Roses make a farm pretty. When I moved here two years ago, there were only a handful of planted perennial flowers and some self seeding calendulas on a pathway that is filled with large rocks. I have been pondering why some one would deliberately place a lot of rocks along side the house on the south side. It makes gardening more difficult, but then there was not much evidence of gardening other than two patches of black soil which needed organic matter by the tons to be viable for growing. This year the plan was to remove those rocks, which make great places for the mice to hide. The former residents had a bird feeder on the main floor outside the kitchen window. I am not sure they were aware that it was also a mouse feeder, because the seeds would drop below onto the patio and the mice would harvest them to their rock dens and feast. That rocky area was where the tomato garden was last year and although it produced, working the soil was difficult with those big protuberances in the way. That area is going to be part of the rose garden this year after the rocks are removed and the soil enriched with organic matter, something there is no shortage of here.

Pickering Nurseries in Ontario, well known for excellent quality roses, had a sale on bare root roses earlier this year. So, 32 rose bushes were purchased and ordered to be sent at the end of April. Who knew that the ground would still be unworkable and snow coming down every second day? As of today, this is supposed to be the last of the minus days with a big warming trend in the 20s, and that is just in time. The roses are soaking in the laundry sink in the porch, still covered with black plastic punched with multiple holes punched for air circulation. The stems have already begun to bud. Even when the roses are planted outside, they will need to be covered at night to protect the delicate shoots from frost, but only this year. These are hardy roses, many bred for cold tolerance as well as beauty. Some are climbing roses, to be trained on trellises and arbours, while others are bushes and still others are ground covers. From this lot, those on their own root stock, that is not grafted to a hardy root, but natural, can be started from cuttings to produce more bushes and soon the farm will be a fragrant paradise of multiple colours and fantastic beauty to behold. Along with the roses, a few fruit trees will be planted a bit later at the end of May, when the danger of frost is passed.
For now, the bushes are acclimatizing in the sink ready for planting tomorrow.

Since the weather has been so cold, the roses will have to be planted in containers and put outside during the day, but brought inside at night. This is called hardening off and means that the roses are getting used to the climate conditions. For containers, I have been saving coffee cans, chip bags, and other heavy plastic bags for 2 months for this purpose. These containers are temporary only of course and the roses will be planted in a permanent location once the ground is warm. I can't wait to see the blossoms this year, but is is the third year after planting that the roses will reach their full potential and then continue from there year after year. In my mind, I can see the glory of the garden on the Fat Ewe Farm. Can you?

This is day 28 in the incubator, the day that some of the eggs should hatch. Something went wrong with about a dozen eggs. There were a few that were not fertile. These eggs were the first collected in the season and some were almost frozen. The ducks were mating, but not much. Obviously these eggs were fertile and developing, but for some reason, the development was arrested and the embryo quit growing and died. Through the shell, these eggs appeared blotchy and blackened in places. None of the other eggs looked that way. If the eggs are rotten, there is a smell that comes right through the shell and it is not a nice smell. One would not want one of those rotten eggs to explode in the incubator, so it is prudent to watch carefully what is happening. These eggs were not rotten. One had a very runny interior with a tiny embryo, and the other two had well developed embryos, but not so that one could actually see the duckling yet. The blackened interior was first visible a few days ago.

This is my first attempt at hatching. There was a problem with my diligence. At three points, the tray that holds water in the incubator was dry. Ducks and geese need at least 50% humidity and a dry tray means dry eggs. Perhaps at one of those points, the development ceased for these eggs. There were a few eggs that have been removed because there is no sign of development, even though they appeared fertile. Still, there were over 50 eggs set, and the removal of a dozen leaves a large hatch possible. The goose eggs are so thick shelled it is nearly impossible to see inside, but duck eggs have transparent shells and it is interesting to watch the progress. Now, at hatch time, the only thing visible in the egg is an air space and the rest appears full. Of course it is. It is full of baby ducklings and goslings! So sorry the other eggs did not make it, but I will set another 50 eggs and try again, this time with utmost care to inspect the water tray every day. Fertility and frozen eggs will not be an issue at this point. The three duck breeds are separated too, so the ducklings will be true Khaki Campbells or White Campbells (one drake is white), Rouens or Saxonys. The only reason for incubating goose eggs is to sell the goslings or raise them until they are ready for the table. That part, this farmer has a hard time with, so maybe no more goslings? We shall see. By morning, I am hoping for some babies. The Sebastopol gosling might just get some company.

