The Ball is Rolling

My Certified Naturally Grown application has been turned in and awaiting approval. My inspection is tentatively scheduled pending my new job’s work schedule (hello farm store discount!).

Sunflower, squash, tomato, and pea seeds have sprouted. Too bad I didn’t get the wood for the beds yet. Yikes. Not sure what I was thinking other than I can’t wait to get the plants going.

Anne’s possible birth window opens soon (previous owner didn’t keep track). The lamb will be retained. We still have to get a raptor-proof lambing jug up.

Chicken and turkey coop building will be right after so I can order chickens and turkeys. I’m not sure if we’ll stick with Bourbons. I may check the Livestock Conservancy and go with an endangered breed.

I’m looking at new marketing materials since most of mine were created for Maine.

Getting a storm shelter is high on the list after we had to sit through 30 pmh sustained winds with tornado watches a week ago.

We’re getting the ball rolling.

Oh yeah, and we actually have a domain now.

Boost Post

Restarting

I’ve had to get a job, so any hours we have will be by appointment only once we get started again.  I’ve joined TOFGA, and we are looking at greenhouse ideas.  Strictly low budget.  I’m leaning towards a hoop house like we did with the shelters.

Ann adjusted fairly well to her new home, and Amy is happy as a clam.  She’s still skittish around me, but will come to me if Amy does.  However, she won’t let me touch her so I can’t feel for lamb movement.  I’ll have to get my son out to help me. We’re discussing going back and buying the other ewes she had for sale. The goats are still eating Amy’s wool, so a separate area is moving up the “must do” list.

Our neighbor put the land next to us up for sale.  This is the land we tried to buy, but he bought it first.  I’m hoping we can get a down payment together, and buy it when he drops the price in February.  It’s doubtful, but it won’t hurt to try.

We’re trying to decide how to lay out the chickens and turkeys in relation to the rest of the place.  We miss having our feathered friends and plan to replace them asap.  We’re okay on some eggs for now, but my soy-sensitive daughter is joining us in the spring, so we need them in place by then.

The goats keep escaping and getting into the neighbor’s pasture of cattle.  Not a good way to build relations.  We’ve put temporary fencing up to block the barbed wire that they army crawl under (seriously amusing to watch a 110 pound goat army crawl).  The adults haven’t gotten out again but the kids have.  We’re literally piling things in front of any suspected holes to block them. So far they’re winning.

So far…

To say things haven’t gone as planned is an understatement.  We were told it would cost $500 – 1000 to hook up water and electric.  It is $1000 for electric and $3000 for water.  However, the way our entrance is won’t allow for a long trailer with the electrical pole or a drill for a well. We hit the camper tongue and back end pulling in with a lifted truck. We have to put in a driveway and redo the gate we just did.  I left all my kidding/lambing supplies in Maine, because I didn’t breed anyone this year due to the move.  I just bought a ewe who is probably bred.  That’s not a big deal but we do have a lot of hawks, so I need to build a safe place for the lamb. There is more, but that’s the gist of the way things are going.

We don’t regret moving, though.  It’s not all bad.  There is a peace when I walk outside that I haven’t felt in a while.  The livestock love the space, though the goats have figured out how to get into the neighbor’s property. We need to fix that,  but we had unexpected problems that literally killed our small building fund plus our emergency fund.  I look forward to setting things up, bringing back the turkeys and chickens, and breeding next fall.   It will take at least a year longer than expected.

 

Update

We arrived in Texas at the end of October.   We built temporary shelters for the sheep and goats, plus added a temporary shed to cover hay and other things we needed to store like grain bins and outdoor tools.   It has held up fairly well to the wind.   Rebuilding will be slow, getting utilities hooked up is a lot more expensive than expected, and I’ve already gotten a list started for the trailer on the next trip down to Texas.  Those still in Maine are doing well.

We’ll be building a chicken coop soon along with a run. A new sheep was exposed to a ram prior to purchase, so we may have our first birth starting in February.   The previous owner didn’t keep track, so it will be interesting. She was exposed October to December. We need to build a lambing jug with a protective overhang. There are a lot of hawks and owls around.  We’ve already had coyotoes up to the fence.  All the animals roam during the day but are locked up at night. Amy is glad to have company again.

The weather has sometimes rivaled Maine.  Snow is expected on Saturday with a low of 19. We’re not happy, but that’s the way life goes.  We’re hoping the tanks on the camper don’t freeze.  I’m wishing I brought my heated buckets, but without electricity they wouldn’t work anyhow.  That’s pretty much it for now.

The Difference in Size

We have a slight conundrum.  Simon and River (on table – 4 months old) are one month older than Kaylee and Book (on the ground). Obviously, the younger ones are much smaller than they should be.  They look more like mini Oberhasli than full-size ones.  Kaylee’s back is about even with River’s underside.  Continue reading

In a Holding Pattern

Things are a changin’.

Everything other than goat sales is on hold.  We have an initial move date for myself, our middle son, two dogs, the goats and sheep to move down to the land.  I will be concentrating on getting the disastrous, overloaded house organized, decluttered and packed.

 

A Few Pictures

I posted an album on our Facebook page with some pictures of the kids and sheep.   I tried to post the link to the album, but Facebook kept saying the post no longer exists.  We’re not sure if we’re selling the second batch of kids yet.  They’re the nicest of the 4 we have as far as form and coloring (ignoring the white on Kaylee).

https://www.facebook.com/Seasons-of-Change-Farm-1669860343269089/timeline

 

Clove Oil Disbudding – #3

Disclaimer: The following is not veterinary advice.  We are not vets and are not advocating this procedure other than for our personal use.  We are posting results, because we were asked about it. You’re adults.  You make your own choices for your livestock.  Thank you for playing.

We participated in an unofficial trial during this kidding season.  I posted the original official study link in a previous postContinue reading