Friday, April 22, 2011

Spring at last!

Here we are in mid April and even though we've had a few spring teasers, it still feels like winter most days - that would be the days it's not raining cats and dogs.  Around the farm, mud is a spring thing that just can't be avoided, but this year it's beyond what anyone should have to endure.  Spring is a busy time in so many ways.

So regardless of what the thermometer says, we are seeing more green grass, spring flowers and are getting prepared for all the outside work that late spring requires.  Gardens have been plowed and lettuce is planted - ironically on one of the deceivingly warm spring days that was followed by a coating of snow the next day.

Our pacas are full of fleece.  We have our first shearing day scheduled for next weekend.  For us, shearing isn't a one day event.  Most of the weekend in May are taken up by shearing.  This year we are having our first annual public shearing event on May 14th.  Anyone who wants to see how it's done is invited to join us and even lend a hand if they want.   We just hope that the temperature warms up by then.


Bebe checking out the chicken house - for the last time
Earlier in the month we got our first chicks here at the farm.  We have a lovely chicken house that was renovated by a previous owner and we are finally putting it to good use. 
27 chicks arrived early in April with another 25 coming early in May.  We are hoping to have lots of fresh eggs by early fall.  Our local farmer who sold eggs got rid of his chickens last fall, so we are anxious to have farm fresh eggs again. At least the chicks give me something other than the mud to look forward to.

Soon, we will be having our spring crias as well.  Last spring the breedings were spread out much more than I would have liked with our first baby arriving by the beginning of May and our last sometime last in June. 

The fall crias are all being trained by our wonderful 4H members.  Each week they come to visit and work with their animals.  All the babies are halter trained to lead and some are even doing obstacles like jumping jumps, passing through hula-hoops and walking over tarps and other scary things.  

The last thing I want to do is wish away the spring because before we know it it will be hot as blazes and we'll all be wishing for the cooler weather of fall.  Lets enjoy all the seasons as they come to us.

HAPPY SPRING!

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