Well, it has been a bad summer and now we are having a taste of winter! Today we have had a north wind driving really damp air and drizzle alternating with rain.
Three of the young does have been sold and moved to their new owners in the village. They live on a hillside so it should suit them down to the ground.
All the other goats have been brought inside and their health and their feet are much improved. The two bucks have been fighting a little but we think it is partly because they are enclosed in a small area and also they can probably smell the does and it is "that time of year" for goats and sheep. We are not breeding from the older does this year and have sold the younger ones who would have been ready. We will see how things go next year.
The sheep seem to take everything in their stride and are certainly no trouble so far.
Things are getting exciting in the house now. The outside has been finished apart from where the porch is going. Most of the internal walls have been plaster boarded and the plumber and electrician are doing the first fix. The downstairs floor will be done next week. The under floor insulation is already down. I am thinking that we will probably not need any heating at all given all the insulation that has gone into the build so far. I am worried that there will not be enough air getting in for breathing!! We have chosen the sanitary ware for the bathroom and ordered the range cooker. I need to decide on kitchen units so the electrician and plumber know where to put their wires, sockets and pipes etc:
We revisited the flooring company and have chosen a different stone floor. It is lighter in colour and turns out to be cheaper too, which is a bonus, although the overall price will be the same as we forgot to include the porch when we asked for the quote originally.
We have started to wean this year's cria and seven females have moved down to the winter paddocks. This number will increase over time as we wean the rest of the cria.
Friday, 26 October 2012
Sunday, 14 October 2012
Photos
Just thought you might like to see the Gotland Sheep. Three of them are very friendly but one is a bit stand offish at the moment but they seem to be settling in very well.
We are loving the new windows in the "house". From the attic in the barn part there is a fantastic view of the Devon countryside which is even better than the view over our fields.
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.ukWe are getting quite a lot of interest in the Christmas Market which is here on the 1st December. We have 15 stalls booked and we have enough of our own products to sell to take up another 3. Now it is just a question of the weather and getting enough customers. Luckily I have been able to hire some tables from the village hall for those exhibitors who cannot bring their own. It was a bit heart stopping when the person who organises the bookings for the hall told me that it was booked for a party that day. Luckily they don't need many tables so we can have them!!
We are loving the new windows in the "house". From the attic in the barn part there is a fantastic view of the Devon countryside which is even better than the view over our fields.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Damp Days
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
Looks as though I accidentally saved this post as a draft. It was dated before the photos of the Gotland Sheep.
Every time I think I will go out with the camera to take photos of the house, or indeed anything of interest, the weather steps in.
The good news is that the house now has a full complement of lovely windows, most of the outside has its wooden cladding on and we are dashing around choosing flooring for the large living room and the porch.
Yesterday we went to collect our new Gotland Sheep from an agility friend who lives near Okehampton. I had already found a company who sell stone flooring which was on the way - well that is what I call it - Mike is more sceptical and calls it a big detour - at least that is what he usually says, but this time he agreed that it would kill two birds with one stone and save some fuel. We were due to collect the sheep at 1 - 1.30 p.m. so only had quite a small window to view the flooring and given the small Devon lanes we had to travel down, that window was even smaller by the time we got there. We expected the yard to be big (which it was) but most of the space was taken up with stock so we had to park the truck and trailer outside in the lane.
We finally chose Lodge Stone from Egypt, which is apparently a very recent import to this country and at the same time fell in love with their water features which were made of granite and very graceful (this would be for the garden). They gave us a frightening quote but we decided when we started on the project that we would try and get what we want, even if it means waiting longer. In this case it cannot wait because the floor is the next thing on the list of building works.
We arrived on time to collect the Sheep but Jenny , my friend, - hope there are no Inbetweener fans reading this - had had a bad morning so I helped her tag the sheepand she kindly checked and trimmed their toe nails whilst I watched. They got quite flighty and jumped over the gates of their pen, which was a bit worrying. Our alpacas never do that and even the goats who can be very naughty only stick their heads through the fence or occasionally get under a gate or through it if it gets left open!!
We are downsizing the goat herd because we have not found a way to make any profit out of them. I had visions of having the fleece spun and selling breeding stock, like we do the alpacas, but it has not really worked. We have got our original investment back, and make enough to cover the cost of shearing with a small profit when we sell the fleeces, but I fear that when we feed them through the winter we are definitely out of pocket.
