A Touch of Sadness

Today we lost tiny Fizzbo to pneumonia.  He was a special little goat, and brought tremendous joy to many people in his short six week life.  His foes were the weather, his mother's history, and life in general.  His mother came to the farms through a meat goat auction, less than 30 days before he was born.  That means she didn't have time to adjust to all the bacteria, flora, and fauna of our farms and pass that to him.  I held him while he passed and we comforted his mother as best we could.  Many people will miss him.

This was also a day when friends came.  Reba's owners came to first try to help with the baby, and then to take her home.  Others stopped by to visit, customers came for birds, the milk shipment went out, and we made plans for future fall feast days and celebrations of birthdays.

There is never an end to the battle for life on the farm.  We don't always win, but we never stop fighting.  And we celebrate the life around us even as we say farewell to those who leave us.  Always look forward.  Never look backward, except in fond reminiscence.

A new hen is coming for the turkey pen on Sunday.  Some "old friends", roosters that have been with us for a season before, are coming back.  There are 3 broody hens sitting on eggs on the front porch.  See the farmer.  See the farmer walk forward, on the promise of hope, and faith, and tomorrow's joys.

Rainy Monday

Today we had some rain, but we needed it -- and though it rained hard and was windy as well, it wasn't a damaging rain.  By late mid-day it dried off and the sun came peeking through.  And with the sun came visitors.  In her first ever in her lifetime pair of overalls and a pink t-shirt is my sister by choice, Pam.  She and I raise Boer goats and keep our horses on her farm, about 15 miles from mine.  She never passes up an opportunity to help me, or to be around the animals.  From the right rear corner, you see the house, the tool shed, the garage, a white coop, the milk house, the bantam house, (shared by Reba and Fizzy), and one of the other chicken houses.  Both the milk house and the chicken house are lighted when necessary by solar lights.  The critters, again from background to foreground, are Ringo the Polish roo, Ginger, a Nubian doe, Bodacious Bev, an Oberhasli/LaMancha doe, FinnAgain, a Boer wether, Patience, a Naragansett/Royal Palm cross turkey hen, the two young Red Bourbon toms, and a Delaware hen.

Among the visitors were our friends, Chris and Tina Griffin from Griffin's Ark, who "co-farm" with us.  Tina got to meet Fizzbo, the tiny Nigerian Dwarf buckling who'll be 6 weeks old tomorrow.  Part of what I get to do is host some of the small goats when they are close to due.  The Nigerians are from Chris and Tina's herd, and so it's like meeting your grandbaby for the first time!  And they were kind enough to take the pictures, bring feed and farm news, and help with vaccinations for the goats.

Pictures don't do it justice, but we all had fun feeding ginger snaps, alfalfa cubes, and apples to the goats.  The turkeys love the apples, too, and if you hold it just right, one goat and 3 turkeys can all eat the same apple at the same time.  Words don't really do it justice either -- imagine a kindergarten circus with everyone in "Me first!" mode!

These are the days that remind us, when the work is hard and the hours are long, why we do it all.  The pleasure of the company of friends, the fellowship and companionship of the animals, and the way it feels to be at least in part self-sufficient and productive are the rewards.

After late feedings and putting the critters to bed,  and before a late milking, a bird friend and customer came, to pick up some mini-flocks of Silkies and Pendesencas and a group of laying hens with their rooster.  Then, milking, and a moment to visit with you.

Thanks for the pictures, Chris and Tina!  Come again, soon.

Friday Already?

It seems like only moments ago I was heading out to get The Duke from Ararat, Virginia, but tomorrow he will have been with me for a week.  He still has a sunny disposition and is easygoing with most of the herd.  I can identify Olga, Amanda, Bev, and Spring as being bred,  and Hayley and Luna will be ready soon.  That leaves Mocha, Myrtle, and Martha to be confirmed bred yet.  Gracie was bred before we got her and should freshen the end of January.  Down at the farm, Keelee should freshen in about 6 weeks, and Hildy has been bred for March kids.  For those readers not familiar with kidding milk goats, that basically means that come March, we will have a pile of bottle babies to either feed or sell, or to feed until we sell.  And we will have a bunch of girls come fresh (start giving milk again) all at once.  We try to dry them up about 2 months before they are due to kid.  But with does kidding in Nov/Dec and the end of January, we should have at least 2 milking during the dry period for the others. 

