Ericson the Brave
The other day I reached into the chicken's nesting box to collect two eggs and noticed they were splattered with blood. Then I notice that the whole inside of the A-frame chicken coop was splattered with blood. Then I noticed that Ericson's whole head and neck were covered in blood and his neck feathers were chewed and mangled, although I couldn't actually see any open wounds. I suspect that whatever took him on came off second best. I had a good search around and couldn't find any animal or evidence of any other animal. It's a real mystery. Of course I quickly checked our three cats and none had blood on them. I think there is a stray cat in our shed but I haven't seen any evidence of blood anywhere else but the chicken coop. It's been a few days and Ericson seems okay. He doesn't look as handsome as he used to and still needs to stand out in the rain to wash his feathers, but I think he'll be okay. He does a wonderful job of protecting the chickens from swooping crows and magpies and now it seems had to actually fight off something inside the coop.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Brown Snake Season
I walked out into the dam paddock towards the trees to make sure the sheep were all okay and to take a closer head count and say hello. I was looking at the sheep and not the ground and then realised there was a brown snake moving in the same direction just ahead of me and to the left side about a metre away. I stopped moving forward and started walking backwards and let it continue on its way. That was pretty scary. It was quite long, maybe almost two metres. Because the grass is getting browner due of lack of rain, he was the same colour as the ground and not easily seen. I'm now carefully surveying the ground in front of me whenever I'm walking. I do hope the lambs aren't tempted to go too close to snakes. I hope the cows don't either, or the chickens or the kittens. The kittens were playing with a small foot long baby snake the other day. I think Steve ended up chopping it with the hatchet, so the kittens didn't get hurt. We've been quite lucky in the past three years. I've only actually seen one large black snake (I was in the car at the time). I've seen a few little baby foot long ones and heard lots of slithering noises in long grass, but that's all. Today was the closest I've been to a snake so far.
I walked out into the dam paddock towards the trees to make sure the sheep were all okay and to take a closer head count and say hello. I was looking at the sheep and not the ground and then realised there was a brown snake moving in the same direction just ahead of me and to the left side about a metre away. I stopped moving forward and started walking backwards and let it continue on its way. That was pretty scary. It was quite long, maybe almost two metres. Because the grass is getting browner due of lack of rain, he was the same colour as the ground and not easily seen. I'm now carefully surveying the ground in front of me whenever I'm walking. I do hope the lambs aren't tempted to go too close to snakes. I hope the cows don't either, or the chickens or the kittens. The kittens were playing with a small foot long baby snake the other day. I think Steve ended up chopping it with the hatchet, so the kittens didn't get hurt. We've been quite lucky in the past three years. I've only actually seen one large black snake (I was in the car at the time). I've seen a few little baby foot long ones and heard lots of slithering noises in long grass, but that's all. Today was the closest I've been to a snake so far.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Fencing Materials
Today I connected the trailer and drove into town and bought a gate (plus hinges and latch), a roll of hinge joint, a roll of wire and 40 star picket posts. Now I'm ready to organise a fencing contractor. I have left a message with one and I'm waiting for him to get back to me. I may not wait much longer, though, as I'm eager to get the fences under way.
Bobby seems to be fine, he was standing up and eating more today. The lambs are also thriving. I moved the netting across to the far side of the dam paddock today. Next weekend I'll move them to another paddock. The cows seem to be happy roaming around. At the moment they have the run of the other paddocks, but now that the grass is growing a bit I might try and limit them to one paddock at a time.
I planted more vegetable seeds today (zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin). I also repotted the tomato seedlings I bought the other day, and will be keeping them in the shed for a while longer.
I walked to the neighbours for a chat, plus paid for my part of the shearing. They were saying that they're having a lot of trouble with foxes, dogs and crows hurting their lambs. They think this is because both us and their neighbours on the other side have alpacas and so the lamb predators are preying on their lambs instead. Poor little lambies, they're so defenceless.
