I thought I would give you an update on farm life around here.
The Cows: Clover was really holding back her milk when we milked her. Her teats are very small, so Michael was using the milker on her rather than hand milking her. I have been unable to be out there helping him milk, so we just put Clover and Nutmeg (her calf) out with the other cows. It worked fine for a short time. On Saturday night, Brittany came to milk Buttercup. She had been really gross the night before, so Michael shone the flashlight on the back of her udder to see how dirty she was, and one quarter was empty. She is the best Momma cow and I guess she allowed her Grandbaby to nurse. We left everyone in there and were just going to try and watch. Sunday was fine. Then the Wonderful Neighbors came to milk on Monday night. She was empty. There was barely enough milk to give the dog and cat some. We think that the other calves must have caught on to the secret as well. So, Buttercup got put in her own pasture until we decide what to do. Michael was so thankful that he finally only had to deal with one pasture. We do rotational type grazing and only having to move one fence was a plus.
The Sheep: They are doing well. With the rain and the few warm days, there is still some grass for them to eat. However, we are not going to have enough hay to get them through the winter. I may have to get rid of all my sheep. I hope that is not the case, but if it needs to happen, I understand. I would like to keep at least two, but we shall see. We are going to be short on cow hay as well. We have been in drought conditions for three years. We got only one cutting of hay this year and it was small.
The Bees: They are still doing well. I hope they make it through the winter.
The Poultry: We are done with broilers for the year. We have turkeys in the field right now. They go the week of Thanksgiving. Our layers are doing OK, but we could sure use some more eggs. I would love to find some more laying hens to buy. If you are close and know of any, please let us know.
The Garden: It is done for the season. We do have our garlic planted for next year. We are allowing the sheep to graze in parts of the garden. The chickens keep getting into my garlic bed. I have to chase them out.
The Cows: Clover was really holding back her milk when we milked her. Her teats are very small, so Michael was using the milker on her rather than hand milking her. I have been unable to be out there helping him milk, so we just put Clover and Nutmeg (her calf) out with the other cows. It worked fine for a short time. On Saturday night, Brittany came to milk Buttercup. She had been really gross the night before, so Michael shone the flashlight on the back of her udder to see how dirty she was, and one quarter was empty. She is the best Momma cow and I guess she allowed her Grandbaby to nurse. We left everyone in there and were just going to try and watch. Sunday was fine. Then the Wonderful Neighbors came to milk on Monday night. She was empty. There was barely enough milk to give the dog and cat some. We think that the other calves must have caught on to the secret as well. So, Buttercup got put in her own pasture until we decide what to do. Michael was so thankful that he finally only had to deal with one pasture. We do rotational type grazing and only having to move one fence was a plus.
The Sheep: They are doing well. With the rain and the few warm days, there is still some grass for them to eat. However, we are not going to have enough hay to get them through the winter. I may have to get rid of all my sheep. I hope that is not the case, but if it needs to happen, I understand. I would like to keep at least two, but we shall see. We are going to be short on cow hay as well. We have been in drought conditions for three years. We got only one cutting of hay this year and it was small.
The Bees: They are still doing well. I hope they make it through the winter.
The Poultry: We are done with broilers for the year. We have turkeys in the field right now. They go the week of Thanksgiving. Our layers are doing OK, but we could sure use some more eggs. I would love to find some more laying hens to buy. If you are close and know of any, please let us know.
The Garden: It is done for the season. We do have our garlic planted for next year. We are allowing the sheep to graze in parts of the garden. The chickens keep getting into my garlic bed. I have to chase them out.
5 comments:
Marci, When you have an over abundance of milk, what do you do with it? Do you make cheese, sour cream...? I am hoping one day to have a milk cow.
Regina
Sounds like things on the farm are getting ready for winter. Hope you can keep your sheep.. of course they thrive on grazing so it may be more economical for you all to get rid of them. I wish I could take them!
Patricia
Hi Marci~
I understand being short on hay...we're not this year (praise the Lord) but we were last year. It was always hanging over our head.
I hope that you find the hay that you need, and have fun preparing everything for winter...we have lots to do yet, I'd better start working hard lol!
Blessings,
Jenna
p.s. thanks for all the lovely comments on my blog:)
our goat dried up so we are without milk, she had a really short lactation so not sure we will keep her. Hoping for better from her kid.
I hope you don't have to get rid of your sheep !
They are forcasting a cold winter for us with more ice and snow than normal.
Keeping you in my prayers
Sounds like a day on the farm! Hope you can keep your sheep. That would be sad! I second that on the layers, but we're in MO. :-) Egg production has been rather slow lately. We've had our Jerseys do the same thing. They're all like one big family so they nurse each others calves (yes, even the older ones!)and help care for them. It's neat to watch but can make for some surprises!
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