Today one of the little Nigerian Dwarf does is bagging up -- that means her udder is developing and her babies will come soon!  Her sister appears to be a little behind her. 

Yesterday was a fine, bright afternoon and I enjoyed keeping company with Andy and Rudy, the horses.  They were pleased with the attention.  We fitted saddles and bridles yesterday.  They were anxious to ride, but there wasn't time. 

The turkeys are more comfortable with doing some free ranging.  Today they checked out the lower pasture and were pleased to discover the lower gate into their coop.  So after a busy day playing, they went in for dinner.  Playtime will come again tomorrow.

Hope your day was pleasant and beautiful, too.

Rain Today

A gentle, soft fall rain came today, and stayed for most of the day. That meant riding was out, but that the Duke ended the day slightly cleaner than he started it!  Most of the day was mild enough that the critters could be outside.  The turkeys enjoyed it.  Today they found the pear tree, the one that is dropping hard winter pears.  They had a feast day.

Bodacious Bev, Olga, and Amandapanda are officially bred now.  Hayley and Luna will probably be next.  They are flirting outrageously with the buck.

We'll wish for sunshine for tomorrow!

Today's Musings

So here is Miss Reba, with her morning cargo -- today she had 3 passengers!  Today was a special day for the turkeys, too.  They had their first free ranging in the goat pasture.  The only problem with that is that two of the three were hand raised in my brooders, eggs a gift from a friend, and they think Mommy is the answer to everything!  So you can picture me walking through the pasture with an escort of 3 nearly grown turkeys, chupping and crooning.  When it was time for them to go back in, we had a local riot because the goats that were sharing pasture with them today thought THEY ought to go in the turkey coop and eat turkey feed, and the turkeys weren't too sure about passing through the horde of goats to get into their own coop to eat their food.  Finally, they all got it sorted out!    If you have special feelings for turkeys, you won't need to worry about these.  I don't like turkey, so they are not going to freezer camp -- they'll flourish here until they get old and cross over the rainbow bridge to animal heaven.

Not long ago my friend and neighbor enlarged their coop and pen.  He is an avid hunter, and hopes their calls will draw in the wild gobblers for hunting season.  The turkeys appreciated his efforts, and have moved their roost up about 2 feet higher, now that their coop extends to 7 feet in height.  With fox, coyote, and other hunters around, the wild turkeys must remain alert and extra wiley to live long.  Our population here is plenteous enough that there is no danger of losing them.  About 25 years ago, the population here was slim, and then farmers that uncovered eggs when haying would give them to folks who would incubate them and re-release them into the wild when they were poults.  People still follow that practice here today.  No one needs to worry about people keeping wild turkeys captive.  They are really not tameable, and every farmer that's tried it has stories of how their wild foster children taught them that early release is best.

Duke of Renfro kept himself busy today.  I penned the non-breeders away from him for most of the day, so they all had an easy day of it.  I still haven't bathed him, but as more does come ready to breed, his work is closer to done.  Then we'll get him cleaned up and take some pictures of him.

Today I moved two young silkies from the brooder house into the white roo's cage. They are around 12 weeks old, and he is a little over a year.  He was lonely, and he's good with young ones.  I believe both of them are hens anyway.  When it was time to cover their cages for the night, they were snuggled up underneath him, purring happily.  He is big and warm!  The coop silkies where the black hen was setting yesteday has two hens setting now -- one of the partridge hens has joined her.  The other 3 hens will continue to lay their eggs under them for a while, but then usually they go broody, too.  At this time of year they don't get to raise the chicks, as it's too cold for them, so they will go to the brooder house after they hatch.  The hens don't seem to mind.

We have adopted two older horses, one a 20 year old Appaloosa, and one a 15 year old Morgan.  The horses have been eager to go riding, and since we've finally assembled all our tack, tomorrow we'll try it out.  Wish you all could go with us!

Farmin' Monday

Daylight, and little Reba, the Nigerian Dwarf, parades out of her night time housing with a little Polish cross chicken perched regally on her back.  "Everyone else has to fly or walk.  I have a majestic steed!"  She doesn't seem to notice, and just goes in search of breakfast.

