Montana

[RoyalT]

what does the yak and the sheep eat once the hay is gone? I know nothing about other animals lol, but my 8 chickens do some big eating these days. Maybe it's the feed I'm giving them but there throwing out eggs like crazy and eating up a storm. That scratch and peck is the favorite, then they et sunflower seeds, then millet . Today the got roast beef and they went wild over it. My daughter went to costco's in Helena for me, brought 6 months worth the dog food and cat food, and a years worth the scoop away litter. I love being able to send someone else to shop for me .
My mind set is if anything happens how do I feed my animals or my family? I tend to stock up on everything when I have extra money. Last week was 6 months worth of litter for the coops, changing them every week, or every few weeks adds up. Next winter I'm going to try doing the coop monthly. It's not real dirty any ways . My daughter is going to back for me this weekend and pick up a composter, Costco has ones with double barrels! I can compost my chicken poop and scraps etc from my porch this winter !

Well we never run out of hay because I stock double what we actually need for winter just in case. The grass in the bigger pens is starting to grow and once it's over 6-8 inches tall, they'll be turned out on pasture. The sheep eat grass and weeds, and the yak eat everything. Moss, bush leaves, fir needles, weeds, grass- everything.

We have a single barrel composter from Costco. It's really nice Just add and turn, and it gets everything going pretty quick. I just never remember to turn mine if I'm not adding something... so that's an issue.

Ranch News:
We got a new yak! Here are some pictures. She's got a ton of white on her, and hopefully she and my bull will make awesome high-white percentage babies. White yak down is very valuable on the fiber market

 

[karlamaria]

Wow, those are impressive ! Beautiful ! Are they for fur only or do you milk them and eat them ? I can not imagine feeding them in the winter! Looks like so much fun where you are, lots of land and cool pets!

 

[RoyalT]

Thanks No- they are good for more things than any other species I've come across, actually~ You can ride them like a horse, pack them out, use them to pull plow or cart, eat them (delish, less gamey than American Bison, and very lean), milk them, and collect their fiber without shears- it just needs to be combed out in the spring.

 

[karlamaria]

Thanks No- they are good for more things than any other species I've come across, actually~ You can ride them like a horse, pack them out, use them to pull plow or cart, eat them (delish, less gamey than American Bison, and very lean), milk them, and collect their fiber without shears- it just needs to be combed out in the spring.

wow that's awesome! So you do not sheer, you comb? There awesome looking, wonder why more people do not have these. Thank you so much for sharing ! Now I want to see the chickens you have lol

 

[RoyalT]

Yep, I haven't combed yet, but I think I will next week if the forecast is looking clear. And I need to sheer the sheep, too.

Here are a couple pics of the chickens today.

 

[ReptileMom]

It is great seeing all the different critters that we keep. What would we do without our animals and fowl and... so many different creatures that we get attached to and love!
RoyalT, love the yak. Do you comb, spin and make anything with the fur or are you selling it to someone? Seems like it could be a profitable way to make back some of the feed costs.
We are mostly mud here too, with some ice and snow about half and half. I hate the mud season. I have put down straw during the winter in an area for the chickens to be able to be out on during the winter but now it is insulating the ice under it. But at least when it does melt it won't be pure mud. More like the makings for bricks

.

 

[RoyalT]

I haven't sold the fiber yet, but I plan to this season Should have a good amount of gray and white to go off to the mill to turn into roving. I have a drop spindle, but I'm terrible at it- lumpy yarn= no good! I'm going to send off the fleeces from the 4 sheep, too just for good measure Should get some nice stuff back!

We have CLAY on the whole property, so it's nasty in the spring unless we've sunk loads of gravel into it... The winter pen for the yaks is gross, but better than a lot of others I've seen... we have decent drainage. Can't wait for calves

 

[PrairieRidge]

Hello all I am in Bridger. I am new to the site and love it!

 

[RoyalT]

Welcome PrairieRidge! What kinds of animals do you have?

Dang time change. It's already 10! Grr...

The new yak is a little stand-offish from the herd still, but in her defense, they are intimidating when they all go up to her at once. At least she isn't trying to let herself out of the pen

I'm going to need to look up how to make a duck box they'll WANT to lay in. For both the Buffs and the Muscovy... Anyone know any tips for getting free-range ducks to lay in a good place?

 

[karlamaria]

Hello all I am in Bridger. I am new to the site and love it!

welcome! Looking forward to hearing about you and your pets!