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

Hi Ya'll!

Couldn't think of a good title for my post! So hi ya'll it is! LOL

Its been a busy weekend. Cleaning house, checking cows and calves, pulling a calf on Saturday, worrying about Georgia foaling, grocery shopping, out to eat with friends, soap soap and more soap, feeding the furries, ummm I think thats all for me in a nutshell!

Georgia, as I've told you in my last post, is very very close to foaling! I'm just so excited but I'm worried i'll miss the action! I cant wait to see Radish when he is born....You know - HorseRadish! LOL That still cracks me up. Leah definitely has a sense of humor doesnt she!

I didn't know it but I've got a bigger saddle for King already over here at the house! DUH moment again! (I've had a lot of those lately) sometimes I wonder where in the world I left my brain.

I havent taken any pictures lately, been so cold I've hated to go outdoors. I sure wish warmer weather would arrive! I just absolutely hate the cold.

So I've done a lot of indoor chores one of which is making soap, my kitchen smells sooooo good right now!

I think that Pepper takes Sundays off from laying, so far the last several Sundays there have been no eggs...it is the day of rest ya know! Silly bird!

Calf count:

28 babies in all as of 6:00pm today.

Three of which we have lost...which I've already posted about, and 1 cow was calving when we checked this evening, baby hasnt came yet, but she is an old pro and should have no problems at all so we arent too worried. We'll get another calf count tomorrow.

I'm really worn out but getting the munchies...bought a lot of healthy food at the grocery, veggies and fruit to snack on. My goal is 20 pounds in 90 days....I begin exercising on the treadmill tomorrow, and walking outside when its warm. Thinking I'll dig up my weight watchers stuff too. I've gained too much weight! I'm not happy about that at all.

our neighbor came by today to give me the KY goat registry. She is weird. She never comes outside, has a daughter that has been home schooled but only seen out of the house on two occasions, she is painting for a portfolio, but the mom told us today how she tells the girl how to lay out things and decide what to paint and how. The mom doesnt paint....hmmmm can you say controlling? An artist should never have to be told how and what to paint. She felt she had to tell me all about goats however, she isnt really informed, her way is totally different than my friends here, whom have healthy and happy goats and MUCH more info on raising them. She said she tried to breed but never mentioned if she had a live birth..I dont think she did by the way she talked. I was NOT impressed one bit, in fact she was really WEIRD, did I say that already, well she is weird enough to say it again. She is one of those people who know everything, and controls the conversation and her way is the only way. I cant tell you enough just how weird she is. LOL Okay onto something else.

Well actually, I have nothing else, I'm so tired and hungry I'm gonna eat some carrots and head for bed. I've read blogs this morning, but Blogger didn't co-operate and let me leave any comments, I hope to get by tomorrow and speak my peace! LOL

Arent you lucky! ha ha!

See ya guys soon!

Love
Rae

Torro Day 3/Mare Update/Calf count/Egg laying has stopped????

I was lucky enough to get a picture of the very first calf born this year! Can you see him??? Next are the first pictures of Torro taken, at a day old. What a cutie!!!!

Torro started out at just over a pint of milk, but wanted more. However not to shock his system and give him scours, we held off for two days feeding a watered down version of milk. He has acted like it wasnt enough so today tried him on a full bottle -full strength and sucked it down, wanting more! My goodness he will be an eater! This afternoon I gave him 1 1/2 bottles (3 quarts) and he filled up and only left a couple sucks of emptying the last bottle! He now knows who his mother is - ME- and follows me everywhere now. He finally got his legs last night, he looked bow legged at first and I was a little worried he had a deformity, but the straightened up good. I exercise him and get him to walk and run as much as I can. He helps me feed the rest of the barn. staying so close that when I stop I have a calf head running into my rear! LOL He jumped, kicking up his heels today for the first time! He is also getting some vitamines every 8 hours , 1/2 ounce due to size, its called Dairy and Beef Multi-Drench. So the critical part is over, unless he scours then its something to really watch, especially at this age, but he is very healthy and active and a great eater, good signs!
Pepper has now filled up a full carton of her cute little brown eggs! However she stopped laying for 3 days!! Any one know why??? Is this normal?

I have finally been by to see everyone, couldnt leave comments for a few, but I have been to everyone I follow! I'm so glad to have cought up!

I've had some new visitors and I want to tell you thanks for coming over to say hello! I hope you'll come back and visit some more! I'll come by and check out your blogs soon, tonight and tomorrow look to be busy....but I can't wait to check your little spot of the world out!

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Georgia Update:

We have approximately 2 1 1/2 weeks until she foals...Today her bag has really filled in, and she had some discharge. I wish I knew more what to look for...again any suggestions and info on a mare foaling?

