It's a BOY!

Lilly delivered a bouncing baby boy today! She had him all cleaned up, nursing and bouncing around by the time we got home. Chris figures sometime around 2 p.m. was the event as that is when he heard strange noises from the pasture. Didn't phase him much because they are always making some sort of commotion. He is adorable of course and has some really cool markings on his face. A bit larger than the prior kids with a very thick compact body. Pictures to follow soon.

We're running out of room so somebody is inevitably going to be sold soon. Lucky has a local vet that is very interested in having him as a farm pet. He'll be perfect as I've spoiled him to death and he loves the attention. The twins will be of age to sell in a couple of months. Just have to wait and see what happens.

Passing, eggs & activity

It's been a month and a lot has happened on the farm...

First and foremost we lost our precious Velvet. I came home to find her huddled in a corner and so bloated you could have poked her with a pin and she would have popped. What she got is actually called "bloat". It is common in ruminants as they require the ability to allow the excess gas to escape and usually they are great at burping and passing it but in some cases they get into either excess amounts of grain or lush grass and this can occur. The large animal portion of Vet Med attempted to relieve the gas by normal means but this did not help. Shortly after us leaving her in their care she went down hill and surgery was her only option. They pulled over 10 lbs of grass and grain from her rumin. She came through the surgery fine but then stopped breathing and they couldn't bring her back. We had taken Lucky, her kid, over to be with her but he never got to see her. When I went to pick him up the next morning he was hoarse from crying for her. It took almost a week for his voice to come back. It was a very sad day on the farm...at least for everyone except maybe Mike as he doesn't get attached to anything. They are all my babies and I do get attached.

Onto happier items of news...we have some layers finally. Brown eggs are finally on the menu. I know we have 3 of our 7 hens laying. We are getting a consistent 3 eggs a day now. Once they all get into the groove we'll have more eggs than we will know what to do with.

Garden is planted...corn, green beans, carrots, watermelon, cantelope and pumpkins are in the big garden with room for the squash once the fence is up. Otherwise the goats will just eat it before it has a chance. In my flower garden which has corners of completed areas I've added a spot for the tomatoes, banana peppers, chili peppers and golden bell peppers. I figured to keep them closer since once those start growing it will be a daily task to harvest. Hopefully this years attempt will get us something instead of go to weeds like last year. We were much more organized.

I don't think I've missed anything new except to report that all kids are doing fine. I enjoy going in every night and getting my nibbles and hugs from all.

Kids R Us

Twins have arrived...Brownie is a great mom too! A girl and a boy. Maybe Stormy and Windy since I think the storm scared these kids out of her. :) Our boy has a bit of an issue with standing up right but Rachel is taking care of him to help get that straightened out. I've said this before and I'm sure to say it many more times...we are blessed to have her around.

Vet Med Training

One of the University of Illinois' vet med classes stopped by the farm tonite. They were there to see a chiropratic demostration and some benefits of acupuncture on large animals. 

I have to admit that I never knew the animals (any kind) needed chiropractic care but then I have never been to a chiropractor before either. I guess I fall into that "they're not real doctors" group. I listened intently and she (the vet) was very well informed, personable and truly a delight to listen to. 

With just a few pokes, rubs and prods Hobbitt (the horse) could move his head farther to the right than he ever could before. Rachel will testify to this. 

Anyway, here are some photos from the demonstration.

Video might be available later after I get it cleared. And find my transfer cable - Sony has to be different in cable connections.

5:30 feeding

Hopefully only one more feeding this afternoon that I need to do and Velvet will totally take over. She is doing much better this morning with her mothering duties. While I was feeding Lucky the colostrum we initially milked from her, she was right there making sure all things were going well. After I got done, he nursed like he was supposed to and she seemed to be ok with it. I think the initial stress of it all and Saint being there made things a bit bumpy. This is Valentino's first...at least now we know he is capable of getting the job done. Now to watch Brownie more closely as we think she is due soon too.

Name that goat...

We have a new goat. 

unexpected.

boy.

about 3 hours old in this picture taken at 7:30pm.

Our first kid was a female named Lightning and first impressions or to name this one Thunder. They have different parents but for the first two born on th e farm... Maybe?

Things are getting done...

The chicken coop is done and occupied! Yippee!! The house no longer smells like chickens and the noise level has reduced dramatically too. I helped a little on the coop when the weather was tolerable, but Michael had the vision and perseverance. The chickens actually started venturing out of their little hatch last week. I think they are finally feeling at home since he put up the fence around it to keep the dog out. He thought it was a giant dog house with friends inside. HAHA!

Speaking of the dog..he got beautified yesterday! He is so clean, looks great and you can tell he knows it! It was funny though that when Mike found out I was taking him there, he thought it was ridiculous, but when we went to pick him up he wasn't about to let me hold the leash as he wanted full credit for the wonderful dog! Typical man! Here are pictures of our clean white ball of fluff!

I also thought everyone would like an updated baby picture of Lightening! She is filling out quite nicely and thrives on the attention of all. She likes getting her lovins in the evening, or just about any time you're around. Mama is to her left and Lilly is never far behind.

various pix from my camera

  1984 Illini and Lou

 Being an angel for a time

 The boyscout

 I needed a hug

 Game time during Super Bowl

 Deep Super Bowl conversationalists

 Meeting the new girl

 Birthday boy

 Saint's new hair color

Bookcase

I spent 4 hours in the cold, cold, cold man-cave cutting up a whole bunch of oak. I now have almost 50 pieces of oak all scattered about. Now I got to figure out how they all get together to look like a bookcase and not just a bunch of boards. Hopefully, I can get the building process started this week. 

On another note, the chicken coop is closed in except for the doors and I few cracks that need sealed.  I hope to get it sealed this week and the chickens out there this weekend. Have to run power out there for the brooderlamp and hwated water jug. Damn weather just to cold for water.

Get that done and then I have to keep working on the attic room. It is actually looking pretty good. Still a long way to go. I am putting up cheap tongue in groove pine boards (the real thin ones you buy in 14 square foot packages). It looks really good but it a bitch to install. Some of the pieces are curved, some have the grooves or tongues messed up. But the idea was to keep costs done and that was how I chose to do it. Afterall, I think Ally has gone through 6 or 7 quarts of stain so far at $10 a quart. Hell, that;s $4o a gallon. i've never paid more than $25/gallon for paint. 

Hear that sucking noise - so do I!!!

Promised pictures

Here is the newest member of my extended family. Early consensus has her named Lightning - for how fast she was born. Mama has been good to her. She is about 4 hours old in pictures. We put a little doggie sweater on her. I figure she is about 2 pounds in picture.

Only one kid but cute as can be!

I call her wee one, Mike wants to call her Justina afer a guy at work that has been asking daily if the kids have arrived. Our horse boarder that was instrumental in her arrival wants to call her lightening because she came fast and furious. About 3:20 p.m. is the time of delivery. By 7ish that evening we decided there wouldn't be a second. Evidently this happens and we shouldn't be worried about it.

Pictures will be posted soon. She is adorable!

Pictures to enjoy...

Master Saing...what a beast! He isn't done growing yet! You can tell by the picture of him and Chris wrestling just how big he is. Mike thought the ceiling was going to come down on him when they were doing this. tee-hee!

Valenino...the stud!

Valentino, Lilly, Velvet and Brownie

The coop...got the black paper on yesterday with all that cold and wind...almost inhabitable.

Mama....she still hasn't dropped the twins. We're patiently waiting.

Here's our barn kittens...Grey is our gal and black is our guy. We're sure to have others with these love birds.