Goats&moregoats: KickinUpDust Farm Journal

All are set for now. Hoof trimming and 2nd lice treatment Saturday. I have a large doe barn to enclose, but have to take a small break from that work for now. Definitely will be done within the next couple of months. No huge hurry on that as they still have use and room of the first barn. As the doelings & bucklings grow they will run out of room. for two months they should be fine.

Now I have to concentrate on a sick doeling. Hoping it's not coccidiosis. Daughter taking temp, waiting to hear from her. Did a dose of drench this afternoon. Ordering Di-Methox tonight just in case & want it on hand from now on.

So that means tomorrow I have to deep clean front dry lot where the hay builds up in front of hay rack. Don't know what else to do. Barn was cleaned out completely last of March. Will clean out what little hay & waste is there. 3/4 of pasture and dry lot are in the sun. Food is up off the ground.

Daughter called temp is normal, she assured me no fresh poop on Mavis, we cleaned her up this afternoon. Eating and drinking normal. Will check her over good again in am.

My ram is not happy being with just his one little lady. Is vocal a lot more than he was before. I told him he would get use to it.

Both Yukon and Tahoe love having the kids running all over the place. Sakura jumped right up on Tahoe's back today while Tahoe was getting her daily lovins. Plus they both come right to the gate and are very watchful if we are taking any of the babies out for anything. Usually their weekly weight checks.

I finally was able to order the proper grooming tools for the two dogs. So as soon as they arrive it will be a grooming party for Tahoe and Yukon hosted by myself and daughter...lol. I bet they will be some happy dogs that day.

How exciting! You have a lot going on.

Sorry I have not signed in for a while. I, however have been checking post a little bit.

Some recent happy and sad events have had me rather busy and also had my world a bit turn upside down.

First, my mother in law was promoted to glory on April 30th. This was unexpected and quick. Infection in the blood system that took her rapidly. She was a sweet terrific women and is sorely missed by many.

My youngest son's 18th birthday was a big celebration for my family that same week. We did what we could to make this a happy event for him. His actual birthday was the same day his grandmother passed so we had to post pone the party for almost a week. The party turned out great, with homemade pizza and many family members and friend to share the celebration.

My middle daughter got married on May 16th. A beautiful wedding with a mass of hand made decorations involved. So I was quit busy helping with this as well. My mother arrived on May 13th and his here until June 17th to share in all the celebrations.

Unfortunately, within those two weeks I lost two part time jobs and got notice that my third part time job was also coming to an end. I also have about 4 months to find an affordable apartment for myself, my son and my "forever" fiancé. Mother in laws will states that house must be sold and $$ from this to be divided equally among children. Also looking for part time work. Applications are out, waiting for responses. I had to rehome two cats and a Bassett hound in order to increase the range of available apartments I could fill out applications for. So in home pets are now down to 2 cats ( son inherited grandmother's cat) and 1 Bassett Hound.

I also have the sad news that my son, his girlfriend of 9 yrs. and three of my grandchildren are moving to Ohio on June 18th.

Youngest son's graduation and celebration this coming week! So very proud of him. He has come a long way and it has not all been easy with Asperger's Syndrome. HE MADE IT!!!

All farm animals are fine and they can remain where they are as they are not located on mother in laws property. All are healthy and continue to strengthen their bond with each other. I continue to enjoy the farm chores and therapeutic refreshment of spending time with all of them.

I'll be back on more as things continue to settle down and I get realigned in life.

So sorry about your MIL
I hope everything works out for you
Seems you have a lot on your plate

Just finished your journal. What a trip! Sorry about all your losses; family, animals, housing & part time jobs... Congrats on all your successes! I "lost" my son, his wife and 4 of my grand kids when they moved from here to Las Vegas She had a job offer as a teacher there and they had to take it. I wish I could "lose" my job...

Though I want to, I can't retire (again) just yet... Once I do, I'll have more ability to visit them... unless like you and many others here, goat fever strikes and I end up with too many animals to leave. I hope to be starting my goat acquisition phase shortly. Right now I have chickens, bees, and an LGD pup (who NEEDS some goats badly!).

Hope you're able to re-stabilize quickly so you can get back to doing what you want/planned with the farm and animals.

