Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, 4:03 PM, 25 May 2010
Temperature: 60 F, cloudy with showers
Our ducks range widely, which has made it difficult to keep tabs on their numbers, but at last we are sure that they are suffering predation.
We managed to spot a pawprint in a muddy patch which clearly showed us what we are up against: a raccoon. This is both good news and bad. Good news, because our losses to raptors (which are a tougher proposition, with a view to prevention) have been minimal, if any, and bad news because raccoons are notoriously sneaky. We don't want to leave poisoned materials around, and raccoons are very good at avoiding, escaping and defeating traps, so our remaining option (since the ducks are very hard to keep confined) is hunting.
At this point we have been weighing our option. A farmer armed with a bow didn't manage to spot the raccoon at night, but by the same token, there were no losses that night. We shall keep trying.
Temperature: 60 F, cloudy with showers
Our ducks range widely, which has made it difficult to keep tabs on their numbers, but at last we are sure that they are suffering predation.
We managed to spot a pawprint in a muddy patch which clearly showed us what we are up against: a raccoon. This is both good news and bad. Good news, because our losses to raptors (which are a tougher proposition, with a view to prevention) have been minimal, if any, and bad news because raccoons are notoriously sneaky. We don't want to leave poisoned materials around, and raccoons are very good at avoiding, escaping and defeating traps, so our remaining option (since the ducks are very hard to keep confined) is hunting.
At this point we have been weighing our option. A farmer armed with a bow didn't manage to spot the raccoon at night, but by the same token, there were no losses that night. We shall keep trying.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Hercules gets his.
Partly cloudy, occasional gentle rain, and cold breeze.
It has been a busy few days. Today we finally managed to pin down Hercules for his drenching. It was a combination of tactics. We got him to stand still with some alfalfa, and while he was face down in it a crook was quickly slipped around his horn. This served to haul him in until he could be grabbed by hand. A few moments later he was drinking the stuff which apparently tastes rather vile. He was most displeased, but it's for his own good.
Our remaining gosling is still fine, and well accepted into the flock of geese. The ducks seem to have difficulty deciding on a nest to occupy, but that is something we cannot really decide for them.
Today a mattock and some sweat brought down a few scotch broom plants. More will fall later, not to mention those which the sheep will later have the opportunity to chew down.
Our program of letting the sheep wander and graze, in a limited way, is bearing fruit. It puts a cap on the amount of drama, generally speaking, around their getting out. They also get to spread their grazing a bit better, which is letting certain other plants stand out more. A particular case of interest is some thistles which the sheep do nibble, but not keenly. If the sheep don't eat them down of their own free will, a scythe will stop them before they go to seed.
It has been a busy few days. Today we finally managed to pin down Hercules for his drenching. It was a combination of tactics. We got him to stand still with some alfalfa, and while he was face down in it a crook was quickly slipped around his horn. This served to haul him in until he could be grabbed by hand. A few moments later he was drinking the stuff which apparently tastes rather vile. He was most displeased, but it's for his own good.
Our remaining gosling is still fine, and well accepted into the flock of geese. The ducks seem to have difficulty deciding on a nest to occupy, but that is something we cannot really decide for them.
Today a mattock and some sweat brought down a few scotch broom plants. More will fall later, not to mention those which the sheep will later have the opportunity to chew down.
Our program of letting the sheep wander and graze, in a limited way, is bearing fruit. It puts a cap on the amount of drama, generally speaking, around their getting out. They also get to spread their grazing a bit better, which is letting certain other plants stand out more. A particular case of interest is some thistles which the sheep do nibble, but not keenly. If the sheep don't eat them down of their own free will, a scythe will stop them before they go to seed.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
17 May 2010
warm & sunny
Over the course of the weekend and today, all of our sheep were individually (and in some cases, more than once) pinned down, rooed, had their hooves trimmed, and all except for Hercules have received a deworming drench. (Hercules and Bolivar escaped during the deworming phase; Bolivar later got hung up on barbed wire, with no actual damage done to anything but his pride. We dewormed him then.)
We let the goslings out to join the other geese, with mixed results. While they were readily accepted, it seems one of the goslings has already been picked off, likely by a hawk. The other seems to still be around and in good health, however.
Wimsey had a blood sample taken today; the results suggest that the medication for his kidneys is doing the job but that he may have picked up an infection. They'll be sending us antibiotics and we'll hope that does the job. There's a slight chance he may have a tumor on his left kidney, but no definite proof of that showed in the blood results. We'll give him the antibiotics and hope for the best.
warm & sunny
Over the course of the weekend and today, all of our sheep were individually (and in some cases, more than once) pinned down, rooed, had their hooves trimmed, and all except for Hercules have received a deworming drench. (Hercules and Bolivar escaped during the deworming phase; Bolivar later got hung up on barbed wire, with no actual damage done to anything but his pride. We dewormed him then.)
