Paddy

Paddy on TOP of his hutch.

I went out to Briarpatch--our indulgent indoor/outdoor rabbit complex one morning last week and discovered my BIG beautiful male Angora with an eye problem.  Well, it was more than a problem.  His eyeball was just short of hanging out, the bottom lid turned inside out and looking hideous.

I was SHOCKED.  I did not see any blood evidence of a wound anywhere and just could not imagine what was wrong.  I took him in to see our good country vet--a rare breed.  She looked him over and said she would need to sew the eyelid closed and leave it for 2 weeks to try and save the eye.

She had a new assistant and during the examination I learned that she raised rabbits.  So, I commenced to tell her the no-baby-saga. 

ME:  "I've been trying five years and regardless of what I try, my rabbits will not breed."

ASSISTANT: "I let the male/female get acquainted through a wire partition before I put them together."

ME:  "Did that.  In fact, they seem to be great buddies AS LONG AS THE PARTITION IS THERE."

ASSISTANT:  "I leave them together for 2 days."

ME: "If I did that the fur would fly and someone would be dead.  They're together 15 minutes tops.    By the time I take out my female they are mortal enemies."

ASSISTANT:  "Hmmmm.  Maybe he just doesn't like your female."

ME:  "I have four females."

ASSISTANT:  "Hmmm."

So, I leave Paddy in the capable hands of my country vet and her successful rabbit breeder assistant.

The next morning I'm sympathizing with a groggy Paddy and his pirate-like eye.  The vet is giving me instructions as she hands him over and almost as an after thought says, "Oh, and by the way.  Paddy is a female."

Wait..... What?

We all had a good laugh.  At least that explained the no-baby-bunnies at Rocky Creek.

My husband said they were going to have to revoke my "Farmers License" over this.  In my defense, I NEVER CHECKED!!  I took the Angora Breeder at her word.  Live and learn.

I went to check on Paddy (Patty?) 2 hours after I brought him home and he was dead.  Oh, that broke my heart.  I called the vet and she said, "You know, I haven't been able to get Paddy off my mind.  I believe he had a brain tumor."

So, it's just as well he passed on to a better life.  I envision him not in a rabbit cage--as wonderful as Briarpatch is--but in an open grassy field with lots of dandelions (which he loved), sunshine, blue skies and all the other bunnies I've loved and lost to keep him company.

PS  I know he was a she, but I didn't have her long enough to make the transition to the she pronoun.  He will always be a he in my memories. :)

Spring On The Farm

Ok, I know I didn't like carrying water and wrestling with chicken house doors because the frozen ground bulged up but, 70 degrees and above?  Really?  One extreme to the other.

My dogs went from playing in the snow, to begging to get out of the hot sun.

Spring cleaning in the garden is always refreshing, even if it's HOT in the high tunnel!  But, complaining aside, SEEDS ARE A-GOIN' in the ground!!! Yay.  And, Sprout, my little greenhouse is full of seeds/tiny plants in pots just biding their time 'till they get to be planted outside.

 And, the rabbitry "Briar Patch" is all cleaned out.  Now if I can figure out a way to get "the girls" to like "the boy"!!

The" Penny" house (housing for a small group of chickens) is all clean.  I don't trust the weather enough to remove the heat light paraphernalia yet.  The new little "brooder" house is moved into the Penny pen and Josephine is setting on her eggs.  See her story under the page entitled CHICKENS.

My darling goats...last spring's pictures of new babies.

Cassie, my beautiful.

Briar Patch: bunny apartments and room to play on the ground.

Winter In The Valley

Buffy Penny is pretty new to the farm.

Farm life slows down a bit during cold months.  Bed time is earlier--5 pm.  Not for me, but the chickens and rabbits call it a day at dusk.  Well, truth be known I think the rabbits have gab sessions in the wee hours, but haven't caught them at it...yet.

Millie trying to decide if she wants to go out in the snow.

Tilly likes catching a ride...plus she has a better vantage point to see in the feed bucket.

 

Pepper snuggled in her apartment.  Let the wind howl, she's warm in her Angora coat!

Cherry Blossom, Nutmeg and Thumbelina chowing on the seasons last comfrey.

My beautiful Button and Daisy.  They've been gone almost a month and I still miss them.

I don't let them out on really cold days but when the sun is out and the temp is up they really don't mind the snow.  Yes, they still lay eggs in the winter!

Shivers and Livers

Woo hoo...14 degrees yesterday morning and 16 the morning before.

(I spent all of yesterday trying to get a cute pic of Daisy--the Queen Bee of the Goat Yard--downloaded. Don't know if the problem was sun spots or alien pranks, but I finally got it to work.)

For the first time EVER my goats were shivering during the morning milking. I felt bad for cleaning their udders. The water was warm, but once it hit that cold air...well say no more.

I gave them a vigorous rub down to try and get that circulation going so they would warm up quicker. Once they downed their grain and started on their hay they seemed to warm up. My barn is pretty cozy and warm, but when the temps drop below 20 it's just cold that's all there is to it.

I give my goats dandelion on occasion, they aren't crazy about them but will munch at their leisure. Dandelion is sooo good for animals and people as well. Everyone here gets a regular dose: cats, Cassie (dog), goats, chickens and rabbits.

The rabbits LOVE dandelions and always scurry and scamper to be the first to get a bite. Dandelion, among a host of other things, is good for cleansing the liver. Your liver works hard: over 500 functions, so it needs a boost to keep it in good working order. It's packed with nutrients that help keep my animals in optimal health.

I use dandelion in my FIRST AID SALVE and also make a tincture from it. Spring leaves are good in salads, blossoms in fritattas and pancakes just to name a few culinary uses.

And, let's not forget that all important "making a wish" component.....