Lots happening on the farm

Lots happening on the farm this time of year. I had intended to do individual posts about all the changes, and may still at some point, but for now I’ve written an overview.

Late January we picked up our foundation stock for our Romanov sheep herd. Two ewe lambs that have been named Meeeeh (as in the sound sheep make) and Cutie Pie, and a yearling ram named Rammy. They are a short-tailed breed which means we won’t need to do any tail docking and are known for lambing in litters rather than the typical single/twin of other breeds. The breed record is 9! They are typically a meat breed but their wool (which sheds off in some individuals rather than needing to be shorn) can be used for things like tapestries and rugs.

Early February we picked up two Nigerian Dwarf goats, Ash and Rogue (who Kayleigh has renamed Rose). They are providing us with some really delicious milk and the girls love giving them treats and walking them.

We always like to double up on trips if we can. So at the same time we got the goats we also picked up a new pair of lilac rabbits, Wood Stick (buck) and Cotton Ball (doe). Lilacs are a heritage rabbit breed listed on the Livestock Conservancy.

Pigs have been in the plans for a long time and late March we finally brought home American Guinea Hogs. AGH’s are a heritage breed listed by the Livestock Conservancy. Lily is a registered gilt and will be mama to our future litters. Pork Chop is a barrow that we got as company for her till we pick our registered boar later this year and eventually to be processed as healthy humanely-raised meat for our family. Our food animals are always raised with the same love and care as our breeding stock.

The pigs are doing a great job breaking up the duff as we move them around the more untended parts of the property and we’ll be planting behind them as they move along. We’re looking forward to the more acid loving berries we’ll be planting among the pines.

Mid March we welcome our first American rabbit litter of the year. Proud mama Galaxy gave us 8 littles. We ended up losing three early on to an unexpected cold patch but the other 5 are growing out nicely. Two whites, two blues and a black. American rabbits are a heritage breed listed by the Livestock Conservancy.

We spent a Loooong weekend digging holes in our very rocky soil (we’re on an old creek bed) and planting the beginning of the orchard. It’s a work in progress and will be for a while as we’re grafting some of the trees in the greenhouse still.

We look forward to sharing more of what’s going on on our little farm as the year goes on.

- Kim