Time To Say Goodbye - Hello 4-H!

Last week-end was weigh in and sign ups for the Westmoreland Fair. A couple weeks before that was the same for the Derry Ag Fair.

John Clark and Elizabeth came to the farm and chose the two brother wethers out of Twee's triplets to go together to their new home, and they will show them in Derry in July.

Kayla came back for a third year and scooped up Britches, and also Anakin, to show at the Westmoreland Fair. Anakin's twin Angus will be shown there by Hattie.

Zola's twins will be shown by Philip. I am cheering for all the people kids and goat kids to do well at showing and at the auctions.

In the past month or so, our herd was up to 25 or 26 goats and kids.  Weaning was a noisy and painful process in April. Today, after seven kids going to 4-H homes, three going to start a new herd for future 4-H kids, and one sold to a chef (Sorry - the truth!), we are down to a most manageable fifteen. Of course, we have two goats waiting to kid yet, so our numbers will go back up as the farm has its first summer babies this year.
And speaking of babies...

We sold Ariel and Abi, who are both due in the next two to six weeks, to a local family who have a lovely farm just north of town. They have two young boys that will have the joy of kids born on their farm, and all the fun of seeing them grow.

Belle, our triplet doe, also went with them, and by next year they will have a nice little herd to breed on their own.

I happened to find my way there today, and here is their home. What a lovely sight for the passers by!

We have spanned the seasons this week. 

My garden was all tilled and ready for planting when the snow storm came. It looks like I am growing a fine crop of the white stuff.

The week remained cold and raw, but the week-end began to bring back Spring and so we took the whole herd up to the field below the pond for some maintenance. 

 Boots was in deep.

 Anakin really gets into his work eating the roses.

This is great goat browse.

 All bellies are round this week. 

Busy Week

 The first half of the week was white and cold. 

 We were using up a lot of power keeping water from freezing in the barn and out.

 The twins are big and hardy, so they have been out every day now.

 My favorite part of the farm.

 Jock enjoyed a walk with Dave in his favorite type of condition. Cold.

 Kids Brooke and Lillian on a school day off with kids Angus and Anakin

 Finally a warmer day to get the triplets out with the twins, and they loved it.

 The snow is completely gone and the mud is back big time. Will it ever dry up?

 This is job training. Now eat the tree.

 And as always, all the animals do their best to get along, share toys, and even food.

The biggest and the smallest manage to live peacefully together.

Wish they rest of the world could learn from them, don't you?

Freeze and Mud

Since the last post, the weather has gone as low as 12 with a -4 wind chill, and as high as 50. 

This is what happens to muddy footprints overnight.

The twins are pretty tough at two weeks old, and have been out in the snow and rain - with shelter - most of the week. 

They are pitching in with the Christmas tree recycling already.

 The triplets have been in the barn, and know how to find a sunny spot...

and mom.

What else do they need?

Once again, as soon as we brought the trips out for their first outdoor day, a hawk showed up. Here are all five together and almost standing still for a split second.

Angus is getting so huge and runs through the barn like a wrecking ball.  He is nuts! 

Anakin is just having fun, and plays with the triplets a lot since his brother is just flying around.
Check out the VIDEO HERE.