
We got almost a foot of additional snow last night. Here’s a picture of Winnie cleaning one of the ram’s ears – he seemed to enjoy it. Continue reading

Today was quite a busy day here at the farm. Things didn’t really get started until the afternoon, but we had a lot to do. Our first problem was the septic tank. We’ve had some sewer gas backing up into the house when we do laundry. The plumber came yesterday, and we found a trap… Continue reading

Winnie is now guarding the adult rams who have not only their winter pen, but the entire west side of the orchard to run in. We’re hoping they’ll clean the ground of fallen apples. Continue reading

We sorted out the next batch of butcher sheep, and for the first time ever, they had the entire front pear orchard to graze in. There are cockleburrs, so we didn’t want to let the main flock out there, but these sheep are going to be slaughtered in a couple of weeks. The wool doesn’t… Continue reading

Today (why always on a weekend?), Becky came in with a huge gash on her side. We have no idea what she did, but after a trip to the emergency vet in Delta 30 miles away, she’s been stitched up. We were given some stuff to keep her from chewing the drain and stitches, but… Continue reading

Here are a few of the mares out on pasture. We’ve run out of grass in the back, so they’re getting hay for now. Continue reading

The first batch of dinner chickens is ready to butcher. These guys are a bit smaller than last year, but they’re also two weeks younger. The difference in food costs may offset the smaller size. Anyway, we’ve been out of chicken for a while, so it will be good to get them done. We do… Continue reading

We had a spare bull show up at the house yesterday. The neighbor had borrowed a bull to breed his two cows to, and the bull decided to go on a walkabout around the entire mesa. He visited several places, including ours. After strolling past the house, he went back to harass the guard dogs.… Continue reading

Tuesday was the Delta County Fair Open and 4H Poultry Show. The Hellecksons and I show chickens in the open class. Here we are in the judging lineup with our old Gold Pencilled Hamburg hens, who were molting and looked pretty scruffy. Stephanie took first, Jacob second, and I had a barely-not-disqualified third. My birds’… Continue reading

The baby chicks are growing well and feathering out nicely. We already turned off the big heater, and now they only have a few heat lamps at night. Soon, we’ll be able to turn those off, too. Continue reading