The Gotland sheep have beautiful grey fleece and apparently are good to eat too, so the plan is that the 4 ewe lambs we have bought will be mated this time next year and lambing in the following spring and will provide fleece and meat for friends and family. We will keep the numbers down so that they are easier to manage.
The chickens are also disappointing at the moment - still only one egg a day and sometimes that goes missing if Millie or Romie get there first.
We have had health problems with all our animals over the past few weeks - worms, bad feet, out of condition Mums and really sodden ground all the time. It makes everything such hard work and depressing when all the coats are wet, the dogs are constantly muddy and wet, skies are grey. Still it makes you appreciate the sun when it does come out. We have brought all the goats inside now in an effort to get their feet in better condition. Neither of the Big Bucks could walk properly a few days ago. I cut their nails, dug out the dirt, sprayed them with blue spray and gave them long acting antibiotic and they are at least walking normally now, although their feet still look wierd.
Looks as though I accidentally saved this post as a draft. It was dated before the photos of the Gotland Sheep.
Every time I think I will go out with the camera to take photos of the house, or indeed anything of interest, the weather steps in.
The good news is that the house now has a full complement of lovely windows, most of the outside has its wooden cladding on and we are dashing around choosing flooring for the large living room and the porch.
Yesterday we went to collect our new Gotland Sheep from an agility friend who lives near Okehampton. I had already found a company who sell stone flooring which was on the way - well that is what I call it - Mike is more sceptical and calls it a big detour - at least that is what he usually says, but this time he agreed that it would kill two birds with one stone and save some fuel. We were due to collect the sheep at 1 - 1.30 p.m. so only had quite a small window to view the flooring and given the small Devon lanes we had to travel down, that window was even smaller by the time we got there. We expected the yard to be big (which it was) but most of the space was taken up with stock so we had to park the truck and trailer outside in the lane.
We finally chose Lodge Stone from Egypt, which is apparently a very recent import to this country and at the same time fell in love with their water features which were made of granite and very graceful (this would be for the garden). They gave us a frightening quote but we decided when we started on the project that we would try and get what we want, even if it means waiting longer. In this case it cannot wait because the floor is the next thing on the list of building works.
We arrived on time to collect the Sheep but Jenny , my friend, - hope there are no Inbetweener fans reading this - had had a bad morning so I helped her tag the sheepand she kindly checked and trimmed their toe nails whilst I watched. They got quite flighty and jumped over the gates of their pen, which was a bit worrying. Our alpacas never do that and even the goats who can be very naughty only stick their heads through the fence or occasionally get under a gate or through it if it gets left open!!
We are downsizing the goat herd because we have not found a way to make any profit out of them. I had visions of having the fleece spun and selling breeding stock, like we do the alpacas, but it has not really worked. We have got our original investment back, and make enough to cover the cost of shearing with a small profit when we sell the fleeces, but I fear that when we feed them through the winter we are definitely out of pocket.
The Gotland sheep have beautiful grey fleece and apparently are good to eat too, so the plan is that the 4 ewe lambs we have bought will be mated this time next year and lambing in the following spring and will provide fleece and meat for friends and family. We will keep the numbers down so that they are easier to manage.
The chickens are also disappointing at the moment - still only one egg a day and sometimes that goes missing if Millie or Romie get there first.
We have had health problems with all our animals over the past few weeks - worms, bad feet, out of condition Mums and really sodden ground all the time. It makes everything such hard work and depressing when all the coats are wet, the dogs are constantly muddy and wet, skies are grey. Still it makes you appreciate the sun when it does come out. We have brought all the goats inside now in an effort to get their feet in better condition. Neither of the Big Bucks could walk properly a few days ago. I cut their nails, dug out the dirt, sprayed them with blue spray and gave them long acting antibiotic and they are at least walking normally now, although their feet still look wierd.
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Sad News
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
On Monday morning I checked on 108 and his Mum, but sadly he had died in the night. He had taken his bottle the night before, so I was surprised at his sudden demise, although it was always a probability. We will never know what caused his sudden paralysis for sure.
Sandy Maiden died last night aged 18 and a half. She was a great companion to my Mum when she was alive, and a successful agility dog and loved pet. She won out of starters at full height twice before Mike started competing at midi height with her. She always ruled the roost and the other dogs knew not to upset her.
On Monday morning I checked on 108 and his Mum, but sadly he had died in the night. He had taken his bottle the night before, so I was surprised at his sudden demise, although it was always a probability. We will never know what caused his sudden paralysis for sure.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
108 108
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
108 is the cria who cannot walk. We have been trying to keep his limbs moving so he does not lose muscle function and he does seem to be walking a little although he needs support all the time. He now has swollen knees which means he cannot straighten his front legs. A friend recommended a physiotherapist who treats humans and animals and she came today.
