Scything My Way Back to You, Babe

I love this video - this woman is going to show you how to scythe a tough meadow. Wow. This is a beautiful example of what you can do with the appropriate tool.

Plus she gets a workout and doesn't spend a bit of energy in the process. Gotta figure there was lot less energy spent making the scythe plus accessories... and it works just as well. Better if you figure the scythed grass could be used as bedding instead of being chopped into 4 inch pieces and left on the meadow.

Pig pasture... here we come!

The Pregnant Goat Code of Honor

This was stolen from a top secret goat double agent - she was passing it around to all the does in the barn. Learn from our mistakes, these are their strategies to drive goatkeepers MAD!

Doe Code of Honor

The doe's secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before its time. (Its time being determined by the following factors):

1 - No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner's house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent.

2 - Human birth helpers must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close.

3 - Punish them for technology. For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting.

4 - Practice procrastination proactively. If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," Wait until they load the car, then begin pushing!

5 - Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close.

6 - Timing timing timing. When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait at least three more days.

7 -You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.

8 - Remember your friends' honor and shame. The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.

9 - Let the weather be your guide. If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!

10 - Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.

Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind humans of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation of those who wait

Spring Sprung Early

So, the mild March weather (which was actually about normal, just a little drier according to the NWS) has got us in the spring mood.

Spring newsy notes:

1. Spring Peepers came early - first peeper was on March 16th, about 10 days earlier than any spring since we got here in 2002. Northern Peeper showed up 5 days later, also about 10 days earlier than we have seen. Don't know the peepers - hear one here.

2. Seeding has begun - we lost the hoophouse spinach crop to very cunning chickens, but we planted the flowers, tomatoes, peppers, chiles, and broccoli. Broccoli sprouted and went out to the hoophouse to get some au natural sun and harden off.

3. Seeded sugar snap peas, spinach, and lettuce in the Main Garden - Seeded these out in the big garden using one of Carol's b-day gifts - an Earthway Seeder.

Took us a couple of rows to work out how to use a row seeder to do square foot measurements. Jeavons would be horrified, but it worked out pretty well.

Our big tip - don't bother covering over any openings in the seeding plate - they don't always fill up. It works for us now - especially if the soil is very fine.

4. Chickens in the Front Garden! - We moved the ladies and Featherfoot the rooster into the remains of last year's garden out front. They needed to give the chickenyard pasture a break while we reseeded it. And the front garden needed some scratching to break up the grass, weeds, and mulch from last fall. Only 2 of the 24 hens got any "happy feet" and now one lives with the goats and one lives with the ducks :D

5. Finally, the kids have gone Spring Crazy - it ain't easy being a kid with variable weather. Thursday they all lost it and went face paint crazy. All three ladies got spring-y!

Eiley first as a butterfly

Brianna as a Swan Princess

And then Carol left and right (by the ladies)