Plowed the grain garden today, but the ground is so hard the plow seemed to just scratch the surface, except on the one corner. Went over a couple of times, but think we need some rain. Then I hand-picked 2 x buggy loads of rocks out of the field, and there are still many, many more out there. Our one reliable crop - rocks !
Disturbed the Khaki Campbell duck who, unbeknownst to me, was sitting on a nest of eggs between the compost enclosure and the burn barrel. Damn. Wasn't planning on so many new ducklings. See that one of the Toulouse geese are starting to lay - took the egg yesterday, but not today as I was off-loading the rocks when I checked the nest.
Checked Dollys' udder yesterday, and it's getting soft. Think she lost the calf. I checked the pasture and didn't find any remains, plus she never showed blood. Don't know what to think. She was vet checked and confirmed preggers, her udder filled, but no calf. Maybe I should try milking her, but I worry that if she's still preggers, then milking her will probably bring the calf too early, although according to the vet, she was due end May.
Taking Scotch over to Daron tomorrow. Hope I can get her loaded.
Amy Reedy has a friend with an older horse that they need to re-home as they're moving to smaller premises. I was thinking that a rideable horse could be a good example for Max and Missy. Levi comes with some feed, equipment and tack. Need to talk to Herbie.
Down to only an evening bottle for the lambs. Hugh is such a funny boy. He moves his body sideways to push all the other lambs away. They're all interested in what he and Niece are sucking on with me. Actually getting quite brave getting close to me to check it out.
The new chicks, ducklings and keets are already 2 months old and put themselves to bed. Not in the chicken house, but the covered side yard next to the chicken house. The mama gray duck takes all her ducklings into the chicken yard at night, as does mama goose with the 7 goslings. But come morning, all the ducks and geese are out in the yard, and some of the chicks as I have the hutch between the chicken house and the side yard open, but the ducklings and keets haven't figured our how to navigate the ramp.