She has recommended that we stretch his legs rather than exercise them and we are going to try and stretch the ligaments which allow him to put his feet flat to the floor. She was very helpful and came up with some other interesting ideas to try, including stimulating him before we try to walk him around in a sling made of old towels (which we do now). She says that patting and plucking gently at his fleece around his back legs will help to stimulate his nervous system and make him aware of his back legs again. He was a little sweetie whilst she treated him and was more intent on munching grass than taking any notice of being pulled and pushed.
His mother is not longer feeding him because he cannot reach her udder and she is too upset if we try to hold him up to her. He is now being bottle fed three times a day. He is two and a half months old so at least we will not have to do it for too long. Fingers crossed that eventually whatever caused the problem in the first place will go away.
The SIPS installers have finished after one or two hiccups. They were a lovely team of builders and always cheerful and polite whatever happened. Our teabag consumption will go down considerably until the next wave of building works - probably next week when the wooden cladding will be added to the outside.
Downstairs will be one big living space. The interior photos are of the upstairs.
108 is the cria who cannot walk. We have been trying to keep his limbs moving so he does not lose muscle function and he does seem to be walking a little although he needs support all the time. He now has swollen knees which means he cannot straighten his front legs. A friend recommended a physiotherapist who treats humans and animals and she came today.
She has recommended that we stretch his legs rather than exercise them and we are going to try and stretch the ligaments which allow him to put his feet flat to the floor. She was very helpful and came up with some other interesting ideas to try, including stimulating him before we try to walk him around in a sling made of old towels (which we do now). She says that patting and plucking gently at his fleece around his back legs will help to stimulate his nervous system and make him aware of his back legs again. He was a little sweetie whilst she treated him and was more intent on munching grass than taking any notice of being pulled and pushed.
His mother is not longer feeding him because he cannot reach her udder and she is too upset if we try to hold him up to her. He is now being bottle fed three times a day. He is two and a half months old so at least we will not have to do it for too long. Fingers crossed that eventually whatever caused the problem in the first place will go away.
Downstairs will be one big living space. The interior photos are of the upstairs.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Lots of things
The build was progressing very well and we have had a really lovely team of builders working on site, but all has now come to a standstill because it seems the drawings did not allow for proper roof support. So it is "back to the drawing board" until they come up with a viable solution.
Pauline came to stay for a few days whilst the decorators were working at her house. We visited a nearby poultry farm and I bought another 6 hens and she bought 4. On Saturday and Sunday we went to River Cottage with a couple of young alpacas (the last of last year's boys) and our stall to sell the alpaca products which we normally sell in the farm shop. It was a really good event. Tickets were sold out well in advance and as well as enjoying ourselves (Pauline and I manned the stall together) we sold a lot of socks, pashminas, beanie hats and knitting wool, as well as the two alpacas we took with us. They are pictured above. It was not a misty day - I put the camera in the cold box so it was out of sight and when I took it out to photograph the boys and our stand, the lense misted over!!
As well as craft stalls, demonstrations, lovely food and incidentally good weather there was a Poultry breeder!! Pauline fell in love with some fancy chickens and decided to buy them and donate the two black rock hens she had purchased previously, to the Laurel Farm flock.
On Monday afternoon Mike was up on the scaffolding when he noticed this little chap was lying in the grass and seemed to be struggling unsuccessfully to get up. He phoned me and I went to see what was wrong.
He was shaking and obviously in distress. I did not try and help him but called the vet straight away.
He came within 20 minutes and could find no obvious reason for the problem. By this time he had stopped shaking and we had already thought that he must have had some sort of accident. The vet agreed and the best guess is that he was either running around and injured himself or was kicked by another alpaca. Possibly he tried to suckle from the wrong Mum or just got in the way.
The vet gave him antibiotics, metacam to ease the pain and reduce inflammation if any. He told us to contact him after 3 days. There was little improvement so I phoned and JJ, one of my favourite farm vets, came this time. He thought the same but agreed that it was worth continuing to try and get him mobile again. He gave him a steroid injection and thought that we should give it two or three weeks before having to make any decision on his future. I am giving him physiotherapy three times a day. Some days I feel we are making progress and others he seems to go backwards. Today is a good day and we have put Mum and son outside to give them some fresh air and a change of scenery.
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