Views of the farm...and more LONG READ

Our girls from one herd (71 cows)

On to the next herd....

36 girls here

Awww too cute I love this next picture!

67 calves so far! Today we found a cow with a "tag" showing us that she has calved, however her bag is huge, teats haven't been sucked and no baby in sight....we looked but never found the baby. Its such a large area, and they often calve in the woods, and with all the limbs down from the Ice Storm we had last month it's much harder to find where the momma has laid her calf down at...

I'm really tired of problems with our animals.

When I went to feed today King was limping something terrible again....*sigh*....we cleaned hooves, and placed him in the dry, straw bedded, barn for the night. Josh comes tomorrow at 7:30 am to trim his hooves and take a look at him, then it will be off to the Vet. Luckily it looks like he can be trailered tomorrow. If not, we'll have to call Dr. Mike on out again. I'm so disappointed, for one I want my boy to be feeling good and happy, for two I wanted to try riding if he was up to it.

This week has been a rough one. When I get off my sleep pattern I take awhile to get back on track. I take some meds that make me sleep and when I don't, its still in my system, so a deviation from routine is really hard. Besides being emotionally drained makes it even harder. I've had a hard time getting up and going back to sleep at night the last 2 days.

The stud muffin (aka Douglas) wrote Carlie (the girl he likes) a note and gave it to her:

Carlie,

I really like you.

Do you like me? (her answer was YES)

Douglas...insert phone number

(Calie left:)

Calie...insert phone number

I'm surprised he didn't have a check yes and no box! ;-)

Norm went to lease 3 bulls today (Angus), they will be delivered May 1st....to be added with the 3 we already have. I sure hope they are gentle.

I got some information and an order form for Chickens today. Now I have to decide on what to order! Now to decide what kinds to get.

Here is what they got:

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S - A profitable bird that is not quite so large. They lay for 12 months excellent livability during the growing and laying season; 245 eggs per hen per year.

RHODE ISLAND REDS- the preference for country-style eggs. Produces brown eggs (more profitable) 1 -being in most places, brown eggs bring a premium of tow to ten cents a dozen over white eggs. 2- the salvage of a heavy hen after she is through laying increases the total new profit per bird.

GOLDEN SEX-LINKS (COMETS)- Their best selling brown egg layers. Mature hens weight 5 1/2 lbs. 245-255 eggs per hen per year. Shell is a rich brown with excellent interior quality. Pullets hatch out a beautiful golden brown color but the cockerel chicks are a creamy white. They dress out clean with no dark pinfeathers to detract from the appearance of the dressed bird.

WHITE LEGHORNS- Fast maturing, early laying. Excellent producers over long periods of time. require less feeds per dozen than the larger breeds. Shells are strong smooth and white. interior quality is unsurpassed. 98% free from blood spots means that the eggs are solid with pride and confidence. Producing 254 eggs per hen per year.

BUFF ORPINGTONS- Big beautiful gentle birds are a long favorite..brown eggs.

GOLDEN LACED WYANDOTTES- Similar to the Silver Wyandottes except coloring. Golden bay laced with greenish-black.

BLACK SEX-LINKS- dual purpose farm flock type breed. Mostly black when hatched, pullets mature into excellent layers of large brown eggs. Black with some red color on neck and breast. Cockerels resemble Barred Rocks.

ARAUCANAS- rare breed known as the Easter Egg Chicken. Not a large bird but in much demand for beautiful eggs..they actually do lay tinted eggs in the most surprising colors! - hmmmm I'll have to get these for the fun!

BLACK AUSTRALORPS- beautiful shiny black bird with greenish tint. Hens mature at 5 - 6 months and weigh approx 6 - 8 pounds, makes a nice fryer.

CORNISH CROSS- rapid-growing and efficient broiler. may expect a few black flecks in their white plumage. Brown Eggs.

BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS- Average lay 250 eggs per hen per year. Weighing 6 1/2 pounds at maturity. Big brown eggs of superb quality, those who raise declare they make the most delicious Sunday dinners over any other breed.

WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS- fast maturing, heavy bodied pullets, top production of large, brown premium grade eggs, when laying season over enjoy quality meat at low cost.

You can tell spring is closing in!

