Far, Far Away......

Today, in Camas Washington, a trailer drove up to a picturesque farm and an exchange was made. Eight Cascade Farmstead sheep, 5 ewes and 3 rams, were tucked safely away into a private pen for transport. The sheep are now en route to northern Minnesota where they will make their new home. Estimated Time of Arrival - Monday!

To learn more about Cascade Farmstead sheep visit this (http://www.greenerpasturesfarm.com/) web page. To be continued....

Where are they?

We went out to the chicken coop at dusk today and the chickens and guineas were nowhere to be seen. I don't know why, and I don't know how, but they had all decided to put themselves away for the night! Hurray!

Pasture Progress

The new pasture is coming along nicely.


It is full of chopped trees with goat/sheep high edible leaves as well as weeds, grass, and bountiful patches of random sod.


It is dotted with rocks and trees that create a calm atmosphere for the local diners.


The fence falls outside a few large mounds that we hope the goats and sheep will enjoy.

Progress

We are making progress on the new sheep barn. This thing is a lot bigger than I expected. We should have no problems with hay storage. The completed building will be 20'x16'.


This thing is going to take forever to paint. It is sorely needed as at dusk this evening we got to listen to a pack of coyotes howl their way through the woods directly behind our house. The sheep will need to be tucked safely away every night, plus the barn will help keep them warm this winter.


It is coming together faster than scheduled, possibly due to unexpected help.


Who knew Chip was so handy with tools?


Addison barking out directions!


The end of a long day of construction.

Sheep Barn Prep

Several weeks ago I thought the site for the sheep shed was ready, especially after we had someone come in and remove all the stumps. Turns out that the area was too wet and soft for the size building we had in mind, so we either had to pick a different spot or improve the building area. The improvement wasn't in the budget, but we almost had no choice, so in came the dump trucks hauling dirt. Our backyard had always been low, so a sand roadway had to be put in so the dump trucks wouldn't bury themselves. The dirt mountain to the right is top soil that will be set once the lumber trucks finish their deliveries. The soil will be seeded and hopefully the grass will take before the onset of winter.


The basic outline of the sheep shed was put in place today. The amount of clearing that has taken place is amazing. The fence is about 1/3 complete, a few trees still need to come down before it can be finished. Approximately two weeks before the sheep arrive, will we be ready?

Cooped Up

The chickens and guineas are big enough for us to move them out of the garage hatchery and into the coop. The coop compound consists of; one Amish built chicken coop, dog kennel panels, chicken wire, and bird mesh (over the top of everything.


We added 12" of chicken wire around the bottom to discourage the fowl from trying to squeeze out, as well as hopefully slowing down anything trying to get in. We used black outdoor zipties to attach the wire to the panels. Black is supposed to reduce brittleness due to UV damage.


Addison checks out the construction work and approved. On a sad note Addison's last date of possible birth was July 4th so it looks like no kids, milk, or cheese this year - drat.


Old railroad ties line areas that have mild uneven terrain, again hopefully to discourage invaders and escapees.


The enclosed area has some wood chips, rocks, and a lot of grass. It is amazing how fast the fowl have mowed down the grass. I wonder if the whole area is going to become a barren wasteland?


The chickens and guineas begin the day in the coop, but not even rain can get them to go back in. How do we train them to go back home for the night? Until they learn we have to go in and catch them and put them away.

The coop area is pretty secure yet yesterday a Lavender Guinea managed to escape and was frantically trying to get back in. Don't they know it is dangerous out here?

Parading Around

We have been very busy around here lately and I have regrettably been neglecting the blog. Chip is leash trained and is very handsome, so as fate would have it he was invited to march in the town parade - representing a local Congressional candidate.
I was very hesitant and protective, but I brought water bottles with nipples, goat treats, and a wagon to pull him if he got tired.


Chip did fantastic, everyone loved him. I could hear kids in the crowd yelling; "Look at the cute goat!" On Tuesday July 6th the Commander met four Australians at the airport and he asked them if they enjoyed their visit. Their reply surprised him, they told him about how they went to a 4th of July parade and saw the cutest little goat! They even showed him pictures that they took. They told him Chip was the highlight of the parade for them.

I don't know what I was thinking but I was convinced to take Chip to a second parade the next day. Chip again was a huge hit, he even let some children pet him. Chip finished off the day by visiting the retirement home at the end of the parade route. Chip's exploits got him filmed by the local TV broadcast crew. Chip is now retired until labor day.


At one point I rocked Chip in my arms like a little baby and he drifted off to sleep, breaking the hearts of everyone who saw me holding him.