In other news, this morning the bathroom scales went down another kilo. I know this is not a weight loss journal, but it's all part of the process. That's 14 kilos so far this year, with another 6 kilos to lose to achieve my goal by Christmas.
Today I connected the trailer and drove into town and bought a gate (plus hinges and latch), a roll of hinge joint, a roll of wire and 40 star picket posts. Now I'm ready to organise a fencing contractor. I have left a message with one and I'm waiting for him to get back to me. I may not wait much longer, though, as I'm eager to get the fences under way.
Bobby seems to be fine, he was standing up and eating more today. The lambs are also thriving. I moved the netting across to the far side of the dam paddock today. Next weekend I'll move them to another paddock. The cows seem to be happy roaming around. At the moment they have the run of the other paddocks, but now that the grass is growing a bit I might try and limit them to one paddock at a time.
I planted more vegetable seeds today (zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin). I also repotted the tomato seedlings I bought the other day, and will be keeping them in the shed for a while longer.
I walked to the neighbours for a chat, plus paid for my part of the shearing. They were saying that they're having a lot of trouble with foxes, dogs and crows hurting their lambs. They think this is because both us and their neighbours on the other side have alpacas and so the lamb predators are preying on their lambs instead. Poor little lambies, they're so defenceless.
In other news, this morning the bathroom scales went down another kilo. I know this is not a weight loss journal, but it's all part of the process. That's 14 kilos so far this year, with another 6 kilos to lose to achieve my goal by Christmas.
Friday, October 13, 2006
New Growth
Yesterday, when I was watering my newly planted vegetables, I noticed a few green shoots pushing their way through the earth. At the beginning of the season when you first see some new growth you get an excited feeling and a promise of things to come. Today there were about five potato shoots showing and about five beans, plus the lettuce seeds sown near the house tank are also sprouting. Although I planted some tomato seeds, I bought two tomato seedlings today (Black Russian and Grosse Lisse). The lady in the shop suggested I keep them inside the shed for a little while longer. She thought that winter still had one more frost to come. This makes for a very short growing season.
In other news, the vet came to look at Bobby yesterday. Ever since shearing he has been sitting down and lying down a lot more than usual. Last year our first alpaca got an infection and died very quickly. I was very worried that something like that would happen again. But the vet said that even though he may have been stressed by the shearing and a little bit cold without his fleece, he seemed okay to him.
Yesterday, when I was watering my newly planted vegetables, I noticed a few green shoots pushing their way through the earth. At the beginning of the season when you first see some new growth you get an excited feeling and a promise of things to come. Today there were about five potato shoots showing and about five beans, plus the lettuce seeds sown near the house tank are also sprouting. Although I planted some tomato seeds, I bought two tomato seedlings today (Black Russian and Grosse Lisse). The lady in the shop suggested I keep them inside the shed for a little while longer. She thought that winter still had one more frost to come. This makes for a very short growing season.
In other news, the vet came to look at Bobby yesterday. Ever since shearing he has been sitting down and lying down a lot more than usual. Last year our first alpaca got an infection and died very quickly. I was very worried that something like that would happen again. But the vet said that even though he may have been stressed by the shearing and a little bit cold without his fleece, he seemed okay to him.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Septic Tank
We had our septic tank pumped out today. One of the 'joys' of living out of town. Aparently you have to get it pumped out every three years. We've almost been here three years. Today was our property settlement date three years ago. We didn't actually move in until early January, though. Originally the septic guy suggested dumping the effluent at the back of our property, saying that he apparently did that last time and that it would save me $100. At first I said okay but after thinking about it changed my mind and paid the extra $100 for him to take it all way. I found out today that if I had taken up his suggestion I would have been hit with a hefty fine. I'm glad common sense prevailed. Upon thinking about it today, if you have to pump out every three years then a septic system isn't very sustainable. Maybe that's yet another thing that will need to be replaced with a more environmental and sustainable version of waste disposal down the track.
