Our Home is the Range

When we got the sheep last year I had no idea how much grazing land that they would need. The areas that we had ready for them were completely eaten down by the time Winter arrived and since they weren't partitioned the sheep didn't give the green growth much of a chance to blossom this spring so the areas they were living in were kinds of spots of desert in a sea of green.

With the fences going up over the summer we were able to open up more and more area until the electric netting can now be run from the corners of the house giving the sheep and goats the run of the entire (partially fenced) property. That includes the back yard.

Here is Jeepers minus her wool, notice the lack of greenery in the vicinity of the girls barn area.

This picture is taken from the deck, the lambs are in a hard to mow area right by the house and are taking care of the grass for us.

I can't believe how much they have grown.

The only real complete grassy area is the back yard, everything else is in transition from forest. Azalea is a real cutie.

Any trees that are cut down are left in place for a few days to provide a banquet for the four legged diners.

Alma is now almost as tall as her mother Jeepers.

The goats love to munch on leaves.

Becca Boo and the rest of the goat clan simply love to climb on the fallen trunks and crash through the branches.

Here is a view from the back deck, it is just so relaxing to watch the animals graze. I never would have imagined that I would one day have sheep, goats, guineas, and chickens all cavorting happily in my back yard.

Night Terror

Our Guinea couple is still keeping a nest...just barely. During the day the Guinea boy keeps a close eye on his mate when she is sitting the nest, and when she is out foraging he sticks right by her side. Unfortunately at night he reluctantly returns to the coop leaving the Guinea girl all alone to face the night predators.

Guinea girls nest is located at the base of a birch tree surrounded by heavy underbrush so she can barely be seen unless you know exactly where to look.

The survival rate of Guinea girls nesting doesn't seem to be very good as both the OhioFarmGirl and Lynn at Razzberry Corner have reported that they have had their nesting Guineas taken by fox or other critters of the night this year.

A few nights ago I heard a loud crash outside and heard Guinea girl crying in terror. Everyone immediately ran outside and a fox was discovered in the vicinity of her nest and subsequently run off. I searched with a flashlight for Guinea girl that night to no avail - she was missing.

Fortunately the next morning the Commander found her outside the coop waiting for her mate to be let out with the others. After a bit of bug eating she was back on the nest and he returned to guard duty. I guess that the combination of a full moon and the security light provided just enough light for the Guinea girl to fly away from the fox attack. She crashed into the house, but at least she got away.

The boys and dogs have been "marking their territory" around the nest area and I have dropped hair clippings as well, hopefully this smell of human will dissuade the fox from returning.

It's Hard Work Being a Baby

It's hard work being a baby.

If I ever meet those little pigs that are always supposed to be on their way to the market they are doomed I tell you. And what do they have to do with my toes anyhow?

When visiting my Grandma everyone fawns over how cute my "little fingers" are...how embarrassing.

....and how do I get out of this thing? What twisted member of the Spanish Inquisition created this torture device?

Why does everyone want their picture taken with me?

And now strange animals are trying to get into the house to get me! What is that thing?

Whew, good thing Patch the house guard dog stepped in or I might just have shown the crazy bird creature a thing or two...

What kind of pony is this and how am I expected to ride it?

It's hard work being a baby but it must be even harder being a Grandma, I'll just set her down for a nap before I get back on the job!

The Trouble With Chip

Chip is a very mischievous fellow, always getting into trouble or into things or places he doesn't belong. 

Yesterday Chip took over one of the folding chairs and soon found that he was trapped, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get out.  I rescued him and even though he was a little embarrassed I soon found him in my lap as I was trying to relax in the chair.

Chip's newest trick is to wait for the other goats to go outside the goat barn and then he grabs the clasp on the door with his teeth and pulls the door closed, locking the others outside.  Once they gather around the door and are crying to get in he bashes the door open with his head, scattering the others away in surprise.

Today I couldn't get him to put his head in the locking area of the goats stand since the last time I used it to secure him to put blood stop on his scur.  He is trouble, but in a loveable roguish kind of way.

Ram Pasture

We finally moved the rams to their new home and pasture. They sure were happy to get a chance to eat all the greenery that was in their new home, hay just wasn't cutting it anymore.

The new area is a mixture of small trees, grass, and forest. I figure once they eat it down this year I will be able to plant pasture grass for next year.

I can't get this picture to position correctly but you can still get a good look at Ironwood. He didn't get a chance to breed last year so this Fall he will get his chance. He has nice horns an they are beginning to turn and curl.

Alders horns are much wider and he was able to successfully breed Kia last year giving us Avalon. It was a nice pairing so Alder will be the main man this year, woo-hoo!

The boys haven't tried to wiggle under the new fence yet, I wonder if it will hold them?

I put a rubber mat on the wooden ramp into the ram house, it should stop them from slipping when it is wet or cold out. I am so happy to have them moved into their new area, now all we have to do is paint their house and clear out the rest of the cut trees.

Help, Need Advice!

Guinea girl and the broody hen are still alive and I have a question for all you more experienced farmers out there. One the eggs hatch will the other chickens accept the chicks and keats into the flock or do I have to separate them?

Can I collect up the newborn keats and give them to the hen?

Can I add my keats that I am raising in the garage to the chicken flock or would they be in danger of being killed?

Sorry for no pictures but I have ZERO time with 10 house guests this week! The rams may move to their new home tomorrow as the deforestation continues out back.

No Time, No Time.....

Lots of company here visiting and a lot of work getting done. I have my first broody hen that I am sticking eggs under, she never leaves the nest.....will she starve or dehydrate?

The dark guinea girl is sitting a nest in the brush, I'm worried about her to as I heard a fox screaming last night. What a horrible sound! I had the boys go out and "mark their territory" around her nesting area, hopefully that will keep the fox away.

I have to study for Stat's today and work on a project, this is totally ridiculous, isn't this supposed to be the 4th of July weekend?

The perimeter fence is going up as the boys hack their way through the jungle, the progress is amazing. Hopefully the rams can move out to their new home by next weekend!