Devonviolet Acres

You guys have gotten a lot of work done! The bramble clearing was really nice looking -- you know, your goats will be happy to do that for you next time ....just another goat trait.

Screws -- not only are they easier to remove, it's a lot easier to push on that drill than beat the hammer! Faster, too. They are a little more expensive to buy but the reuse makes it less so. I find they don't pull out from weather as a nail in wood will often do. Guess we all love them.

We've had some rain but not as much as you guys, thankfully. Our weather is warm right now and I've had 5 does kid this week. Sure makes it nice to have the kids gets a few days of bouncing around before another freeze hits. And you will LOVE watching them play. Cuteness for sure. I will start milking again in a week or two....and have 2 more does to kid. Watching 10 of them romp around AND I get to play with them. If you handle them in the first few days, they are always easier to handle from then on through life.

It's a tough job to sit and handle them all, takes time and lots of hugs & snuggles. Yep, tough job but someone has to do it
I feed the does so I can scoop up the kids and play with them while moms are busy It's only a few days until they will follow moms out and you need to get them started first day so they know playtime ... You will love your goats!

Mini Horses said:

You will love your goats!

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And you will probably keep all the kids. My first year my goats had all does and I kept them all...the beginning of the end.

FarmerJan said:
" The pekin ducks are a little bit later maturing than some so the male(s) may not show curled tail feathers until 20 weeks or more."
This afternoon, when we were taking that shelter apart, I heard the ducks & looked into their area. I could tell one was squeeking, instead of quacking. As I watched him, I realized that one of his tail feathers is actually curling.

That's interesting about the ducks needing swimming water vs wading. Unfortunately, we dont have deep water for the ducks. All we have is a kiddie pool, which is about 8-10 inches deep when full. I suppose that isn't deep enough.

FarmerJan said: "The "poultry hook" is what we call a chicken leg catch. I use it alot for hard to catch chickens but you have to be fairly fast with it with some birds. It's very handy but once you get them you have to pull it so that the bird can't shake their leg out of it. Takes a little getting used to but once you do, it's ideal."
I use the poultry hook when we butchered the ten chickens last week. It worked amazingly well. But then when I was catching chickens to clip wings, they kept slipping out of it. Twice I caught their knee. Ouch! I was really careful removing it, so I didn't hurt them. I ended up catching most of the chickens the old fashioned way . . . corner them and snatch them as they run by. I guess I need more practice.

I'm not sure what was going on with our turkey. Shortly after commenting on her feather plucking, she stopped, and her feathers have all grown back. We did increase her protein and are putting about 3/4 cup kelp in the fermented feed (2X daily) we make for all of our chickens and ducks (44 total).

We are waiting for the Spring items are displayed at WallyWorld to get the medium sized pool, but are using a cement mixing tub til then, both Khakis and Rouens both can get their feet off the bottom, but just not much room for many at a time. So glad that your drake is showing his Feathers. We haven't gotten to the stage of adding more goats, yet I have to get the fencing done and I'm forcing myself to get things finished before adding any.

You are finally getting your goats! I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see them!

babsbag said:

We use screws for almost everything. We do have a framing nail gun and various finish nail guns and a crown stapler, but screws are the most widely used. When the standard at Lowe's and Home Depot switched from Phillips to star head we had to switch too but then Lowe's had different sized star tips for different sized screws and that is where I drew the line. Home Depot screws all use the same tip regardless of length and I see now that Lowe's is following their lead. I buy 3" and 3.5" screws by the 5lb box and I am considering the BIG bucket next time.

It is a great feeling to get a job done. I am so behind on all of mine and this rain is not helping one bit.

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Yes, we use the star bit screws, and are happy with them. DH always makes sure he gets the same size star bit screws, and we have several extra star bits on hand, as they do wear out eventually. And yes, the screws are on the expensive side. But we were anle to save most of the screws, from yesterday. So, that (and reusing wood & roofing tin) will save us money on our coop remodeling project.

Meant to say that the bramble clearing really looked nice....but if it was fenced wouldn't the goats have eaten most of it down? I know our dall sheep will work on the brush too, think it is ingrained in the genes from the more "desert" origins of the breed...The really work on the #*@%** autumn olive that was introduced here...HATE THAT STUFF...and the multi flora rose they will make dents in too.

farmerjan said:

Meant to say that the bramble clearing really looked nice....but if it was fenced wouldn't the goats have eaten most of it down? I know our dall sheep will work on the brush too, think it is ingrained in the genes from the more "desert" origins of the breed...The really work on the #*@%** autumn olive that was introduced here...HATE THAT STUFF...and the multi flora rose they will make dents in too.

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Yeah, I would have let the goats have at it a long time ago if it was fenced. We have tried to find someone to help us perimeter fence our property. But, either they want a fortune (one guy wanted $9,000 just for labor - We wanted to fence 1/2 the property, and he kept pushing to do the whole property), or they say they will do it and don't bother to show up. We have done a little fencing, but at our age , we know our limitations. We need help. @Latestarter has offered to help. But, he has his own place that needs work done first. So, it will likely be a while before we will be able to help us get our fencing done. And that is fine. We have plenty to keep us busy until LS or someone else can help us.

Baymule said:

You are finally getting your goats! I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see them!

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Yes! You & DH will have to come for a visit after the kids are born!

Tessa and her crew, including two 17 Y/O boys, will be arriving Friday right? Bet those guys could use some money if they have access to a car.