We let the goslings out to join the other geese, with mixed results. While they were readily accepted, it seems one of the goslings has already been picked off, likely by a hawk. The other seems to still be around and in good health, however.
Wimsey had a blood sample taken today; the results suggest that the medication for his kidneys is doing the job but that he may have picked up an infection. They'll be sending us antibiotics and we'll hope that does the job. There's a slight chance he may have a tumor on his left kidney, but no definite proof of that showed in the blood results. We'll give him the antibiotics and hope for the best.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
11:21 PM, 15 May 2010
Today we rooed 20 out of 38 adult sheep, including Hercules. Hooves were also trimmed; Hercules' hoof got nicked, but not badly, and he should be fine. To be on the safe side we did consult online sources (the vet being already closed) and applied a little antibiotic gel.
We got quite a lot of wool - close to a wheelbarrow-load - and our hands are now the softest in town from all the lanolin. There were numerous kicks and the occasional attempted goring, but no real major injuries were sustained by either humans or sheep.
The barn cats have been enjoying the weather, and have been catching voles and other creatures again. There was a dead vole in the workshop when they were put away for the night. Nibs had been roaming a bit further than he should have; when he heard his name being called, he came running at full speed across the fields until he reached us. Good kitty!
Wimsey is doing very poorly. We're hoping the vet can do something for him but we suspect he may be in pain at this point. Monday will be a make or break day for him, and for our hearts.
Tomorrow we go to procure more hay for the sheep, and then we will finish hoof trimming and some mild rooing as well.
Today we rooed 20 out of 38 adult sheep, including Hercules. Hooves were also trimmed; Hercules' hoof got nicked, but not badly, and he should be fine. To be on the safe side we did consult online sources (the vet being already closed) and applied a little antibiotic gel.
We got quite a lot of wool - close to a wheelbarrow-load - and our hands are now the softest in town from all the lanolin. There were numerous kicks and the occasional attempted goring, but no real major injuries were sustained by either humans or sheep.
The barn cats have been enjoying the weather, and have been catching voles and other creatures again. There was a dead vole in the workshop when they were put away for the night. Nibs had been roaming a bit further than he should have; when he heard his name being called, he came running at full speed across the fields until he reached us. Good kitty!
Wimsey is doing very poorly. We're hoping the vet can do something for him but we suspect he may be in pain at this point. Monday will be a make or break day for him, and for our hearts.
Tomorrow we go to procure more hay for the sheep, and then we will finish hoof trimming and some mild rooing as well.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
13 May 2010
warm & sunny
It's been a busy few days, punctuated by some comparatively minor sheep outbreaks. We've had a new ram lamb born to one of the light-coloured ewes; he's healthy even if tiny, and surprisingly strong and wiggly for such a little guy.
The ducks had to be shooed out of the sheep enclosure today as at least three of them had been in for days and were endlessly circling looking for the way out.
Yesterday and today the barn cats have been given their parole. They showed their eagerness for it yesterday by bringing back two snakes and a vole's head. The rest of the body had already been consumed. The snakes were rescued, still alive and apparently no worse for it, although very grateful not to have to continue to play dead lest they be relabeled from 'snake' to 'cat toy'.
This weekend we will be penning up the sheep for rooing and hoof-trimming. The vet has the deworming tools in, so we'll be scheduling with them as well. Progress marches slowly forwards.
warm & sunny
It's been a busy few days, punctuated by some comparatively minor sheep outbreaks. We've had a new ram lamb born to one of the light-coloured ewes; he's healthy even if tiny, and surprisingly strong and wiggly for such a little guy.
The ducks had to be shooed out of the sheep enclosure today as at least three of them had been in for days and were endlessly circling looking for the way out.
Yesterday and today the barn cats have been given their parole. They showed their eagerness for it yesterday by bringing back two snakes and a vole's head. The rest of the body had already been consumed. The snakes were rescued, still alive and apparently no worse for it, although very grateful not to have to continue to play dead lest they be relabeled from 'snake' to 'cat toy'.
This weekend we will be penning up the sheep for rooing and hoof-trimming. The vet has the deworming tools in, so we'll be scheduling with them as well. Progress marches slowly forwards.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
11:28 AM, 8 May 2010
balmy & clear
The sheep have been getting out a great deal; however, we seem to tentatively (knock on wood) have the situation under control. We've had to stake down the edges of their holding area, and stop allowing them out to graze; the rams are entirely too determined to get out entirely, and use the downwards slope as a runway by which they jump over the fence marking off their grazing area.
