| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 5:15:29 PM
I thought we might need to have a dairy thread going here since there are so many of us that have goats and cows. And we are always needing advice and help on one thing or another. So why not start a dairy area.
Anyone interested? We can talk all we want about our favorite girls. I'll start.
I have 3 Lamanchas and 1 Nubian. They range in age from 3-7. They are all due to kid around the end of march. I am hoping for more girls this year. We had 13 kids last year and only 2 were does. So I keep rubbing their bellies and talking to the "girls".
I have been milking goats going on 5 years now. I love it. I milk by hand. I have 3 stanchions so that makes it easy. Last year I had 7 I was milking. 4 is still a lot and I may end up selling 1 more. One of the does is half Toggenburg and her milk last year was not that good.
So ya'll join in and lets talk dairy here.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - May 25 2013 : 09:12:58 AM
We did not freeze but were only a couple of degrees away from it. I am down in a low area and it will freeze here but not in other areas that are close to me. Tonight it is not suppose to be as cold.So maybe I have dodged it this year.
Well Michele the hand and wrist are not that good but better than a month ago so I have hope it will slowly improve over time.
I have just started milking this past week and it does hurt. The doe I am milking is very easy to milk and I am only milking her once a day. Thats about all I can handle at this point. Her babies are with her the rest of the day. I need to have my other hand done its getting really bad and goes numb but am waiting to see if the other one will get better so I can get that one done.Then with all the other outdoor farm stuff and garden and yard work I am constantly overdueing it. But I want to get these things done and try to keep up.I have to trim hoooves again and I have 23 goats. OMG thats 92 hooves....I must be crazy. But I will do a few a day and it will get done.
Even tho I have the hand pain I am also happy to come in with fresh milk, eggs and hoping to have some things to can from the garden. It makes it all worth while.I was out taking all the covers off this morning and noticed my second planting of beets didn't all wash away from the last rain and I think I might even see carrots not sure but I think some of them made it too. I love beets they are one of my favorite veggies. I am going to try to plant more of them.
When your cow is dried up are you milking any other ones? How long before she freshens so you will have milk again?
Well its a good thing you didn't plant to soon because it would have froze anyway. My hubby is from Wisconsin and some of his family still lives up there. The weather there is so nice in the summer compared to hot, humid Ohio.We sometimes talk about moving there someday. Take care.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| windypines |
Posted - May 25 2013 : 03:59:05 AM
Morning Linda, hope you didn't freeze. Your garden sounds well protected! Even if it does look funny! I usually plant the cold weather stuff sooner, but with all the moisture we have had, just have not gotten it done. It sure does not take goat babies very long to grow up. How is the wrist doing, with the milking chores? I will have to dry up my cow something this month. I still have not looked up her due date! Maybe today I will take the time.
take care
Michele |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - May 24 2013 : 6:33:31 PM
Hi Michele doing okay and hope you are well too.... thats pretty cold but you are up north. You just have to get started later than us.We have had way to much rain at my place and it washed part of the garden away so replanted twice now. I still have some more to plant but now they are calling for frost. The last date for frost is suppose to be May 15th. Dangit this seems to happen every year. I guess I should wait until June to plant or maybe plant when you do and maybe we will be safe. Every year it seems to hit us later and later.
I just came in from trying to cover 36 tomato plants , 25 sweet potato, 9 sweet pepper plants and other stuff. I used every sheet, garbage can, pail you name it I covered the best I could. My garden looks really strange now for sure.I hope it works.
I seperated the 2 bucks from there mama, Snackcake about a week ago just at night and she still has her little doe Twinkie with her. The big babies sure don't like it but they are 12 weeks old.I am going to have to make it permanent because they will be doing what little bucks do and I don't want any unplanned breeding.
I am milking her once a day and am so happy to have goat milk again. Seems like its been forever. I made ricotta cheese and custurd. I love the custurd pudding with nutmeg on the top.
Nite all.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| windypines |
Posted - May 24 2013 : 5:04:43 PM
Hope your sister is doing well Sherrye. Glad you made it back to assist with the birth. I think cows are alot like people when giving birth. some are quiet and some hollar like crazy! Hope you dont' get no milk fever. Catching it early is the best.
Hi Linda, hope you are doing well. We ;had frost here this am. 29. I hope it didnt' hurt any of the blossums. Got the yard all mowed and trimmed up again. working on cleaning out flower beds. I hope to get some container plants tomorrow morning. No garden planted yet either. So plenty to do. But forecasting rain again. Not going to complain for moisture.
Michele |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - May 24 2013 : 4:30:47 PM
Oh Sherry glad you were there to help get her out.I hope she stay healthy and recovers well after the birth. Sounds like you could name that calf some cute names with a lightning bolt on her head. Do you have a name yet? I hope you can post pictures of her later.
Sorry to hear about your sister. I hope all went well for her. You need to get some rest too and take care of yourself. I can only imagine how tired you are.Will say a prayer for your sis. Hugs to you sweetie.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| sherrye |
Posted - May 23 2013 : 07:12:31 AM
yes the baby is here. the jersey was bred to a full size jersey bull. she is such a small cow. so the baby was hugs for her. she went down when it crowned. she cried out loud from the pain. i pulled the calf. its head was stuck. all turned out well. she is a light colored calf with a white lightening bolt on her forehead. mama is doing great. i am going to watch her for milk fever since she is 5 yrs. i spent the morning at hospita;l. my sis had surgery. then home for calf birthing. so i am a tired girl today. happy days here.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| windypines |
Posted - May 23 2013 : 04:16:44 AM
Has the baby arrived yet Sherrye? Waiting is hard! Good luck with calving.
