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Is there a market for a small functioning-but-in-progress homestead in Texas? We are starting to steep the idea of relocating, but the improvements on our property are probably not the kind that appeal to general resident shoppers.

Thank you! I'll look into that. I checked droppings this morning and saw no blood or green mush. I just moved the sheep this morning into a large, green pasture just fenced up yesterday, so at least they'll be in a cleaner environment. The affected ewe's lamb seems fine and hasn't had any...

Could this be some kind of worm problem? Should I deworm? My usual practice is only to deworm when the eye membranes are pale (have only had to do it once), but this is something else!!:hu:barnie

Okay, I'm seeing more normal pellets now, but my mama ewe Cherry passed some mushy green dung with blood in it today. Later this evening, I found more pellet-like droppings with blood on them. I feel like I should be panicking (!!?). Her eye membranes are pink, she has a good appetite and is...

I plan to! My mother is transplanting the bushes I pulled up into our garden where the livestock can't get 'em.

I found this forum posting suggesting that elderberries can actually be used as goat forage. Might be relevant?

I have 4 Gulf Coast Native sheep currently on pasture with free choice minerals and salt, supplemented by hay in the evening. All but the 3-month-old ewe lamb (who nurses frequently but eats with the others, too) have soft stools. The manure has been slimy and green as well as dog-stool like...

Hi, y'all! I'm on an email list for The Grow Network, an organization that shares back-to-nature and homesteading knowledge. They are currently looking for an experienced rabbit keeper to teach on video. If any of you are interested or know someone who may be interested, keep reading. From the...

What do they feel like when squeezed? How old is the barn? Does it have fresh pine rafters? They look a little like drops of amber to me.

Can't offer advice from practical rabbitry, but it sounds like you made an unfortunate call, not a jerk one. Don't beat yourself up! I'm a real newbie when it comes to livestock, but it seems to me that the level of assistance needed by domesticated critters is mysterious, especially where...

I've heard that pregnant sheep at least have wax plugs in their teats to protect them until the baby begins to nurse. Perhaps goats are the same and that's what we're seeing here. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will chime in shortly.

It hasn't rained or gone below freezing since they left the barn, so they're enjoying the weather. I felt the time was right to bring her back to the flock from a combination of weather forecast and watching the mom's behavior. She switched from being apathetic about the stall door to eagerly...

Yes, next time I'll definitely stock up in advance! The lamb, whom we have named Chinchilla, is one week old and has moved with her mother out of the barn into the rotational paddock with the rest of the flock. She is high-energy and in good health. Yesterday she started testing the other...

Thanks! It turns out we had a singleton, actually. Both mom and baby are doing great. :)

Haha! I'm sleeping inside tonight;) I introduced them to the livestock guard donkey today. He seems to approve of the new addition, and should keep them safe.

Thanks! I applied iodine to the lamb's navel. I've been sleeping with them in the barn, so I can confirm that both big and little girl are regularly getting up to eat and urinate. It's now 1:22 am and 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

I called the vet's office on the phone and described Cherry's demeanor. They said to keep an eye on her for negative changes through tomorrow, but she's probably finished and fine. :D

Placenta passed; baby girl practicing jumping around. :weee

Cherry has safely passed the placenta. Baby #1 doing well. :)

My GCN ewe gave birth to a healthy ewe lamb sometime around half past 9 this morning. I've moved them to the barn. Mom/Cherry has eaten hay and drunk water. I offered her warm water with molasses, but she doesn't seem to like it. She is still fidgety and pawing the ground. I didn't get her...