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Monday, April 29, 2013

What goes on inside when a mini-blizzard is going on outside!

Its end of April, the third week of this month we had our (hopefully) last little mini blizzard. 
It was cold, windy and snowy and did I mention cold!

People are getting a little touchy about this "tease of Spring" we've been having. 
The South East corner of our state was hit with a record ice storm that did a lot of damage with major power outages.
It was pretty tough going and still is in that corner of South Dakota. 
Now me, up here in the middle of the State just had the hard-to-get around weather with unusual cold and blowing snow that stuck to highways.  Huge hassle is the snowdrifts to contend with on an hourly basis. Livestock had to be tended with extra care and babies being born are too fragile for the weather we received.
It was the just like the usual January/February stuff we get, but being its April....it was time for it to be over!
Moisture is more than welcome with this drought and knowing the cold wasn't going to hang around long makes it easier to take. Our memories will fade quickly of how nasty it was!

Here is a sample of my time and my animals time spent while Winter was reminding us she wasn't done just yet outside.

I'll just call this..."When animals attack"

 
After I fed the baby calf, next up goats and chickens get their inside treat!
 
 
 
Even though, I give a little cracked corn/oats mix to goats ...chickens are in on the business very quickly.
Seems they must of sent the memo about morning brunch, as I had the guineas/chickens, goats/kids and baby calf all in the space together as blizzard was happening outside.  It was crowded but nobody noticed!

Now, this is what I did inside and the smells are wonderful when I enter the house! 

Lots to get ready for as Saturdays- Country Farmers Market begins May 25th!



 
Think Spring folks!   I know I'm ready and my fingers are itching to grow something! 

For the folks who wonder how my health is, its Fantastic!  I am doing chemo daily but take it orally, and my Oncologist catered it to me as I am a sensitive sort?!  Its working wonderfully now, and I don't notice any changes....other than needing to be outside more and enjoying these long sunny days! 
Wait....I think I'm like that every.single.year!
knock on wood....My Dr. told me this last Friday that I was Perfect!  I like that...."Perfect"...I think a long, long while from now, that's what I want on the headstone....Perfect!
 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

I've never allowed her a boyfriend..

I had this surprise baby goat a little more than 2 yrs ago.  Just appeared out of nowhere and surprised me that the Momma had even been near a Buck, as they are in totally seperate pens and areas.
I still think she snuck out in the night and came back in the early morning.  She was a serious jumper and could leap a fence 5 ft tall from a standing position.  I could tell by the babies size as she matured, that her Momma was bred by one of my fat little fainters...so she looks to be half Alpine and half  Tennesee Fainter.  Gorgeous little fat girl, but never fainted and I assumed she was likely not fertile as both parents were polled goats.  She's been exposed several times, but nothing...until she made up for lost time this Spring.  I had her seperated and watch her from the goat cam at my office to see if she was going to need help.  She was huge for such a small little girl and I was very worried about the size of the babies.
Yesterday morning I tuned in for a few minutes at the office to check her and she was nesting, up and down, walking in cirlces trying to get comfortable.  I called home and told Son to check on her up close.  I was glad it was Friday, as we don't have school on Fridays and I had someone home that could do the checking without racing home.  I called my Vet, but he was at the salebarn for the day but his wife just said..go home and check.  I was seriously thinking I had to have a C-Section on this girl.  I've helped with lots of babies, but this one I was concerned on her size.
I watched for half an hour then I was dashing for home.   I couldn't take it!
By the time I was half way home, son called and said #3 was just born and it appeared that she was done.  I was half mile from home and he called me back...#4.  I dried them and had warm milk in a bottle and set up the heating lamp quickly.  What really surprises me is that she accepted them all and is a very good Momma.  She takes excellent care of every single one.  She has a nice full udder and for now they are getting plenty.  I stand ready with milk in hand though and check tummies frequently.  Two girls, two boys and blue eyed??!!  Like I said..she made up for lost time!