New babies, new fence

And just in time for the new arrivals, the new fence is moving along. We've got the road front cleared with a little help on the chainsaw. Posts, wire, and a little brush/wire to haul off and we're set!

almost unrecognizable. pre-clearing on the left

both sides cleared down with a unimpeded view of the road now

wide open spaces. You can see my chainsaw helper in the distance

and Johnny looking out at the slowly expanding pasture. 

New Arrivals

We're growing by leaps and bounds.

We welcomed our first kid of the year- Privet had a darling doeling name TBD.
And, we've welcomed 5 newbies to the farm from the Northeast. Welcome Peanut, Butter, Johnny, Athena, and Lexi!

Privet's little girl 

she's just the cutest

perfect in every way

the new girls, Peanut and Butter

Johnny and the newbies

Alpaca Show

Veterinary medicine is an ever varied world. This past weekend I spent with some wonderful people at the Royal Alpaca Challenge and just had to share a few quick photos.

Yup, I'm official

the group lineup

just because this one looks like a yorkie

Truth and Grace

I just had to post this. Look at that curl!

 

    

This is Grace (or maybe Truth, I can't remember). Truth and Grace are retired breeding Shetland ewe sisters. They have been together their whole lives and have always had beautiful babies, but at their age we wanted to make sure they don't have any.... accidents. So now they are living with Hawthorn and his girls and new Babydoll wethers and are enjoying life eating honeysuckle and ironweed. They are sweet as can be and instantly took over as leader of the flock.

-M

Flerd

We've had some newbies- Babydoll Southdown sheep wethers.

They have joined Hawthorn and his girls, so our herd has become a flerd (flock+herd).

Here are a few updated photos of Hawthorn, Nettle, Fern, Phlox, Persimmon, and Privet.

-M

Herding Helpmate

Meet Mia:

 

She is a one year old English Shepherd (aka farm collie), one of the oldest herding breeds in America. Her previous owner passed away recently, and now Mia has come to live with me and learn the ways of the flock. I can't tell if she is very keen on sheep, but at least she is gentle and listens well.... except for the jumping. Oh well, no dog is perfect.



And here is her and her best buddy, Ripper, running flying.

 

-M

New Fencing

It's been a long, hard, and hot few days off... but I finally have some permanent fence!

I have been using mobile panels for brush clearing, and it has worked great, but real fence that will never come down makes me ecstatic. I feel like I need a week's worth of massages and a keg of water now. I placed t-posts, cemented in wood corner posts, lugged around wieldy 330ft roles of goat wire, stretched and attached it all. 550ft in total. And then still had some temporary panels to go up. I think I have finally conceded and am going to hire someone to replace the split rail- there is just no way a single person with two hands can possibly tear out and repair split rail and it is impossible for me to schedule to be here when anyone else has time to help.

Bring on the cooler weather!


-M