Clearing Continues

This used to be a total leaf canopy, look how much sun can now get in to help grass grow.


Lots of wood to haul and cut into firewood.


Hopefully we can convert this into a pasture one day, although we will leave a few trees here and there.


Sod update; I can't believe it is growing out in the middle of the forest.

Shots and Coops

Addison and Becca have needed a CD/T shot for a few days and I have been dreading it. I referenced The Goat Spot message board for any useful information and noted that I should have some Epinephrine on hand in case one of the goats had a reaction. When we last took Sara to the Vet he instructed me on how to issue a goat a shot. Ready or not, today was the day.


I figured that in order to get the goats to stand still for the shot that I would need to bribe them with some grain. Becca was first, she flinched when I stuck the needle in but otherwise she just kept eating. Note poor Becca's haircut, she wouldn't sit still and I need more practice.


When it was Addison's turn she didn't even seem to notice, she too just kept on eating. The suprise here was that I didn't even need to use the brown paper bag!


We fenced in the chicken coop with the last of the dog kennel fencing that we picked up at a bargain price. The real victory in this was that the back of the coop was fenced with the FIRST of the sheep fencing! The enclosed area measures 26 feet by 20 feet, that should give the chickens enough room to get started until we let them out to free range. We are still debating whether to string netting across the top or not.

Medicine Woman

OK, here are some of my medical supplies. The tool box makes a great container for the smaller stuff. The goats get the Apple cider vinegar in their water every day. Iodine, vitamin C, probiotics, biohazard container for used needles, bagbalm for utters, bloodstop - be sure to read the following post and comments about why one needs bloodstop by OFG (http://adventuresinthegoodland.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-not-to-trim-hooves-and-then-what-to.html), molasses, Karo syrup, and more.


You need prescriptions to get most of these as they are reserved for registered farms and/or breeders. Make sure to keep them refrigerated. These are mostly injectables, so if you are afraid of needles they won't be of much help to you. Pictured you will find; Penicillin, Oxytocin, CD/T toxoid, epinephrine (don't give your animals shots without having this on hand), and Banamine (anti-inflammatory).


Inside the box I have a stethoscope, triple antibiotic cream, large syringes, alcohol swabs, scissors, kid colostrum, and a brown paper bag (this is for me for when I hyperventilate after using this stuff).


Finally, needles, more syringes, vet wrap (works great on broken tree branches as well), pill splitter, pill crusher, thermometer, medicine dropper, and two oral antibiotics.

Whew, If we are missing something important please let us know!

Great Escape

I ran some errands this morning before I gave the goats their morning grain, and when I got home I was surprised to see Becca run up to car to greet me. I brought her back to the goat pen and walked the fence line to see if I could find where she escaped. I found a section of the chicken wire bent away from the cattle panels, but it sure seemed awful small for her to fit through. I fixed the gap with some zip ties, but I'm still not completely sure this is where she escaped from.

Addison and Chip seemed unconcerned (pictured above) by Becca's absence. With Addison (hopefully) due in the next few weeks I need to eliminate any possible escape routes.

Goat Jail

While my father was here he built a wonderful birthing stall in the goat shed.


Addison, who may be the first to use it this June, appears to like the looks of things.


Here are the four apple trees that we planted yesterday. In just 3-4 short years, assuming the deer/rabbits/goats/sheep/army worms/insects/mother nature don't kill them, we should be able to make our own apple pies.

Garden Planted

My parents visited this weekend and with their help we really got a lot accomplished. While my father was fixing the chipper (the Commander is so happy) my mother helped me plant the garden. This year we are going with potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, radishes, peas, green beans, strawberries, and three blue berry bushes.

The white lattice is left over from the goat shed and will be used to help the peas grow up away from the fence. The deer have had a field day eating them along the fence line in past years.


You can see one of the blue berry bushes in the foreground. We will have to add netting to prevent the birds from eating them, adding avians to the list of things out to prevent us from farming (carnivorous, herbivorous).

****Update**** No sooner than we get this planted than a thunderstorm with hail is cruising through the area. If hail destroys the garden well then &*!#$......

No Vacancy - Yet!

A flock/gaggle? of turkeys has been wandering up and down the road in front of our house for several weeks. Today, it appears one HUGE Tom decided to see if our poultry area was complete enough to move into. Sara didn't know what to make of him, and he didn't want to get any closer to her than necessary. It appears that they came to a mutual decision to part company without any confrontation. (click on the picture for a close up)


Maybe we need to put out a sign; "Trespassers Will Be Eaten!" We decided against this just in case the bears/wolves/etc... considered US trespassers. The picture doesn't do this Tom justice, he was really big and amazingly colorful. We were thinking about turkeys for next year, even if they seem to want to move in now.