Spring has sprung here finally. Well sort of. Possible frost tonight. Just as the buds on the fruit trees are starting to open. Keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't. Have had lots of rain, so grass is growing. Was able to spread fertilizer on the hay fields. We really need a good crop this year. Hoping to get the garden planted next week! Sheep got sheared last monday. It was nice to have it done, and well worth the money. 5 dollars a piece, and I gave the shearer a tip. My neighbor had called the shearer for her flock, and I trailed my two over to her house. This morning it is 37 with a cold breeze. Poor Jill is in the barn shivering! They are nice and fat, so should be fine.
Michele |
| sherrye |
Posted - May 22 2013 : 07:06:24 AM
well sweetie was due 4 days ago. gads she is a jersey girl. big as a barn. her previous owner was here the other day. as soon as sweetie saw her she let her milk down. she was dripping full. its the only time she dripped. what a cutie she is. her height is perfect for me. i can lay my arm across her back. little girl BIG udder. we also have another mini pig due. it is so much fun. today my sis is having surgery. so some one else is milking hazel. happy days to you all. yes i will some day bring my 2 girls home. i miss my lamancha gigner when she snuggles.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| sherrye |
Posted - May 16 2013 : 12:14:40 PM
i am just loving all the photos. mine are stuck. anyway i thought i would share our news. we have been pig sitting some mini pigs. the folks lost the farm. one had babies today. oh my goodness, soooo cute, soooo little. she had 3. i am now securing the hut. the wiggle like worms going every where. i also have a cow due to calve tomorrow. we are getting close. we just brought sweetie here a few weeks ago. she is a super small jersey with a full size udder. i had sold isabelles calf sophie to her a few years ago. so she had this girl. i love her already. we have her tucked in the barn tent. i can see her from the house at night with the lights on. she is a black face girl. so some fun happening here. i miss you all. we are all so busy these days. happy days to all you farmgirls. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 08 2013 : 05:55:01 AM
Very cute pictures, Alicia. I love the kids on the cow. (Reminds me of when I had the rams in with the Freedom Rangers and they were all over the rams.) And the headless cow too!
Last night, while feeding and milking the goats, I noticed Sandy had goo in the rear end. On my calendar, the 7th is the last day she would carry these kids. 155 days. So put her in the stall with hay and water. Checked on her before going to bed. Nothing. Got up this morning early. Went out to check on her. NOTHING! What is up with this darn goat? I am done with her. This is rediculous. I do believe Zeeboo will have kids before she does and I don't think Zeeboo's even pregnant. I have farmer's market today. So maybe while I'm gone, she just might have something.
Could y'all please send up some prayers for my step dad today? Yesterday morning, my mom had to take him to the ER. They had gone Sunday night and they sent him home. This time, they kept him. His BP was 49/24. And he has pneumonia. Plus he had a blockage in his abdomen, which was also full of fluid. So put him in ICU right away. Called doctors and surgeons. They did decide to operate yesterday afternoon for the blockage. WHich turned out to be a small hernia wrapped around some bowel. He was in so much pain too. So now he's hooked up to a ventilator, all kinds of IV's in both arms. They kept him sedated all night. He made it through the night. Mom's there now. He's still in ICU and will probably be for awhile. He's 330 pounds. And doesn't get up much anymore. Just turned 72 last week. He's had prostate cancer too. So please say a prayer for him. His name is Gary. He and mom have been married 34 years now. They married right after me and my husband.
It's another nice day here. Yesterday was beautiful. But had so much to do in town. Then the hospital. So no planting. I did buy a flat of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. I'll have to get them in the ground tomorrow. I hope y'all have a great day! I'm going back to the Main St. market. I love it there already. Taking dandelion jelly and greens and peppermint jelly. And my soaps.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| wooliespinner |
Posted - May 07 2013 : 2:17:19 PM
Thats a nice little herd you have Alicia. Love the goat kids climbing on the cow.Love all the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| AliciaNak |
Posted - May 07 2013 : 11:34:39 AM
Here's my new little herd!
Roryn the bull, Ruthie (the Guernsey with more white) and Belle (the Guernsey with more red), and dependable, solid Sunny, the Jersey.
April isn't with them because she won't stay weaned, Ugh!, and she was recently in heat and is way too small for Roryn.
The "herd" enjoying some grazing. The Guernseys haven't seen grazing in a few years! Not that my pasture is much more than weeds, but it will get there.
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Roryn, soon to be 3 years old.
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Roryn is enjoying having some fresh dirt spots to rub on and dust in!
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Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
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| AliciaNak |
Posted - May 07 2013 : 11:26:35 AM
I have to add this one too!! I could watch the kids all day :)
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Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
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| AliciaNak |
Posted - May 07 2013 : 11:21:58 AM
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Here is "Auntie" April being the "rock" for the kids to climb on. They are hilarious to watch and she is soooo good with them.
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
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| SandraM |
Posted - May 07 2013 : 05:47:07 AM
Jennifer, Sorry to hear :(
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
