The chicks are here....
We have a number of baby chicks that were born this past week - about 17 in all (give or take a few depending on the diligence of the cats and the hens who are protecting them...) I was also given some by a person at the church and these babies are being cared for by me. Yes, I am playing momma hen too! I am finding ways to be creative in their care. When a cold rain soaked the babies, I was able to dry them using a propane heater, and when the propane ran out, I warmed them in the car using the car's heater. Not an ideal or a long term solution but I have brought them back from the near dead twice now.
So now, I'm driving around with a small crate of chicks in the car. And since I am picking up bunnies this evening, I will also have bunnies in the car tonight. A cow or two and I am set! A farm within an SUV. Hmm... not a great idea.
The first baby goat, Cassie, is doing very well and eating heartily. She LOVES her bottle. She also loves playing with Pauli (see below) and the chickens.
The new puppy is a terrier of some kind and our little St. Pauli Girl (Pauli) is very cute and active. She has finally been fully assimilated into the dog pack and no longer is forced to stay in the kennel. She is quite happy about this. On the other hand, I now have yet ONE more bedmate and even less space on the bed for me. Why can't she sleep in the RV with DH? (Luckily she is the size of a chihuahua.)
[post note: when the house is finally done - the dogs will be shocked to hear that they are being banned from the upstairs, and maybe even the entire house!) No more dogs in the bed. But for now, they are the heat that keeps me warm at night.
I feel like James Herriot now - I have seven dogs ranging in size from a Anatolian shepherd (90+ lbs) to the terrier (a measly 2 lbs.)...and they follow me everywhere I go. It's both heartwarming and annoying, depending on what other animals I am trying to take care or what other chore I am trying to do. They all want to help! *sigh*
We now also seem to have acquired a big gray tom cat too. Not sure why since we have no active lady cats left. Just spayed females. But he's here living in our barn. Maybe I can entice him to go mouse hunting!
For those who are not familiar with country life - it is not uncommon to have stray animals show up in spurts, most usually in the spring.
So now, I'm driving around with a small crate of chicks in the car. And since I am picking up bunnies this evening, I will also have bunnies in the car tonight. A cow or two and I am set! A farm within an SUV. Hmm... not a great idea.
The first baby goat, Cassie, is doing very well and eating heartily. She LOVES her bottle. She also loves playing with Pauli (see below) and the chickens.
The new puppy is a terrier of some kind and our little St. Pauli Girl (Pauli) is very cute and active. She has finally been fully assimilated into the dog pack and no longer is forced to stay in the kennel. She is quite happy about this. On the other hand, I now have yet ONE more bedmate and even less space on the bed for me. Why can't she sleep in the RV with DH? (Luckily she is the size of a chihuahua.)
[post note: when the house is finally done - the dogs will be shocked to hear that they are being banned from the upstairs, and maybe even the entire house!) No more dogs in the bed. But for now, they are the heat that keeps me warm at night.
I feel like James Herriot now - I have seven dogs ranging in size from a Anatolian shepherd (90+ lbs) to the terrier (a measly 2 lbs.)...and they follow me everywhere I go. It's both heartwarming and annoying, depending on what other animals I am trying to take care or what other chore I am trying to do. They all want to help! *sigh*
We now also seem to have acquired a big gray tom cat too. Not sure why since we have no active lady cats left. Just spayed females. But he's here living in our barn. Maybe I can entice him to go mouse hunting!
For those who are not familiar with country life - it is not uncommon to have stray animals show up in spurts, most usually in the spring.