Blessedfarmgirl's Journal

[Mini Horses]

Some animals are more inclined -- it's the ring the pair needs to pass thru. Sometimes one testicle doesn't drop before the ring tightens up. Then bingo, caught upstairs. Usually the non dropped isn't very fertile due to body heat. The own down is. BUT one left up still creates the testosterone for all the male habits and can be a rank animal, even if the single down testicle was removed.

So it can be a problem is you think you're buying a neutered animal and you are not. Very much an issue with equine and behaviour.

 

[farmerjan]

See it occasionally in a steer that someone missed one when they banded when they were very young. That is why often when steers are sold, they will say "knife cut" because then you just don't miss one testicle.... but we will guarantee our steers to not have a missed one.... mostly because we do them a little older most times and it is alot easier to make sure you have both when you do the band. Still it has happened to most farmers once in their life. Then you have to go in, cut and fish it down and it can be a mess... DS had to "FIX" several on a neighbors cattle several years ago... told them right up that he would not guarantee they would live.... they botched the banding and 2 were infected and smell would gag a maggot.... they all lived but it took weeks for the opened up "hole" to get healed up... but they HAD to drain... and they were too tight to get the vet out to do it...

 

[blessedfarmgirl]

We decided to get out of pigs for now for various reasons, and I sold my last two yearlings today. We have one left, and she'll be headed to to butcher next week. Feels good to get that out of the way, but they'll be missed!

 

[blessedfarmgirl]

The new sheep are thriving! Mocha and Butterfly now mob me with the others for treats and they are gaining their weight back from lactation now that they're dried up. No more ribs showing! Lambs-a-lot is taking longer to gain weight after his difficult start but I'm going to feed him up in the month before breeding. He is healthy and enjoying all the brush and grass! He is way bigger in frame then my wether of the same age, so I think he'll definitely contribute to carcass size in his lambs.

Look at this fat January ewe lamb, Eden! That's her two year old mom behind her, they are almost the same size already. She's a really fast grower besides having really pretty markings and has gotten quite friendly since being put back with the flock after weaning. I think she's my favorite ewe lamb from this last batch. Looking forward to lambs from her come spring.

More pictures from evening chores.

 

[Mini Horses]

Ahhhh the pigs. . Excitement the day they arrive & ALSO the day they leave. I enjoyed mine but, sold all at one time. Now, considering 2 for winter feed & plow -- THEN spring freezer pork

I adore that sheep with black head and speckled body! Unique and attractive. Then, you have that one with the makeup artist face paint.

 

[Baymule]

Thanks for the update on Butterfly and Movha and let’s not forget Lambs a Lot! They are looking good. I’m glad they are setting in and like their treats.

Eden is a pretty girl! I like her too!

Pigs! I never wanted to keep breeding stock, only buy feeder pigs and raise to butcher size. They sure can get personable and grow on you!

 

[blessedfarmgirl]

Ahhhh the pigs. . Excitement the day they arrive & ALSO the day they leave. I enjoyed mine but, sold all at one time. Now, considering 2 for winter feed & plow -- THEN spring freezer pork

I adore that sheep with black head and speckled body! Unique and attractive. Then, you have that one with the makeup artist face paint.

Eden does kinda look like she has makeup. Lol.
Yes, I love the black face sheep too. She's a Ewenique granddaughter I think, right @Baymule?

 

[Baymule]

Eden does kinda look like she has makeup. Lol.
Yes, I love the black face sheep too. She's a Ewenique granddaughter I think, right @Baymule?

Butterfly is a Ewenique great granddaughter. Ewenique will be 11 in October and just had a yelling fit to be taken to Cooper for a romantic date night. I’m kinda impressed by her longevity.

Mocha is a granddaughter of Miranda and a blackhead Dorper. Mocha’s mother was Eve and her sire was Ringo. I have Mocha’s full sister, Easter. She also has a black head and speckles.

 

[blessedfarmgirl]

Butterfly is a Ewenique great granddaughter. Ewenique will be 11 in October and just had a yelling fit to be taken to Cooper for a romantic date night. I’m kinda impressed by her longevity.

Mocha is a granddaughter of Miranda and a blackhead Dorper. Mocha’s mother was Eve and her sire was Ringo. I have Mocha’s full sister, Easter. She also has a black head and speckles.

Ok, that explains the black head!
11 is impressive. Ewenique is certainly a very special gal!

 

[Baymule]

Ok, that explains the black head!
11 is impressive. Ewenique is certainly a very special gal!

Her genetics run through my flock. I'm happy with her regular delivery of twins and her long life. Plus she is a big pet and a favorite.

The trio you got from me should throw a lot of color in your flock. You will still get white lambs, but color too.