Busy Times

We've had a busy couple of days! Some good things, some not so good things.

1. All of the turkey eggs have hatched for a total of 14 babies. We'll see how many live long enough to weigh enough to be butchered! The last surviving turkey of the first batch, was set free in the woods. It had a bad leg and the girls opted to let it loose and let it be a link in the food chain. Rachel is holding out hope that we'll see a full grown, limping, turkey come fall.

2. We had Minnie, our 17+ year old dog put down. It wasn't an easy decision, but we knew it was for the best. The last time the vet came out, she confirmed that Minnie's heart wasn't in good shape and neither were her lungs. She was struggling in the warm weather, and we aren't even into the really hot days yet.

3. We also had one of our cats put down. This cat was given to us because it had kind of "snapped" at it's former home, when a new puppy came to live there. Well, it had what appeared to be a nervous breakdown over the last few weeks. It decided that it hated every other cat that lived here and would stalk and attack them at all hours. This cat also started to become aggressive towards the chickens. (She was up to date on all her shots so it wasn't something like that) The vet took one look at her behavior and suggested that we do what was best for all the animals. So we had her put down the same day as Minnie.

4. We have found a home for Honey. She'll be going to Sam's cousin's farm on Saturday. She'll live on 20 acres of pasture and woods with goats, and four young children to ride her.

5. Bob Scalopini has his date with destiny on July 11th. While I wish we could feed him a bit longer, with all the milking goats going to the National ADGA show at the end of the month, there will be no milk to feed him. Our next calf we won't have that issue.

6. Hannah had her back evaluated for hyperlordosis. While she is a bit "swaybacked" the orthopedist felt it wasn't significant enough to warrant any further care.

7. Sam installed electric fencing along the outside bottom of the back pasture to discourage the coyotes. We've also now given Turk, the livestock guard dog, full run of the pastures. So far, no more loss of chickens at 4AM.

8. Abby completed her first goat camp week at the New London County 4-H camp. Tomorrow she leaves to teach the same thing at the Windham County 4-H camp. Instead of paying her, they are letting her stay at the camp as a Teen Leader for the week, for free! New London 4-H caught wind of this and, not to be outdone, offered Abby a free week of camp as well! She'll be attending that camp the day we get finished with the Windham County 4-H Fair.

Summer is starting to ramp up in activity, not the least of which is the National ADGA show at the end of July!

Pictures from Rachel and Hannah's Horse Show

Rachel in Lead Line

Hannah on Tally

Rachel and Honey

Rachel spent some time last night letting Honey graze on the lawn. She was so cute talking to Honey while she grazed, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures, even though the light wasn't that good.

Making Changes

After much prayer, deliberation, discussion, and soul searching, we are selling a large portion of our goat herd, some of our chickens, and our horse. We need to simplify. Everything here is just too chaotic and I do not enjoy this "flying by the seat of our pants" feeling that has overcome our household.

Sam and I were up until the wee morning hours on Monday (well technically, I suppose it was Tuesday) discussing where God wanted us, physically, financially, spiritually, educationally, etc. And the bottom line is our family needs to come first. Whatever it takes. The animals are a good thing, but their numbers have taken over our time and finances.

We expected the girls to be angry/sad at our decision, and we were not disappointed. We encouraged them to pray about it and talk with us about it. As yesterday progressed, and they decided who to keep and who to sell, they began to feel better about it all, sort of. We are encouraging them to look for the benefits and for the most part they are doing that.

I knew I needed to be at home more and so approached my employer about only working one day a week. When I explained the situation she was very understanding, but really wanted me to keep working for her. She offered me the summer off and will hold my position until school starts up again in late August and I can make a decision then. I accepted her offer.

We currently superintend three goat shows at local fairs: North Stonington, Ledyard and Lebanon. If anyone has any interest in taking these over, we will work with you through this current fair season to make the transition.

Below is a list of what we are selling. Please let us know ASAP if you are interested, or know of anyone who is interested, as they will be heading for the auction before the end of June if not sold privately.

