Pearce Pastures: Where did I go?

[CocoNUT]

OMG! That bunny castle is AWESOME! You're going to HAVE to get him a playmate to share all that space! WOW!
If ONLY I could convince my hubby to make me something THAT elaborate! Heck...even if I could do that!

 

[autumnprairie]

That castle is awesome

 

[elevan]

Wow! What a bunny house...THAT definitely is a castle!

 

[Four Winds Ranch]

Love the bunny house!!!!! If only we were colser, I would get you to send your DH over this way to build me a couple of them!!!!!!

 

[promiseacres]

Btw if you ever get set up to read you own fecals let me know and I will come help u figure it out 9 yrs at a sm animal vet I read a ton of fecals! (Not many on livestock but the concept would be similar)

 

[Pearce Pastures]

I will take you up on that, PromiseAcres. So gorgeous out today. Just got in from doing morning chores and at very leisurely pace. Quick lunch snack and back out to soak up this sunshine before it runs away.

 

[Queen Mum]

Um, how does he get onto the ramp on the inside? It goes all the way to the wall... Does he just hop up from the side? And will the poo fall all the way down to the bottom tray from the top? Or will there be hay up there? Just wondering?

I love the bunny castle. Can he come and build me a goat castle like that instead of a barn.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

I think that is the plan, hop up from the side. The dropping should fall through to the tray except for above the sleeping box (DH made that top panel easily replaceable, figuring it might need to be eventually). Is that no good? He picked over a bunch of photos of other hutches to kind of design this one but we are learning.

I really hope we get it done today so he can play outside. It is supposed to be beautiful.

I think if he had unlimited screws and 2x4s, he would make a goat Taj Mahal.

 

[promiseacres]

Really depends on the bunny. Most pick a spot where they will go. Some will mark their terriatory but not all....I personally don't like dumping trays but if I get a bunnies I will end up with a bunch in no time

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Wow, got behind with all the business of life.

So LOOONG entry today.

DH, college, and career

We are 5 weeks out from graduation! This has been exhausting but it will be worthwhile in the end. A listing for job openings popped up in the paper at the place DH want to work in the field he is getting his degree in. He got his resume polished up and sent it it right away. We didn't here anything for a few weeks and then saw that the listing had been closed and labeled as "position filled' so we figured no go for him right now anyway. But then he got a message from them asking if he was still interested and requesting more information about his work experiences. If you all are the praying type, please keep us in mind.

The kids

We are still working with the school on testing Elliott for Autism. I do see signs of it but then he does things that I feel don't really fit the profile. Just not sure right now what will happen with all of this. The other day, he threw an hour long screaming tantrum over the consistency of his oatmeal. Seriously screaming and would not calm down. But then he engages people in conversation, makes eye contact just fine, and doesn't really do things I see in my own students who are on the spectrum.

Ben is getting so big and grown up all of a sudden. I have found myself getting a bit weepy over it. He cleaned my kitchen yesterday and then got out the stuff to make us a cake and asked if I would help with the oven. It was just kind of strange to see my little boy reading the directions and making this cake, cleaning up after himself, without my intervention. I can't believe that it has been 12 years since I found out he was going to be in my life.

Julia is entering a sassy stage. She is also insisting that she "can't do it" for just about EVERYTHING! Nuff' said This too shall pass and I know I will be longing for these days eventually. She is such a little animal lover, like her momma though and it is so cute to see her worrying over all of the critters.

The Critters

Charlie had his neutering and microchipping done this week. DH and I discussed leaving him intact and breeding but we just are not interested in getting into that. He was, as always, the love of the office. He has gone from 8 pounds to a bit over 60 in 5 months and is very tall and thick boned. We are seeing him more and more frequently watching the fields and making perimeter walks. A few days ago, I heard coyotes out in the distance, but only for a second before this ferocious booming BARK came from the pasture. GOOD BOY!!! Didn't hear a peep after that. We have three 3 week old goats here right now and have had them out with Charlie daily (with supervision--he still is a puppy and I don't trust him alone with them). He has been pretty good about moving slowly near them, letting them snuggle up in his fur, and he has intervened gently a few times with the big bossy girls took after the kids. So so glad we got this boy.

The kids we got are growing fast. Mom and Dad are putting up a movable electric fence on 3 acres of their pasture and are building a permanent structure for the goats to stay in at her place. I get to love on them in the meantime The whole clan is on board for raising our own meat now so once we get their property set up, we will be moving to raising our own goat and chicken. I am not sure we will even buy our yearly steer anymore, we like this meat so well.

On the poultry front, we just got our next batch of meat chicks and I also purchased 4 bronze turkey poults. One DIED last night and I have no clue why, wish I did. He was just lying on his side in the brooder, like he just went to sleep. We have them on a turkey starter in a separate space from the chickens and they seemed to be very happy and content. Might need to do some researching.


The does are so very pregnant and I am suspecting multiples in my Lily. Can't believe how wide she is and how developed her udder has gotten. They are not due until June and we are going to need a wheelbarrow for her by then. June is too far away

We installed our fencing out in the back acre and moved them bucks into it for the summer. Cracked me up seeing them running around, jumping off logs and play fighting back there, acting like they just won the lottery. It feels good to see your animals clearly happy with what you have done for them. I will have to go grab some more pics later. Her is one of my big helped, stretching the fence with me

Last, we finished the bunny palace and George made himself right at home. He really likes the sunroom.