C&D Farming..oh what a life!

[Baymule]

God has blessed you.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

We took the new 5 goat kids that our does had last week, and the one month old to the vet today to have them disbudded. It is a horrible storm situation here today. This morning when we left there was probably only about 5” of snow..not bad for around here, but a good 8” on the way home. No end in sight apparently. Many roads are even closed...which says a lot, because we can can drive through a lot of muck around here. It was really bad this morning. We had to pull over twice just to clean of the wipers from the ice buildup. So, we get there. It’s a small town vet clinic..who is owned by a nice old vet and his crackly wife who is the receptionist. He doesn’t see large animals, anoth vet does, and his wife knows abso nothing, I mean nothing about the scheduling or the procedures, etc. So, it’s THAT bad out, Amanda, the vet, isn’t there yet, and, Mrs Rumsey proceeds to give me 20 questions about who I am, etc. I’ve been there dozens of times. Not long ago, I was there with 6 rabbits...you would think she could at least remember that, right? Ugh? Shes sooo mean..it’s not in my mind...she barks at other vet offices too. My friend works at another vet ...anyways. Mrs Rumsey said we were absolutely not doing that “Debuttoning” in the office...”you go outside to burn thowe horns off!” Well.....I was...luckily I didn’t have to say that these were tiny babies that hadn’t yet been outside, let alone to have their heads burnt....ugh!! Her very kind hubby said he could turn a fan on in the room. Phew! Then Amanda, the very laid back vet came in with her very thin, goat box. Did I mention that my one month old goat is quite chubby? Ugh again! I had no idea, although, she did warn me about the procedure...but I had no idea that the box was so tight. I’m sure not all boxes are soo tight. Anyways, my chubby white kid went first....she has nubs on her so it was going to take a bit...I knew this. Amanda did a little on each horn at a time. Chris held her ears to the side so they didn’t get burnt. I watched...but I didn’t realize...my little goat...was...not able to breathe. Quietly, Amanda said to Chris, ‘let’s take her out’. They did...and her little head was...not quite right. it was down...Amanda shook her a bit, and then I realized what was going on...oh my goodness! A few seconds went bad, her head rolled, her rolled, and then she wailed! I was thrilled! It’s a wonder we didn’t just run!! I’m not quite sure why we didn’t, other than....I almost lost an eye last week...it was simply because she had been too chubby, and needed a breath, and, lastly..most importantly..was fine! The rest of the visit went fine, other than they all hated getting their heads shaved almost as much as disbudded. Thank goodness that’s over! When we left..Chris said...talk about cruelty to animals! And , yes, we agree with why it was done...that’s why we proceeded...but, it just stinks that’s it’s a stinky process. I realize it’s much faster and better than surgery..and better on our wallets...but, still hard to watch. A necessary evil? Perhaps not necessary...but, I’ve been hurt by the horns...even with simple bruises on my legs, too many times...hopefully this will be no big deal. There was no crying on the ride home. When we got home, there was tonsssss of crying! The moms heard us with a crate full of kids. They were bawling! At least I hope they werent bawling the whole time! We showed them right away that the little ones were fine...and, you know...they were!! They got out of the crate...and acted like nothing happened! They started playing again! Geez...I guess what I read on the internet was right, this time...lol, about the kids, being right back at play within a short time after the procedure!! Thank heavens!! We both walked out of the barn, a bit relieved as we used the sled to cart out two crates back through, yet, more snow in lovely NW PA!

 

[B&B Happy goats]

I am very happy to read that you all made it there ...and back home safely , ...and all the kids are doing fine......sure don't envy your snow situation at all, stay warm and safe