This is a little Sebastopol goose. When the babies are hatched by their mothers, they are taken out daily with the goose to look for food. She shows them what is good to eat, and it is not genetically modified smashed grains with salt and minerals that today's waterfowl enthusiasts are told to feed the goslings. Primarily, when given a choice, geese eat grass and weeds, but grass is their first choice. They like some grain to go along with that and they also eat bugs, slugs and some flying insects, but are not big on worms. One substance that they do eat is dirt, especially sandy dirt, but they like black dirt too. In some areas that have been chemically fertilized frequently or have had pesticides applied, eating dirt and grass might not be the best choice. Here, at the Fat Ewe Farm, they can fill their boots, um, bills.

So, when it came to feeding the gosling in the house, who lives in a very large Rubbermaid container, what would best emulate his natural diet. Dirt, yes, especially sandy dirt (he picks the rocks out), grain, but the grain he gets is organic rolled oats or stone ground oats, and soaked wheat, barley and oats. For added protein, since there are no slugs or bugs to offer, an ounce of hemp seed is added to the grain. His soaked grains are beginning to sprout, which is even better, and eventually, hopefully will send out green leaves. Voila! grass in winter. Technically, it is spring, however; there is still snow on the ground and no green grass to be seen. The gosling also gets spinach, which is high in vitamins and protein and salad mix when it is half price at the grocery store. He is quite happy and goes from his sprouted grain to the dirt, then the water and back and then demolishes his greens. After that it is nap time.

As long as I am where he can see me, he huddles in a corner and sings to himself as he falls asleep, but as soon as I am out of his sight, he calls to me as he would to his mother if she was not visible. I feel sorry for him, alone, no mother, no siblings. I try not to spend a great deal of time with him, but do pick him up several times a day. He settles into my hands and is quiet then and it seems to me, he quite enjoys this contact. At night, now, finally, he is fairly quiet as long as it is dark. When the dawn comes, he is hungry and searching for good things to eat. By then his water is muddy from the dirt and the sides of the container are spattered with watery mud and some accidents he had when bending over. Every day the small house has to be cleaned and the straw changed.

When he is a little bigger and does not need a constant warm temperature, (he doesn't require a heat source anymore, but does need the warmth of a house, at least 20 degrees Celsius), he can go outside in a pen. Last year, the raven ate the goslings through the wire pen, but it was where the dogs could not mind it. This year, I will be sure to put the pen where the dogs can keep the ravens at bay. Robbie, especially, is the sky hunter now, and is trained to chase ravens. He loves it because it is something he can think to do himself and he can run and chase legally! This Sebastopol gosling cost $100 dollars, plus 2 hours of driving to get him. Because they are rare, Sebastopol geese are rather pricey. A grown goose can be several hundred dollars and a show goose, maybe four hundred or so . Sebastopol geese do have low fertility and lay few eggs, so their numbers have remained low. They are often kept as lawn ornaments because of their beauty, with long swan like necks, blue eyes and ruffled snow white feathers. The gosling is not sexed, so whatever he is, goose or gander, he is fun to watch and most welcome at the Fat Ewe Farm.

When I first started farming, 2 years ago, I had never seen ewe give birth, only cats and dogs, and of course, myself too. Yes, I watched that in a mirror.
Anyhow, I did not know exactly what to expect. It is a little different when an animal has hooves, than say, a puppy or kitten, and also because the babies are larger from sheep than cats and dogs. I tried to read all I could so I was ready in case help was required, plus the rare breeds of sheep I chose to keep, were natural with birthing and rarely would require help. Right?

Well, that was true. Shetlands, Icelandics, Karakuls, Merinos and Cotswolds are usually good mothers and do not need any help birthing their young. In fact, most are uncomfortable with my presence too close, so although I wanted to document a birth, catching a mom who would not get up and walk away if I approached was not quite so simple.

