Wehner Homestead

[CntryBoy777]

I like it when it always seems to happen at the dangdest times, too.....standing there with a piece of something in your hand while ya are getting soaked....could of just sprinkled all day long, but something happens and the bottom fall out. Joyce locked the truck up one time, but didn't bring her key with her, so we were locked out.....downpour city while I got the check window out and was able to unlock it, then reinstall window and seal....I was drenched by that time.....

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Gonna be a big day here!

We have lots to get done. I’ll try to post what we’ve accomplished later.

Otis (bull) was looking rough and laying around so we got a stool sample. He tested positive for strongyles and coccidia. He had already been treated with ivomec pour-on so the vet wants to wait and recheck the strongyles but definitely treat coccidia. So...he’s now in a barn pen with our steer for lack of a better companion (and no one else is showing symptoms.) We are doing Corid in his water for five days. I’m a little nervous about him being penned with the kids playing in the barn but he is really chill so as long as they give him space, he should be fine. (They won’t go in his pen, I just want them to keep their distance.)

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Mowed yesterday and got a sunburn. I even put sunscreen on and did the mowing after 2! Cowboy is smart and hung out in front of the fan!

Wilson and Disney have had their large dog crate moved to the loft. They’ll spend a few days up there then we will open the door and leave it open. At that point, they have to learn their own way out of the loft. There is food, water, and a litter box in the loft so they have what they need. Really hoping they do well!

Here’s a pic of them playing in the pig scales while we moved their crate. I’ve put them in the scales for a few minutes a couple times a day for the last few days to let them stretch their legs and explore someplace new.

DH worked on the water heater Monday night to fix it. Kids let Oscar in so he had to make his rounds. He also went to the cellar and scared me to death because there’s poison down there.

A few of the barn cats were relaxing this evening so I got some decent pics...

Mickey having one of his better days despite his sinus issues.

Chester keeping an eye on his domain.

Sophie

Forgot to mention that Sparkle and CeCe have been weaned from their bottles. They seem to have adjusted well and I increased their feed some. They look really good. I’ll try to get a pic soon.

 

[Mini Horses]

I have questions about those marshmallow hay rolls.... As I go to one of my stores I see a farmer who has about 50 of them lined up. I know they can be less dry than winter hay. Are they fermenting in there? When you apply the wrap, does the machine vacuum seal it? Never have gone up touch close to one and have seen utube videos where people put gasses in bags, etc. Ever have mold issues? Do they heat up in there? Curious.

I need to get some kittens, would love some barn reared by mouser moms and about 4-5 months old. My one just disappeared about a month ago, after 12 years here The old geezer isn't interested in much more than a good nap & food. He only watches the mouse run by now days. I know he is past 18 because that is when he decided to live here & was a young adult, fully grown. Suspect he's pushing 20.

 

[Bruce]

Careful what you ask for Mini, someone might dump a whole litter of kittens on you!

 

[RollingAcres]

Cowboy is very smart to lay in front of the fan! Love those cat pics!

Careful what you ask for Mini, someone might dump a whole litter of kittens on you!

Agree!
I work at a garbage company. Every once in a while the workers will find a litter of kittens near the dumping station. We usually try to see if anyone would take the kittens if not then they would be brought to the humane society.

 

[Mini Horses]

Careful what you ask for Mini, someone might dump a whole litter of kittens on you!

This is true! But have put the word out for a couple. One year I had a very pregnant orange tabby show up -?- She was a great mouser. On a cold, snowy day, I found her & 9 new kittens -- all orange tabby! Found good homes for them.

BUT -- Would rather have the cats than snakes, who eat eggs not mice!

 

[RollingAcres]

Snakes eat mice too.

 

[greybeard]

I have questions about those marshmallow hay rolls.... As I go to one of my stores I see a farmer who has about 50 of them lined up. I know they can be less dry than winter hay. Are they fermenting in there? When you apply the wrap, does the machine vacuum seal it? Never have gone up touch close to one and have seen utube videos where people put gasses in bags, etc. Ever have mold issues? Do they heat up in there? Curious.

Wrapped round bales are done with 2 different purposes.
1. Baleage. In this case, it's a fairly high moisture content. around 55% moisture and yes, will ferment as all baleage needs to. It's more palatable, good protein retention, and similar to silage. Get too far below that % and you can have mold problems.

2. Dry hay. It's only wrapped so you can store it outside and not worry about how much rain or snow falls on it. Cut, dried and wrapped at around 14% moisture or less (preferably less) during summer to either be sold or used in both summer and thru the winter, and more often than not here, in sleeves that the ends of the bale are exposed to the air. It takes more wraps to do dry hay to keep the inside of the plastic from sweating.
I don't see a lot of this dry hay wrap happening around here. Dry hay wrapped at around 20-25% moisture content will very likely mold while stored in any kind of humid conditions..and sometimes even if stored inside and off the ground.

I don't know anyone except a few hobby horse & goat people that buys hay during the winter..Usually in short supply by then and the price reflects that. I and everyone around here buys it either right out of the field or has their own baled mid year, and stores it for winter use. I can buy good 4x5 rounds for $30-$40 tops in summer, but the same hay bought in winter will cost as much as $65/roll. 5x6 bales in the field are about $5 more..I want 1000lb bales so I get 5x6 almost always.
Sq bales are the same way. In the field, $3-$4 each, but come January, those same bales may be as much as $15 a bale. (the above prices are for a normal year..not drought years or years where it rains all summer and fall)

(I only buy small square bales for use as bedding and a little hay if I have a sick one isolated in cold weather)

 

[Mini Horses]

Snakes eat mice too.

Well, yes. But the ones I've had totally watched them run by & slid into the nest boxes -- and under a 3 day from hatch broody! -- taking eggs. They should have stayed with mice, then I would not have used the machete. The vultures ate them.

Thanks GB!! I most often buy my hay late summer. The baleage intrigued me. The time saved to dry more is a real plus. Protein retention is another. Does a grass hay perform better than say, alfalfa? I assume those white bags are sealed off.

I have always bought a round with just the hay twine, no wrap. I store under cover. Generally use squares as easier for me to handle and store AND move. But in mid to late winter I have used a round, placed under a large carport that is for summer shelter/shade in a couple fields. Their run in barn is closed enough that I can't quite drive the tractor in without removing some portion of wall. The actual barn seldom has a horse in it, am going to reconfigure stalls for goats & milking next Spring. Have kidding stalls in there now. One lone old stallion goes into the end stall sometimes. He has free access set up but likes it outside....near "where the girls are".