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Well, if you can believe it we got more snow...11” inches so far Friday to Saturday and 5-7” tonight. What can you do? We have a few paths well worn to the barn. The poor ducks were finally let out today, only to think twice about their choice. The chickens didn’t leave the coop the last few days. We sold two goats, but that’s a good thing, so now we can keep all the kids and not worry about them eating us out of house and home.... Our little hobby farm is growing fast and furious...but, my dear hubby is the one that keeps asking why I’m not looking at the ads for this animal or that animal? What? There’s a free male, mini pig, but it’s 3 hours away...so, not really free at all when you factor in the gas. We’ll pass. It’s been sooo busy around here, with the new goats, new pigs, all the kids, my son’s race...plus, I got sick....oh, yeah, did I mention we got some snow so Chris had to plow our 35 apartments like 3 times a day?? Takes him at least 2 hours a time. Ugh. The plus is...it’s very pretty...but...it could be pretty at 3” too..lol. Yesterday we heard these snowmobiles go buzzing by. We have one. I tried it once. Wrecked my back...but, I said to Chris...it would sure be fun to do that...if we didn’t already spend about 6 hours a day outside in the cold.... we stood there and ponderEd it....and decided that snowmobiling is probably not a sport for us anymore. Maybe next year?
The goat kids look like little skateboarders in the barn as they jump off the walls. It’s a riot. The twins miss the triplets sooo much since we penned them up with Busty last night...it’s a tough situation, but, she has to get back to nursing them. When we let them out to get them on the goat stand to nurse...they all play and it’s like a big party. We can tell she nursed a bit today...their tummies weren’t empty and her utter wasn’t so tight. Progress. .
I still have that darned one egg eater chicken. She’s isolated, and it’s just been a busy issue that she’s still around, I think. She’s not stopping, and I don’t want to put her with the flock, she m get them doin* it again! We’ll see, doesn’t cost much to feed her for now, and it’s darn cold to process a chicken right now.

ok..thanks for reading. Stay warm!

 

[Baymule]

My sheep are polled, so I don't have to dehorn. Scurs are allowed, but I don't even like those. I had a ram with scurs, but one side grew towards his face. That was before we got the sheep working equipment, so I had a big neighbor tackle him and use PVC cutters to cut off the tip of his horn. Ram was a jerk, so he went to slaughter.

I have watched the buds getting burned off, it is better than getting "horned" in the eye. It is also a much better process than when I assisted in dehorning cattle with those long handled scoop things. That was a bloody messy process. So the nubs getting burned off is a much better way of doing things, it is just a bit unsettling if you have never been exposed to it.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

My sheep are polled, so I don't have to dehorn. Scurs are allowed, but I don't even like those. I had a ram with scurs, but one side grew towards his face. That was before we got the sheep working equipment, so I had a big neighbor tackle him and use PVC cutters to cut off the tip of his horn. Ram was a jerk, so he went to slaughter.

I have watched the buds getting burned off, it is better than getting "horned" in the eye. It is also a much better process than when I assisted in dehorning cattle with those long handled scoop things. That was a bloody messy process. So the nubs getting burned off is a much better way of doing things, it is just a bit unsettling if you have never been exposed to it.

The vet said the month old might have the scurs ...the small curlEd horns. One of the new goats has that kind. I suppose I can deal with that. You’re right, it’s much better than getting another horn to the eye! Ugh

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Busty is nursing!! I felt tummies this morning and they felt good...so did her udder. But then, I saw the two boys go for some drinks! I was thrilled! She even lifted her leg to let them get in! I let them all out of the kidding stall to play, etc while I’m doing chores, but I’m keeping them locked up for a loooong while.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Took some new pictures of my litt goat babies...I just love to call them that instead of kids....that makes them sound too old. . Anyways..here are some, but remember, their heads look awful due to the disbudding..l. They are sooo darned cute!! There’s a lot of horse play in the barn now! The one likes to chew my hair, the other likes to climb on my head. The twins race back and forth...they are wild ones! I never thought I’d say this in a million years, but the ducks actually give me the hardest time! They don’t want to come in at night...and their part of the barn is really hard to clean out. I put four females for sale on the internet. It’s terrible I know, but, the duck eggs don’t sell at all...at this point I prefer my other animals more. I don’t want to get rid of them all..just not have sooo many. Chris will be shocked. But, I have enough work. And, they were more friendly in the summer when we could play...no it’s...inside..outside..repeat. Ok, thanks for reading...aren’t these little buggers just sooo funny? Minus the hair?

 

[thistlebloom]

Personally, I would take goats over ducks any day of the week.
And there is nothing more fun than goat kids!

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Personally, I would take goats over ducks any day of the week.
And there is nothing more fun than goat kids!

I totally agree with you. I just listed the ducks. I feel so bad. I’m keeping a select few...but scaling way back. Time is precious, and I’d rather be with different animals.