Merry Christmas Everyone!

When adversity reigns....

When adversity raises it's head, like it has for Westfarm Goats this fall, the best thing to do is look for the opportunities it presents.
I'm not quite ready to discuss all the issues that have befallen the farm this fall, however know that I will come out on top!
The help I've received from friends has been wonderful.

ALL things are possible!!

Tiny House Bundle

I have been intrigued with tiny houses for quite awhile.
I recently purchased the Tiny House Bundle. Lots of good references for a very special cheap price. Here is the link if you want to purchase these great resources.
http://oktiny.com/bundle/

BUT - you have to purchase by Dec 6th!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm grateful for the wonderful supportive farm helpers!

Thank you turkeys for gracing our Thanksgiving tables with healthy, happy food!

Will try to catch up

Obviously I'm not a very dedicated writer. Farm life and teaching life have kept me too busy this fall. Will try to give a full accounting by Thanksgiving.
In the meantime Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to you. May the Full Moon blessings of the spirit be with you.

Yes, I'm still here

It's been a crazy busy fall - this is not the way is should be. Will try to post an update soon.

Wheat harvest

First you cut

Then thresh - there has got to be a better way!....
We still have a ways to go with this step.

Moving the chicken house into place

The plan was to put it in the existing chicken yard - but alas it didn't fit through the gate....
So we found another spot and will be adding a yard around it.

We used 2x4s and heavy PVC pipe to roll the house.

Dog house becomes chicken house

We started with the super insulated, horribly heavy, dog house that a friend gave me.

 Stripped it down, taking out the inner walls, ceiling and insulation.

 Added vents, put in double human size doors. The right size is bolted and only opened for cleaning.

Then a window, roosts, nest boxes and some paint.

 Have black ceramic doorknobs on order.

A security latch will be added to keep out the foxes. And we'll move it to the coop area for the 40 young pullets to take up residence.

The turkeys like the view.

Look up from your phone!

http://blog.petflow.com/a-video-everyone-needs-to-see/
This is why I don't take my phone to the barn!

Free-range!

The turkeys spend the day out in the pasture and like to chase the young geese.
All the birds except the last batch of roosters are all outside on pasture during the day. The youngest roosters will be out of the brooder and outside in about a week.

So with all these birds wandering around dining on bugs and such, I hope our fly population is down to almost nothing this year. (Fingers -crossed)

Success!

Last November we planted winter wheat as an experiment to help feed the chickens.
I didn't know how well this would work but... there are now grain stocks appearing!

From a chicks view

What do you when you have large baby geese living in your quarters?

You use them as a nice fluffy mattress of course!

Goats on pasture

 Even the two bucks can get along together in the pasture.

I just love watching the goats in the pasture enjoying the nice greenery.

Chicken tractor

Tom made a wonderful chicken tractor. We're going to use it for the roosters when they get a little older.

We made a hoop house of sorts with flight netting to keep the young turkeys from flying out of their pen and as added protection from foxes.

 The chicken tractor was parked up next to the turkey pen to start them out on the pasture. I don't want to let them totally loose in the pasture yet as they might get lost in the tall grass.

 Even domestic turkeys can fly - at least when they are small.

Other babies

We also have 80 layer pullets

 There are Blue Cochins, Pioneers, Blue-laced Red Wyandotts, Golden Wyandotts, White Wyandotts, Mincoras and New Hampshire Reds

 The free exotic is a silver polish - I hope it is a hen. (Small lack and white in the upper middle)

Also have Blue Slate and White Holland turkeys - moved them to the outside pen today at 6 weeks.

Surprise Farm Addition Unveiled

Some of you know I have had a surprise addition to the farm on the way. They arrived this morning.

Hint: They are larger than ducks :)

Open Barn Event

The big annual Open Barn Event is on for this weekend. The weather should be beautiful! Not much mud, but don't wear sandals or shorts. Also goats like to chew on shoe laces and other strings.
All soap will be available for purchase for the sale price of $5 per bar. Goat milk cheese will be available for a suggested donation of $5 per package.

Saturday May 3 from 2-4pm
Sunday May 4 from 2-4 pm

Light snacks and drinks will be served.

Kidlet Photos

One more doe

Baby Belle had a doe that is cream color with white spots. The light color must come from Baby Belle's sire who was a Saanan.

I knew Baby Belle would deliver on Friday. Nothing was happening at 2:00 so I went to my massage (badly needed). I told her I'd be back at 5:00. Well with traffic and such, it was 5:30. I rushed down to the barn to find a half dry baby. Baby Belle looks at me and says "You SAID 5:00! Now get in here and help me dry her off."
Her name is Aspen.

Open Barn Event Update

For those of you planning to attend the annual Open Barn Event on Sunday- it has been postponed. The weather on Sunday is supposed to be soggy and 40 degreeish. The goats hate the wet and there isn't a good place for everyone to be inside.
So I'm changing to both Sat May 3 and Sun May 4 from 2-4. Hopefully that will allow for everyone to come that wants to.

Thanks!
Please pass this along to anyone you told about this event.



Sorry I thought this was posted on Friday.

And Rosie

Rosie had twins yesterday: one buck and one doe. She is one of only three who didn't need midwifing assistance this year.

Meet Trixie.

And on Easter

Tulip waited to give us Easter babies. This is Bunny Button and her brother.

Helen's boys

These are the two big bucks that Helen had.

Helen has a small frame and narrow hips, so this was hard on her. But she is recovering. She had her first kids last year without any trouble, but they were much smaller.

Behind in my postings

Several other kids born since last posting. Will try to catch up soon.

Helen had twin bucks today. Glad she went into labor before I left for the day, as they were very large and coming at the same time. It was hard on her, she has major muscle fatigue. Hoping we didn't displace a hip. Although she was able to stand and nurse this evening.
Still waiting for Tulip.....she's due today.

Photos later

More babies

My name is Willow. My brother and I were born yesterday to our mom Brigette. We are a couple days early, but that's ok cause we're big.

 This is my brother, he's getting a drink.

My profile

I've been trying for months now to change the statement in my profile, but for whatever reason I'm stuck with what is written.

Still waiting for Charlette

Charlette was due on Saturday - we're still waiting......

Thursday

Had to be gone for a few hours on Thursday. Molly and Marika appeared to be getting ready for birth later in the day, so I figured I had a few hours. They weren't actually even due until Saturday.
I can home to three surprises.
Marika had twin does and Molly had a single buck.

Photos of Molly  and story later.