We've been busy, really busy. Sorry for the long-time-no-post. A brief run down of what's happened then current state.
Last summer was a doozie! Luke (Dane) got bit by something- we're leaning toward brown recluse, but it could have been a copperhead. He made many trips to the vet for bandaging and removal of the necrotic tissue but he's fine now, with just a small scar. Next, Angel (horse) choked on hay and had a couple of vet visits, and he was back to normal. Next up - it comes in 3's, remember - I broke my foot, and spent 8 weeks in a boot. In case you were wondering, doing farm chores in the rain with a garbage bag wrapped around your booted foot is not fun. I, too, am back to normal. The only other hurdle has been a fox picking off chickens and my Sasha duck, but that's life on a farm.
Fall and winter passed with no big changes; just waiting on spring. We made or pilgrimage to Disney World to escape the cold and had a great time. Once we came back it was time to start getting ready for all the newbies.
The newbies started arriving mid-march with our first doeling. Sage gave birth to one blue-eyed, blonde doe (so much for Flash adding color). The girls settled on Peppermint for a name. She'll be ready for her new home in mid May. Next up for kids should be Scarlet- she's huge and looking miserable.
Peppermint Sunning
At the end of March, we had a litter of bunnies born. We have 6, 3 grey and 3 black. We're trying to keep them friendly and will offer them as pets when they get old enough. We also successfully incubated adn hatched about 20 chicks. They're barnyard mixes- all the roosters will be dinner and maybe even some of the hens depending on the ratio. It was really fun and educational to have them inside to incubate. The girls were excited to candle the eggs to watch the chicks grow and they even got to watch a few as they came out of the shell. Next we'll try hatching some duck eggs!
Baby Bunnies- 4 is the most I can keep together.
Chickies
The garden is about to go in. We've been adding compost and soil over the winter. Willow is helping out with that, as she has started her own worm farm. It's been running for almost a month now. She started with 2 pounds of red wigglers in a worm factory 360 and they're supposed to double in volume in about 90 days. Between the goats, the chickens and now the worms, there is very little food waste from the kitchen!
Willow has also taken over the egg sales. She gathers them, then helps wash and package. Chuck takes most of them to work, and Willow gets any money above feed and packaging costs. Egg customers will notice we've switched packaging as well. The plastic cartons, while very nice looking, were a pain to deal with. We've gone to recycled/recyclable cardboard and are still using the 3x4 design.
Willow turning bread into eggs.
As for me, I have a new hobby (since I have so much free time), sewing! Who would've though? I really enjoy it and am hoping to start selling on the website soon.
Circle Skirt and Appliqued Shirt
Luke- modeling a reversible bandana
Reversible Bandana
Pillowcase Dress with Minnie applique
Ruffle back skirts(fronts are flat) for Animal Kingdom
Humming Bird Ruffle purse
Custom Ruffle UNC purse for my Sister-in-Law
That's all for now- more to come soon!