Ducky Duck, the lone Muscovy, waddles up from the creek looking for his breakfast.  He likes to eat just in front of the chrome bumper on the front of the truck, because his best friend is his reflection!  He eats, chats, postures, but his "friend" never wants to share his breakfast.  The chicks in the brooder house want their night lights off, their waterers filled, and their morning ration in their feeders.  Rodney, the guinea pig, settles for fresh water and pellets, but Ginger, the rescue Mini-Rex rabbit doe, wants her cage cleaned FIRST and then she'll eat and drink.  Ginger's been placed out twice, but each time she manages to bite someone hard enough to draw blood -- so she comes back.

The two pair of sultans and the quintet of siilkies on the porch all want rations, and fresh water, too.  Their attitudes improve immensely once the feed and water is in their cages.  Then it's on to feed all the other chickens, and take hay down for the goats.

They eagerly begin plunging back and forth, plucking strands from the hay bats I am carrying, as soon as I am through the gate.  The hay gets divided between the feeding stations.  Today is a day to observe how the buck behaves with the girls that aren't his breeding flock.  Not far into the day, he bashes one of the little girls.  I rescue her, and her best friend, and move them to a paddock where he cannot bother them.  He seems to be doing okay with the other girls, and the wether -- they are all big enough to stand up for themselves.

Not long, then, and the little girls are loaded into the truck along with a milk delivery for the Chatham group.  They are bound for the eastern farm soon anyway, and it is better to have them secure there where they won't get battered.  The buck will only be here for a few weeks, but he's needed here while he IS here.  Soon, we'll be offering registered LaMancha, Boer, and Nubian stud service at Griffin's Ark in Chatham.

After the trip it's time for goat dinner and evening milking, and closing up the birds in their coops.  The birds like to go to bed early.  Silkies in a coop are quite hilarious.  They make a big pile, looking like a giant powderpuff, where they lay together to stay warm and comfortable.  The black hen is broody again, as is one of the partridge hens on the porch.  The silkies' "roost" is actually a half barrel filled with straw.  They like to nestle down in it, ignoring the roosting poles.  Black hen has rolled her eggs over to one side of the big trough where she can sit on her eggs in peace, but if they follow their usual pattern, it won't be long before 2 or 3 more of the hens in her flock are nestled down on eggs right beside her. 

Night time -- everyone is quiet, fed, settled.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Quiet Day

Today was a quiet day, nice for a Sunday.  The new buck (Duke of Renfro, the LaMancha) was busy sorting out his surroundings. The herd seems to have coalesced overnight, happy to have a buck among them.  Apparently, a lot of the niggling and picking that was going on was due to the does being in season.  Now they have other things to think about!

We are still waiting for kids from the Nigerian Dwarf does -- they could be due anytime.  Their breeding date was unknown, so we've been expecting the babies for at least 6 weeks.  What that really means is that both of the little goats are probably expecting multiples.  Their mother had 4 her first season, 5 the second, 6 the third, 2 the fourth, and 1 last year.  So right now we are anticipating anywhere between 3 and 6 for each of the two girls.  The Nubian doe, Ginger,  may have been pregnant when we got her as well, so she may be expecting within the next 3 to 4 weeks, as the buck is paying her quite a bit of attention. That means she is either near kidding or is not currently pregnant.

Bodacious Bev proved today that she can clear a 4 foot fence with ease, especially if it stands between her and food.  As an unbred doe not in milk, she would normally eat with the buck and the other big girls that are neither milking nor pregnant.  She wanted to eat with the little girls and pregnant mamas today.  The girls in milk get fed on the milking stand, private dining.  She is gorgeous, an Oberhasli/LaMancha cross.  Her babies will be registerable as grade does once she settles (gets and stays pregnant).

Tomorrow or the next day will be Adventures in Buck Washing.  Poor Duke has sprayed himself so much he is quite sticky and nasty, but still wants to be everyone's friend -- so it's bath time for him!  I have no doubt he will be able to scent up again quickly enough to interest the does.  He is quite calm and sweet, just over a year old.  He appears to be white, but under his hair he has numerous spots on his skin, which indicates that he's truly a spotted buck, it's just that his hair color variations are so slight you cannot see them on his grown out hair.  That's good because we want him to throw a spotted baby with AmandaPanda.

