This morning I noticed one of our rabbit girls with a hay moustache running up into the nest box!!
She's making a nest. Fantastic, hopefully she knows best and in 18 days we'll have some babies.
And not to be outdone her sister started just at lunch time to copy her. So now I've got a couple of maiden does who might have babies soon! As a precaution I've set up a second nursery to make sure they don't start fighting over space!
And on the goat front: the girls seem to be getting used to Riley doing his thang, even though I still have to hold them in place. BUT, Tui has started squeezing between me and the box, and Riley's been standing next to the box looking at me expectantly. I seem to have created kinky goats! Anyway, twice a day it's playtime until Riley is not interested anymore, and then hopefully back to normal grazing routine.
Tha', tha', that's all folks!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wow....
.... it's been exactly four weeks today that Riley the buck has come to visit!
Yesterday and today, despite my assumption that last week both girls' heat had finished, he showed an extraordinary amount of interest in Poppy! So, even though I hate to interfere, I helped him getting a leg or two up. Today I think he might have done it, but I'm way tooo close to the action already and didn't really want to get any closer, so I'm not to sure.
And Tui is feeling left out! She seems to be coming into heat again too, as he was interested enough in her to do a job when she was held.
This is just all WAY TOO hands-on. I'd like to leave nature to itself and take its course, but on the same token, as Mr.10 poignantly told me: " If you want milk you need to help Riley make babies!"
Well, in 4-5 months I might see how successful this date has been.
Have to remember for next season to get a boy in earlier, and maybe one bigger than the girls: they are just to tall and stronger than Riley and just walk or run away from him. But then again, next season they might remember him and be ok?!
On the plus side, the hens have started laying again, instead of one every second day, we're now getting 3-5 every day!!!
Now I just have to keep an eye peeled for any hens going AWOL and sitting on nests. But that'll be fine too, chickies!!!!!!!
TTFN, peace and out.
Yesterday and today, despite my assumption that last week both girls' heat had finished, he showed an extraordinary amount of interest in Poppy! So, even though I hate to interfere, I helped him getting a leg or two up. Today I think he might have done it, but I'm way tooo close to the action already and didn't really want to get any closer, so I'm not to sure.
And Tui is feeling left out! She seems to be coming into heat again too, as he was interested enough in her to do a job when she was held.
This is just all WAY TOO hands-on. I'd like to leave nature to itself and take its course, but on the same token, as Mr.10 poignantly told me: " If you want milk you need to help Riley make babies!"
Well, in 4-5 months I might see how successful this date has been.
Have to remember for next season to get a boy in earlier, and maybe one bigger than the girls: they are just to tall and stronger than Riley and just walk or run away from him. But then again, next season they might remember him and be ok?!
On the plus side, the hens have started laying again, instead of one every second day, we're now getting 3-5 every day!!!
Now I just have to keep an eye peeled for any hens going AWOL and sitting on nests. But that'll be fine too, chickies!!!!!!!
TTFN, peace and out.
Monday, July 18, 2011
and another fortnight races by
and here some pics of what's been happening.
For starters, I built a prototype rabbit feeder to keep the sparrows and their poops out of the rabbit's food.
And it's working!
For starters, I built a prototype rabbit feeder to keep the sparrows and their poops out of the rabbit's food.
And it's working!
Next, our adopted cat seems to be settling in, and either she'll have to go on a diet pretty soon or she'll give birth! Haven't got a pic of her and her barrel shaped midriff, but only one of her sitting on a fav chair.
And last but not least, today's the first day of school holidays and my hubby went into Wellington with our daughter. So I got our son to make a list of things he'd like to do during those 2 1/2 days. He came up with 13 points!
We've done three: put some of his toys on Trademe, played a food game and made Lamingtons, the first one got demolished in no time. Fortunately I photographed those first, gotta have proof.
TTFN and enjoy the sun.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Fortunately my head's screwed on...
....otherwise I might have misplaced it in the last couple of weeks!
Cat update: she's been given a month to sort herself out and get along with our cat and dog, or she will have to find a new home. Fortunately I've had two people interested, who are happy enough to wait and see.
Bunny babies: none yet. Giving her til Monday ( 1 week over) and then decision about the the boy will have to be made. I saw him do the deed twice and if he can't produce babies reliable he'll have to go. At his present weight, he'll make a HUGE roast!
