She gave about 2 cups of milk today, but I can't use it as I put mastitis meds up her teats yesterday to ensure that she doesn't get mastitis. Her milk will be usable only on Monday morning, 96 hours after insertion - if we all live that long. I think Herbie is just about ready to shoot her !
No new lambs this morning, but the mosquitoes are really bothering all the animals on the farm, and us. I watch Strawberry trying to keep the mozzies from biting her udder and hoo-ha, her tail is too short to protect her, by rubbing against the fence and moving a lot. I thought she was in labour yesterday afternoon, but maybe it was just her trying to keep them away. Sprayed repellant on my hands and rubbed it over Annis' face as they were biting her nose, I smack them on the cows, and spent about 1/2 hour last night swatting them in our bedroom. Herbie went to sleep while I was still standing on the bed, but then they eat me, not him. I wear long sleeves and they still bite. I'm covered with red, itchy lumps, especially on my hands and feet, even my head.
We had our first braai (BBQ) last night and I burnt the meat ! Idiot. Herbie started the fire and when it died down I put 2 lamb chops and 2 NY strip steaks on to grill after putting Sputnik up on the table so that the chickens / dogs couldn't reach the meat. I then took the zero-turn and mowed the lawn down to the road. Coming up the drive-way I smelt the meat, wonderful, so came up to turn it, only to discover that the fire had flared up and burnt the meat to a black crisp. So much for planning by taking the meat out of the freezer to defrost naturally. Fetched more and popped it into the microwave to defrost, and then stood over it with water to make sure I didn't repeat the burn ! Made baked potatoes and a tossed salad to go with it, and it was great. Fed the burnt ones to Anni and Sargeant, Rosco had him some cow/sheep/alpaca from the graveyard so wasn't interested in coming close to me (he thought he was in trouble). Herbie enjoyed it, ate half of my steak as well. Pity we didn't have any ice-cream in the freezer, would have rounded it off nicely.
Amy and her kids came over this afternoon to see Buttercups twins. Took lots of photos, the lambs are very cute, but Beth, Amy didn't cry :). They walked to the back with me to see the new calves. Little Red hid hers' in Little Africa. I tramped them through the back pasture where we were attacked by thousands of mosquitoes looking for him as that's where I'd seen him after I'd raked the hay that Herbie cut. Think Strawberry will have her lambs either tonight or tomorrow. She was off by herself, so I think we'll have more lambs come morning. Liquorice is also separating herself, so maybe they'll both lamb.
The mosquitoes are going to carry the farm away. I sprayed the chicken house tonight as when I went to close them up for the night, the whole place hummed with mosquitoes, there was a black cloud of them in there. I went and got the spray I use on the cows which can be used in poultry houses as well, just not supposed to have them in the room when spraying. I left the doors open and will go close them before I go to bed tonight. Am I unleashing millions of mosquitoes to come and feast on me, or have I killed them, and hopefully not the chickens !
I raked the back field, but the chain came off the rake. No problem, I went and found some larger spanners as the ones in the box on the tractor were too small, undid the bolt, then used the hammer to pry the chain loose, put it back together again and greased everything I could see that moved. Worked well to finish the field. See, I'm a real farmer. Even had to use the orange cleaner to get the grease off my hands. Anni loves running around the field when I'm out working with the tractor, she chases moths and butterflies. Sargeant just runs after me. I took water for them on the buggy today as it was hot out.
A guy came to the farm today, wanting to have our gas rights. Had a whole printed list of everyone around here, wants to tie up the whole area. Even farming I can't seem to get away from the energy industry LOL.
Still haven't made any butter and we're out. Was on my to-do list today, just never got there. Need to go get baler twine tomorrow as maybe I could bale the 1st hay tomorrow. There is a 20% chance of rain after 4 pm tomorrow, and I think the hay will be dry enough to bale after the dew has burnt off.