Another busy and productive weekend went by. About halfway done with our handicap ramp and my oldest DB is coming back tomorrow to finish up. DH went over to our neighbors and bushhogged a few acres for his cows, he has plenty of hay/grass mix for a while.. In return, He is coming down to help vaccinate and band my bull calves. He said its too early to dehorn so that can wait a bit. Its awesome to have good neighbors!
My Hampshire sow farrowed 7 very healthy big piglets. all are doing great! My sister actually came out and met some of my livestock today. She worked at a poultry farm about 40 years ago, and thought all chickens and eggs are white, lol. She was amazed at how colorful the birds are. Even more amazed that they all act like pets. She is a city type person, so it really surprised me she had an interest in seeing my critters. She thought all pigs are mean. I showed her how DoubleStuff loves to be petted, and I picked up her piglets. She of course flopped over for tummy rubs too. She noticed how the piglets knew to go to the back of the farrowing trailer for the bathroom. I explained hogs, like a dog or cat like a clean environment and will pick an area for the bathroom. They are very intelligent. They love mud because they can't sweat like we do, and it cools them down. I could tell she was afraid of the cows, I showed her they love attention and are very affectionate creatures. She just adored Sugar, my favorite goat doe. Its a shame she waited until she was 60 to get to know the animals that provide her with food.
Raccoons, ugh still battling the problem. Its my younger teen chickens and the small ducks and geese they aim for. I went out an hour ago to find several all over my grow up coop. 5 traps set again tonight.
