is you generally don't keep the boys - well you keep them, but in the freezer. Regardless of where they will end up it's our job to give them a good life whatever the length.
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| the boys arrive |
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the kids settling in
That Potato Wants Out Time to plant those potatoes - the first veggie we get in the ground. I wasn't going to plant Russian Blues this year as I seem to be their only fan, but some of last years were so keen to grow they were sprouting right out of the potato sack they were stored in. |
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February 2011
Sock it to Me!!!
I never really appreciated the time and effort that went into those hand knit socks my Nana made for me when I was young. If you want to REALLY appreciate something, then try doing it yourself! I chose a fairly basic sock pattern, bought some nice 'manly' wool and got to work on my first pair of socks, which would be a gift for Dino. There was unpicking, bad language, tennis elbow and advise from my Thread Guild gals, but finally the socks were done. Dino, having witnessed my struggles and confused mutterings (what exactly is turning a heel)for quite some time was very appreciative to receive his very comfortable, well fitting pair of socks.
I wrestled the aforementioned manly socks off Dino to wash them. They went into the washing machine but I wasn't going to have them ruined in the dryer so choose to let them air dry. The next morning I got up and noticed the socks weren't quite dry so thought 'hey I'll just put them near the furnace to finish them off'.
Well finish them off the furnace did! As I sat upstairs with Rooster, Trout and Missy enjoying my morning ritual (a pot of tea and knitting for an hour before heading out to the barn)I could smell something - some smell that I did not recognize. I went downstairs to check on the furnace... In horror I saw my 50 hours of hard labour blackened and smoking.
I grabbed the socks and threw them out into the snow as if the pristine whiteness would restore them. I then promptly burst into tears and used every expletive known to humankind. Note to self - there is a reason you don't put ANYTHING near a wood burning furnace!
ps The socks have been re-knit...
Rooster the Kleptomaniac
Turns out Rooster has a penchant for unique acquisitions. Our neighbour's house is quite near our front field and Rooster likes to slip under the fence when I'm doing chores and help himself to goodies from their porch.
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| Goodies... (Not the wine). |
After collecting the stolen goods, and removing the paw prints all items have been returned with a token of apprecition from Rooster for the 'loan'.
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| Token |
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November 2010
The Girls Have Their 'date'...
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| Everet takes a sniff of Cinnamon |
Well 'date' is probably not really the correct term - I was thinking dirty weekend, but from what I hear a dirty second is more the correct time frame for the lovemaking of our goat friends! Cinnamon and Feta have been hollaring their fool heads off - that and a few other signs indicate they are ready for a little of Everet's sweet loving - again 'sweet loving' is probably not overly accurate. Everet is Gabby and Dave's new buck and he has a job to do... Off we went, lit the candles, opened some wine (ok that was for us)and let goats do what goats do.
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The 'romantic interlude' was so
fast I didn't have time to focus!!! |
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| Rooster on the loose |
Rooster Update
Nothing like having the Rail Trail on your doorstep when you have an exhuberant and energetic puppy like Rooster. He just loves the freedom to do his doggy thing.
Rooster, like most puppies, has a penchant for tasting all manner of poop. Horse, goat, chicken, elk, deer, goose, bear are all on his 'sampler menu' (thankfully he draws the line at dog. That being said he also eats his fair share of charcoal so I guess he knows what's best. Note to all - DON'T LET DOGS LICK YOUR FACE!!!
Tough Lesson for this City Girl
I'll admit it - sometimes I live in a world of my own where everyone gets along and there are no problems la la la... Ok - reality check here at the farm - goats with horns know how to use them! As Winston and Blunt have gotten older, stronger, and more obnoxious they have also got several new nicknames, 'freezer boys' and 'meat bags' to name a few. Being that I got them (perhaps somewhat naively...) for cashmere and that I've been a vegetarian since 1988 the decision to put them in the freezer has been a tough one. We've built them a seperate pen in 'goat grotto' and tried many things to stop them from goring me and the girls at every opportunity. My reason for being a vegetarian has always been how animals are treated up until the moment they are quickly and humanely dispatched. Well I tell you what, these boys have had a wonderful life - walks to the beach, eating ALL my flowers... Our neighbour, Luc, who has experience with livestock came over to help Dino with the dispatching. It was quick, painless and on our property - no stress no drama. That being said I still left the property in tears beforehand, but if you are working your way to self-sufficicney this is the reality. I appreciate both those goats for the experience they gave us and the lessons on my journey from vegetarian to ethicatarian. Plus, quite frankly they are very tasty.
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| Not sure who this is, Winston or Blunt |
Kippen Plucker
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| You even get a Diploma |
Our backroad friends Luc and Linda are from Belgiam. Since Luc helped disatched the goats, we're returning the favour and helping them with their chickens. They were impressed that I came to help but now that I'm an 'ethicatarian' thought in for a penny in for a pound. I stuck to plucking and Kippen Plucker is Dutch for Chicken Plucker.
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October 2010
Happy Halloween!!!
Even though we don't get trick or treaters, although I have seen some impressive elk costumes meander through the property, it is always good to have a few pumpkins on hand. These are destined for the soup pot.
Heat Seeking Rooster
You can always count on a puppy to find the warmest patch in the house.
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| Such a tiny guy |
Rooster's First Burn
Hanging out with Rooster by the burn pile makes you understand how mankind and our canine friends got together in the first place. I don't think the novelty of sitting around the fire on our own property will ever wear off - apparently it's still frowned upon in the city.
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| Seems to get the idea |
Hoarder in the House
I keep finding 'stashes' around the house. There were split peas in my winter boots, lentils under the mattress and now corn in my steamer! Some little creature is going to be dissapointed when it comes back for its' treasure to find it has been robbed!
What do you mean 'egg shaped'?
The 'Bruces' have started laying and their first eggs are surprisingly small - so cute but make for a rather tiny omlette! Another thing about eggs is that they are not all 'egg shaped'. They have to fit in a carton at the supermarket but here, they just have to fit into the frying pan.
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September 2010
Rooster arrives…
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| Rooster |
We've been sans pooch for a few years now, and living on an acreage in the country it seems like something is missing without a dog... especially when we go to the barn in the dark! I have been spending some time surfing on various animal adoption agency's websites looking for a suitable candidate. I leave the profiles of dogs that I think might be a good match for us open on the computer for Dino to 'notice'. Well that computer must just turn itself off as there was never any mention of any of the furry faces staring out of the screen, until one day Dino said to me,(after viewing one of my lobbying efforts)'why don't you give them a call'. I called KAAP http://www.homes4animals.com/ and made an appointment to see two, 9 week old Rottweiler/German Shepherd crosses. Just knowing we were going to meet some puppies had me running to the book shop to buy Cesar Milan's http://www.cesarsway.com/ 'How to Raise the Perfect Puppy. We went and met the two wee lads, did a little temperament testing and chose the more laid back fellow. When you have goats, chickens, horses and cats a gentle nature is a good start. Nuff said - we'd like to introduce you to our new puppy, Rooster.
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| Cutest puppy ever! |
Goat Grotto
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| Lumber for the future barn extensions |
We've been planning on building an extension to the barn since we moved here and now we finally have the time to do it. After weeks of building the Wash House and tent platform Dino was certainly ready for a bigger project. Using milled lumber from the tree felled in '09 from exactly the site the extension was to go up we began the work in the dry but it soon started to rain. You get use to that in Spring...and Fall, sigh! The left hand extension is to house the Goats and milking area. The right, happening next spring, will be for equipment storage, the bike and basic woodworking tools.
Left, marking out the piers. Right, putting them in. So far so good. Goats helped a bit.It is their future home after all. Apart from a few roots from the fallen tree digging was relatively easy. Using the milled wood, 6" x 6" we erected the framing that would support the roof.
The trusses are supported at the old barn side by a 4" x 6" piece of lumber that is bolted to the main vertical barn supports. Purlins next then the sheet metal can go up. Of course it started to rain.
The horses never seem to be bothered by the building going on around them. I'm getting used to roofing in the snow and rain.
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| Green Maggie after treatment |
The Red Green Show
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| Treatment begins |
Out at the chicken coop one day I noticed a lump on Green Maggie's foot. After doing a little research I came to the conclusion she had 'Bumble Foot'. The treatment is an iodine and sugar poltice - what the heck, I've polticed my horse's feet many a time - I think together Dino and I can handle a chicken!
The Harvest
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| Blueberries |
Although the garden didn't get as much attention as it should have this year, and there was a distinct lack of sun and an overabundance of rain, we were still able to put some food on the table! I think you learn more from your mistakes. The blueberries are great.
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| Our first Carrots |
To the left our first onions
and the right our first carrots....So next year's gonna rock!
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| Onions |
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