We've been giving them large amounts of hay, however, which has been aiding with their health. No new lambs, but no new losses either, and we're waiting on the vet to set up the drench of Ivermectin (worming medications).
No goslings or ducklings so far. We'll see how that goes. Both ducks and geese are still on their nests, however.
balmy & clear
The sheep have been getting out a great deal; however, we seem to tentatively (knock on wood) have the situation under control. We've had to stake down the edges of their holding area, and stop allowing them out to graze; the rams are entirely too determined to get out entirely, and use the downwards slope as a runway by which they jump over the fence marking off their grazing area.
We've been giving them large amounts of hay, however, which has been aiding with their health. No new lambs, but no new losses either, and we're waiting on the vet to set up the drench of Ivermectin (worming medications).
No goslings or ducklings so far. We'll see how that goes. Both ducks and geese are still on their nests, however.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
11:17 PM, 5 May 2010
chilly & damp
We've been having some unexpected last minute winter storms here. It seems Mother Nature's going through menopause or something; in any case, multiple days and nights of sudden rain showers, driving cold winds, and equally sudden hail showers punctuated by occasional bouts of sunlight have been the new norm.
Fanta is still alive although still recovering. Her surviving lamb however is no longer surviving; it looks as if she smothered it during the night, but we're just not sure. We buried it in the lamb graveyard with some regret.
We have come to the conclusion that the flock needs to be culled and have been making notes on sheep genealogies and personalities to this end. Fanta is likely going to go to the friend of some friends, to become a brush mower; she displays poor mothering traits, and we'd prefer not to hold onto her when our available sheep roster size is shrinking. We may have found a buyer for Bolivar as well, a lady who breeds and trains Australian shepherds as actual farm dogs. This is frabjous news indeed.
The sheep have continued to excel at getting out, with them doing so multiple times each day this week. They were dragged back in, kicking and screaming, until a sudden hail storm made them change their minds in a hurry and they became much more cooperative. Mitey and the scout from the ewe flock, however, appear to have become fast friends, while Hercules and Bolivar were bashing at one another while out with great and agile displays of masculine virility and activity. When Hercules wasn't watching, Bolivar was sniffing ewes' tails hopefully; he's lucky Hercules didn't spot him at it.
The geese should be hatching their eggs any time now, and the barn cats have been banned from the outdoors for resocialization, which appears to be going well thus far. We'll give it at least a full week, however.
Unfortunately, the sheep in their outings have discovered the seedlings. It doesn't look like there will be much of a garden this year; oh well, time to support our local farmers' market and CSA and try again next year.
chilly & damp
We've been having some unexpected last minute winter storms here. It seems Mother Nature's going through menopause or something; in any case, multiple days and nights of sudden rain showers, driving cold winds, and equally sudden hail showers punctuated by occasional bouts of sunlight have been the new norm.
Fanta is still alive although still recovering. Her surviving lamb however is no longer surviving; it looks as if she smothered it during the night, but we're just not sure. We buried it in the lamb graveyard with some regret.
We have come to the conclusion that the flock needs to be culled and have been making notes on sheep genealogies and personalities to this end. Fanta is likely going to go to the friend of some friends, to become a brush mower; she displays poor mothering traits, and we'd prefer not to hold onto her when our available sheep roster size is shrinking. We may have found a buyer for Bolivar as well, a lady who breeds and trains Australian shepherds as actual farm dogs. This is frabjous news indeed.
The sheep have continued to excel at getting out, with them doing so multiple times each day this week. They were dragged back in, kicking and screaming, until a sudden hail storm made them change their minds in a hurry and they became much more cooperative. Mitey and the scout from the ewe flock, however, appear to have become fast friends, while Hercules and Bolivar were bashing at one another while out with great and agile displays of masculine virility and activity. When Hercules wasn't watching, Bolivar was sniffing ewes' tails hopefully; he's lucky Hercules didn't spot him at it.
The geese should be hatching their eggs any time now, and the barn cats have been banned from the outdoors for resocialization, which appears to be going well thus far. We'll give it at least a full week, however.
Unfortunately, the sheep in their outings have discovered the seedlings. It doesn't look like there will be much of a garden this year; oh well, time to support our local farmers' market and CSA and try again next year.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
10:12 am, 2 May 2010
overcast & mild
It's been such a busy couple of days that posting about it slid by the wayside. Fanta, our ewe with bloat, was staggering on over the course of a couple of days when she seemed suddenly to take a turn for the worse. Upon closer inspection, it turned out that she was not going into prolapse as we'd feared, but instead, had gone into labor. It turned out to be a very difficult labor, and one farmer had to play obstetrician with a pair of nitrile gloves (many pairs in fact were used over the course of the night) while the other held both the ewe and a light source in an appropriate position.