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Calf Count

8 - On the Hill

7 - Poodles

5 - Heifers

Total as of 2/25 4:29pm = 20

Calf Lost (included in total above)

3

Making live calves

17

Calf Loss Reasons : 1- still birth

1- Buzzards

1- infection in navel area

Twin Count

1 set - Torro (rejected) and brother/buzzards

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So yes Kim they can and do sometimes have twins, not often..BUT there are exceptions to every rule. 2008 we had 5 sets of twins and mother took care of both twins, except for on - Oliver...which is one the main reason you get a bottle fed calf. 5 sets is ALOT, only sometimes to you get one..one of our bulls must be throwing twins. So we'll see how many more (if any) we get this year. last year we lost 13 calves - LARGE loss, but the twins help make up for that, and making it 8 loss - 4 or 5 is an average with this many cattle. Last year was super rough on them, the mud was just too much for those little calves.

We usually have a calf for every cow so we are expecting 170 calves...Next year we'll add 20 to that count..if we keep the heifer calves we want to keep this year. It all depends on the grain market.

Sold 20 of the heifer calves yesterday...smaller blacks and some of our Marchigiana mix whites. This is the dumbest thing...the feeder lots prefer an all black calf and will dock you for a white...HOW STUPID..they all eat the smae, but they say (supposedly) that all blacks eat more and gain more...hmmmm not sure on that at all.

Okay so here is the market:

Heifers averaging 430 pounds each brought 78.5 cents a pound (all blacks)

Heifers averaging 646 pounds each brought 75.5( mixed colors mostly blacks)

Thats the average we saw last night. Some heifers brought more than steers which is really differant steers bring more for the most part.

We are still feeding silage, but the mud has forced us out of the troughs and into the field laying it in wind rows and luckily the cows are eating it off the ground, in fact cleaning it up. Cows are fickle creatures, they often dont accept change - at least for a long time.

Well thats all for the report - Oh and Douglas made all A's and B's and Norm is WAY ahead of most who have had the same surgery....so the worry is gone that he will hurt himself...well at least my worry, it could still happen for a time he needs to be careful...Ha whatever, Norm Careful.

Dreaming of Summer...Blog STILL not updating!!!!AARRGGHH

I'm soooo frustrated with google blogger right now. I've been in the discussion rooms about how to fix something thats broken...The Blog Doctor has given me instructions that I have followed and still.....my updates are not showing up.....I dont know what else the "Blog Doctor" will suggest....maybe it'll get fixed....probably not...thats my luck.

We have put all the horses into the barns to get out of the nasty weather over the next few days. I'm not so much worried about the 4 over in another pasture....they are young and healthy and are more capable of handleing cold winds and even temps in the single digits...however..they dont have a shed to run in right now since we have the keeper heifers in the half of their lot that has the shed....so there is no protection from the cold wind, possible snow and rain or ice. But still...they are much younger and handle KY weather pretty good. But just in case, they are put up in the barn....its a good solid barn with no drafts so they are well protected...maybe will get bored...but out of the elements. King is another story all together due to his age, and of course little Jack is just a baby I dont know if he would withstand this cold front better or worse than the others, and since he is here at the house with King...he gets stalled up to. I'll allow those two to get out of their stalls and walk around in the barn a bit while I do some cleaning tomorrow so they hopefully wont be so bored and restless.

Norm and I fed cattle today, the keeper heifers and the 73 cows on the hill needed hay. The other bunches were all fine.

Funny thing...since we separated the Momma cows into two bunches...One pasture(Poodles-yes thats the name of that part of the farm) has 41 and the other (on the hill)had 71 for 2 or 3 months...now the hill has 73. Hmmm add water and multiply? LOL Guess there have been 2 hiding out. We always count cows all year to be sure there are no problems, a death, or illness. We count DAILY when its calving season....so how we missed those 2 are a mystery. Just like the little calf born a week before Christmas....how that immaculate birth happened we dont know. She had to have been bred the VERY last day the bulls were in which for us is odd since we had 2 bulls in that bunch that dont "miss". Oh well....at least we arent missing 2!

Tomorrow Norm has his Dr. check up...the first after his surgery. He is doing well, tomorrow making 2 weeks and he has been walking and working for a full week now! He doesnt have any pain...it just aches but he says more from the incisions than where they reconstructed his ACL that was snapped in two. I think he is doing exceptional. Lisa - I hope that your ACL repair will go just as well for you!!!!! ((((prayers are being said that that happens for you!!!))))

Well...not much to blog about....I'm feeling like $8@!, still have this fever thats lingered for over 2 months, its dreary so my mood isnt good to say the least, and I'm so freaking tired all the time its making me ill-tempered! Hopefully I'll get the whole blog thingy straightened out.

So gonna head out....

Red sky in the morning - Shepherds warning...

Peace-Rachel