Farm stuff

Just some stuff that I find interesting.

Here's an agate that looks like a flower.

I hadn't even noticed it until Ted brought the kids up the other day and I had them pick out some rocks to take home and I saw this one. Very pretty and unusual. 

You may remember my blog about the giant egg. Well this one is bigger.

Store egg, our normal egg, the giant.

Gramma's hand.

The "Baby Huey" of eggs.

Here's one of our fawns. I know you can't see it too well, but she's there. We have been having a lot of fun watching them this year. This one came within 20 feet of the house today. They run and jump and run some more with total abandon as all kids should and it makes your heart glad to watch them. Life is good.

Eggs

Yesterday was a good day. We brought the cows home and we got seven, count 'em, seven eggs! We've had  no egg days and one egg days and two and three egg days, four egg days and twice we had five egg days, but never did we imagine a seven egg day. I don't know what got into those chickens, but we like it. :-)

Cows

Well, the cows came home.

This is Frank, the bull.

This is Honey. She should calve soon.

This is Sunny.

This is Rita.

This is Rhoda.

This little guy is Rambo. His mom is Rita. We did not name these cows. They came to us already named, so don't blame us.

Here is the whole bunch including Le Beef. We think he's happy for the company. They all are unafraid and seem somewhat friendly. Some of them are going to the market before winter, just not sure which ones yet. These are Galloway cattle and they grow long hair in the winter. They are also noted for their ability to use marginal pastures and other forage that many breeds won't eat. They are a docile breed. So there ya go. Look them up and learn something you didn't know before. We are happy.

Cow shed

It started like this.

And then went to this.

Continued to this.

And here's where it's at now. Now there is some shade for the cows. Bringing them home tomorrow. There needs to be boards and a gate on the other side too, but I think I'll wait till I get back from "The Swamp". I had to divide the fence and wire it for electric, but since it's a shed and not a gate I could go up and over instead of digging a trench. I'm getting too old for this stuff. Taking this next week off and resting for the job down south. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Not looking forward to the weather.

It has been brutally hot and humid here. M. Le Beef cools off by standing in the water tank and dipping his head in the water. We set a record for dew point and heat index the other day.

The boy and his kids came up the other day and when we were in the barn Bubba stepped in some chicken pooh and then he scratched at his legs with his shoes and guess what? Pooh legs. He was not a happy boy. When you go into our barn you must expect to step in some kind of pooh. Chicken, horse, or pig. Gonna happen. No avoiding it. Don't like the pooh? Stay out of the barn. And whatever you do don't go to the FD's, cause she's got GEESE. Just kidding honey.

Farm stuff

Ok, ok, I know, two posts in one day. Well it's been awhile so........so what! Here's a Goldfinch that landed on Gramma's flowers the other day. They are so pretty I had to snap a pic.

 The pigs are going soon so I set up the trailer to get ready They just walk right in. Here's Pinky yelling at me for not giving them some food.

 Here's Perky guarding the door.

 Here's both of them looking for the food they expected to find. No matter what you do a farm animal is never satisfied.

We are making a loafing shed for the cattle. We don't have any shade in the pastures so this will help. Gramma and I put the posts in today. Very hot and humid. Came in to cool off and take a shower and couldn't get my clothes off cause they were stuck to me. We are calling this Cow Henge. Ancient farmers came here to figure out what time of year it was and when to plant crops and tap Maple trees. REALLY! We found really old rocks in every post hole proving that this site has been here for a mellennia. Well this ancient farmer will keep you posted on the shed and the cattle. Expected arrival is next weekend. Stay tuned.

Fawns

Last year we had no fawns for the first time. We know for pretty sure that it was because of the coyotes. We heard them a lot and the local coyote hunters told me they got quite a few around our place this winter and I got three or four myself. The fawns are back.

 Here's twin fawns racing.

 Here they are just eating with Mom.

Here's a single fawn. We've seen at least four different fawns so far for sure and maybe more. It's really nice to have them back and really fun to watch them run and play. We are happy.

Hay and chickens

Sunday and yesterday Gramma and I worked on getting all the bales picked up. Thank goodness she could help or I still wouldn't be done. She hauled them with the truck and trailer and I loaded and unloaded them. We could only do six bales at a time and there were 71, so it took awhile. Next year I will have the hay hauler done and will be able to haul at least eleven at at a time

 We put them outside.

 We put them inside. I'm picking up a hay tarp tomorrow to cover the ones outside. Of course last night at about 2:00 in the morning we had some huge thunder storms. Actually shook the house once. Lots of rain, so now I have to wait for the outside stuff to dry before I can cover it. It' not supposed to rain now for about a week or so, so that will help. Always something.

The new chickens have finally ventured out of the barn. So far what you see in the pic is as far as they have gone. Down to seven now with just one rooster. That's him in the foreground. "Jack". I still pick him up and pet him everyday and I think he likes it. Their peeps are starting to sound more like clucks a little bit and so far none of the other hens has beat anyone up as far as I can tell. In about three months they should be laying eggs. Gramma is collecting eggs for the County Fair this year, so that should be fun. I'm only trying to collect my thoughts, which seems to get harder and harder as the years go by. Later.