SA Farm's journal

[SA Farm]

Well, as usual, things happen fast around here. I’ve been contemplating finding Kit a new home for a while, so when someone posted that they were looking for a bred ewe, I told them about Kit.
They took her and say she’s settling in nicely and that they’re happy to have some colour in their flock. Hopefully she’ll have some lovely colourful lambs for them this spring
Timing was perfect since I wouldn’t want her going through the stress of moving any later in her pregnancy.
Coy’s boy also went, but to someone else for their freezer a few days earlier.
Feels weird to only have 4 sheep again. I’m sure that’ll change soon though March lambing and plans to retain a few ewe lambs over the next few years will push my numbers back up

On the chicken front, I’ve decided to go forward with trying out some bantams. My go-to would be Brahma or Ameraucana, but since they have larger counterparts, I think I’ve talked myself into starting with a little pair or trio of Dutch. They appeal more than Seramas and I found some close by.
I’m planning to do some hatching this year (starting next month probably) and see how it goes. I suspect DS will be thrilled to experience the process and it’ll be fun to have some fluffs around again

 

[Baymule]

That’s good on the sale of Kit and Coy’s boy. Money to buy feed! Yes, lambing brings new lambs and you can grow your flock again!

 

[SA Farm]

Picked up the chickens today. 2 pairs, so I will have to choose between the roosters. I’m thinking I’ll keep them both for a few months to assess their temperaments and whatnot.
They aren’t pure Dutch, but they are pure cute and I’m hoping the girls will be good broodies for me eventually
DH likes the look of them, so that’s good.
Girls

The boss boy

The darker and slightly smaller comb/wattles boy

The boss boy has a frost bitten or discoloured toe and a bit of an attitude. Not sure if he’s just super confident or if he has the potential to be aggressive, so I’m going to wait and see.
I’m excited to get hatching!

 

[Baymule]

The roosters are so pretty. Being little, they are cute too.

 

[SA Farm]

I’ve been thinking about getting another farm dog for years, but it never seemed like the right time or the right dog. Add Covid pricing and it wasn’t going to happen. I’m happy to pay a fair price for a dog or puppy, but things got a little out of hand there for a while.
Anyway, with things calming down, both in the World and in my world, I just happened to look around Kijiji and found the perfect puppy.
I checked with my family and they were all on board. We went to meet her and we took her home on Sunday.
DH wanted to name her Dog
DS wanted to name her “meow” (Cat) They must be related
So I looked up names that started with the sound cat and DH chose Katana from my list.
DS was consulted and determined that it was also acceptable to him
So, here she is, our new addition to the family and farm: Katana the Red Heeler



^He wanted to nap with her and was lying there making snoring noises

DS loves her and gives her kisses, is “assisting” me in teaching her to fetch, and helps keep track of her whereabouts at all times We were outside the other day and he didn’t see her, so he goes, “meow? Woof woof?” To me to ask where she was. I told him she was by the chicken coop. “Oh!” He says and goes over to see what she’s doing

House, crate, and obedience training have all begun. I’m considering doing some videos (YouTube) of her progress for some of the basics. I’m also considering finding a trainer to help me teach her herding or agility, but it’s still in the thinking stage. Obedience and trick training I can do myself, so I’ll be starting there and decide as we go along.

By the way, don’t get a puppy in the winter with a toddler who has to go outside every time she does. It’s such a PITA! Get his stuff on, get my stuff on, hurry hurry before puppy bladder can’t take the pressure anymore! Get outside, get puppy business done, “good girl!” Back inside? No, DS needs to climb the sheep stand, play with sticks, stomp ice, and throw snowballs at me and the puppy.
By the time they’re both back inside it’s almost time to go out again

 

[SageHill]

I’ve been thinking about getting another farm dog for years, but it never seemed like the right time or the right dog. Add Covid pricing and it wasn’t going to happen. I’m happy to pay a fair price for a dog or puppy, but things got a little out of hand there for a while.
Anyway, with things calming down, both in the World and in my world, I just happened to look around Kijiji and found the perfect puppy.
I checked with my family and they were all on board. We went to meet her and we took her home on Sunday.
DH wanted to name her Dog
DS wanted to name her “meow” (Cat) They must be related
So I looked up names that started with the sound cat and DH chose Katana from my list.
DS was consulted and determined that it was also acceptable to him
So, here she is, our new addition to the family and farm: Katana the Red Heeler
View attachment 95757
View attachment 95756
View attachment 95755
^He wanted to nap with her and was lying there making snoring noises

DS loves her and gives her kisses, is “assisting” me in teaching her to fetch, and helps keep track of her whereabouts at all times We were outside the other day and he didn’t see her, so he goes, “meow? Woof woof?” To me to ask where she was. I told him she was by the chicken coop. “Oh!” He says and goes over to see what she’s doing

House, crate, and obedience training have all begun. I’m considering doing some videos (YouTube) of her progress for some of the basics. I’m also considering finding a trainer to help me teach her herding or agility, but it’s still in the thinking stage. Obedience and trick training I can do myself, so I’ll be starting there and decide as we go along.

By the way, don’t get a puppy in the winter with a toddler who has to go outside every time she does. It’s such a PITA! Get his stuff on, get my stuff on, hurry hurry before puppy bladder can’t take the pressure anymore! Get outside, get puppy business done, “good girl!” Back inside? No, DS needs to climb the sheep stand, play with sticks, stomp ice, and throw snowballs at me and the puppy.
By the time they’re both back inside it’s almost time to go out again

OMG she’s adorable.
If you need a name for a herding trainer I have one for you. LOL she’s in Hope BC. She’s excellent.

 

[murphysranch]

I'm on my 6th Cattle Dog. They are house pets, and I love their intelligence. This one is now 7 months old and is very very diff from the previous five. Did I say that they are SMART????

 

[SA Farm]

I'm on my 6th Cattle Dog. They are house pets, and I love their intelligence. This one is now 7 months old and is very very diff from the previous five. Did I say that they are SMART????

View attachment 95795

Gorgeous puppy
Katana isn’t my first Heeler. I had a blue one for over 12 years before cancer took him. Lorcan. He was the best dog I’ve ever had or met. I didn’t have the kind of livestock that herding training would be necessary for, but he was still very helpful around the farm and I loved him to bits. I still miss him.

I also love the high intelligence and eagerness to please. I even like that it’s balanced with a certain level of independence and stubbornness

Katana is only 9 weeks old and so far is definitely intelligent and responsive. She is, however, easily intimidated and fear pees every time anyone other than me or DS goes up to her. I try telling people to let her come to them, but people are much harder to train than dogs

 

[Mini Horses]

I try telling people to let her come to them, but people are much harder to train than dogs

Priceless truth.

 

[farmerjan]

I would choose which rooster I preferred but I would NOT get rid of the other one until I had chicks on the ground... There are too many times that a lost rooster will derail you from getting any chicks... Get some hatched out and then sell the rooster you are not as satisfied with. Hedge your bets so you have a backup male in case.....