And they take their job seriously.
More photos below. . .
Okay, you can go.
The grass in the fields is already greening up and starting to grow (these photos were taken last month and then forgotten about), but we'll keep feeding bales of homegrown organic hay to the sheep until we run out, which hopefully won't be until the first or second week of May. Last year was one of our best haying seasons in years, and we ended up with nearly 900 square bales of hay—and peace of mind through the winter and early spring.
Meanwhile, the seven donkeys are back in Donkeyland (which is big enough that the grass should grow faster than they can keep up with it—plus we have nowhere else to put them), and the splinter flock of 16 non-pregnant sheep is already out roaming around eating grass during the day. But the front field, which is our main grazing pasture, is off limits until it's had a chance to grow up a lot more. That way it will hopefully provide enough food to last until next winter.
Young spring grass doesn't have much nutritional value, so the splinter flock is still fed grain treats along with a bale or two of hay each night, although now they're a lot pickier about the hay. The moms and lambs are stuck in the barnyard with hay and plenty of treats until the babies get bigger.
Young spring grass doesn't have much nutritional value, so the splinter flock is still fed grain treats along with a bale or two of hay each night, although now they're a lot pickier about the hay. The moms and lambs are stuck in the barnyard with hay and plenty of treats until the babies get bigger.
As for how we haul that hay around, one of the first purchases I made after moving to the country 17 years ago was a Rubbermaid utility cart (also available here), and it turned out to be one of the best things I've ever bought. We use it so much around the farm and garden that a couple years ago we bought a second one.
The one-piece construction is incredibly durable and tough, they can be pushed or pulled, are easy to clean, easy to dump, don't mind being left out in the weather, and can haul up to 300 pounds. We've used them to transport everything from firewood to sick sheep. I can't imagine gardening or farming without one.
The one-piece construction is incredibly durable and tough, they can be pushed or pulled, are easy to clean, easy to dump, don't mind being left out in the weather, and can haul up to 300 pounds. We've used them to transport everything from firewood to sick sheep. I can't imagine gardening or farming without one.
More farm inspectors? Here.
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I love these. Never though about chickens that way but they are quite the 'inspectors'. Funny, thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDeleteLove the beasts hangin' out on the periphery.
ReplyDeleteI discovered another use for that cart one day when a ewe was unable to walk and she needed to get moved from pasture to shelter for treatment---I tipped the cart down and tipped her into it! I have moved a few sheep with the cart since then and agree about how handy and useful it is.
ReplyDeleteYesterday in the lambing barn I filled it with buckets of water to deliver to the bonding suites and was able to carry another bucket in my free hand!
Hi Dominique,
DeleteI've used our carts to transport sheep, too! Thanks for the reminder - I just added that tip to the post. ;) And we've hauled buckets of water with them as well. They really are one of the best tools on the farm, aren't they?
Love to see the chickens inspecting their Estate, have a small utility cart similar to yours and is great help also and been outside for years.
ReplyDeleteI love checking in with you each day, either on My Yahoo page or FB. I have a less expensive cart like your Rubbermaid but yours has those great large tires that would make it easier to navigate.
ReplyDeleteI don't have livestock but it is my second arm while gardening.
Keep sending out those pictures.
Carol Ann
Western Pa.
Great looking birds.
ReplyDeleteChickens just crack me up! :)
ReplyDelete