Chicken Scraps Blog

There are few things so frustrating as having a full bucket of milk kicked over, just as you are stripping out those last few squirts, and dreaming of the yogurt, cheese, or just plain creamy milk you are going to enjoy.  Even worse is when she kicks you in the nose first, then plants her dirty foot squarely in the bucket.  A kicky milker can cause all kinds of problems, and be downright dangerous.  Frequently, kicking is only a symptom of other issues, such as extreme nervousness.   A nervous cow is a dangerous cow. She is liable to hurt herself and other cows or people.  She may try to jump or charge through fences, and likely will attempt to break out of the stanchion if she is frightened.  This is not an article dealing with nervousness, but I will say that the cure, so far as I have experienced, is twofold:  1).  Lots of gentle, but firm handling, feeding of treats, and desensitizing her to common things she perceives as threats. 2)....

I have always liked the idea of a self-sufficient lifestyle.  (Sufficient as regards food; we will always be dependent upon God!)  Saturday, we made another step towards supplying our own food. LilyAnn and Justice helped me butcher a sheep. Since my ewe died last year, he was an extra mouth to feed, kind of mean, and very healthy, so we decided it was time for him to go to the freezer.  And rather than paying someone else to butcher him, and having to cart him over there, we decided to just do it ourselves. This photo was taken several months ago. (WARNING:  Images include a (dead) sheep being processed, and children helping with the work.)

A couple of returned sweaters, and a special request have turned into a new style I am now offering: The "Asher" sweater!

These photos were sent to me by a happy customer, and they are too cute not to share! (I did get permission first!)

This video gives a look at the daily feeding and care of kids.  Feeding time is an excellent opportunity to check your kids' health, and help them bond with humans so that they are friendlier.  Be prepared after a few days of feeding for them to climb all over you, even when they are not hungry! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so catching a problem or sickness at the very beginning is extremely important for your goat's health, and your own peace of mind.  A couple 1,000 mgs. of vitamin C at the beginning of a cold is worth far more than a long round of antibiotics during a bout of pneumonia. The sweaters these kids are wearing are the original ones that I made.  I now sell them (and dog sweaters) in my farm shop .  Please stop by!

Protect your young kids with this comfortable sweater!  I designed this sweater for my own goats (see photos).  It is made with comfortable and warm non-pill fleece, and is available in several different prints.  Fits kids closely, but yet allows for freedom of movement.    Different designs for bucklings (sweater is open underneath the belly),  and doelings (fitted closely).   PLEASE SPECIFY BUCKLING/ GENERAL SWEATER, OR DOELING SWEATER AT TIME OF ORDERING.  BUCKLING SWEATER WILL FIT BOTH BUCKLINGS AND DOELINGS. I will also do custom orders.  Choose your own print (here:  www.joann.com/fabric/fleece-fabric/anti-pill-fleece/ and here:  http://www.joann.com/fabric/fleece-fabric/extra-wide-premium-fleece/ ), and email me with size, number of sweaters you wish to order, and link to the specific print. I will gladly combine shipping!  Please feel free to ask questions!

Here is Bluebell at 7 months of age.  She is recovering from a sudden worm attack, after a very wet summer.  Otherwise she is in good health.  She is not hard to lead, but needs some finishing.  Blossom was walking up and down the fenceline behind me calling her while this video was taken. (Bluebell is sold to Katlin H.)