Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[sumi]

That is very nice of him!

How is Lil' Red doing today?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

He's a good guy!

Lil Red is much improved - but not 100%. She looks like she's excited to eat, but then walks away after a few bites. That's ok - the last thing I want her to do is gorge herself. I gave her another injection of B-complex last night because she seems perkier after I do so I'll keep it up for awhile. It's one of the things that you can't really overdose them on because they just excrete anything that the body doesn't use. Her baby is still trying to nurse often so I hope her production picks back up.

I'm only two days into the feed change and it's very, very gradual - but I'm already seeing an increase in milk production. Cameo isn't a high producer anyway - especially for a full-Nubian. Cocoa out produced her a LOT But, last night she gave almost a cup more than she's been giving. If she keeps that up I'll be really pleased.

 

[baymule]

We pay $60 for a round bale, 5 1/2 feet high. Our hay guy stores it in his barn and delivers it as needed.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Glad Lil Red is doing better! Hope she continues that direction!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Well, my little garden out in the buck pen has disappeared. All the little bean sprouts have had the leaves eaten off of them, the few little sprouts of corn that I saw are gone...just gone. I'm so annoyed! I wonder if I've got a thieving bunny that's coming around at night. I walked through it yesterday evening and was just so ticked off. However, while I was walking through it I looked around and saw CHESTER was following me. His teeny, tiny self (at a year of age) can still fit through the openings in the stock panel - ARGHHHHHHHH! The okra seems to have survived and the winter squash plants are still there - but nuttin' else. I'm bummed...

It looks like Lucy, the last gal that kidded is going to be a milker! She's a F2 Kinder and she's got quite the udder. Better attachments than Cocoa had, but not as high and tight as Cameo. But, she's got capacity. I've been milking her since she kidded on Saturday and she's not even letting it all down for me...she's holding back for her kid...but I see definite possibilities of her being a really good producer. Kinda glad about that!

Chickens and quail are layin' like crazy! I've got a batch of quail in the brooder that will move outside this weekend. I'll need to see how many males and females we have because it won't be long and the males will be ready for processing.

Spring has sprung and things are moving right along!

 

[Mini Horses]

Hmmm...Chester may like beans! He's little, can't eat much. Right?! But, he sure is cute.

I'm waiting for a couple does who are using the "doe code" to it's fullest!! Then, couple more weeks before I can milk...hurry, girls! Here I am with a long awaited cream separator and no milk. It ain't right!

HOWEVER, I now have 5 brooding hens. One is sitting on a piece of an electrical wall plug. I've told here it will NOT hatch She's still there. A 2nd hen has gone into the big box to help set eggs with the first hen who accepted donations from others and went from 10 to 20...need to see how many now. 30ish? (they growl at me as I approach) So, some will hatch and will need to watch, pull chicks, etc. I hate that! Another is in a trailer......had 15 eggs, better check numbers there, too. This yearI have just lost control on the broody situation. Guess I will move some to another as it goes along. What a mess this year.


Weather is warming but wind won't go. Need to till and plant. Hope to do Sunday. We'll see....Might have to go get a buckling if I see him tomorrow & like.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I want to blame Chester - but I can't imagine him tenderly nibbling just the leaves off the bean seedlings and leaving the cotyledons and the stems. I think he'd just grab a hunk of it and the plants would pull outta the ground cuz they're just tiny little seedings that only HAD one set of leaves. I'm still thinking bunny and I hate that cuz it would mean I'd have to put up smaller wire around that entire pen and I'm just not gonna do it...just not! Can't put one of he LGD's in there cuz they'd trample everything anyway, lol. Maybe Gracie...? She's a mere 50ish lbs compared to a 100+ LGD.
What I can do is take some smaller wire out there and surround my squash hills so they can get a good start before anymore nibbling takes place I guess... UGH! Just what I need - more work...sigh.

 

[baymule]

I hate rabbits. I have to keep the chickens cooped because a hawk family is nesting just beyond our back yard. I hope they catch every durned rabbit there is and feed them all to their young.

 

[Mini Horses]

I hate rabbits

You used to raise them!! What?


FEM -- probably right about Chester eating them. But rabbits "can" be pullers...maybe slugs or other bug? Anyway - yep, more work. Just turn a bucket over them at night, remove in AM. One doe kidded this afternoon. Always trip bucklings -- but THIS year? Only twin bucklings!

Glad it was sunny and warm -- although windy -- when I came home girls were out in field. Watched, counted 2X, yep one short. She was in the barn last kid was 1/2 dry. They are in the bonding corner pen tonight. Will keep the babies safe and they will be up & down nursing all night. Was 62 this morning, after 44 yesterday BUT 37 for tomorrow morn! I hope the roller coaster runs out of steam soon.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

But - I kinda hate them now too... (cuz I just don't wanna hate Chester)