We had our septic tank pumped out today. One of the 'joys' of living out of town. Aparently you have to get it pumped out every three years. We've almost been here three years. Today was our property settlement date three years ago. We didn't actually move in until early January, though. Originally the septic guy suggested dumping the effluent at the back of our property, saying that he apparently did that last time and that it would save me $100. At first I said okay but after thinking about it changed my mind and paid the extra $100 for him to take it all way. I found out today that if I had taken up his suggestion I would have been hit with a hefty fine. I'm glad common sense prevailed. Upon thinking about it today, if you have to pump out every three years then a septic system isn't very sustainable. Maybe that's yet another thing that will need to be replaced with a more environmental and sustainable version of waste disposal down the track.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Shearing Bobby
To get Bobby shorn, we have to take him back to the farm where we bought him, as shearing alpacas is specialised and needs special equipment. Well, we got the trailer ready and managed to get the halter on Bobby, our alpaca, but we couldn't get him to move anywhere. He was so stubborn and wouldn't budge. In the end we had to ask our neighbour for help - he was great and practically picked him up to get him to the trailer and in. Bobby was well behaved when we got there (with a little help), especially on the shearing table, as he didn't make a peep. His fleece was darker than I thought, under the dust. He is a very dark brown. Of course he now looks very skinny and funny looking. The shearing assistant helped get Bobby back in the trailer. She walked in front of him walking backwards and saying "walk on", and he followed her wonderfully. I obviously need some training in leading an alpaca. The problem is shearing only happens once a year. I guess the answer is practicing in between, but I wonder if I'll find the time to do that.
To get Bobby shorn, we have to take him back to the farm where we bought him, as shearing alpacas is specialised and needs special equipment. Well, we got the trailer ready and managed to get the halter on Bobby, our alpaca, but we couldn't get him to move anywhere. He was so stubborn and wouldn't budge. In the end we had to ask our neighbour for help - he was great and practically picked him up to get him to the trailer and in. Bobby was well behaved when we got there (with a little help), especially on the shearing table, as he didn't make a peep. His fleece was darker than I thought, under the dust. He is a very dark brown. Of course he now looks very skinny and funny looking. The shearing assistant helped get Bobby back in the trailer. She walked in front of him walking backwards and saying "walk on", and he followed her wonderfully. I obviously need some training in leading an alpaca. The problem is shearing only happens once a year. I guess the answer is practicing in between, but I wonder if I'll find the time to do that.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Past Hurdles
I should have started this journal when Paul left. There have been a few adjustments to make and a few hurdles to struggle over since the end of April.
One of the first adjustments was having to get out of bed a half hour earlier in order to feed animals. And even though I do enjoy my sleep-ins when I do have them on the weekend, that half hour in the morning is sometimes the best half hour of the day. Of course the half hour always ends up being much longer on the weekends as I linger with the sheep or cows just watching them.
There have been a few distasteful things to cope with like burying dead chickens and lamb afterbirths. Although I should be very grateful that I didn't have to assist with any of the lamb births and all of the lambs have so far survived. There was a major panic when two taps burst from being frozen. But I purchased two new taps and replaced them. I also mended a broken fence wire by adding a ratchet strainer. And mended various tie wires where the cows pushed through. I've also almost mastered the ride-on mower - I always push it beyond its limits, I think. I've also become fairly apt at splitting wood too. We have to split it quite thinly to help the combustion stove reach maximum heat quickly.
Shearing also progressed smoothly, including selling three fleeces at a good rate. We are getting Bobby, our alpaca, shorn tomorrow, so I'll let you know how that goes.
The farm side of things seems to be progressing nicely. The grass is growing again, although somewhat slowly. A little bit more rain might fix that. But the cows aren't asking for extra feed now, so there must be enough grass for them. The sheep still ask for extra food but I think that's out of habit and maybe they're just greedy.
I should have started this journal when Paul left. There have been a few adjustments to make and a few hurdles to struggle over since the end of April.
