We have been picking hibiscus blooms almost every day from our 4 new little plants. After about 2 weeks of gathering and storing in the refrigerator, we get enough to simmer to make a tea for dyeing wool yarn.
The pretty petals look kinda sad after the pigment is simmered out.
We are hoping that sealing it in canning jars will keep it fresh until we accumulate enough to do some dyeing, and are looking forward to using our own natural dyes.
Keep watching for bee-yoo-ti-ful dyed yarns pictures!
The chicks are growing very fast and are in the main coop with the older hens.
They really seem to enjoy their new space and the additional freedom.
It took several days after opening up the door to the outside range for them to venture out with the hens.
But now they rush out whenever the door is opened to The Great Outdoors.
Well, it’s finally over. Lamb number 24 was born around 6:45 a.m. We were really worried about how Dawn would do during delivery. She had problems last year and we did not intentionally breed her this year, (remember the ice storm/fencing incident). Dawn did a great job and delivered all on her own.
A beautiful ram lamb, 9 lbs., sired by Spring Breeze 5017, ‘Liam’.
We are so proud of our girl, Dawn!
We are pleased to offer Sheeps and Peeps 701, ‘Goliath’, for sale. He is great looking ram with a very sturdy build and a wonderful fleece, shown here at about 120 days old.
Born: February 28, 2007
Sire: Deer Run Whitman, Registered Coopworth
Dam: Deer Run Fiona, Coopworth X Blue-faced Leicester
Birthweight: 12 lbs 8 ozs
60-day weight: 58 lbs
The guinea keets have been moved to dee-luxe accommodations thanks to Jonathan (with the help of Megan). They are really enjoying the roosts and the extra room to spread their wings. We have some question as to whether they enjoy their roosts too much (or maybe the corner is too dark?).
It is fascinating to watch their growth. Their feathers are becoming beautifully black and white speckled. Even their feet and legs are changing to the black and white speckles. 
Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder!
This is Gracie. When you are raising animals there are so many joyous, funny and wonderful moments that it is hard to be prepared for the unexpected tragic moments. Gracie’s mama, Faith, died a couple weeks ago when one of the shelters blew over during a bad thunder storm. Faith was a wonderful, first-time mama, and it was great to watch how she still maintained her close relationship with her twin, Joy, after Grace was born. So it was really hard on both Grace and Joy when we lost Faith.
We moved Grace into the ‘nursery’ area so we could make sure she was getting enought to eat. This paddock has our ‘special needs’ group. There is our old girl, Sally Ann, and her ram lamb; Daireann and the ‘hail-storm’ lambies; and Dawn who has ‘issues’ and is due to lamb July 11th (another d#*! ice storm accident). This paddock is right beside the barn and we can easily check on everyone as needed.
Well finally Gracie has made it through her mourning and has adjusted to life in the nursery paddock. She is beginning to enjoy the extra attention she gets, and has become Dawn’s new best friend.
(Deep radio/tv/movie preview guy voice) “Just when you thought it was safe to go outside…”(insert sinister music here)
“HE’S BACK!!!”
The evil, stray rooster! You know the one, he’s the guy who has somehow done away with Wolfie the neighbor’s german shepherd. (That’s the word on the farm, anyway.) The one that keeps raccoons at bay. The one that hides out under the gazebo until just the perfect moment to STRIKE!
So be on the lookout if you come up the road… you could be his next victim.
The keets are really growing, and Kismet has decided it is his personal responsibility to keep an eye on them. His new favorite past-time is to lay on the board on the back of the brooder and ‘observe’.
He will pause in his observations… “Who me? What do you mean behave myself?”
And here is Nuala coming in for an update on keet behavior. Barncat gives everyone the latest news.
Many people admired our Grand Champion Colored Wool ram lamb, Sheeps and Peeps 606, ‘Poseidon’, at the Buckwheat Festival last fall.
