Well, first there are the chickens. Layers and a few meat birds who aren't doing so well. I think that raising them on pasture during the warmer months is definitely the way to go. Layer chicks though are doing great and will start laying by Easter or sooner.
Then come the calves. Yes you heard me right...I finally got my cows! No, they're not dairy calves, they're boys so just for eating unless Steve gets his way about having a pair of oxen. We have 4 calves we got for free and we bought them home from the dairy farm where they were the end of season stragglers, in the back of the van. Now they're growing like weeds, must be all that calf milk replacer they drank from bottles for 8 weeks. They're weaned now and eating grain and alfalfa hay. Drinking lots of water too. Their names are Spot, Hamburger, Chris, and Baby (aka Corry).They're Holstein boys which are not really a meat breed but hey, the price was right and the experience has been invaluable.
Next come the goats. 3 Nigerian Dwarf Goats. A billy and 2 does.. Yes they've got horns, they're little, but they are great milkers so I'm told. We got our billy goat to them in December so late spring should herald the arrival of kids and the start of milking. That should be another adventure.
Speaking of babies, our 4 katahdin sheep are here in the barn, owing to an escape attempt last week. They are in a double stall, bedded down with lots of good hay and water. The biggest girl and unquestioned leader of the flock bagged up last week, that is, her udder began to swell, which is a sign of impending motherhood. We would normally breed our sheep so as to be having lambs in the warmer weather but these girls came to us already bred. They are nice sheep, shedding so no shearing is necessary, and have twin lambs frequently. Katahdin sheep are a meat breed.
So, that's a who's who in the barn. As you can see, things are progressing nicely.
Elizabeth
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