I WON February 4, 2014

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Dayphoto

One thing you need to know is I NEVER ever win anything! That is one reason I never play the lottery or buy lottery tickets or even try to enter into sweepstakes. I just don’t win. So instead of throwing money away, or spending hours and hours trying to figure out how to win a sweepstakes I just don’t do it.

But...Lisa was having a contest over on her blog. (She is an outstanding weaver, and I’ve long admired her work.) I thought long and hard about it; then decided I was going to go for it.

And I WON!!

Aren’t these just the most beautiful dish/tea/hand towels you have ever seen? I am so excited to have won and now they are here!

Thank you so much, Lisa!

Your farm friend,

Linda

Moving Forward-February 3, 2014

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Dayphoto

Well, the Bronco’s lost. What more can be said. Now we move forward to next year. There really is nothing else to do.

The chickens have all been sorted out and deposited at Shannon’s. The poor little hen is now out of the house and in the hen house all by her little lonesome. I feel better with her out there…she has lots of room to move around in, food and water as she wants it and lots of lovely alfalfa to peck at.

When I placed her in the hen house she walked around with the most pathetic little clucking sound–I know she was looking for the others. But not for a while little girl. Not for some time really. Your whole head has to heal and the feathers starting to emerge before I bring back Little Bear (her best friend). Chickens (fowl) will peck on anyone and anything that has blood on them. Once started they get that ‘Mean Girl’ or ‘Bully’ or ‘Mafia’ look in there eyes and only death will please.

(Don’t look at the following photo if blood makes you sick)

As I told the Big Black Hen (of course the best egg layer in the house) as I reached down and grabbed her, peeling her off Little Buff Hen…”YOU STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!! I’m the biggest chicken in this house and I don’t put up with this kind of attitude!”

Some of you have asked if I know why this started…not really, but maybe…boredom! The whole flock loves to be outside running and flapping and dusting. But we had a huge snow storm Friday, which has left nothing uncovered. The next day we had a small melt, but that is all.

Although, I have a nice coop, with enough space (chickens need ten square feet per chicken) and a lovely covered run —I even cover it in plastic for winter time use such as this–they have refused to leave around the feeder and the water, except to lay their eggs.

This made them largely bunched up. Crowded and bored…I tried to push them out into the covered pen, but they squalled and squawked until they could get back in and make sure they had all the rights to the feeder. I put the feeder/water out with them…no they wanted the inside feeder/water.

It’s been a struggle and the result was bloody.

Shannon’s pens are larger and covered and empty. They won’t have electricity out there but they will have room. As time passes and everything calms back down I must bring another hen over to help with the loneliness and to help her bond back with the hens.

At night I will bring her into the house so she is warm. Not having other warm feathered bodies to huddle up too would be too much.

So that is where we are now. Everything starting to settle down and another snow storm due in here any minute. We have a 60% chance of snow by noon.

A chicken having room to ‘do stuff’ is good for healing. The other chickens (and Tommy) back at their original home. (Shannon decided if she was going to take the hens she might has well take her turkey home too.)

You friend on a farm in western Colorado,

Linda

Ground Hog Day (without photos) February 2, 2014

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Dayphoto

The sun is shining here and it’s cold, cold, cold! Guess that means we will be having 6 more weeks of winter. (I’m not surprised, are you?)

On the news front–

No calves yet
We had a wee melt yesterday so that helps
I have a hurt chicken in the house

I would take a photo of this poor little hen, but you really don’t want to see. One of the other chickens (maybe all of the other chickens) ganged up oh her and ripped her comb off, bloodied her head and the side of her face and, possibly, damaged her eye.

I was out in the hen house when she came running to me and the big black hen ran just as fast and jumped right on her back and started pecking. I grabbed the black hen and got her off the little buff hen. Picked up the little buff hen and brought her to the house.

Inside I put her in the cat carrier, added water and food, but she just didn’t care. So I wrapped her in a towel and sat her on my lap. Gradually, gradually, I was able to get the blood all cleaned off and some water down her throat. It was a long haul.

She liked my lap. I talked to her, she talked back; little coo’s and chuckles of love. I wish I could understand hen. Off and on throughout the night I would check on her in her little cat carrier…”Are you okay, Little Hen?” I would whisper. “coo, coo, peep, chuckle”, she would reply back.

She is doing better today. We had a wee sit on my lap while I checked her over, petted her feathers and talked to her about how to take care of the pickle she is in. She and I decided that there is no way she can go back into the pen with the other girls. She thinks staying in the house would be just fine, although the cat carrier is rather uncomfortable. I could just let her out; she would enjoy the house.

Hummmm, I don’t think so, my fine little hen. I must do some sorting out there so you can go back and have lots of room to do things.

I called Shannon and asked her to come get the other hens, but to leave Tommy. This little hen will be able to stay with Tommy when I get all of the other sorted out. Tommy will be company and help with the body heat in the chicken house. We got down to 7* last night; I’m thinking another cold front must be moving in again.

On a brighter note I am going to take your advice and suggestions and writing a proper book about the dogs Everyday Life on the farm. It will be an eBook when I’m finished. I’ve talked to a knowledgeable lady who is willing to help me once I get everything in the proper format and length for publication.

