So, let's just go ahead and get this out there: it's been awhile since I've written a post. If you follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or FaceBook, you know that we haven't fallen entirely off the face of the earth. But, if you only connect with Brood Farm via this blog, I've been leaving you hanging. My apologies.
We are still here and doing our thing. But, my, my -- this season! I could go on about the hustle and bustle, but I know I'm not telling you anything new. John has taken the kids to see the new Star Wars movie (Star Wars is really not my jam.), and since he had them all clean the house up before they left (I know. He's amazing.), I can just take this time to sit down with you and this cup of coffee and play a little catch up.
The goats are well. Mostly. The girls are now dry for the winter and looking pretty good. Razz (who had triplets last year) is already filling out a little. If all has gone as planned, Honey and Nutmeg are bred by our senior buck Oreo. And, Razz is bred by our new junior buck Mo. I've decided not to do blood draws for pregnancy tests this year. I've watched everyone pretty closely and am fairly confident that all are bred. Still, without that printout I usually get in the mail that confirms "PREGNANT" next to each goat's name, I'm bound to be pretty neurotic come February if each one isn't as hefty as I think she should be.
All of the goats love me, but the member of the herd who loves me most isn't even a goat. 3-5 follows me around like an enormous puppy dog. In the field, if I run, he runs. If I jump, he jumps. He loves a good scratch behind the ears. I'm pretty sure he thinks he is a goat. He spends most of the day grazing with the herd and spends the nights in the goat shelter. Silly cow. The plan is still for him to become pastured beef, but I'll admit he's the most endearing hamburger I've ever met.
The short daylight hours of winter have caused the hens' production to slow. As they've begun to molt, we've got several Naked Nancys running around the field. (Look for a pic of this on Instagram soon.) We've not had enough eggs to run my regular delivery route, but I have had enough on hand to meet the requests of those who are willing to come to the farm to pick them up. Our new fall flock is growing well and will be ready to add in with the layers sometime this winter.
As I said, the goats are mostly well. Nutmeg is the exception. She and Zander are not getting along. She is a loner and prefers to graze off by herself. Zander prefers for his herd to be together. Typically, he nips at the goats' hind ankles to get them to catch up to the group. But, Nutmeg, stubborn as she is, refuses to fall in line, so he has chewed her hind legs up pretty good. I'm having to take measures right now to keep these two apart.
I'm trying not to be too hard on Zander. I do think he means well. I attempted to take one of the popular animal shaming photos of him, but he just ate the sign!
Oh, and the farmhouse -- we're so close I can taste it! The electricians put up light fixtures last week, and the floors are to be finished this coming week. We may be waiting a few weeks more for cabinets, but once they're here, we should be pretty close to complete!
That should serve to catch everyone up a bit. I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas!