April Arrivals

Hello all - there has been a lot happening around here since my last post.

That hen that was setting now has five chicks, and there are two more hens setting.

Other news from the chicken department - we have a new rooster.  Since Julio was related to most of the hens, it was time for a new manbird.  This fine fellow is sort of a rescue chicken.  He was going to be abandoned by an owner moving away from the area, and another chicken fancier took him and his cohorts in.  Since she didn't need four more roosters herself, Jose came here.  He is somewhat scruffy looking right now, but once his tail feathers fill in he should be rather handsome.  What breed he is is anyone's guess.

That nest of turkey eggs?  There are quite a few more eggs in it, and Penelope seems to be setting on it.  I say seems to be because she gets off of it quite a bit.  Hopefully she knows what she is doing and we will have some little turkey poults soon.

Most of you viewing this post will know that we had a nasty storm this past week.  It was a weird one - thunder, lightning, amazing high winds, and snow.  Sometimes the snow was flakes and sometimes little pellets that stung when they hit any exposed skin.  Thankfully, it is melting now.

And now for the big news!  The kids are here!

Vinca was first, Monday afternoon.  She gave birth to twins, one doeling, one buckling completely unobserved between barn checks by Kevin.  Meet Tamarack and Poppy!

Poppy

Tamarack

 Echo gave birth last evening.  We knew they were coming - she was fretting all day but didn't get busy with it until after 8 PM.  First out was Tulip, and for well over an hour we thought that was it.  Her other two births were both singles.  She strained a bit and just couldn't seem to pass the placenta - then finally lay down again and started pushing.  Daffodil  was breech; she came into this world hind legs first but pretty easily.  By this time is was getting pretty darn cold so we moved the little family into the dog kennel in the shop.  Echo was not thrilled with this arrangement, but with a low of just 15 degrees last night, it's a good thing we did.

 

This morning they rejoined the other does and kids.

Tulip

Daffodil

 In the picture above, that blur on the left is Poppy trying to jump up onto the spool table.  No luck so far, but she keeps trying!

So there you have it - lots of exciting thing happening.  My photos of the kids are not that great; stop back next week, hopefully I will have better pictures.  Until then, be well friends!