It's Either Threatened, Watch or Recovering Around Here

This time we're doing threatened breed. Buff Orpintons are commonly known variety of chicken but we do things a little different and ours are going to be ducks which are on ALBC's threatened list. (American Livestock Breeds Conservancy at http://albc-usa.org/) They are yet another hardy "heritage" multi-purpose breed being added to the farm. They should produce a respectable amount of large size eggs in a varity of tints; are a decent weight for the table, and have ornamental quality feathers. The are supposed to be cold and heat tolerant and thrive in confinement or free-range which will offer a lot of flexibility. Why ducks? The largest reason is because I have no desire to deal with roosters for my sake or the kids; and they eat bugs and lay eggs as well as many chickens. Chicken and their eggs are relatively common and inexpensive at the grocer or farmers market but duck is difficult to find. They eggs are more nutritious, less likely to cause allergic reaction, and loftier in baked goods -- but not as frothy for meringues. Most local ducks are overweight Pekins or high-strung Khaki Campbells. Buffs will be somewhat unique for the area. Known as Buff or Orpington or Buff Orpington, the same farm that originated the chickens also bred ducks with similar qualities. They are a lovely light cinnamon beige and creamy color and the male drake has a seal brown head. We have purchased Buff Orpington duck stock this year from Metzer Farms in California. They were hatched today, sexed, shipped, and should arrive at our post office by Wednesday. They will take 8-10 weeks to grow full size and completely feathered. We'll start with 2 drakes and 8 hens. The Highland Cattle and Shetland Sheep are on the recovering list at ALBC. Cashmere goats are most related to Spanish which are on the watch list.

Out of Eve

Early this morning (sometime before 7:30 am) our eldest ewe, Little Eagle Eve, delivered a single white ram lamb. He's very sweet and friendly. He is the spitting image of his dam and is sired by Hidaway Andes Mint.

We don't normally buy alfalfa cubes but they were nearly the same price as cracked corn at the farm store so we're trying a bag. All goats and sheep got a sample cube today. About half thought I was trying to feed them a rock and the other half devoured them straight away.

Should be more lambs arriving about mid-month. Kayla, our kindliest fleeced ewe, is due the 23rd.

Keeping score?

BOYS 4 : GIRLS 2

All bucklings will be wethered and offered for sale.

Only one more doe due to give birth soon, Molly. I'd estimate by the size of her it may be twins.

The 2 youngest does of Flicker have had their kids. The badger faced black doe had a silver buckling yesterday and the silver doe had a white buckling today.

Today all the new babes got fleece dog coats in size XS (at $10 a pop -- ouch), a friendly petting, and a dose of goat drench. The silver doeling that is a week old now was put in a fleece zip-up coat in size 18 months which was much more affordable than a dog coat ($2.50) and fit perfectly. We're going down to 17 degrees tonight with wind and possibly snow so I'll sleep much better with them having a snuggie on.

Both of our automatic stock tanks sprung mysterious leaks and will need to be cleaned, repaired and adjusted. In the meantime we'll have to turn them on and off as needed at the valve near the house.

Lots to Love in February

We're on a roll now...the sister to the doe that delivered a doeling on the 2nd delivered a silver buckling on Saturday, the 5th. And now, the mother of the two girls just delivered white twins between noon and 1 today. It feels like spring already; the multiflora rose is starting to come to life with tiny leaves already and some spots in the pasture have a green cast to them. Perhaps an early spring? After another HARSH winter I'm ready for it, NOW!

Arrival of "Storm"

Whew...a night of howling wind and torrents of rain was followed by a beautiful morning. While getting in the truck to take the boys to preschool, I noticed that our bottle-fed goat from 2 years ago (born July 4th) was showing signs of impending labor. Finally about noon, at 50 degrees, she was actively pushing and at 12:15 a doeling was born. She is white with gray accents and is fairly robust and lively. She was standing and nursing by 1. Will be a chilly and windy night so have to go get them this afternoon and take them to the 4x8 tarped kennel for shelter.

And So It Goes

Or rather, there 'he' goes...on the 23rd of November darling Andes Mint was sold to breed a group of Icelandics. His son, "Freckles" will be covering any remaining ewes for us this year. He was beginning to challenge Andes for breeding rights so it was perfect timing.

Been a long time

Things have been busier than usual with work so posting has taken a back seat.

We did have a heifer calf born to Merry Kate on Friday the 13th...oh, the naming possibilities abound!

Today, Andes, our primary breeding ram covered Kayla, our kindliest fleeced ewe (moorit brown) so we'll be watching for her to lamb on March 23, 2011 +/- a week. If we continue to birth on holidays that would put us at St. Patricks or the first day of Spring! Perfect timing I'd say.

A few of our cashmere goats are noticeably pregnant so it looks like we could have some late fall early winter kids on the way. I'm predicting another bitter snowy winter so deliveries before January and after March would be ideal.

We fenced in another 7-8 acres of mountainside but still need to patch uneven areas, install an electric offset strand, and install a couple of water tanks. The cattle are enjoying the browse in that area until we can get it ready for goats...which is a lot like recreating Fort Knox! Once it's all cleaned up by the cows and goats, then the sheep will get a shot at it. Otherwise, we'd be cutting sheep out of briars and thorny locusts on a regular basis.