We have a nice color spectrum right now -- from silver gray to dark brown, including light and dark chamoise (like deer color) and black and white spotted.  We should have an interesting color group of babies the end of March.

I am glad to finally have the basic herd settled.  My goal is to have a squad of milkers to provide me with milking therapy (!) and milk for cheese, butter, and yogurt.  And to supplement Griffin's Ark with milk for their needs.  Having all the does bred over just a couple of weeks means that when we have dry does, they'll be dry about the same time, which is poor planning in the long run.  We try to dry them up for 2 months before they kid.  On the other hand, Keelee, the Toggenburg, should be in milk then, and Gracie, the LaMancha/Saanen cross is due the end of January so she should also be in milk through that period.  If their performance picks up a little from this year, that will give us a gallon a day even during our "dry" period.

It's time to make butter now!  Tomorrow maybe we'll try cheese.

Beautiful fall day

Today was a beautiful fall day!  I drove south and west from my home in southern Virginia to a place near Renfro Mountain, close to the North Carolina line.  The trees were beginning to put on their fall wardrobe, with bright patches of yellow, red and orange showing among the green leaves.  The winding roads across the shoulders and knees of the mountains kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next gorgeous mountain view to appear.

The Blue Ridge Mountains were definitely blue today, and decorated with those splashes of color -- another week should bring on the full color everywhere here.  Then it will change, almost overnight, to the bare branched canvas of limitless shades of gray, brown, and black, beautiful in its own monochromatic way.

Today's trip brought home a registered LaMancha buck,  White Dog Farm Duke of Renfro, and another registered LaMancha doe,  White Dog Farm Crepe Myrtle.  He is white -- a rather smutty white at the moment, as he is in mid-rut.  She is beautiful black with a white heart on her forehead.  One of the fun things about LaManchas is that they can be any color.  His excitement was plain, tongue hanging out, as he charged into the pasture full of LaMancha girls.  We have established a foundation for a registered herd.  Today's purchases brings our total count of registered LaManchas to 6 does and a buck, and our count of LaMancha crosses to four does.  The other herd members are one Toggenburg doe, one Alpine cross doe, one Nubian doe, and a Boer wether.

Among our guests at the moment are two dairy mix doelings, June babies, not old enough to breed, and three Nigerian Dwarf does.  One of those has kidded and the other two are due any time.  They will all be returning home soon.

I wish you peaceful travels and beautiful scenery!

Adventures with Goats

Today started off with a photo-worthy view.  Unfortunately, I left my camera in the house!  Reba,  a Nigerian Dwarf (goat) doe, and Fizzy, her 4 week old baby, sleep in the bantam chicken house at night.  When I went out this morning to open their door, Reba and Fizzy were cuddled up together, and tucked in between them was a half grown polish cross chick.  He found the warm spot!

Another chicken/goat story -- after their dinner tonight, I went out to give the goats their bedtime hay.  There was Ginger, a beautiful old Nubian doe, and perched on her back was Smoky, a half grown Blue Orpington.  He apparently got confused about where he sleeps, and found Ginger to be nice, warm, and perchable!  After a few squawks and flaps, I got him settled into his regular coop.  Some of the goats seem to have an especially close relationship with the chickens.

Good Measure Farm is in Rocky Mount, Virginia, a tiny, pocket farm.  Founded in 2008 on an old farmstead, the inhabitants include turkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, goats, 2 dogs and a cat.  And me, of course -- I'm the farmer.  Multiple strokes and brain hemhorrages slowed me down to the point where the farm is about all I can handle.  With the help of good friends and family, I manage to keep things together and the animals fed.  They do not care that I walk with a brace and a cane, or sometimes don't wake up early.  Milking the goats is part of my post-stroke therapy.  The alternate hand use helps my brain work better.  If it weren't for my animals, I would probably still be sitting in a chair drooling.  They motivate me to get up and get going every day.  They always need SOMETHING! 

The weather was cool today and a little damp.  The trees are beginning to change their summer green frocks for rainbow cloaks of autumn, and soon the branches will be winter bare.  It is amazing how many shades of gray there are in trunks and branches alone.