Our 2 rams, Sockeye and Prince were looking a little down today. Heavy breathing and wet around the mouth. De-wormed both of them with the drench gun, once I started squirting the liquid they both swallowed it easily, licking their lips, then wrestled each one to the ground in turn and gave each an iron shot. See if they are perkier tomorrow.
Nancys' udders are looking full, but when are those babies coming ? She is sooo large that I presume there is more than one. I thought she'd drop over a week ago already. Can't tell if last years' babies, Cheeks and Marmite are preggers - they weren't sheared either, but don't look uncomfortably large. They should be, but I don't know for sure.
Licquorice, Strawberry and Buttercup all look large, also due to their wool. Can't see their udders and they are not happy if I put my hand underneath them, so will just have to wait and see.
Slopped out to visit the cows. Scratched Stars' head. They all bury their heads down in the hay bale, as if the hay on the bottom tastes better ! I suppose all the fine leaves fall to the bottom, and those seem to be the best. Wish I had my phone with me, as Lil' Red was buried with just her horns and top of her head sticking out. Think it could have made quiet a good photo.
Herbie fixed the chicken plucker for me today. Tonight when the chickens all roost for the night, I'll go catch 9 of the roosters for processing late tomorrow. Best to have them only on water for 24 hours before, to clean out the crop and gut.
I keep an ear open to hear if the guineas are distressed, heard them earlier causing a major ruckus down below the sheep pasture. Took the gun and quietly went to investigate, but whatever was disturbing them remained hidden from me. They are the alarm system for the other poultry.
Looked at our muddy back yard - it's not a lawn anymore ! Don't even know how to think about returning it to grassiness. There are huge holes everywhere, water ponds and of course a generous layer of bird fertilizer. As Betsi commented this morning, it sounds like a farm. Yep, looks and smells like one too, and it's still cold out, early in the season. Wait until it is hot and muggy !
Warm yesterday and today, reached 50 but we are expecting snow tomorrow, again.
Just found the lamb ribs in the freezer. Yummy, I love ribs. Once they're defrosted, I'll marinate them and then grill them in the oven. Tomorrows' eating is going to be so good !
The daffodils are peeking green in the front garden, and the chickens are pecking at them. Should I see if I can net that patch ? They eat the Hostas, in fact anything green is devoured by those free-range monsters. They 'dust bathe' at the side of the house, have dug a trench about 2 ft wide by 7 feet long against the foundation, Maybe I should fill it with rocks ? Why can't they go play in the pasture with the cows ? There are quite a few that spend their time in the sheep pasture - yesterday Licquorice was lying down at the bottom of their pasture with a chicken lying down next to her, both facing the house. That would have made a good photo as well, methinks. Too far for my phone camera though.
The 5 lambs are still the cutest little things. They run and jump, climb on top of any adult sheep or alpaca that is silly enough to lie down and jump off, run around, climb and repeat. I've seen them go head-to-head with each other, the brown singleton boy is the youngest but the biggest and seems a bit of a bully, pushes they others around, but they are feisty and push back.
Spoke to my dad today. His wife fell and broke her hip, so off she went to hospital, where they want to run every test on her, operate, etc etc. She's in more danger of catching something in the hospital !
So, in all a good day, spent time with the animals, throwing the frizzbee for Anni, petting the cats and dogs.