Steamer’s Summer Home August 8, 2009

Aug. 8, 2009–Steamer’s Summer Home
     It has been a productive summer.  One of the people who adopted our Boer goats is a handy-man and has been fixing some of the problems in the barn which have been bothering me for ages.  In addition to smaller tasks, Jim has been able to finally make a pig [...]

Pig Pandemonium February 1, 2009

Jan. 31, 2009– Pig Pandemonium
      I realize that time is running out to move Rusty the piglet in with Wilma & Willow, the grown sows.  He has had everal “playdates’ with them but not spent the night in their stall since his first couple days at the farm.  Once he’s an adult there may be [...]

Ridley January 23, 2009

    
Jan. 22, 2009–Ridley
     The new duck arrived.  I named him Ridley, as the call about the duck came just moments before we settled in to watch a Ridley Scott film.  He is a lovely male Rouen– with a gorgeous green head and orange feet.   Wildlife Rescue saved him after someone noticed him in  drainage ditch.  [...]

Quack December 12, 2008

Dec. 11, 2008– Quack
     Quack, is and always has been, the odd duck out.  She arrived here just over a year ago, from a farm where she was kept in a  crowded pen with many other ducks.  I’ve no idea how she coped.  Quack, sadly, is truly the bottom of the pecking order amongst the ducks [...]

The Bleak Days of November November 13, 2008

Nov. 12, 2008–The Bleak Days of November
          The cold, grey weather has forced me to become more pro-active with preparing the barn for winter.  I am hiring a small crew to add boards to an area at the side of the barn where windows in the loft were blown out, as well as fixing a [...]

Fall October 27, 2008

Oct. 26, 2008–Fall
     Autumn weather has arrived.  I am dreading piling the bales of straw around doorways, and covering the windows with sheets of plastic, thereby dimming the light.  We have some serious renovations to do in the next couple of weeks.  Antique windows that have shattered at the top of the barn, and a pannel [...]

Rusty’s First Car Ride October 16, 2008

Oct. 15, 2008– Rusty’s First Car Ride
     Last week Rusty took his first car ride, over to a friend’s farm, so he could be examined by the vet who was working there.  My mother came to give us a ride–probably the only person I know who would let me put a pig in her car!  I [...]

Outside at Last October 7, 2008

Oct. 7, 2008–Outside at Last
     I gave up trying to teach the new hens how to use the ladder and ramp outdoors.  Considering they have only just learned to walk, perhaps navigating an obstacle course was asking too much of them.  Instead, each day, after the pigs are returned indoors, I leave the coop door [...]

The New Hens October 3, 2008

Oct. 2, 2008– The New Hens
     Yesterday the hens finally walked free.  Their quarantine period up, we were able to move them from the horse stall in which they have been kept.  Their week in the stall was a learning experience for the hens.  They learned what lettuce and tomatoes were, how to scratch the earth, how to eat from [...]

Updates September 28, 2008

Sept. 27, 2008–Updates
          In sad news, our old Tallulah, the most loved Pygmy goat in the world, has her age catching up with her.  When we first brought Tallulah here, we assumed it was to live out her final days.  We had no idea love and care would help her rebound so that she would [...]