Here is part of what she told me: The market for eBooks for children is rapidly evolving. As more and more school systems buy tablets for their children, more children have their own tablets and computers at a younger age, we think this is going to be the next huge market.”

I’m rather excited and a bit over-whelmed, but I’ve been working on this for sometime so I do have some ideas to begin with. I’m not sure if the Adventures of Fuzzy and Boomer will be just for children or for everyone. I guess I will let them help me decided.

Anyway, I thank each and every one of your for your comments and private emails that have continued to encourage me to give this a go. Like one of you said, it never hurts to try.

Your friend,

Linda

There is Always One — January 30, 2014

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Dayphoto

I don’t care if you are working with cats, dogs, rabbits, sheep, pigs, goats, horses or cows…there is ALWAYS ONE! That has to live outside the box…

Yesterday Mr. Davis and his daughter were helping our neighbor move his cows from Mr. Love’s place to two miles down to My-Way Cattle Company’s corn field.

You can’t tell it here, but one of the cows jumped into our field giving Mr. Davis and his daughter a merry chase up and down the fence line. Terry went down to help and to see if our electric fence was still working (it was). Seems the errant cow had also taken them on a merry chase just below our place…running happily through the swamp on Gennis’s land. Once they got her back into the quickly moving herd she marched along very nicely, until she got our cornfield…HOP she was back over the fence galloping into the middle, standing there snorting frozen breath while they got the fence open and got into the field with her.

Then across the field she went, down to the end of the fence line by Misty’s house, back up the fence —by this time Mr. Davis, his daughter, two dogs, and Terry were all starting to squeeze her into the canal whereby the up gate could be opened.

NO! Not this girl, no sireee! DOWN THE CANAL she ran, ducked UNDER the bridge, kept on galloping to the end, and pushed herself under the fence to the other side coming out on our lane. Two more dogs arrived from Mr. Love’s end of the herd, I was on the lane…she turned so fast dust and sparks flew off her hooves. Within seconds she was hidden well in the middle of the herd heading north, right where she was supposed to be.

There is always one!

It’s acting like snow here, if we will get some I don’t know. But all around us the mountains are socked in giving me hope for fuller reservoirs this summer!!

Your farm friend,

Linda

Winter Work January 29, 2014

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Dayphoto

Terry started covering the rest of the transmission ditch. Terry’s been putting in transmission pipe for some time — a transmission ditch is just that a ditch that takes the water from point a to point b or c or d or whatever. We do Not irrigate out of a transmission ditch. A transmission ditch is just a mini-canal.

With water always an issue, and getting worse in the southwest part of the United States, we are always trying to think of ways to help the water stretch further. (We are in the abnormally dry area). An open dirt transmission ditch has lots of problems—water is lost through evaporation (the sun beats down and takes up water into the air), the ground itself has to absorb the water until it get full enough of the water (turns to mud) for the water to move fast enough toward the take out point to get enough to start the siphon tubes or to fill the gated pipes, and then there are the weeds. Weed seed just naturally flows toward soil in water, when the water is stopped from that transmission ditch, the weed seed stops with the water; delightfully growing and growing taking up even more water as the season progresses.

So yesterday Terry began the closing in the ditch, shifting the ground so the deep frost will start to dry out, and gathering the weeds in a pile so the cows can munch through them. Even if we get snow the snow will blow on over toward the canal now and not land in the ditch causing us to have to wait even longer before we can begin.

Once the ground is frost free (or Terry gets tired of waiting) the backhoe will come in and dig the last link to connect all the transmission lines together. Then Terry and I will start laying the pipe; then covering up the pipe. Once done we will be ready for the new year to begin.

This weekend is the second consignment sale for the winter. We’ve decided not to take anything up to it, but wait for the first week in March for the third consignment sale. Every day we moving closer and closer to the beginning of another season of farm work.

Once that happens I know that we have advanced into spring!

Your friend on a Western Colorado farm,

Linda

P.S. Cully if you are reading this, your email doesn’t work. I’ve tried to answer your comment two times and the mail comes back undelivered. Please know that I really appreciate you taking the time to read and to stop by and comment. I’m sorry if you aren’t able to get my replies. I do try to reply to everyone who leaves me a comment. 😦

The Golden Corral for Cows — January 28, 2014

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Dayphoto

Right at noon the cows arrived for a lovely feast.

Mr. Davis has been bringing cows to our place for 45 years now. Until three years ago his cows shared with our cows. Now they have the whole place to themselves. Unlimited food and water, not as big as the Uncompaghre Plateau, but good sized enough they can wander here and there and everywhere.

It took them the better part of the afternoon into the evening to mosey on up to the Back Forty where the water is…the first food bar (one of the corn fields) held them until around 4 in the afternoon, then they started moving into the yummy alfalfa field until it was too dark for me to see anymore.

This morning they came walking up from the Back Forty to start another day of grazing. (Part of the Back Forty was in that ugly fire we had two years ago.) The cows like sleeping there, lots of nice brush, warm hillsides and drinking water.

