Liddle Lamzy Divy

11:05 PM, Sunday, 4 April 2010
Temperature: 39 F, rainy & windy

Today was a day filled with multiple sheep escapes. The first was about six ewes out from the ewe flock, their fencing having been blown and rattled loose thanks to the ongoing gale-force winds plus truly sodden ground. They were lured back in fairly easily with alfalfa, and we found that their flock has swelled, with a total of six lambs in there; that brings us to 16 lambs for the season, and our overall flock to 54.

One farmer then set to work making tree guards while the other cleaned rabbit cages with a pressure washer. This was fraught with adventure as well, as it seemed as if every rabbit was going to try to escape in turn. The lilac doe escaped, and was chased down behind the house; the sable doe led us on a very unmerry chase, although we had some help from the geese, irked at her going under the porch, and the cats, curious as to what was going on and eager to help. The sable managed to deliver two moderate scratches to the farmer's already injured hand, however. That's getting old.

The buck escaped from the holding pen due to it being improperly latched, as did Minnow later on. Neither, however, got terribly far, and were much more cooperative about being recaptured. The angoras were then groomed by a farmer once the cages were washed out and replenished with alfalfa and fresh water, and all bunnies restored to one habitat or another. During the grooming, Peter took the available lap as an opportunity not to be missed; somehow, the angora bunnies didn't panic and rip open the farmer's face, which is a pleasant change. Peter was nonetheless chivvied off until later, just in case.

Meanwhile, the other farmer had the non-ewe flock escape while shifting pasture for them, resulting in the sight of rams and lambs alike galloping across the landscape, with the rams attempting to fight one another for dominance due to the prospect of those penned-up unfamiliar ladies up the meadow from them. It's impressive to see rams galloping and trying to butt one another in mid-gallop; not very effective, but impressive. They were eventually recaptured and more pasture was shifted, while the weather turned increasingly wet and cold and windy.

Pizza for dinner may not be classic farm fare for the Pacific Northwest, but it was easy, hot, filling, and doctored with tinned shrimps and green peppercorns and plenty of parmesan. As always, to be continued.