We are back and trying to get everything up and running. Everything seems hard the first time you do it and this is the first time we are doing everything so it all seems so hard sometimes.
Couple days ago Bessie (our Jersey heifer who is due to calve soon) began to act differently and her udders seemed more swollen than usual. This is her first calf and also our first calf so really no one knows what to expect. I kept her in the corral for the night and was up every hour checking on her but by morning she seemed normal again so she's back on pasture and I lost a night of sleep. Seems like this first time mom is going to keep us guessing right up till the end.
Two days ago, John and I had moved the turkeys out onto pasture but because of how the portable electric fencing was placed, part of it was right next to our wood fence - no big deal right? Well, this morning I went out and found a headless turkey in the pen. The horrific calling card of a racoon. I know how the sucker got in, but how did he get out? We moved the fence out into the pasture and were just out there gun, and spotlight in hand tonight. Looks like another semi-sleepless night.
We also moved the 25 laying hens out onto pasture (two ran off the first night and haven't been seen since) and moved them to a new spot for the first time today. Seems they really liked the old spot and kept running through the fence and hiding in the bushes where they used to be. We spent literally hours chasing them down and trying to get them into their new fence area. We managed to get most of them (18) after gallons of sweat and a few curses (on John's part :) One ran into a mesquite bush and was stung repeatedly by a nest of wasps and died soon after. After that we stopped chasing them and we figured the rest would find their way back to the flock. The ones we had captured settled down into the shade of their hoophouse.
As we were getting the turkeys more water, a freak wind came like a freight train across the ridge of our hill and pushed their hoophouse several feet sideways. It was a bizarre deal but it crushed two of our remaining hens. We are now down to 15 but when we went out tonight to check for the racoon, all five escapees were huddled next to the fence. We rounded up 4 of them and put them in but one got away. We'll have to see if it comes back tomorrow. In one day we went from 23 to 19 hens. Not good.
On a lighter note, we got in our Cou-nu chickens (52) and they are doing just great - I'll post some pics of them soon because they are so unusual looking. We also got 21 more Guineas and they are doing very well also. We have been researching beef cattle breeds and have contacted a breeder in East Texas that raises Murray Grey cattle. He has several to sell and I think we are going to go up in early September to buy some. I'll post more info in the future about this wonderful breed but for now, it's time to once again collapse into bed.
Some days are hard and some days are harder but it's all pretty wonderful and I'm having the time of my life.
wow! brie - um, what can I say! : ) you guys are sure getting baptized by fire, but are all the more are becoming better farmers in the long run. Keep your spirits up and don't get too discouraged by all the hardships. You are such an inspiration in what you and your family is doing, and how you are learning to go with the flow in a world where nature reigns. You guys are awesome for what you are doing and I can't wait for us to get together again soon. Hang in there and just remember how many things are going well for you guys!
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