Where Did All the Hay Go?

Last summer was a bad year for grass hay.  We got one cutting of hay from the pasture.  I did get more cuttings from the alfalfa in the waterways, but that is a small area.  I started the winter with about enough hay to get me through March.  Then I knew there was some I could buy if I ran out.

Well, my barn is empty.

It takes a lot of food to keep these moms healthy and producing a lot of milk.

I’m feeding Sugar enough for two goats right now.

I went to get some of the good alfalfa hay that my ex-brother-in-law was storing in my building.  It was gross.  It was sitting on the concrete floor, and that draws moisture.  There goes the hundred bales I was going to buy.  I did manage to get him to sell me forty bales.

I really need a good year to completely fill my barn with hay.

Linking to Tuesday Muse (Sorry, they aren’t better pictures, but I’m a bit over focused on the goats right now.)

What Scares Maxine

I knew the bovine were getting their big round bale eaten down, but I was a bit surprised when I went up to check on it this weekend. Don’t worry, in the bottom there was still enough for two or three days.

They usually come tell me well before it gets this low.  I’d guess they didn’t like all the cold and snow and stuff.  I love seeing the pattern of the cornstalks, yellow against the white snow.

Anyhow, once I saw they needed some more hay, I decided to find them.  I looked and saw them up by the cougar cages.  Yes, they really are cougar cages.

MJ was just standing there looking handsome as always.

MJ

Maxine was checking out the cages a bit closer.  I hate to tell her this, but they are a bit drafty.  I hope she doesn’t decide to move in.

Maxine

Anyhow, she came over to see if I had brought a yummy snack (bad human).  Something startled her!

What can scare a 1500 pound full grown cow?  Pheasants.

They were in a brush pile and must not have liked me being so close.  Maxine certainly stayed nervous for a while.

She was even thinking of heading back to the safety of their shed.

Poor girl.  Who knew pheasants could be so scary.

At least she has a nice safe cattle shed and her big hunky boyfriend to keep her safe.

Linking to Barn Charm, Clever Chick’s Blog Hop, and Mellow Yellow Monday.

This and That

I don’t think I’ve ever shared the newest fence cattle panel I’ve had to put up.  I had several goats decide that they were going to eat my oak tree if they couldn’t get out to pasture and eat all the brushy stuff out there.  It goes all around the tree.

Litha

I’ve never understood why, but Millie seems to find it quite fun to chew on my fences.  I’d think it would leave an awful metallic taste in her mouth, but she’s always doing this.

Millie

Note that the white below her mouth is foam from all the chewing.  Seriously.

Finally, whenever I come in from chores it seems like I’m plucking hay from my hair.

I’d probably be able to feed them an extra day if I collected all this hay throughout the winter.

Linking to This and That Thursday, Friday’s Fences, Farmgirl Friday.