August 17, 2012

Life and Death on a Farm

Monday afternoon while Amanda was setting up our new Solar Panels for the portable electric fences she found a dead ewe lamb.    It was in the brush at the back of the pond where the sheep have been getting away from the sun.  I had feared that we would lose a lamb to the coyotes like the previous owner did.  While we are not sure about cause of death, it seems to have been the stress from the heat, nutrition and a rise in the parasites (which is common in sheep and many animals).  We had just recently gotten the medical records from the previous owner for the flock. 

We did some quick research and found out the regulations for disposing of a dead animal on your farm.  Grateful for the front loader of the tractor we dug a deep enough hole and transported the lamb.  After a thorough sterilization of the front loader with bleach, so as not to contaminate any soil, we used some of our older hay and mulch pile to cover it keeping it from smelling and bringing in any carrion.  

It was a late day and we were all discouraged. 

Even Amanda’s roving rooster took out his feelings and bit her in the foot as we finished up the evening chores. 

By Tuesday we did our research and got a vet that was not on vacation to schedule a farm visit to see the animals.  We got some specimens from both the sheep and cattle to check out the parasite count.  Amanda and Dan rigged up a portable chute with extra fencing and by the end of the day the sheep were all caught up on worm medication and had most of their hooves clipped and checked.  Amanda was limping around from a sore foot and rooster bite.

Wednesday we received word that our parasite counts were ok, for both the sheep and cows.  The cows have not had any medications since we treated them when they arrived 18 months ago. Amanda’s foot was on the mend and we felt the mood improving.

Another lamb who had been isolating itself from the herd and even seemed to be on the mend.  We had been really worried about her, she was one of the twin orphans we bottle fed and raised before we got the rest of the flock. By Thursday the lambs were all moved to a new pasture with lots of green glass and did well through the night.   Even the dominant ram seems happy in the new field.  He gave me a nip on the arm and a head butt in the backside Tuesday morning letting me know he was upset about losing one of his girls. I should have been prepared but am still amazed at animal behaviors which seems almost human when you look at the whole picture.

Our honey was checked by the local expert last Saturday at the farm market and pronounced to be of good quality, being low on water content and having pollen in it which is significant.

We have received another half inch of rain this week and with the cooler temperatures the vegetables are looking better and better. 

This week at the Athens Farmers Market we will have squash, beets, kohlrabi, okra, green beans, garlic, cucumbers, and onions.  We will try to remember some of the fresh sunflowers this week also.  See you at the Athens Farmer’s Market!