Homestead Hill Farm: Sunday Walkabout 12-4

pretty mamas all in a row

It’s gotten to that time of year when finding anything of interest to report is quite a challenge.

The market is over. The garden is done. Most of our work is inside stuff that doesn’t make for good photo ops or remotely interesting copy.

But, then it rained…

…and rained.

...and rained some more.

another rainy day

No complaints. None at all. We haven’t had any real measurable rainfall in more than a month. It had gotten to the point where the sheep kicked up a major dust storm each and every time they came down to the feeders. Great grazing was a mere memory.There were a couple of paddocks of “stockpiled” grass (where the sheep hadn’t grazed in quite some time) that we were able to use to avoid feeding out any of the precious hay so early in the season. But, we were rapidly coming to the end of any grass, anywhere.

THREE inches of rain later, things were pretty well saturated. This will aid in next year’s grass growth as everything is going dormant for the winter season.

after the rain

However, rain or no rain, it was definitely time to move all the sheep around. It was past time to remove Angus from the ewe flock and return him to his solitary “bachelor quarters” at the back edge of the farm. I don’t think anyone likes sorting the ram from the ewes (particularly the ram). But, the ewes need a little extra care in the late days of their pregnancies and soon there will be lambs to tend to as well. Having a ram in the flock at that point can prove dangerous to all involved, especially the shepherd(ess).

Thankfully, that move went off without a hitch.

he's just slightly intimidating

I don’t think Angus was real thrilled once he realized what was happening. But, then again, who am I to pretend I understand what goes on inside a ram brain? He has shelter and plenty to eat, so we know he’s fine. He does holler from time to time, but other than that, he seems to have adjusted to his new housing.

with the "girls" gone, he had a feeder all to himself!

The ewes are grazing the “winter paddock” and getting hay in the evenings. They still haven’t adjusted to coming into the barn. They all skitter and scatter whenever we walk inside to feed. However, it won’t be long until they are all waiting (and complaining) for handouts whenever they see humans. I give it a week at the outside before they become complete and utter nuisances and start voicing their “opinions” in no uncertain terms.

early morning grazing

"Reba" has already claimed her spot in the barn

late afternoon grazing

The “off-season” is the Boss’ time to work on those project ideas he didn’t have time to execute during the season. His current project is a portable gate unit for use when we move the hens around the farm. I don’t exactly know how this is going to work. But, I do know that its completion will mean that we will no longer have to attempt to “hop” over the electro-net. If you’re wondering, electro-net is a truly awesome product. It is a completely portable, easy-to-use electric fence that we use to temporarily graze various areas of the farm. This gives us the option of grazing areas where permanent fencing is not an option. (i.e. hens in the gardens). I am seriously electro-net challenged and I am not coordinated enough to simultaneously hop and carry a feed bucket while wearing coveralls and choreboots (especially if you throw a little snow, ice and mud) so, I’m pretty excited about this project. While I don’t have to go in the henyard often, the prevention of even one face-plant sounds worthwhile to me! Not much progress to report yet, however, the initial trip to Lowe’s has been completed, so it is just a matter of time.

You can order our farm calendar by clicking HERE!
Makes a great gift

On Saturday morning, we made our first “off-season” delivery to our Winter Customers. Which, I must say, ended up being a little more challenging that it should have been. Someone (and it was NOT me) forgot the eggs. Seriously. The eggs. It wasn’t until we got to town that we realized the EGGS (perhaps the biggest reason we even DO winter sales) were still in the cooler. This required that the Boss make a frantic trip back down Mbrk road (seriously breaking the speed limit and perhaps some speed RECORDS) while I attempted to keep up with deliveries until the eggs got to town. Thankfully, everyone was understanding and we managed to get the deliveries made with just a short delay. However, we will be adding a triple check to our current check and double check before we pull out of the driveway next time.

Oh, well…it made for a little “excitement” in an otherwise dull week.

pretty sunset

Not that I’m complaining about dull weeks. Those weeks that we have lots of stories, exciting and otherwise, are not really the best weeks. All too often good stories are the result of poor management/judgement and the inability to predict potential problems. Give me boring any day!

The week ahead looks like it won’t be boring. We even may see a few challenges. They are calling for a big weather pattern shift and there are lots of snowy, icy, COLD icons in the forecast. Each one of those holds the potential for problems, so it’s up to us to be prepared. Incoming cold, stormy weather means dealing with frozen things that shouldn’t be frozen, the multitudinous issues of ice (like power outages) and potential snow removal. Keep in mind it isn't even officially WINTER, yet! So, it’s a good time to do a little readiness inventory.

But, in the meantime, here’s hoping you’re having a Happy Sunday!

Here are a few odd photos that don't really fit. They are proof that you just never know what you may look up and see.