One of my Dad's Boer goats had triplets a few daysy ago. Heres a picture of two of them. They are adorable. Another of the goats is due any day now, so possibly one or two more babies coming soon. Luckily we fenced another area for livestock last summer, so have plenty of room for all the new additions! If you don't know about Boer goats, they are meat goats, and if you have never tried goat meat, then you are missing out! My Dad's goat/pork sausage is THE BEST sausage you have ever tasted, and I hope to have some for sale soon. I'll let you know when we have it available. FACT: Goat is the most eaten meat in the world!
I bought my first Cow! He's a year-old Hereford-Angus cross. He is presently living with the goats, as my pasture had no livestock shelter several weeks ago when he was delivered. But now that I have my livestock shelter finished, he can be moved over to my pasture to eat all the grass which is abundant. Only problem is now the cow thinks he is a goat, and travels around with the goat herd. So I'm going to have to bring over a goat or two to my pasture with the cow so that he doesnt get lonely. A lonely cow is an unhappy, loud, annoying cow, and I don't want that. I want all the animals on my farm to live a happy life, and so far I think I'm doing a good a pretty good job at that.
Here is the new Chicken Coop & connected Livestock Shelter built by my friends Rob and Brenden at Redwood Contracting. I have yet to paint it, and I'm open to suggestions. I am considering "barn red", though I'm not sure yet. It's still much too wet to paint anyway. Right now I have my ten chickens in the coop (but it was designed for future expansion of the flock!), which has a "chicken door" that opens up to the entire fenced pasture. These chickens will truly be "free range", as they will have a huge area to roam, and unlimited amounts of green forage, bugs, and worms to eat. Eggs will be available in about 3 months. I guaruntee those eggs will be AMAZING! It's hard to see in the picture, but Brenden, one of my friends who built the coop/livestock shelter devised an ingenious pulley system to open the chicken door. So I don't need to go into the pasture or into the chicken coop, I need only to pull a handle to open or close the door. This was a surprise, as I was concerned about this point, and I made it clear that I wanted something like this, but I was BLOWN AWAY by this simple yet amazing design. It makes closing the chickens in at night so quick and easy, which reminds me! It's almost dark, and I havent closed the chicken door! So until next time, happy farming! Special 'Thank you' to Rob and Brenden at Redwood Contracting for such an awesome chicken coop/livestock shelter. The chickens already love it, and i'm sure the cow and goats will love the livestock shelter section as well.
I just noticed in the in the middle left of the picture you can see the pigs in their seperate pig pen, with the port-a-hut behind them.
P.S. I know it's been more than awhile since I've posted to the blog. My only excuse is that I've been so busy, that I don't really feel like travelling down the road to sit in the library parking lot to get on the internet. Supposedly WAVE will be installing "broadband" internet at my house in 3-5 weeks, though I've been told that now for over 6 months! When I have internet at my house I'll be more inclined to post more info and pictures of the goings-on at Hidden Island Farms!
I bought my first Cow! He's a year-old Hereford-Angus cross. He is presently living with the goats, as my pasture had no livestock shelter several weeks ago when he was delivered. But now that I have my livestock shelter finished, he can be moved over to my pasture to eat all the grass which is abundant. Only problem is now the cow thinks he is a goat, and travels around with the goat herd. So I'm going to have to bring over a goat or two to my pasture with the cow so that he doesnt get lonely. A lonely cow is an unhappy, loud, annoying cow, and I don't want that. I want all the animals on my farm to live a happy life, and so far I think I'm doing a good a pretty good job at that.
Here is the new Chicken Coop & connected Livestock Shelter built by my friends Rob and Brenden at Redwood Contracting. I have yet to paint it, and I'm open to suggestions. I am considering "barn red", though I'm not sure yet. It's still much too wet to paint anyway. Right now I have my ten chickens in the coop (but it was designed for future expansion of the flock!), which has a "chicken door" that opens up to the entire fenced pasture. These chickens will truly be "free range", as they will have a huge area to roam, and unlimited amounts of green forage, bugs, and worms to eat. Eggs will be available in about 3 months. I guaruntee those eggs will be AMAZING! It's hard to see in the picture, but Brenden, one of my friends who built the coop/livestock shelter devised an ingenious pulley system to open the chicken door. So I don't need to go into the pasture or into the chicken coop, I need only to pull a handle to open or close the door. This was a surprise, as I was concerned about this point, and I made it clear that I wanted something like this, but I was BLOWN AWAY by this simple yet amazing design. It makes closing the chickens in at night so quick and easy, which reminds me! It's almost dark, and I havent closed the chicken door! So until next time, happy farming! Special 'Thank you' to Rob and Brenden at Redwood Contracting for such an awesome chicken coop/livestock shelter. The chickens already love it, and i'm sure the cow and goats will love the livestock shelter section as well.I just noticed in the in the middle left of the picture you can see the pigs in their seperate pig pen, with the port-a-hut behind them.
P.S. I know it's been more than awhile since I've posted to the blog. My only excuse is that I've been so busy, that I don't really feel like travelling down the road to sit in the library parking lot to get on the internet. Supposedly WAVE will be installing "broadband" internet at my house in 3-5 weeks, though I've been told that now for over 6 months! When I have internet at my house I'll be more inclined to post more info and pictures of the goings-on at Hidden Island Farms!
I'm so envious of your baby goats! And the cow, and the coop.... especially the pulley system for shutting them in. Our poor chickens have been left out more than a few times because of my forgetfulness. It's a wonder that the 'meth'coons of our neighborhood haven't gotten to them yet. You haven't heard of Meth-coons? They're a cousin to the raccoon, found in metro areas. They're distinct markings are usually a ripped up ear, a missing tail, perhaps a missing leg, a wiley deranged look in their eye(s) (they don't always have both) and always chunks of missing fur. Perhaps they don't actually eat chickens after all, as they are too busy looking for their next fix. ANYWAY....after reading your post I realized that this is now the second time I've thought of acquiring some goat meat this week. Hmm... must be a sign.
ReplyDeleteDo you like Kielbasa? I'll send you some Goat/Pork Kielbasa for a taste test. Send me your address and I'll send it to you no charge. :)
ReplyDeleteoh my- these goats ARE precious!!! sweetest things! you will have to post a picture of the new baby goat. it was so great meeting you!
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