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Month: July 2017
“Scratch my wet wool. Scratch it!”
Really, weather? Another thunder storm? Really?
‘Cause I just looove having wet, wooly bodies pressing up against me, begging for scratches!
Today’s adventure
I had to move the electro-net today. It was soooo hot and muggy. The sweat was running off me. When I saw this little cutie in the grass I had a heck of a time getting his photo. Sweat kept dripping off me onto my phone’s touch screen and changing my settings. This was the best I could do. In the mean time I was dragging the fence through waist high weeds, trying to avoid thistles, nettles, and wild parsnip, trying to keep an eye out for snakes. The hayseeds were sticking to my sweaty skin, mosquitoes and black flies were biting me. And right when I was at the farthest point away from the barn it started to rain. Sure, the rain felt nice and cool, but have you ever tried walking through high, wet weeds? Oye! I felt so filthy by the time I got back to the barn. Let the sheep out, went back in the barn, feeling sticky and gross, and the rain stopped. No time to clean up or change, had to pick up my nephew from day care. Bleah! I am ready for summer to be over!
Little Pigeon
I am sad to report that Little Pigeon did not make it. I found him downstairs today, already dead. He must have fallen down the hay chute again. I don’t know if the fall killed him or if the chickens “knocked him off”. He wasn’t eaten, so I know it wasn’t Tiggy. It was just a stupid pigeon. There are hundreds of them making pests of themselves, crapping all over the haymow. I have not problem with the cats catching them. No problem when they become hawk or owl fodder. Don’t even get bothered when dad makes a trip to the barn with a rifle full of bird shot. But I feel bad that this stupid little fledgling died. Stupid bird!
Frog Head Rock
We found such a cool rock on our walk today. It looks like a giant frog head rising out of the ground.
Walk in the woods
Went for a walk in the woods with my nephew today. June, the dog, and two of his cats, Mr. Magoo and Thomas tagged along.
Another visitor
Found this little guy in the inside water tub today. I have found frogs in the outside water tub before, but never inside the barn. He was very slippery! At one point when I was carrying him outside he managed to slip out of my hands. The hens came running to see what landed on the floor. I think they might have tried to eat him if I hadn’t scooped him right back up. I’m hoping he will stick around by the outside tub’s overflow. The more bugs he eats, the better!
More dinner?
I’ll admit, I was expecting to find a pile of feathers as the only evidence of Little Pigeon today. But apparently Tiggy wasn’t hungry. He was still wandering around the barn. Seemed to be OK… Until I fed the chickens. They don’t seem to mind him pecking and scratching around. When I filled their feeder there was a feeding frenzy, as usual. Then Little Pigeon got too close to their feeder and the hens all wigged out! Holy Crap! They were so violent! All six of them attacked him. They were pecking him so hard, picking him up in their beaks, throwing him around. I thought they would kill him. Keen to the rescue! Had no problem catching him today. I took him back in the haymow. But I don’t know if his parents will still take care of him. I’ll check on him again tomorrow.
Look who came to dinner
This little guy is a pigeon fledgling. He must have fallen down through the hay chute from the haymow. I could not get close enough to catch him and take him back upstairs to his parents. He did join the chickens in pecking and scratching food the lambs had dropped. He can’t quite fly, yet. Just short, little flapping hops. If Tiggy doesn’t get him I will see if I can catch him tomorrow and put him back where he belongs.
Thistles, anyone?
Levi decided to nip some of the thistles in the barnyard. After cutting several down, he got the brilliant idea to feed them to the sheep. He insisted I cut them up and add them to the sheep’s feed tubs. THAT was a lot of fun! My sister had heard or read somewhere that lambs can be trained to eat thistles and nettles, so I figured I might as well give it a try. What she doesn’t know is how the heck I’m supposed to cut them up without getting pricked or stung. So, thistles were included in the sheep’s supper tonight and the lambs got thistles and nettles. Yeah, these items were NOT a big hit. They sheep ate around them. But, I think I will continue to add small amounts of thistles and nettles to the lamb food. Might even try some wild parsnip on them. It would be so awesome if they really can be trained to eat these plants. Our pastures could be a lot nicer in future years if these weeds weren’t left to grow and go to seed.
Farmer Keen 