Fall fun and balance

Saturday was a gorgeous and chilly fall day. We had our monthly Farm Animal Care Training. We were also slated to go to the pumpkin patch. This is something we have done with the kids since our first baby was just 5 months old. Sixteen years later all three love this tradition.  Even the year mom died, we took the kids to the pumpkin patch(5 days later) because with the younger kids, we wanted not to bog them down with all the funeral plans. It was very good therapy for all of us.  So much to do. In addition, I had to get some homework done for my class.

I decided to rise early (0500 hours) and put in three hours of schoolwork. In the end it paid off, because  I was not worried or stressed about missing time to do homework. I was satisfied with the amount I got done beforehand and was able to truly enjoy the day with my family.

At the farm we had a nice pot luck breakfast meeting and learned about the visiting farm animals.  The morning was chilly so we all layered up a lot! I am by far the person who feels the cold the most. We joke that my blood is too thin for living north of the mason-dixon line.  We had out usual goats, chickens and pigs.In addition, we had a pony , a donkey, two beef cattle and a heifer. My kids loved all of them but the cutest picture I got was with the Welsh pony.

The kids loved the large animal training. We were all allowed to get in the big creatures. My favorite of course was the heifer. There is something about their eyes and sweetness that just makes me melt. I also am a huge fan of dairy foods!

The day was brisk but we were busy working.

The we met Phil at the Orchard where we get pumpkins.

So this year, even though the budget was tight, I told the kids they could get one pumpkin each( not too big please!)

There was a breeze in the field, but the sun was bright  this afternoon.  The kids ran around like they were all 6 and had never been out doors. It makes me so happy to see them enjoying the outdoors.

Are you kidding me! Those pumpkins have got to be at least 12-15 pounds! And they were. In the end the kids agreed to pitch in for some of the cost.  I walked away shaking my head thinking, I can grow these! Though I have had bad luck with the pumpkins this year. I ended up getting mildew looking leaves and baby pumpkins that never amounted to anything and fell off the vine before they reached  one inch in diameter.

My oldest made the initial observation when we got in the field, “maybe you need more space. maybe that is the secret”. We were both thinking along the same lines. we were both wondering why I can’t grow these? I think it is more than that the space that I have,maybe it is the soil, or the exposure to the sun. I am going to do my research. After forking over the dollars for these pumpkins, I am more motivated than ever to grow my own! I told the kids that we may not buy them next year if we grow a good amount. I added that we could still come and run around the field next year.

Chickens and rain and trimming goats hooves!

I love a good rain shower. I was letting the chickens hang out in the rain as it was a light shower. They were free ranging in the yard.

Soon the deluge of water came down upon them, they started heading towards the gate to go back to the coop. Only problem is we don;t yet have a fence so we have to take them down like little footballs!. I alerted the kids. The chickens were so flustered with so much rain we were able to grab them quickly and put them back in the coop. Good thing we decided on taking them down. Now we are experiencing a good old-fashioned summer thunderstorm. I bet there will be flash flood watches!

I closed two of their windows but left the high windows opened as the window flaps protect from the rain.

I checked on the girls and they were all on the roost. They are getting bigger, we may have to add another roosting branch. I put down fresh food after the rain and they hungrily came down the ramps to get their food.  Phil is working on the run and has become very attuned to their needs. he is creating something that the kids could easily access(for cleaning purposes) and with a latched door for the girls to exit for free ranging.  It will be complete today!

We went to animal care training early yesterday morning. It was goat day! First we shared stories and complaints and some coffee and breakfast. Then we went to work. We had 10 adult goats and 9 kid goats to have their hooves trimmed. I had never done this, though I have seen it done. Well it was hands on for everyone! I trimmed about three adult goats hooves. One of the other Mom volunteers and I shared a particularly ornery Nigerian goat. We each did one side and supported each other in the process. This guy was a kicker. We made it through unscathed.  The children participated as well. They had their own stories to tell about kid goats being babies and “baa baaing” all over the place. It was a fun and sweaty morning as we all help clean up the enclosures as well. I’m very thankful it was not raining at that time. It would have been a messy morning.

Piglets and kids

The farm has two piglets and 9 new kid goats.

It has been a good and busy summer so far with the animal care team.  The male piglet (Duroc) had issues with his neutering. We were worried that maybe he was not going to make it. He pulled through and now is doing well with his Hampshire gal pal.

It took them both a few visits for them to recognize me. Now they do know me and are comfortable with my getting in the pen with them to clean up.  I love the piglets, they remind me of puppies. They are so playful and they have to mouth everything. The pull straps on my boots stick out and are prime gnawing material for the Hampshire.

They both enjoy a good splash with the hose on a sunny day like today.

I have never had a piglet get out, almost did this morning. the Duroc, almost nosed his way out of the pen but my daughter caught sight of him and pushed the gate closed. Better luck next time buddy!( not really). the idea of chasing a piglet who is fast and muddy is not my idea of a cardio workout- that is just a heart attack!

The kids goats are fun too. They are also much like puppies: totally food driven. Right now they are mostly drinking goats milk but are transitioning over to grain. Of course they love the clover grass in their field.

My favorites are the Nubians ( third photo) with their basset hound looking ears. They also make the most noise, like they have not eaten in days. As soon as we pull up and park we can hear them baying the loudest.

Although it is hot and sticky and smelly, the kids(my children) pitch in and get the work done. There are fun things like  taking bunny in the clover field, feeding the kids with bottles and hosing down the piglets. These farm days are opportunities  my children are very lucky to have.   Anyway, sweat and hard work builds character 🙂

 

 

Farm Days…

  Goat is saying hi to Jules. We went to the farm for the end of year picnic(s) for Philip and Pamela’s farm classes.

Both days were great. I know Jules misses the farm classes so it is especially fun to take this day and get our feet wet and hands dirty helping out.

We joke that the goats are mush like dogs. They all have some interesting personalities.

They associate us with food so they follow us around the farm-yard. The farm acquired a total of seven kid goats the newest is only a week old. The added fun is to bottle feed these little guys. they will be bottle fed and slowly weaned off the bottle and onto grain and grasses before the end of the summer.

 

We will be helping out over the summer a few days in July and hopefully some in August .

For those who know me , know this is like a dream come true to be able to work on the farm.  Luckily my kids are just as outdoor crazy as I am.

During Farm Animal Care training , I learned how to castrate a young goat and give sub-cu shots. We learned about the different breeds of goats, chickens and pigs. The pigs that started out at about 8-10 pounds will be a good 250 by the time they go to market in Oct /Nov. It  is a great educational opportunity for us. I love that the kids get to spend some time every week here.

Pam will be taking the vet science class next year.

some of the kid goats