This is a first time Cotswold giving birth. The pictures are in sequence with a brief description of what to expect and what is normal. The birth progressed as it should have without any intervention from me, except to help dry off the baby. The mom got the idea she should lick the little one, and her tongue was going a mile a minute in mid air, but did not quite connect with the lamb, so I helped. Later, mom was less apprehensive and did continue to lick the baby.  I hope this helps others who are new to lambing as it would have helped me when I was busy researching. 

The hens are hiding from the roosters on the top of Ofcharka's house. Two Black Australorps, two Columbian Wyandottes, one Speckled Sussex and one Blue Orpington are busy watching. The trouble is that there are way too many roosters and as soon as the hens are in sight, for sure one of them is going to attack her, so they stay out of sight for the most part during the day. The roosters tend to stay around the coop, but the hens like it here at the house, particularly Ofcharka's house, both inside and out. Ofcharka does not enjoy sharing his house with chickens, especially because they soil the house and sit on him. These hens , except the Blue Orpington, and the roosters are going to be soup on the 29th of this month. Some strains of heritage chickens are both good for eggs and meat, but the ones pictured here have proven not to be so much good for either, so off with their heads. Lakeland Poultry in St. Paul, which is 15 minutes from here, charges about $4.50 to process each bird and because the facility is government inspected, the chicken can be served at the Bed and Breakfast here at the farm. However; farm eggs are not permitted to be used at the B & B, yet can be sold at the farmer's market. That rule is a bit strange to me.

So, the ladies in hiding won't have to hide too much longer, since the entire crew except the 5 bantams and Penny the Orpington are leaving. The chickens that will be on the farm thereafter are Ameraucanas that are winter hardy and lay blue green eggs. They should prove their worth or we will have to try Chanteclers next. Tsk, Tsk.

The Cotswold babies are about a week apart in age, but the little white ram was around 10 pounds at birth and is growing rapidly, while the baby girl was smaller and more delicate, maybe pushing just seven pounds. What a difference a week can make in the lambs! The little fellow is curious and aware and today went to meet the new girl. He tried to engage in her some frolic and play, but being just a day old, it was a bit much for her. It was so cute to watch the two of them interact and imagine their conversations, if they did indeed have any at all. The llama crias are a month apart, and the small, younger one, being male, is more curious, less shy and very playful. The two babies run, run, run just because they can. What a delight spring time is and how grateful I am to be part of the animals' lives. Bless you mammas and babies, and oh yeah, the daddies too! Thank you Creator for the wonder of it all.

And this is Jeanette, the girl cria. she is such a perfect little thing with perfect markings and such soft fiber. What a doll. The lambs and crias are in the maternity pen sharing the protection of being on the inner side of the farm yard where the dogs can easily jump the fence to look after them if need be. One more lamb is due any time now and then the next crew won't start until June. Babies are so wonderful, aren't they?

Here she is! A black lamb born of a pure bred white mother Cotswold and a pure white pure bred Cotswold ram. She really is the black sheep of the family and a very welcome one at that. Her mother was chosen because of the likelihood that she would have a coloured baby, and she did. How delightful.
The little one was born this morning around 10: 30 without any problems. The mother did not segregate herself much, only moved to a corner of the pen. It had snowed in the night and a skiff of snow was everywhere. The mother could have chosen a shelter, but had the baby in the open. I am always concerned about the ravens then, but the baby was fine. Mother was nervous and would not stay still long enough for the baby to nurse properly. More snow was forecast, too, so the pair was moved to the barn in the afternoon, just as the snow started. Hopefully, the mother and baby will bond being together in the stall and when the weather cooperates, they can join the flock. The baby is all black withe two white "tears" on her face. Adorable! Welcome baby black sheep!

Sebastopol Geese are the most beautiful of all geese with flowing gowns of ruffled white feathers and beautiful blue eyes. They have a much gentler disposition that other geese, too, and were often kept as lawn ornaments. Through the years, the gene pool has become thin, resulting in poor fertilization and reduced hatch rates, making Sebastopols somewhat rare and hard to get. This little gosling was the only one from his hatch. Actually, although it is referred to as a he, it is not sexed, so could be a she. The females have a dark back and cap and although this one has darker feathers on the both the cap and back, they are not very dark compared to the rest of him, which makes him a boy, most likely.