GOATS:

OWL-RIDGE NITE LITE: 4 year old Oberhasli. Star milker. Currently in Milk. Should NOT be bred again as she has a history of prolapse. Milking 6 pounds daily.

ABBY'S TAILS PALADIUM: 1 year old Oberhasli. Currently in Milk. Nite Lite's daughter. Sire is HEAVEN'S HOLLOW SHINE-ON JAZZ. Milking 5.5 pounds daily.

ABBY'S TAILS DUNKIN DOENUTS: 3 year old Ober Recorded Grade (technically, full Amer. Oberhasli but registered as Rec. Grade due to paperwork issues). Currently in milk. Milking 5 pounds daily

ABBY'S TAILS LOUISA ADAMS: Born March 7 2010 Oberhasli. Dam is 4M-GATEWAY MOEEKA, Sire is BLUE-RIDGE HS VICTORIAN BUDDY

WEST VIEW OCTAVIA: 2 year old Oberhasli. First year freshener, currently in milk. Sire is UDDER VIEW WESLEY and Dam is WEST VIEW OCHO.

CEDARS OF LEBANON LOU HENRY: Born March 31, 2010 Oberhasli. Dam is HEAVEN'S HOLLOW LUCILLE and Sire is HEAVEN'S HOLLOW SHINE-ON JAZZ.

WEST VIEW OKRA: 4 year old Oberhasli. Failed to breed last fall. Not in milk.

CEDARS OF LEBANON FLUORINE: 1 year old Oberhasli. Not in milk. Dam is HEAVEN'S HOLLOW LUCILLE and Sire is HEAVEN'S HOLLOW SHINE-ON JAZZ.

CEDARS OF LEBANON POLONIUM: 1 year old Oberhasli. Not in Milk. Dam is WEST VIEW OKRA and Sire is HEAVEN'S HOLLOW SHINE-ON JAZZ.

CHICKENS:

Bantams: 9 hens... breeds include: Aracauna, golden sebright, and birchen cochin.
Polish crested: 2 hens and one rooster (who took best in show at nearly every show he was entered last summer. His name is Rockstar, of course.)

HORSE:
10 year old gelding quarter horse named Lewee. Western trained, amazingly sensitive to leg. Not for a beginner. Vaccinated for West Nile, EEE, botulism, and rabies, current Coggins. Currently barefoot but will need shoes on at least front feet.

Vet Visit

I arrived home from work yesterday to Hannah racing from the backyard to tell me that Honey (the horse) was colicing. Sam was walking her and had already called his brother (knows horses) and the vet. The vet was on her way, so I took a turn walking her so Sam could get warmed up. As I walked her I tried to calm Rachel down, who had been told months ago, we wouldn't be spending lots of money to save Honey if she should colic. A 20+ year old horse wasn't worth the thousands of dollars that it would take to fix a bad case.

So when the vet arrived, she checked her over and felt we could make a good attempt at saving Honey without involving thousands of dollars. Some pain killers and water and mineral oil into her and she was looking slightly improved. The vet did find that she has a serious heart murmur, but as long as we are not doing barrel racing she should be fine.

This morning the horse is still up on her feet and looking good.

Of course we had to take a photo...

The Latest Addition

Our newest addition to the "farm" arrived last night. "Honey" is chestnut with a dark brown dorsal stripe, which interestingly, makes her look very similar to our Oberhasli goats.

Several months ago, we had told Rachel that the only way we could get a horse right now would be if God gifted us with one. (I think my exact words were "God would have to bowl us over with a horse.") Rachel prayed faithfully and without wavering that God would do just that, and He did!

Honey needed a home with someone who had the time to care for her and ride her. It also needed to be a cow-free home. Her previous owners were very happy to see that she was going to a home where children would be riding her and doting on her. She is a very sweet horse and loaded easily onto the trailer. It took a little coaxing to get her into her new pasture as the goats were a curiosity to her. But she soon relaxed and went in.