In about two weeks (maybe sooner) we will start to see little ones popping up all over. We will wake in the morning to see them scampering about, or have the gift of watching one being born. The thing to remember about these cows as they are wild cows, raised on the Plateau, use to protecting themselves from wild dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, Lynx and other predators. Meaning that the dogs and I can’t just trot out there to check on things like they know us as friends. We have to take our time, let them get use to us, let chicken-hearted Boomer get use to them, then we can walk freely about.

Off now to take Boomer and Fuzzy to the groomer. SHHHHHHHHHHHHH don’t let Fuzzy know, I won’t be able to get him in the car.

Your farm friend with COWS AGAIN!!! YAY!

Linda

Yesterday January 27, 2014

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Dayphoto

The rancher that brings up about 80 head of spring’n heifers called yesterday and said he would be here either today or by the Friday. He has all but 20 of the young girls gathered and ready to string up here anytime now; was the farm still available?

Yes it is!

First thing Sunday morning the fences were walked and the panels hooked up. We panel off certain areas of the farm…like the hay stacks, the equipment area, and the corrals. The rest we have fenced, therefore it is just a matter of checking the fences, and making sure the electric fencer is working.

DONE!

I’m looking forward to see the cows and then the new little babies!

Your Western Colorado Farm Friend

Linda

The Fox Returns January 26, 2014

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Dayphoto

Well, I know for sure we have a fox in the yard. He tried to be a fox in the hen house, or even the poultry house last night. Stuff like that makes me really mad.

Although, I have Night guard lights surrounding the poultry area, he was sitting by the wood pile. Hollering at me…more than likely hollering at the poultry! Now I have to very diligent because once a fox finds out you have yummy food, just for the taking, they will show up day or night.

One time I was out raking by the hen house, the hens were pecking around close to me, we were all talking and having a good time getting the yard cleaned up— when a Mother Fox zoomed in, grabbed a hen right next to me and ran off down the lane. I gave chase, but the fox is many, many, many times faster than I. I’m sure the hen was great food for her den full of kits!

Anyway, I turned all the outside lights on and ran out the door faster than Boomer and Fuzzy with my flashlight yelling at it to “GIT!” Of course, that worked for the moment.

Like I said I have to really be on the look out during the day (which means keeping the dogs outside) then putting the poultry up early, before dusk really. I’m hoping I can keep everyone safe until the fox starts to find much easier prey.

The sky was a blaze of pink last night. Stunning really! I stood outside a long time and took too many photos. I truly enjoyed standing in a color so pink that everything around it took on the same shade.

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

Hauling Junk January 23, 2014

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Dayphoto

Yesterday we started on the clean up of the equipment area. The first to go is the old grain head, plus a bunch of other stuff that we piled into the back of the pick up.

Terry did all the work, I just drove the tractor to and fro. There are just somethings I draw the line at–things that could smash something, wreck something, in general get me yelled at and make me feel doubly bad.

It works out perfectly this way.

Then early this morning, while the ground was still frozen, we hauled the scrap up to Montrose, Colorado.

Those huge machines up there are always rather exciting to see. This machine picked up the extremely large grain head like it was a piece of paper.

Done! The only green spot in the whole pile.

Now we start loading up stuff for the consignment sales. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but the time has come.

The setting sun was wonder last night. We have not been having any clouds for days, but a few blew in allowing the dying rays to bring warm colors to the winter sky.

You Farm Friend,

Linda

Weeds January 22, 214

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Dayphoto

You are looking through one of the ugly weeds that grow taller than Terry’s head (he is 6’2″ tall) has a billion tiny seeds (you can see their little casings still left on the branches). Just a small, ever so slightly touch will send the seeds cascading through the air and down to the ground waiting for SPRING! Kochia-Chenopodiaceae of the Goosefoot family a noxious plant.

The above is on our neighbors’ farm’s fence…I work diligently to keep this stuff from growing within the farm yard. The farm itself is on it’s own. The stems get 4-5 inches around when in full height. It’s a bugger to chop down once it’s at that height. Lots of people just let it grow, die off from the freezes, and let the wind shift them here and there and everywhere…sort of like tumble weeds. Although, these don’t tumble.

Once more this is a plant that originated in some other country—ASIA, introduced to Europe and then carried across to North America as a wonderful, delightful, ornamental for the back of someone’s flower bed.

I’ll bet they regretted the first year they they planted it.

This plant is one reason I wish we still had cows. Cows love it, so do sheep and goats, but only in the early stages of growth, once it gets ankle high the plant is safe.

I’ve been out trying to gather and destroy this dried up weed, although the seeds have already spilled. I can at least get rid of the stalks.

It’s also a good time to get rid of any and all winter annuals….cheat grass, for one.

Of course, if you are living in that horrible winter storm and deadly arctic air, you aren’t thinking of weeds.

Here we are way too dry and way too warm for this time of year. It is really scary — one half of the USA is freezing and the other is drying up.

Prayers and Magic Thoughts, with crossed fingers, for everyone to be safe and warm and dry in that huge winter storm. Here I offer the same for water to quiche the ground, fill the reservoirs and provide drinking water.

Your Friend,

Linda