Sebastopol geese are graceful, and pretty, but they need more shelter and care than regular geese because of their  ruffled feathers, which do not insulate their bodies as  with the smooth coated relatives. Welcome to The Fat Ewe Farm, little Sebastian Sebastopol.

I spend a lot of time each day outside, mostly doing chores and fixing things, but some hours are spent with the dogs, my very favourite animals on the farm. The dogs are an integral part of the working life here, protecting the animals and me from critters out there. I do not see so much as a deer wandering through the forest, or a bunny bouncing through the grass, nothing! With five dogs, three of which can leap the fence as though it did not exist and who can wander at will, the predators do not come too close. In the winter the animals are kept in pens surrounding the farm house and barn. They are quite safe. The horses and llamas are on the outside of the pens and neither llamas or horses like coyotes, so they do a good job of keeping them away. If the dogs hear anything that should not be heard, especially at night, they sound the alarm bark and take off in the the direction of the problem.

Unfortunately for me and for Ofcharka, some one has been feeding him at the end of the driveway, some one in a fairly large truck. I suspect this because he heads for the highway and wags his tail vehemently when a truck approaches and runs toward the truck, even across the highway. The last time he did this, he would not come when I called him and I flagged a passerby down to give me a hand in reigning him in before he got killed. The highway is very busy with oil tankers and all sorts of workers who do not have the time to stop for a dog, and Ofcharka has no sense of fear when it comes to vehicles. So, for now he is tied up 24/7. I do move him around the yard with me as I do chores and walk him around in the morning and evening, but I can not trust him to not go to the highway. I purchased a shock collar, but he does not even feel it, so I am retro fitting it to a different collar and will clip his neck, then train him with a long lead. If that does not work, he will have to remain tied for a long time, maybe on a zip line to give him more flexibility in running and not having to stay put.

Jade is the larger of the Maremma sisters. She is very smart and learned to sit after just one session, unlike Jenna, who has issues. Jenna gets frightened and wary and avoids me all together for some reason, though she has never been hit or hurt or anything unkind. She will not come for food either, not even raw meat. Jade understands being tied up and does not struggle (after the second session), but Jenna nearly kills herself trying to get free. We are working on that too. There are times the dogs will have to be on a leash or tied for their own safety. Jade and Jane, the kitten, sleep together quite often. Jane will snuggle right into Jade's thick soft coat. Jade likes the cat and will lick her tenderly. Jenna would rather chase the cats!

Harley is tolerant of the dogs, but that is about it. He plays a little, then wants to be left alone. One of his quirks is sneaking up behind me and coming through my legs, which nearly bowls me over, because he is very large. He and Robbie have dominance issues. I tell Robbie it is a good thing Harley is sensible, because any other dog would have eaten Robbie up by now. Robbie also challenges Ofcharka, who is 6 months younger and about 100 pounds heavier and three times larger. For the first time ever, Ofcharka stood up to Robbie the other day. He showed his teeth and put one foot on Robbie's head bringing Robbie down like a squashed tomato. Robbie would rather play ball anyhow, so I just tell him to go find his ball and he usually quits his nonsense, then scurries off to find the ball. Robbie is the raven hunter, sky watcher, and does a great job keeping the ravens at bay when he is outside. He cannot be fully trusted yet, though he is getting better about not chasing the llamas, horses and sheep. Robbie can single out an animal and shoulder it to allow me to catch it. This training has taken some time, but he is good at it now. Robbie also helps round up the ducks and geese at night and put them in their pens. Soon he should be able to do it without me.

These dogs are the loves of my life currently. They make me smile and I love each one dearly. Maremmas are amazing dogs, quiet generally, but they would give their lives to protect what is theirs. Ofcharka is a livestock guardian, but only a quarter Maremma. Robbie is my buddy and goes where I go, even in the truck or car. He sleeps in the house too, mostly because I cannot trust him outside without me, but also because he is trained to be by my side always and to learn nuances, as well as commands. The dogs are all young, with Harley being the oldest at 3 and the puppies being not quite 8 months old now. The Fat Ewe Farm would not be such a great place without those dogs! I am thankful to have them as farmers too.