winter goat kidding

Blind Hog and Acorn rang in the New Year as they usually do- sound asleep!  The past week has been full of farm chores and activities, even with sinus drainage...

Goose pens completed, geese paired up and set in their new digs where they will stay, segregated from each other, until goslings are hatched.

Goat kidding is now on hold for a month- 18 more nannies yet to pop.

Weather has been tolerable, so no big complaints from the farmers.  In fact, Acorn is thinking that today would be a great day to make up a batch of ice cream.  Blind Hog has requested a pan of brownies, and a day in the house  resting and relaxing might just be the ticket on an overcast day- highs in the mid 40's they say...

Here is to a restful start for the New Year!

Blind Hog and Acorn got prepared for the winter storm a few days early- no shame there!  After 48+ hrs incarcerated in the dairy barn, goats have begin kidding. Acorn is a tired midwife.

Dairy barn has been staying 10+ degrees warmer than outside.  Might not sound like much but when it -8F outside, being near 0F in the barn is a good thing!

Ring those bells and Believe!  Give angels their wings!  Have another cup of mulled wine!

Ain't telling a goat what to do, that is for sure.  No kids yet!

Blind Hog and Acorn are still making cold weather preparations.  Closed in the north gable end of the old goat barn- Acorn maintains she is NOT a hoarder, as that stack of old rusty sheet metal has come in handy for more than one project...  Hay has been covered, all arrangements ready.  Will the goats hold out till after the single digit cold snap?  Time will tell...

Found out who is eating cat food in the hay barn...  Hint- it is NOT the Acorn...

Wellllllll, FIFA World Cup has certainly taken the attention of the farmers, and when the mornings are brisk, it is far too easy to toss another log on the fire and delay chores for just a wee bit longer...

Cranberries have been processed, geese waddle around and still no goat kids yet. Cows and two calves still need to come home from the east field- figuring it won't be too much ;onger and Acorn does not want any goats kidding way up there.

The bucks are segregated once again, living their "lonely life" next to the other goats, but they have a nice paddock with tall forage, and excellent shelter. Their wailing falls on unsympathetic ears- both human and caprine.