The March Lilly's have begun to bloom!

Soon I'll have a carpet of yellow covering my wild flower garden back in the woods.

Well, that's all I can think about for now to write about...OHHH thought of something else..I'll save that for tomorrow, this is long enough already!

Rae

Fencing Lesson 101 - 26 useful tips! *(or not)*

Lesson 1: Tire rims are no use for putting up a fence. However they do make a handy dandy stand for your fencing tools.....cows will appreciate you taking care of your tools.

Lesson 2: Tractor buckets are handy for carrying everything you need. Cattle like for you to be efficient on the job.

Lesson 3 : In winter mud use 4 wheel drive, otherwise cows will get a big kick out of you getting your truck stuck up to the fender well. That is not good.

Lesson 4: Have a masked helper keep an eye out for bovines that wish to destroy your newly put up fence.

Lesson 5: Be prepared to have gawking stares from the younger bovine....yes they think you are stupid.

Lesson 6: It is necessary to have an audience of calves, if not, you cannot perform your duties properly.
Lesson 7: Take a picture of your muck boots before entering the bovines domain...it will be the last time you can see them through the mud and poo...the bovine plan this to keep you away...dont let them foil you!

Lesson 8: The masked helper is on the bovines side...he is a terrorist (Yes Liz I have one too!) He has had his pockets lined by the new bovine.

Lesson 9: Always be prepared to have a pretty look on your face when said masked helper has your camera....the calves will take this photo for future enjoyment..probably pooing on it.

Lesson 10: who says you have to do anything the hard way when there is a perfectly good tractor to do the hard work for you, the calves will appreciate laughing at you from a distance if you try this! Trust me....we hoomans are the best entertainment to cattle.

Lesson 11:Do not take pictures of nerds trying to work, it will just amuse you to the point of no return and your laughter will not easily fade, there is much work to be done, do not fall into this temptation.

Lesson 12: Always have a masked helper around to give you a thumbs up, this will assure the calves that you do know what you are doing after all. Make sure the thumbs up is in clear view of all calves or they will argue about who did and didn't see the thumbs up signal!

Lesson 13: Calves must be aware that they are now the landlord and your eviction days are over, it is there job to clear out any unwanted pesky groundhogs. They wont like this, but dont take no for an answer!

lesson 14: Be sure to clear all unsightly trees from the paddock, female calves prefer flowers lining their fence rows!

Lesson 15: Yes miracles do happen occasionally....

Lesson 16: fences are a farmers friend...calves and cows see it as the enemy and they will promptly hate you as soon as they find out it is there.....

Lesson 17: Always have an audience to tell you what your doing wrong.

lesson 18: Dont forget to keep an eye out for interesting finds..such as this:

If anyone knows what kind of buggy thing made this rather large cocoon,

PLEASE tell me!!! It was about 2" long 1" in diameter.

Lesson 19: ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS have someone on hand who knows what they are doing, like the boss cow, she is full of useful information you may need to know...dont be afraid to ask, she will be willing to give you her opinion, and probably will even if you dont ask her!

Lesson 20: Sometimes you have to wade through a lot of poo to find a dropped fencing tool, calves think this is extremely funny and will try to amuse themselves with this trick...be very careful!

Lesson 21: ALWAYS wear your muck boots in the winter...or you get a shoe full of mud and give each cow a good laugh at you as you try to unstuck yourself from the goo.

Lesson 22: Close off all escape hatches from calves...or you will be spending a full day separating 73 cows from 20 calves! NOT FUN! Calves think that it is fun to run from you, their favorite game!

Lesson 23:Work until the sun goes down, or finished - which ever is last! Lesson 24: ALWAYS enjoy the view out of your office window!
Lesson 25: Walk softly and carry and big stick....oh no sorry not that one, Always try to stay on solid land or the masked helper may get swallowed in mud and disappear into the cold abyiss right before your eyes!

Lesson 26: Be careful when you download your pictures from the camera because you may end up doing something to loose the last 15 pictures that were taken!!! Like the one of my calf Oliver eating my glove off of my hand!!!! *WHINE* That may have been my last photo op with him!!!

So far this morning on the farm...

Now off to get my hair done!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today calls for a drastic hair make-over!......stay tuned!