The First Lambing Season on the Farm!

Pearl's adorable little lamb!

We suspected that a couple of our ewes were close to lambing, but we were still surprised when we saw this little one.  We weren't expecting them quite yet.  We were missing a sheep when we did our morning count, so I went down the pasture looking for her.

I was so happy and excited to see them both at the end of the pasture, but at the same time, I didn't know why she was down there.  The rest of the flock had come up a way, and they were bleeting at each other but she seemed reluctant to join them.  I thought that maybe there was something wrong with the baby.  But as I approached them, Mama went back to her lamb and they both started towards the rest of the flock.

I was relieved and observed them carefully as we all headed back.  All seemed well, the baby was taking time out to nurse on the way, and they eventually joined the flock but always keeping at a bit of a distance.  I have since learned that it is common for a ewe to stay away from the rest of the sheep when she is about to deliver, and for a short time thereafter.

About three days later we had another lambing, Windy delivered twins.  This is a picture of the surviving twin.  By the time we saw that she had delivered during the night, the one little guy was already gone.  He looked healthy and intact so we're not certain what happened, but Toppy was protecting it from the hawks.

Windy and her lamb

This brings me to another amazing part of this story.  Toppy, our Anatolian Shepherd LGD, does a fine job of letting everything know she's present and willing to protect her charges at any price.  When she had her puppies, she would chase every hawk in the sky away at lightning speed.  When they got bigger, she stopped doing that.

However, the very same morning we had our lamb, Toppy was showing off her first bird kill ever so proudly.  Was the bird trying to get the baby lamb?  I think maybe so, and we are so very proud and thankful that she is doing such a wonderful job protecting her flock.

And, today, March 26, we had another set of twins, these are from Opal.  Opal is the tamest of our flock and she let us get very close, even pick them up,  She'll do almost anything for a peanut!  Here are a couple pics for your enjoyment.

Opal's twin #1- Gorby (Gorbachev)

Opal's twin #2- Boots (Made for walkin')

We're awaiting at least one more lambing, Ivy appears to be getting ready in the next week or so.  Hoping for healthy babies, right now we think we have two ewes and two ram lambs.  I think that's a pretty grand mix.

Until later,

Carpe Diem!

A Couple of Goat Milk Soaps for Valentine's Day!

Beautiful goat milk soaps will be ready just in time for Valentine's Day.  Come see us at the Foothill's Farmer's Market.  Or, check us out at our Facebook page and come visit us at the farm!

White Rose & Jasmine Blossom!

Two beautiful and fragrant Goat Milk Soaps are coming just in time for Valentine's Day!  I can't believe how good the house smells right now.  Dried red rose petals and jasmine buds top the ivory colored soap that is filled with creamy good goat milk and wonderful oils to nourish and moisturize your skin.  The fragrance is simply divine!   

Pomegranate & Black Currant!

I can't decide which one smells better!  This one has the same moisturizing and nutritional benefits and the fragrance is so wonderful!  Seriously, I can't wait for it to cure so I can use one of each for myself.  This one is grounded with an all pink base and the white top layer is swirled into the bottom lightly with a bit of pink on the top.  

You've never enjoyed soap like you will with homemade goat milk soap!

Carpe Diem!

Growing Anatolian Shepherd, LGD, puppies!

The puppies continue to be such a source of enjoyment.  They are growing so fast, every day they learn something new.   And, they're always hungry!  These little guys are eating a lot of kibble!

Getting the last drop!

They can now climb over the wood barrier in the door of the doghouse.  They are falling off the porch to the doghouse which is where we feed them, and as of today, they can climb back up on their own, however, with much difficulty.  (This was written several days ago, now they're jumping, running, and tugging at everything!)

Mommy and Boy Blue

Isn't this a picture of pure love and adoration?   These puppies are the sweetest pups, they love to be held and cuddled, but at the same time, they're learning to sound ferocious!  We put down some water for them after they ate the other day, and just like that, they were lapping water!  Amazing!  

Toppy is a wonderful mother, she is so patient with them climbing all over her while at the same time wrestling with their littermates.  

A beautiful Anatolian Shepherd pup!

Carpe Diem!

Puppies First Feeding!

Little Pink Lady Diving Right In!

Wow, my first experience beginning the weaning process with puppies.  I actually thought it would be a tedious process getting them to like real food.  Boy, was I ever wrong!  They dove in like hungry vultures!  This was her first time tasting solid food, and, truly, they would have fallen asleep in the pan if we didn't pull them.

Little Boys Turq and Blue! 

Here's two more getting their belly full.  Mama Toppy has her hands full cleaning them up when finished, it's all over their feet and legs, and bellies!

Little Boys Lt Green and Silver!

These pictures are of day one, today is day two, and they were barking and growling at each other while eating, and after they were placed back in their dog house.  I'm going to try to take a video next time so you can hear them scrapping!  It's almost scary, I'm curious how they will be when they're actually old enough to cause some damage!



Carpe Diem!

LGD Puppies!

Toppy's Seven Puppies!

We sexed the pups the other day and put colored collars on them so we can begin to tell them apart.  Toppy gave us mostly all boys this time.  I took this picture today to document their twelfth day.  They're growing so fast, and they're so chubby!  Too cute.

I am excited for their eyes and ears to open, then they'll start playing and learning so fast.  Toppy is a great mom, she feeds them whenever they start complaining, she keeps them and the dog house clean, and I noticed today that she's now placed them on the straw, as opposed to on the bare floor when they were born.

They're scheduled to be wormed the end of this week, and the Vet, our partner in this enterprise, will get his first live look at them.  I'm interested in his opinion of how they're doing since this is my first experience at raising puppies.

Boy Puppy 2 weeks old!

All in all, so far it has been a fun learning experience, and I'm looking forward to watching them grow.




Carpe Diem!

LGD - Anatolian Shepherd Puppies!

Toppy's 7 puppies!

Yesterday Toppy presented us with seven Anatolian Shepherd Puppies!  We are so excited we could just burst.  All puppies and mama appear to be doing very well.  We haven't checked on how many males and/or females there are yet, but will very soon.

What a good mama Toppy is!

These pups will be raised by Mama Toppy and Aunti Kehli in the pasture with both cows and sheep, and also chickens.   They are quite noisy already, I think we're going to have our hands full in a few weeks.

Another new adventure, more learning opportunities, life is good.  Stay tuned!

1,2,3,4,5,6,7, All good Puppies go to Heaven!

Carpe Diem!