One of the first adjustments was having to get out of bed a half hour earlier in order to feed animals. And even though I do enjoy my sleep-ins when I do have them on the weekend, that half hour in the morning is sometimes the best half hour of the day. Of course the half hour always ends up being much longer on the weekends as I linger with the sheep or cows just watching them.
There have been a few distasteful things to cope with like burying dead chickens and lamb afterbirths. Although I should be very grateful that I didn't have to assist with any of the lamb births and all of the lambs have so far survived. There was a major panic when two taps burst from being frozen. But I purchased two new taps and replaced them. I also mended a broken fence wire by adding a ratchet strainer. And mended various tie wires where the cows pushed through. I've also almost mastered the ride-on mower - I always push it beyond its limits, I think. I've also become fairly apt at splitting wood too. We have to split it quite thinly to help the combustion stove reach maximum heat quickly.
Shearing also progressed smoothly, including selling three fleeces at a good rate. We are getting Bobby, our alpaca, shorn tomorrow, so I'll let you know how that goes.
The farm side of things seems to be progressing nicely. The grass is growing again, although somewhat slowly. A little bit more rain might fix that. But the cows aren't asking for extra feed now, so there must be enough grass for them. The sheep still ask for extra food but I think that's out of habit and maybe they're just greedy.
Gardening
I had a couple of hours gardening this afternoon. Nothing too strenuous, just weeding, preparing garden beds ready for this season's vegetables. Last weekend I planted my potatoes and some beans. I also planted tomato seeds. Today I planted carrot seeds and corn seeds. Not many of these plantings have been according to the moon but I have left things a bit late and time is of the essence. The best thing about this afternoon is that I worked until I could hardly see what I was doing. When I do this I feel as if I have not wasted any daylight (of course I did start late).
Earlier today I also collected two very large boxes of pine cones for use in the combustion stove, although I'm are not using it every day as I have been. Yesterday I pumped water from the dam up to the tank on the hill. Today I walked to the top of the hill and checked the level, which is now about two thirds full. The dam is pretty empty, though.
Yesterday I also moved the temporary netting fence in the sheep's paddock across to allow them access to another quarter of the paddock. Some of the sheep still get through occasionally but the majority of them stay on the right side. On Friday night we came home late and found a lamb caught in the netting. He was tangled so badly that I had to cut the black plastic vertical connectors in order to free his head. The poor little thing was so exhausted and traumatised that when I had freed him he just lay there and had to be encouraged to get up and go to his mother.
I had a couple of hours gardening this afternoon. Nothing too strenuous, just weeding, preparing garden beds ready for this season's vegetables. Last weekend I planted my potatoes and some beans. I also planted tomato seeds. Today I planted carrot seeds and corn seeds. Not many of these plantings have been according to the moon but I have left things a bit late and time is of the essence. The best thing about this afternoon is that I worked until I could hardly see what I was doing. When I do this I feel as if I have not wasted any daylight (of course I did start late).
Earlier today I also collected two very large boxes of pine cones for use in the combustion stove, although I'm are not using it every day as I have been. Yesterday I pumped water from the dam up to the tank on the hill. Today I walked to the top of the hill and checked the level, which is now about two thirds full. The dam is pretty empty, though.
Yesterday I also moved the temporary netting fence in the sheep's paddock across to allow them access to another quarter of the paddock. Some of the sheep still get through occasionally but the majority of them stay on the right side. On Friday night we came home late and found a lamb caught in the netting. He was tangled so badly that I had to cut the black plastic vertical connectors in order to free his head. The poor little thing was so exhausted and traumatised that when I had freed him he just lay there and had to be encouraged to get up and go to his mother.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
My life has taken a turn with my husband leaving and finding another partner. So I will continue here on the farm by myself (with the help of my 15-year-old son). We live on 55 acres and have six cows, nine sheep and seven lambs, one alpaca, six chickens and a rooster, and three cats. I also have a vegetable garden and I am a beginner spinner. Of course I work too and I also operate a business from home typing and transcribing. Maybe keeping this blog going will give me goals and keep me on track to improving the farm and my life.
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