Because life is cruel and entertaining (to other people), it was the coldest, rainiest night in quite a while. We got the resulting ewe lamb upstairs under a heat lamp and fed it some colostrum replacement, not realizing that the reason for Fanta's not giving milk was that she was still in labor. In the morning, we found she'd given birth to another lamb.
We attempted to save this lamb, and did get it out of hypothermia, but it never managed to successfully suckle its mother in its single day of life. Fanta was not rejecting of it, but never gave it the same attention as the first lamb; it died in the night of hypothermic shock.
Fanta meanwhile is still a trifle weak but mostly recovered from her bloat. We'll keep her and her lamb for another day or so and then see about putting her back in with the flock.
Meanwhile, the ewe flock did another escape - while the ram flock was out grazing for the day. We decided at this point it's easier to contain both flocks together. Hercules, our dominant ram, thinks he is now king of the world, with a harem of over 30 ewes. Thankfully he isn't in rut. He'd die of exhaustion.
Mitey, by contrast, got tangled in fencing yesterday and was rescued by a farmer in time. He was mad as hell about it, though, and did not like being carried bodily around. Tough for him.
The dogs came for a visit, but it did not work out for various reasons. We'll just have to hope for the best and keep on trucking.
The sheep are all in the smaller enclosure at present. This seems to actually be working quite well; only one ewe was out this morning, one of the smaller ewes.After days of half or more of the ewe flock being out on a regular basis, this is nothing short of a relief. She was shooed back in when the rest were fed, and while Jojo got out at that point, she is on the correct side of the fence at least, so we opted to leave her out rather than lose more sheep in a futile effort to get her back in. We can always get her later.
Today we will be going to the farm store, burying the dead lamb, and letting the sheep out to graze once those items are done. We are likely to try and take it a little bit easy, as our Friday night and Saturday were so strenuous. Sheep births, like human births, rarely take place at times convenient for business or sleep.
overcast & mild
It's been such a busy couple of days that posting about it slid by the wayside. Fanta, our ewe with bloat, was staggering on over the course of a couple of days when she seemed suddenly to take a turn for the worse. Upon closer inspection, it turned out that she was not going into prolapse as we'd feared, but instead, had gone into labor. It turned out to be a very difficult labor, and one farmer had to play obstetrician with a pair of nitrile gloves (many pairs in fact were used over the course of the night) while the other held both the ewe and a light source in an appropriate position.
Because life is cruel and entertaining (to other people), it was the coldest, rainiest night in quite a while. We got the resulting ewe lamb upstairs under a heat lamp and fed it some colostrum replacement, not realizing that the reason for Fanta's not giving milk was that she was still in labor. In the morning, we found she'd given birth to another lamb.
We attempted to save this lamb, and did get it out of hypothermia, but it never managed to successfully suckle its mother in its single day of life. Fanta was not rejecting of it, but never gave it the same attention as the first lamb; it died in the night of hypothermic shock.
Fanta meanwhile is still a trifle weak but mostly recovered from her bloat. We'll keep her and her lamb for another day or so and then see about putting her back in with the flock.
Meanwhile, the ewe flock did another escape - while the ram flock was out grazing for the day. We decided at this point it's easier to contain both flocks together. Hercules, our dominant ram, thinks he is now king of the world, with a harem of over 30 ewes. Thankfully he isn't in rut. He'd die of exhaustion.
Mitey, by contrast, got tangled in fencing yesterday and was rescued by a farmer in time. He was mad as hell about it, though, and did not like being carried bodily around. Tough for him.
The dogs came for a visit, but it did not work out for various reasons. We'll just have to hope for the best and keep on trucking.
The sheep are all in the smaller enclosure at present. This seems to actually be working quite well; only one ewe was out this morning, one of the smaller ewes.After days of half or more of the ewe flock being out on a regular basis, this is nothing short of a relief. She was shooed back in when the rest were fed, and while Jojo got out at that point, she is on the correct side of the fence at least, so we opted to leave her out rather than lose more sheep in a futile effort to get her back in. We can always get her later.
Today we will be going to the farm store, burying the dead lamb, and letting the sheep out to graze once those items are done. We are likely to try and take it a little bit easy, as our Friday night and Saturday were so strenuous. Sheep births, like human births, rarely take place at times convenient for business or sleep.
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