Goats: shenanigans galore! Tui was in heat in the past two days, but was showing very stroppy maiden behaviour. Not sure if Riley managed to his job somehow, will see in 5 months I suppose. If she doesn't come into heat again in three weeks it's no guarantee that she got pregnant, as they only cycle for a short period, autumn to early winter. Poppy is due to come into heat during the next week, and we'll see how she'll go. This is turning out to be another huge learning curve, and getting to know the goats intimately. Too intimate!!!!!!
Chicken: got 9 potentially laying hens in the hen house , and getting ONE egg a day! Either my red sensitivity is off kilter, or they're holding in VERY hard!
Kids: the human variety: cheeky like monkeys and growing up way too fast.
On a very positive note, last weekend I used my homemade Quark to make German Cheesecake and it came out perfect! Another winner to put into my home baking/-making repertoire. I had intended to try making Mozzarella this week, but after all the going-ons I'll do that next week. Haven't got the peace of mind to focus and it's a bit more complicated to make.
TTFN
Cat update: she's been given a month to sort herself out and get along with our cat and dog, or she will have to find a new home. Fortunately I've had two people interested, who are happy enough to wait and see.
Bunny babies: none yet. Giving her til Monday ( 1 week over) and then decision about the the boy will have to be made. I saw him do the deed twice and if he can't produce babies reliable he'll have to go. At his present weight, he'll make a HUGE roast!
Goats: shenanigans galore! Tui was in heat in the past two days, but was showing very stroppy maiden behaviour. Not sure if Riley managed to his job somehow, will see in 5 months I suppose. If she doesn't come into heat again in three weeks it's no guarantee that she got pregnant, as they only cycle for a short period, autumn to early winter. Poppy is due to come into heat during the next week, and we'll see how she'll go. This is turning out to be another huge learning curve, and getting to know the goats intimately. Too intimate!!!!!!
Chicken: got 9 potentially laying hens in the hen house , and getting ONE egg a day! Either my red sensitivity is off kilter, or they're holding in VERY hard!
Kids: the human variety: cheeky like monkeys and growing up way too fast.
On a very positive note, last weekend I used my homemade Quark to make German Cheesecake and it came out perfect! Another winner to put into my home baking/-making repertoire. I had intended to try making Mozzarella this week, but after all the going-ons I'll do that next week. Haven't got the peace of mind to focus and it's a bit more complicated to make.
TTFN
Monday, June 27, 2011
Never a dull day!
Boy if I had known then what I know now!
In the afternoon I had set the live trap to try and catch a feral cat that I had seen hanging around.They are a real threat to NZ native wildlife and attack my livestock, chickens and rabbits. Just before going to bed I heard a tiny meow, double tracked back, saw our cat flat out in front of the fireplace and raced next door to get my hubby and a big torch. We went and looked, and there it was: a dark grey tabby. BUT, not looking or behaving like a feral cat at all. Ferals, as soon as they see a human hiss and spit and will try to turn any arms or fingers into mince meat.This one looked like it just wanted to come out for a cuddle and a feed.
Anyway, we wrapped it up for the night, to make sure it was dry and safe in the cage, and decided to make a decision the next morning.
Morning came, and the kids, after realizing we had another puddy cat on our hands wanted to take it out, cuddle and feed and do all sorts of silly kid stuff with it.
Basically, they wanted to keep it.
Since I'm the main caretaker of all our livestock around here, I on the other hand had decided to pass it on to the SPCA. Defer the decision making responsibility.
Called them and had arranged we'd drop it off at the vets on Monday morning, get it checked out and then see what happens.
During the weekend I had to stop the dog from scaring it out of its wits, the kids constantly sitting in front of it talking to it, and hubby, every time he heard it meow he'd answer back!
Every time we fed it we got more and more proof that this was a very affectionate pet, at one point I had half my arm in the cage and it would rub against it and purr! But, it is blind on one eye, and we think most of its teeth are gone. Not a good sign, big possiblity of later complications. That on top of having to socialize, resocialize three animals, on top of having to care for all the other critters, made a decision harder but clearer. It wouldn't be fair on it, to keep it for a while, but if things don't work out with the other animals to dump it again. Rather give it straight away to the right people and they will find the right place for it.
So, this morning it went to town, and I just rung the vet. The nurse seemed to confirm my suspicion that its health issues would make it a very expensive and labour intesive pet to give to someone, therefore they would euthanise it. They will ring once a decision has been made, and even though I'm incredibly sad that a loving trusting creature is to be put down, it is for the better. At least it will be in a safe and humane way.
