Yesterday went looking at the various options for round hay bale feeders for horned cattle. Found a Tartar at Tractor Supply for $ 369 and an Applewood one at Family Farm and Home for $ 269. Now looking at a pipe bending machine which we can always use on the farm, and piping, mufflers to be exact, to make our own. The first on will probably cost about $ 200, but that includes the bender and an expander, so then maybe we can make additional to sell. Just not in this weather ! I'll freeze my buns off in the shed.
Jackie came to get eggs today, and nearly made it all the way up the drive-way. We were watering the cows, and went to the garage to unfreeze the tailgate when she walked up. Sorry Jacks ! Will snow-throw the driveway shortly, not that it helped you. She went back down slowly, but drifted off into a snow-bank, so Herbie got the truck out and pulled her up. Amy was coming up the drive as Jackie was going down, but fortunately Amy has a 4WD and just buzzed up the other fork. Jackie was amazed at the power of the Dually. Yep, that big-bottomed baby has 3,500 whatevers' and can pull ! Herbie has even pulled his work fuel tanker out of the snow with it ! So Jackie got some eggs, then Amy bought some and a Scottish Highland roast. Amy had to wait for Herbie to pull Jackie up before she could leave too, so we had a little visit, with Anni and Marmalade demanding her attention.
Yesterday while I was out and about, I took some eggs over to Angel. Her husband, Pat, is not doing well and she is house-bound. Thinking of you Angel, be strong. Their kids are coming up on Monday to say bye to their dad. So sad. She has the most delightful, tiny little girl-Yorkie puppy, Bella.
Star still hasn't had her calf. She and Dolly are in the lower barn enclosure. Not letting her back in the pasture as she fell last night on the ice while I was taking her to the lower barn. It's just too dangerous to have her walk the 200 or so metres on a skating rink covered with 2 inches of soft snow. Saw today that she has a raw spot above her tail and a patch on her back. Wonder how she did that ? Tried to take Dolly back to the other cows, but she is more interested in eating the better hay than following me. Maybe will take the lead after I've blown the driveway, and lead her back. Going to be interesting getting her out and leaving Star in.
Watching the sheep being frisky. Chasing each other up and down their yard. July babies for the 2 young ewes ?
My dad is back from his South African holiday. He'll probably come and visit later this year, once this white stuff is gone ! Can't be too late in the year, otherwise he'll experience another Michigan Winter, which he's not interested in doing.
Did evening chores after blowing the driveway - just 2 passes but it's snowing again, so Herbie is probably going to get stuck. I called him saying he is to call me if (when) he gets stuck and I'll pull him up with the truck. So, expecting a 3am wake-up call :/. Took Dolly back to the others, gave Star more hay and a scoop of grain (she's being spoilt because I want her to look forward to coming to the barn - it's been 2 years since she was last milked), did a final egg sweep, closed the duck / geese gate, gave the sheep hay a turn, gave Rosco dog food and filled the bowl in the garage. Came inside and had some of the Scottish Highland roast I was cooking for a few hours, and a cup of chamomile tea, when I saw a cow passing the lounge window, on the sheep yard side ! What ? Was Star, she'd climbed over the temporary wire gate I'd rigged as the wooden gate is snowed open. Layer up again, gloves, jacket and boots, go open the gate she waltzed over, went ro get her, no way was she going back. Checked her back-end, don't think tje calf is coming tonight, so went and opened the original pasture gate for her. All the other cows came running as that's where the bunk feeder is and they thought I was bringing them grain !!!
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March 2023
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