
500 and some calves on the ground and just a couple hundred to go! The end is in sight. I'm always so excited when calving season begins, but when we are winding down, I am truly looking forward to it being over. So far the weather has been very cooperative, we haven't had a lot of sick calves, and the mommas seem to be taking good care of those babies. **knocking on wood**
The troubles of the last couple months have been breakdowns- anything mechanical that could possibly break down, has. Much of it is still sitting in various states of disrepair around the yard until calving slows down, someone puts more hours in the day, or the grease and gear fairy pays us a visit while we are sleeping.
Cheyenne is still holding on to that William baby and keeping us in suspense. She looks very large, round, swollen and miserable. Tom told me a week ago that April 10th will be the day for baby to make its grand entrance. I'm hoping she foals before midnight tonight, or after midnight on the 10th just because we can't have him getting all big-headed and I-told-you-soish. Whatever the date, we're sure excited to meet this little one, and I'm still crossing my fingers for an uncomplicated delivery.
In other news- my turkeys have started laying! Yes, this is something I am ridiculously happy about! I have had my incubators fired up for a few weeks - anxious to begin my hatching season. I did find some Bourbon Red turkey eggs in southwestern Montana that I was lucky enough to get transportation for. Bless my friends in dog rescue- they don't even bat an eye when I make odd requests like this. We had dogs on this end that needed to get to Stevensville, and a dog in Stevensville that needed to come to my house so we recruited a driver to meet me in Helena. Judy was kind enough to pick up the turkey eggs and put them on our dog transport, where they were picked up by Lori who safely transported eggs and dog to me in Helena. We were able to swap dogs, and the eggs made it home with me and were deposited into a waiting incubator. 15 of the little darlings seem to be developing right along. There was also a Bourbon Red tom available, but I figured that might be pushing my luck. I just don't think turkeys travel as well as dogs.... Anyway, with my turkeys now laying I am hoping to add to the turkey herd. Now if I could just get those darn chickens to lay.....
The troubles of the last couple months have been breakdowns- anything mechanical that could possibly break down, has. Much of it is still sitting in various states of disrepair around the yard until calving slows down, someone puts more hours in the day, or the grease and gear fairy pays us a visit while we are sleeping.
Cheyenne is still holding on to that William baby and keeping us in suspense. She looks very large, round, swollen and miserable. Tom told me a week ago that April 10th will be the day for baby to make its grand entrance. I'm hoping she foals before midnight tonight, or after midnight on the 10th just because we can't have him getting all big-headed and I-told-you-soish. Whatever the date, we're sure excited to meet this little one, and I'm still crossing my fingers for an uncomplicated delivery.
In other news- my turkeys have started laying! Yes, this is something I am ridiculously happy about! I have had my incubators fired up for a few weeks - anxious to begin my hatching season. I did find some Bourbon Red turkey eggs in southwestern Montana that I was lucky enough to get transportation for. Bless my friends in dog rescue- they don't even bat an eye when I make odd requests like this. We had dogs on this end that needed to get to Stevensville, and a dog in Stevensville that needed to come to my house so we recruited a driver to meet me in Helena. Judy was kind enough to pick up the turkey eggs and put them on our dog transport, where they were picked up by Lori who safely transported eggs and dog to me in Helena. We were able to swap dogs, and the eggs made it home with me and were deposited into a waiting incubator. 15 of the little darlings seem to be developing right along. There was also a Bourbon Red tom available, but I figured that might be pushing my luck. I just don't think turkeys travel as well as dogs.... Anyway, with my turkeys now laying I am hoping to add to the turkey herd. Now if I could just get those darn chickens to lay.....