Christmas Tree Recycling - Rite of Winter at On the Pond Farm

After a warm start and not much snow, winter arrived the day after Christmas with a pretty messy snow storm. Late that morning, we actually got on the road to visit the new grand baby, and didn't even make it beyond the township limits before we realized our mistake. So we turned around, only to see snow plows going the other way, and for a few minutes the snow even stopped pounding down.

Do we keep going?

No. What's the rush.

There wasn't one, aside from getting back to our favorite new boy.

The next day was a better experience.

So when we got back home, Christmas trees were starting to pile up, and phone calls and emails were coming in asking if we needed trees again. I love our friends and neighbors for this. Not only does this keep the goats happy, it also cuts down on feed costs. I'm sure even the citiest city folk have heard about the price of corn and grains. Wasn't it just last week that I read about huge round bales of hay being stolen. Crazy!

Until the last couple of days of warmer temperatures, we had a field of snow and ice. Of course, now we have boot sucking mud. Where is the middle ground? I think we can hope for that three days in May if we're lucky!

Goats On Pasture

I know that the goats on pasture is nothing new here, but after the ten dismal days of Sandy, it felt new.

Smiling Speckles

This past week, their personalities are starting to show through again with their cozying and curiosity, when I spend time in the field with them.

Post Sandy gloom and rain had them hunkered in the sheds way too much, and hay was becoming a larger staple in the evening meal.

Brianna at six months old

Now with the newest rotation, they would likely burst with more hay.

As a matter of fact, I had one close call on Election Day with a bit of bloat, but a couple hours of attention with baking soda "shots"(oral), and the crisis passed.

Twee

I think Vinegar, here in the background of her first daughter Twee, got into something the third day they were in the corral. She came into the barn looking five months pregnant(that's full term for those new here), but luckily was not foaming at the mouth. After that day, the girls ended their corral clean up.

Adeline

 VIDEO of the goats at breakfast

Today I took a walk in the lower field, partly to inspect the fences, and partly to get the girls to the far end of the field.

When all else fails, I am the leader and they easily follow. They'd still be by the barn, had I not led them today. Its an important job, being the Herd Queen!

And here they have two acres of pasture, but four of them have to try and eat from the same square foot.  Herd mentality.

Adeline's Quarantine Protest

It will soon be two weeks since the fair, and Adeline, Ali and Trixie have been in quarantine, just in case they picked something up from the other animals.

For a couple of days all of them were just happy to be home, and able to browse on their choice of weeds. 

But then being confined from the rest of the herd began to get on Adeline's nerves, and she staged a protest.

I turned around while filling water tubs for the other goats, and saw Adeline standing on the shed. 

I didn't even know she could jump that high.

I learn something new all the time about that goat.

But that wasn't enough.

Next she decided to stage a sit in. 

Problem was, the roof was too pitched and she began to slide off.  

That just made her more angry (See the video!).

She gave me a few pieces of her caprine mind.

So in between the slipping and sliding,

she began to tear apart the roof of the shed with her head,

and teeth -

...and eat it.

I guess she showed us!

Westmoreland Fair 4-H Animals And A Bit More

 Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Pennsylvania 

Ali - 4-H Red Ribbon Winner, 19-24 month Crossbred Breeding Meat Goat Doe

A lot of work goes into the fair and much of it is volunteer.

Farmers take time from their fields and barns to make sure the kids get an opportunity to have a well run nine days.

Parents camp out with their kids after months of training and practice.

Or they drive back and forth twice a day making sure the animals - and kids - get fed, cleaned, and medicated if needed.

In this video, Adeline is drinking her electrolites from the bottle to wash down her Pepto.

 As you can see, Adeline is a well trained goat! Or maybe she just likes all the attention.

The kids become showmen and women for all the people coming to see their animals,...

Julia with Adeline - 4-H Red Ribbon Winner, 12-18 month Crossbred Breeding Meat Goat Doe

...as well as for when they compete. 

 Angus being "set up" by Hattie in preparation for showmanship.

 Julia and Adeline (third from right) in competition.

 Philip(third from right) did well with one of Zola's twins during the Showmanship,

and Market Goat sale.

Even the Fair Queen Rachel Sheffler, participates in the Market Goat sale - crown, sash and all.

(Rachel won the On the Pond Farm sponsored Breeding Meat Goat Supreme Champion Trophy)

 You've possibly read about animal identification.

See the tattoo in the ear?

 These hens are dyed with vet approved coloring (according to the sign).

Clyde is a naturally colorful guy.

I found this information a bit CSI-ish.

Is this Hydrographic(Camo Dipped)?

 Lots more food than this - trust me! Got to keep the audience fed.

The sun setting over the fair.

Westmoreland Fair 2012(More to follow)