Fences and gates and gates and fences . . .

Goodness!!!! We have to put up a fence to keep the dogs in and other dogs out, a fence to keep the goats in and coyotes out. We need a fence for the chickens, we now need a fence for the whole pasture!!!!! Of course with all these fences comes gates, walk through gates, drive through gates. Gates that are all different sizes and colors. Where does it end??? What happened to the chickens happily pecking across the yard and the goats grazing in the open field??? Oh that's right, that was only in the Disney movies. When you think of all the things that can get in and get at the little critters you love you just can't leave them out there unprotected. So here we go, get your boots on honey and grab your gloves. Ahhh at least we have the tractor to help dig some holes. So far we've managed to dig 140 holes and put in 140 poles, stretch 4 rolls of fencing. Ugh, I'm tired. The last couple dozen are really giving us a hard time, or I should say giving Vince a hard time. There's solid rock under these. The neighbors started stopping by welcoming us to the neighborhood. I guess seeing the pasture fencing going up they realized we're here to stay for awhile. Either that or they want a close up look at those "crazy goat farmers." Hehehehe!!!!

Farm life

Today was hoof trimming day. We did it and I have the scratches and bruises to prove it. Lesson learned, don't wear shorts if you're the one holding the goat. But all our little goats have nicely trimmed hooves now. We even painted them purple when we were done. We used an anti fungal spray and turns out it has a purple dye in it. "Most" of it went on the hooves. Then it was cookies all around. The vet visited and gave Basil and Zelda an antibiotic for a cough. This means we have to give them a shot everyday for 10 days. That should be interesting. I think I'll do the holding again. I don't like giving shots. They all got the vaccine boosters and Luke was not happy. He pouted again. The chickens have taken a liking to the hay pile. In fact it was 93 degrees and one of them insisted in laying in it to lay her egg. Eggs are few and far between these days because they are molting. It looks like someone spilled a feather pillow all over the yard. One poor chicken looks so pitiful she has no tail feathers. I think she's embarrassed. No telling what tomorrow will bring.