I look forward to hearing more as you progress forward. Best wishes!

Slowly things are becoming more "normal" again. Filling my days with two major projects. The fencing for the goats & sheep & getting the house ready for a realtor to look at. So still quite busy.

Sold two of my older does this last month. Looking forward to seeing what the new line produces this next season, but plenty to get ready before then.
Here are some pictures of the fence we are working on. I am not good with estimating area, but believe the does will have just under 1/2 of an acre, bucks and sheep about 1/4 of acre when done. Doing double pallets, hotwire top and bottom up the center to divide pastures. All will be brought down to the barns for the night.

LGD's will be with the does. I was thinking of one in each, but these two are 7yrs old and have been together since birth. So I am thinking it won't work. Will be getting some advice about another LGD after I have more accurate measurements of the pasture areas.


First two pictures are of the lower fencing for doe pasture. Half up, going over to tall grass then up the hill. Second two pictures: buck side: first is where we are progressing up the hill(as of today about 15 more pallets to complete this side), second pic is where their pen currently ends.

New hay feeder made out of an old wooden futon frame: Corner piece works well for the littlest ones.
My Poppit and Tahoe snuggling, Yukon likes to snuggle in the barn with the babies.

We are half way there on the large pasture done with pallets and hot wire top & bottom. The thing that is holding me up is everyone and their brother know where to get free pallets...you got it, same place I do!

When we are done the does will have 3/4 of an acre mostly open pasture( some trees in pasture) with shaded area at barn. Tahoe and Yukon will share this with the does and any kids that are old enough to be with all of them when the time comes next season. The bucks will have 1/4 of an acre, partially open with a strip of tree line up the center.
@Southern by choice, @babsbag will 1/4 acre be big enough for two LGD's or could one work here and still feel like they have company with Tahoe and Yukon right next door?

Another question for anyone's opinion: Should I section off a dry lot for winter for both bucks and does or just leave it all open to them?

At the top of the hill there is about 200/300 yards open pasture beyond the pen and then the wood line starts, both pens have an open field off to the side. I know coyotes run the tree line at top of hill. Last year they ran a lot lower until I got Tahoe & Yukon. Our deer and rabbit population is still darn good so I haven't had any issues with anything coming to the fence we have now or the pattern we ran last year. Also we do have bears in the wooded area beyond the pasture, but none have been seen that low yet.

Finally hit the top and turned the corner. Top side should go fairly fast, about 40 pallets. Hoping it's done this weekend, as I have a job interview tomorrow and if I get it I should start this next week.

Work on the house is coming along fairly rapidly. Most of it should be done this week. Then just a fresh coat of paint on a couple of walls. Looking forward to that being done.

Have an application for a potential apartment. Need to fill that out tonight. This one would so fit our needs. 1,000.00 a month 2 bedroom with heat, trash, electric and water included and does allow pets. It's also located on a quiet dead end street. Crossing fingers and praying.

Dogs are saying hurry up Mom we want more room!

So hit another material jackpot today. Some people I know do estate cleaning and sales. They had a place today that had left over 2x4's,2 full sheets and one 1/2 sheet of plywood, 2x6's, sawhorses, and 6 rolls of barrier fencing. Turned out to be a pickup load! Awesome! This are walls, door frames, chicken run covering, garden protection...just a slew of things taken care of in one 1/2 hour trip and maybe 20 minutes labor for loading.

I have two half wall frames and a 3/4 wall frame here from taking inside walls down in the basement plus a few 2x4's. As well as the dog pen fencing, which is the same as most use for goats and a 4ft high by 5ft wide gate. They are going to the barn. The gate is for the pasture, the fencing I will use for making kidding pen panels.

Plus get this, my brother got a job at a place we get our free pallets...yeah; he found a hiding place for some so we can get them tomorrow. . I need to house sit this weekend where my goats are housed, so I want to stock up on the pallets. Then I can work on the fence while over there.

Got most of the goats feet trimmed yesterday. Have two more goats and the two sheep to get done. Amongst all this I need to make time for some grooming of the dogs.

They also had the pool redone and it will be finished tomorrow, a day for chemicals to work and settle. So just in time for me to enjoy!