It just makes me SO angry to know that there are sooo many irresponsible people out there and have to actually deal with the consequences of it.
On a funny note: I think I've got house proud chickens:
the hen house needed cleaning, but with all the stuff happening that chore never got done. And the hens never seemed to be in it. Today though, sunny and still out here, I went out and gave it a good clean up and lots of clean fresh bedding. Haven't seen the hens since, they're all inside checking the boxes out and giving the floor a good scratching!
Now, how to teach the hens to either choose a "toilet" spot or get them to scratch the rubbish into one corner to make it easier to clean?!
In the afternoon I had set the live trap to try and catch a feral cat that I had seen hanging around.They are a real threat to NZ native wildlife and attack my livestock, chickens and rabbits. Just before going to bed I heard a tiny meow, double tracked back, saw our cat flat out in front of the fireplace and raced next door to get my hubby and a big torch. We went and looked, and there it was: a dark grey tabby. BUT, not looking or behaving like a feral cat at all. Ferals, as soon as they see a human hiss and spit and will try to turn any arms or fingers into mince meat.This one looked like it just wanted to come out for a cuddle and a feed.
Anyway, we wrapped it up for the night, to make sure it was dry and safe in the cage, and decided to make a decision the next morning.
Morning came, and the kids, after realizing we had another puddy cat on our hands wanted to take it out, cuddle and feed and do all sorts of silly kid stuff with it.
Basically, they wanted to keep it.
Since I'm the main caretaker of all our livestock around here, I on the other hand had decided to pass it on to the SPCA. Defer the decision making responsibility.
Called them and had arranged we'd drop it off at the vets on Monday morning, get it checked out and then see what happens.
During the weekend I had to stop the dog from scaring it out of its wits, the kids constantly sitting in front of it talking to it, and hubby, every time he heard it meow he'd answer back!
Every time we fed it we got more and more proof that this was a very affectionate pet, at one point I had half my arm in the cage and it would rub against it and purr! But, it is blind on one eye, and we think most of its teeth are gone. Not a good sign, big possiblity of later complications. That on top of having to socialize, resocialize three animals, on top of having to care for all the other critters, made a decision harder but clearer. It wouldn't be fair on it, to keep it for a while, but if things don't work out with the other animals to dump it again. Rather give it straight away to the right people and they will find the right place for it.
So, this morning it went to town, and I just rung the vet. The nurse seemed to confirm my suspicion that its health issues would make it a very expensive and labour intesive pet to give to someone, therefore they would euthanise it. They will ring once a decision has been made, and even though I'm incredibly sad that a loving trusting creature is to be put down, it is for the better. At least it will be in a safe and humane way.
It just makes me SO angry to know that there are sooo many irresponsible people out there and have to actually deal with the consequences of it.
On a funny note: I think I've got house proud chickens:
the hen house needed cleaning, but with all the stuff happening that chore never got done. And the hens never seemed to be in it. Today though, sunny and still out here, I went out and gave it a good clean up and lots of clean fresh bedding. Haven't seen the hens since, they're all inside checking the boxes out and giving the floor a good scratching!
Now, how to teach the hens to either choose a "toilet" spot or get them to scratch the rubbish into one corner to make it easier to clean?!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
What a week!
This week I had organized for a Billy goat to come and pay a visit to my girls.
After having cleaned the rabbit cages I raced to school to pick him up.
What a handsome boy. Here's a video of the first meeting!
Riley and the girls
Today, Saturday night,
I'm in the weirdest position now: waiting, for not sure what?!
The girls are showing such different behaviours since Riley's turned up: the smaller stroppy one is becoming quite attached and cuddly, stopped head butting! And sleeps in the box with him. The bigger one, more sedate has started packing strops!!
She sleeps in the middle of the paddock, even though a covered barn is available. And today I thought I'd leave them all day together in the paddock so they'd have all day to get used to each other.
Well that went down like a lead balloon with the bigger one. In the end she somehow managed to get out and Riley had followed!!!
Even though he behaves as if she is or coming into heat, she is NOT interested! I'm getting the dirtiest looks from her and she's complaining ALL day.
And hubby is definitely NOT interested in getting a buck for good.
He reckons he can smell him from the house! And he's not interested in the details of goat mating behaviour!!!!!!
So, now I'm sitting here, checking their bums several times daily if they change appearance
and not really sure what to do.
Patience is not my greatest virtue, and the first time I expected bunny babies 30 days seemed incredibly long, but that seems to fly by now in comparison.
