Our 4 Legged Family
Our farm my husband lovingly calls "The Geriatric Farm" We tend to acquire critters that no one wants or that they have problems that no one wants to deal with. I often thought that I had a big "Sucker" sign posted to my forehead. I got rabbits with no ears, chickens with one leg, ducks with half a bill etc. I have recently figured out that it all happens for a reason. Every animal we acquire and every new bunny owner we meet, happens for the best. My best enjoyment comes from the happenings on our farm. I guess there is something to be said about the simpler life.
These are some of my awesome spinning flock. They are Jacob sheep. They are supposed to be named after the biblical flock of Jacob, the spotted sheep. Most of them know their names and come when called. They do not have a "fine" wool, but I use their wool for wet felting mittens. I then use the bunny wool to finish off the inside of the mitten which works wonderfully. I also clean and spin the wool. I like the bulky sweater look which works perfectly with these guys.
This is one of my biggest challenges on our farm. Mr. Gilbe. He was born June of last year on our farm. Llamas have to be one of the smartest animals I have ever met. I have trained high end dogs for agility and sportsmanship, but I hate to say it, llamas have them beat. If you show them 3 times in a row a command, if done properly, they will do it. This guy is awesome. He definitely has my heart. I can't wait to see how my kids will do with him in 4-H next year. I have had him on my deck, in my house and in my mini van. I don't think there is anything that he won't do for me. Yes, they belong to the camel family, and yes they can spit. I think the whole spitting thing has to do with the "spoiled child syndrome" they will do what they can get away with. You definitely have to be the boss and not to be afraid to prove it. Usually after that is established, you won't have any problems with training them.
GOATS!!!! Yes with a bizarre twist of fate we also have acquired goats. Wow! We started with one, that as usual no one told us was due to have babies. Well, she actually had twins. Yep, my husband was once again thrilled with me. (Sarcastic, of course) And if anyone knows me you know that everyone needs a partner. So I also got a beautiful boy named "Billy". No I didn't name it, I would at least be a little more creative. We now have a little herd of 5. 4 girls and Billy. I'm sure that that number will be going up do to the fact that my kido's thought it was cute to see all of them playing together. Yep, more babies are sure to be coming. (yes, once again sarcastic) I guess the good selling feature of the goats (well, okay, it is what I told my husband to get out of trouble ) is that the goats do a great job of eating the pesky poison-ivy and briar bushes! So far it has kept me out of trouble and our fence row looks great!
My Donkeys
We have new additions to our farm! 
My new love is Otis. Otis is an awsome white donkey. He had a rough start which included mal nutrition and physical abuse. He now is the "Keeper of the Flock" nothing gets past him. If he sees me in the driveway he starts making the customary donkey noises that I have grown very dear of. He loves to walk with the kids and give Puddin a hard time. Oh yeah, you can't have just one. Everything has to come in pairs, (at least that is what I tell my husband) so once again my wonderful husband let me get a spotted jenny. She also has personality plus. When I was a little girl I always wanted a spotted donkey. Puddin & Otis play like two little kids. They take their water buckets and play tug of war back and forth. I will definately have to get a picture of that for the sight.
The Peacock Boys
Once again when you are minding your own business and doing something nice for someone I usually end up in hot water with my husband. It all started when my most beloved niece wanted a white peacock for a friend of hers. So, me being the doting aunt, I went to an auction and found her a beautiful white male. Well, since I did drive several hours to this auction I figured I might as well get something else. L o n g story short, I ended up with 3, yes 3 blue boys. I don't know how it happened (yep, again, that is what I told my husband) it just did. The ride home wasn't bad until all 4 of them started making a noise that nothing alive should be able to make. Yeah, I was driving a Toyota mini van and stoplights were not fun.
I am kinda under a time limit to find homes for at least one of the boys, so if anyone can help me out (maybe a trade for something else?) Please... Please let me know.
I have also gotten pretty good incubating quail eggs. It is truly a wonder that my husband can deal with everything that I seem to get into. A wonderful gentlemen in Southern Indiana gave me 180 eggs. Out of that 160 made the trip. I didn't ask for that many, honestly I didn't, he told me that they usually have a low hatch rate so I figured I wasn't going to end up with that many. Well after researching how to hatch we started the process. 5 to 7 times a day I hand rolled the eggs in the incubator. Yep, couldn't go anywhere for more than 2 hours and had to watch them around the clock for temperature changes. Once again my husband was thrilled with me. (sarcastic) After doing this for what seemed like months, the day of the hatch came. Well. I don't know, I thought they would somehow all hatch at once and be done. Nope, didn't work that way. For 3 days I checked them every hour around the clock. Yep, all night also. Can anyone see that this isn't a great routine if your married? Out of 160 eggs, 150 hatched and survived! Now the problem came with where was I going to put 150 little bumble bee looking quail until they were ready to be put out. As usual my husband came to my rescue. (does anyone feel sorry for him yet? cuz I kinda do) Brian planted over 3 acres of sorghum and small sunflowers for them. It really is a sight to see. I am happy to report that they are doing great and have added a special feature to our farm.
