Was a sad Tuesday. Scotch gave birth to a bull calf, but he died. Not sure if he froze because she couldn't dry him quick enough, or if something was wrong with him. She called, and when we went to investigate, her calf was dead in the snow. We let them all say goodbye, such a moving thing having each cow come up and nose the little one. Scotch keeps going back to the trees where she birthed him, so sad for her. We weren't sure that Scotch was even preggers, and due to all the hair you cannot see her udder so aren't prepared for new calves with the Scottish Highlands. Keeping a close eye on Star who is due shortly too. Then we're back in the milk business :)
Yep, Anni is starting to look rather preggers too. Her sides are filled out. She should be starting to look for a place to bunk down, as she should be due in the next few days. She's sticking close to me, so unless she starts birthing in the night, I should be around when the puppies come. Want to make a place for her in the basement. They can stay there for the first week before moving back to the garage. Don't want any frozen puppies.
Haven't seen any indication that any of the sheep are ready to start lambing, but if I go by last year, they could be May lambers. Here's hoping, as especially with multiples, the chance of at least one freezing is pretty high.
Eric and Liz and their boys, Sage and Nolan came for dinner last night, and then Eric went through the energy audit with us. No big surprises, some things we can work on to decrease wasteful gas and electric usage, but nothing that's going to save an absolute bundle. Need some new insulation in various places, and around the light and electrical fittings where it needs to be caulked. Amazing seeing the heat images where we are losing heat from the house. Made 3-meat lasagne with Scottish Highland beef, Icelandic lamb and venison, all from our farm, and no cheese, served with curried green beans that I canned last year. Went rather well together.
Happy birthday to my SIL, Jules. We went over to the East side of the State on Tuesday to see her and her new business, American Muffler, in Mt Morris, stopped in at my MIL where we also saw Herbies' youngest daughter, drove over to Lapeer to see his brother and nephew, and where their bitch tried to bite me :(. Stopped in at Terry and Suzis' house with some beer, and Sammy came over to say hi too. Used to have Thirsty Thursdays over there, but did a bit of a get-together on a Tuesday. Got home late, just before 11pm but it was a good day. I nearly lost the hay bale on the back of the truck. When we stopped at a Welcome centre for me to use the loo, and Herbie to have a ciggie, I was amazed to see it had moved right to the back of the truck. Put a ratchet strap around it, then Herbie said I was to back-up, then speed and put on the brakes to move it closer to the cab. I was hesitant as I didn't know what I was doing, and nearly put the 900 lb bale in the back of the cab with us ! Once at Julies', Herbie tried to undent the back of the truck so that we didn't lose the back window, but the pry bar wasn't long enough. We had tried to do it with the ratchet straps, and although we got the truck bed away from touching the cab, at certain speeds on certain roads it still made contact. Besides a small bit of snacking in the truck, nuts and raisins on the way there, some chicken nuggets for me and meat and cheese sticks for Herbie before seeing the Delekis', we didn't get to eat on Tuesday.
Went out to fix fences this afternoon. Really not fun in knee deep snow. The cows follow me around, curious about what I'm doing, but they're all scared of the wires :).
Checked Star again, her hoo-ha is softening and she has those hollows above her pelvic bones, but her udder is not large enough yet. Think another week maybe. Big Red actually licked my leg while Boytjie licked my glove. Can't look directly at them or try and pet them though.