Never a dull day I suppose.
OH is worried about the state of my nerves if/when we actually will expect kids!!! I better make that barn VERY comfy, I can imagine myself spending the night there for the first lots.
After having cleaned the rabbit cages I raced to school to pick him up.
What a handsome boy. Here's a video of the first meeting!
Riley and the girls
Today, Saturday night,
I'm in the weirdest position now: waiting, for not sure what?!
The girls are showing such different behaviours since Riley's turned up: the smaller stroppy one is becoming quite attached and cuddly, stopped head butting! And sleeps in the box with him. The bigger one, more sedate has started packing strops!!
She sleeps in the middle of the paddock, even though a covered barn is available. And today I thought I'd leave them all day together in the paddock so they'd have all day to get used to each other. Well that went down like a lead balloon with the bigger one. In the end she somehow managed to get out and Riley had followed!!!
Even though he behaves as if she is or coming into heat, she is NOT interested! I'm getting the dirtiest looks from her and she's complaining ALL day.
And hubby is definitely NOT interested in getting a buck for good.
He reckons he can smell him from the house! And he's not interested in the details of goat mating behaviour!!!!!! So, now I'm sitting here, checking their bums several times daily if they change appearance
and not really sure what to do. Patience is not my greatest virtue, and the first time I expected bunny babies 30 days seemed incredibly long, but that seems to fly by now in comparison.
Never a dull day I suppose.
OH is worried about the state of my nerves if/when we actually will expect kids!!! I better make that barn VERY comfy, I can imagine myself spending the night there for the first lots.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A good day
For the past week, it all started with the full moon more or less, the goats have been very naughty and escaping from their paddock every minute of the day and the night! In the end I have been tethering them up even over night, NOT something I like to do.
In the last couple of days, as the weather has been improving a bit, I have been able to take them out for browsing again, and today I managed to "finish" the fence temporarily. Don't even ask for photos, such a visual mess, but I'm hoping it'll keep them in.
BECAUSE, tomorrow, if all goes well, we'll have a billy goat to visit them for a couple of weeks or months. Depending on how long it takes him to get them pregnant!!!!!! And supposedly he's very well behaved and I don't want the girls to teach him naughty tricks.
On top of that I managed to finish a video clip for a band and try out my new mincer.
Last week I had butchered two roosters and today my son gave it all turning the meat into mince. Boy, did he love the workout! And he even ate the resulting meat patties. "They taste just like meat balls" Good!!!
Now to bake another batch of Stollen, as Thank You's for all the friendly helpers and for the family.
As I had been sick, had sick kids and sick goat at home, and after today's physical exertion I'm feeling quite ready to hit the sack and get a good night's sleep in.
Still got rabbit cages and hen house to clean, so let's hope for good, dry weather for this week.
And on another side note, last weekend I went to Wellington to see and hear Rosy Tin Teacaddy and Bond Street Bridge. What an aural feast! So grateful for the pleasure and beauty their songs brought into my life again.
Highly recommended for quality songwriting and singing:
Rosy Tin Teacaddy and Bond Street Bridge on Facebook.
TTFN
In the last couple of days, as the weather has been improving a bit, I have been able to take them out for browsing again, and today I managed to "finish" the fence temporarily. Don't even ask for photos, such a visual mess, but I'm hoping it'll keep them in.
BECAUSE, tomorrow, if all goes well, we'll have a billy goat to visit them for a couple of weeks or months. Depending on how long it takes him to get them pregnant!!!!!! And supposedly he's very well behaved and I don't want the girls to teach him naughty tricks.
On top of that I managed to finish a video clip for a band and try out my new mincer.
Last week I had butchered two roosters and today my son gave it all turning the meat into mince. Boy, did he love the workout! And he even ate the resulting meat patties. "They taste just like meat balls" Good!!!
Now to bake another batch of Stollen, as Thank You's for all the friendly helpers and for the family.
As I had been sick, had sick kids and sick goat at home, and after today's physical exertion I'm feeling quite ready to hit the sack and get a good night's sleep in.
Still got rabbit cages and hen house to clean, so let's hope for good, dry weather for this week.
And on another side note, last weekend I went to Wellington to see and hear Rosy Tin Teacaddy and Bond Street Bridge. What an aural feast! So grateful for the pleasure and beauty their songs brought into my life again.
Highly recommended for quality songwriting and singing:
Rosy Tin Teacaddy and Bond Street Bridge on Facebook.
TTFN
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