I mentioned previously that I was doing my mom's chicken and duck chores while she is on vacation. I've also decided to surprise her by cleaning up both inside and outside her house. I'm certain I will never understand my mom's desire to live with scads of styrofoam packing peanuts, grocery bags, coffee cans, newspapers, etc. At any rate, I make an effort to organize and declutter when I get the opportunity. Her dishes are washed and put away. Her bedroom turned pantry is organized. I've not tackled closets, the refrigerator, some kitchen cabinets, storage boxes, or the utility room, but I'm not certain that I will. David has watched Shiloh every morning and I've spent a total of 16 hours on it, and I really need to tend to my own home now. Dinner guests Friday! Yikes! I really do need to tend to my home!
We have brought several of Mom's chickens down to our barn, also. She has too many roosters and they're killing her hens. In addition to packing peanuts, she has an affinity for roosters. They are pretty, but goodness! So a note to our dinner guests: The scantily feathered hens are rescue hens. I have discovered while up at her place that ducks are great fun! I thought she was crazy for getting them, but now I see why she likes them so much! She has several little pools of water for them to swim in and drink from. I dump the water out every couple of days and give them fresh. They dig in the mud with their beaks for worms and splash in the freshly filled pools. Their quacks are hilarious! She has 5 Peking ducks and 4 mallards. The Pekings are HUGE! I'd really like Thanksgiving duck this year, but we'll see. :)
While we were collecting hens at Mom's, the goats decided to come up and munch on her azaleas! Azaleas (and anything in the Rhododendron family, to include Mountain Laurel) is highly toxic to goats. It's highly toxic to people, too, but we don't generally eat them! (Though I did read about children in China dying from eating azaleas.) Yesterday, the goats were all vomiting and slinging their cud. We gave baking soda and massaged rumens to prevent bloat, gave probiotic paste to restore good bacteria, and pushed the water to prevent dehydration. They're all finally better, but it was a scary night. I am thankful that they didn't eat much and that they threw up rather than absorbing the grayanotoxin, which can cause serious respiratory, gastric, and heart problems to include death.
I have been using the milk machine this week. It is taking some getting used to, both on my part and the part of the goats. I will probably need a hobble to keep them from kicking, stomping, jumping, etc. They also hold back mik for their babies. The bucklings will be leaving Thursday to be processed, so that may help some.
David has been bush hogging, scheduling, doing my evening barn chores, entertaining Shiloh, and being an all around help. It is so nice to have him home! I need to get crackin' on that drywall he put up. Mud and tape and mud and mud some more. I can't wait to be done already!
Other news of note: Shiphrah lost her first tooth on Monday! She is so happy to be like Samuel now: among the ranks of those with missing baby teeth! :) We've attempted to potty train Solomon, but he's not having any of it. Apparently no amount of M&Ms is worth it. Shiloh is finally enjoying her baths. Samuel is learning to hit a baseball and..... my tummy is talking. Time to go get some breakfast finally!
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