Seriously Snow?

Well, my plans for getting kids out in pasture and following their moms took a hit.  Luckily I watched the weather report Saturday evening and had time to prepare.

Maybeline on pasture at sunset

I already had Perdita shut in because she slept outside with Moxie the night before–her poor ears were nipped with frostbite. I hope they will heal without losing any of them.

We had sleet overnight that also turned into snow.

Trying to go out to pasture during a short break in the snow.

Antigone was sheltering under the picnic table, so I had to put her in with Perdita. Luckily, they are done with fighting and can get along again.

And it lasted off and on most of the day.

Casey and Maisie in the barn door.

I was too lazy to switch to a macro lens, but they were perfect snowflakes!

Seriously. I know it’s still March, but I really need the weather to cooperate for a little bit to get these kids going.  Instead I had to shut them all back in the garage overnight.

Why do I only see big goats?

And it stayed cold, so they spent most all day in there.

Nobody wants to share the buck room with Athena but kids.

I do not think the sparrows were happy with their confinement in the garage, but it’s my garage. I can shut the doors if I want to.

sparrow perched on the barn swallow nest.

I have to prepare for the next round of kidding. Go away snow.

Roger and Anita in the hay tub.

I’m also tired of feeding hay.  I still have plenty in the barn.

That’s still a nice stack before I’d have to start throwing it out of the loft.

And I think what’s in the middle will still last so I don’t have to touch what’s in the loft, but still…

I put a bale of hay out in the evening for the moms and old ladies.

I’m really ready for real spring.

In Two Weeks

I have been so obsessed with all the spring break moms and kids and trying to plan for the new greenhouse and work and Tux that I somehow just realized that in two weeks, I’ll be up to my elbows in Easter kidding.

Perdita and her little Lady. (We just finished with spring break babies!)

So who’s due in those four days?  Sidney is first.  She is due on Good Friday, April 7th.

Sidney

On April 8th, we have Joy and Antigone.

Joy

Antigone

The 9th is a busy day with six girls due:

Ava

Rosie (she’s definitely and “I think…”)

Venus

Flora

Daisy

Cupid and Tansy

On Monday, the 10th the last four are due.  One is Cupid (pictured above).

Hera

2TC

Chiffon

I think.  As we know, I never assume I will be perfect in figuring these things out.  It’s going to be a long, sleepless weekend.  I am grateful my sister is going to be here to help part of the time.

Released

When I got home from work on Friday, I released the moms in the garage and little south pen onto the entire front pasture.

Moms, kids, and the other girls on that side

I really need to get the moms out where they have all that pasture.  It’s almost impossible for me to put enough hay in there to feed all those girls–especially since I have four big pushy bratty girls in this group along with my shy ones.

Athena has been horrible

The kids were having a lot of fun playing.

kids by the gate

They did explore a little bit.

Purl’s girl

Purl with her girl to the right and Penelope’s to the left

Of course, I had to deal with the yearlings wanting to check the babies out and play with them..

Heidi checking out a baby

I did make sure everyone was shut back in the garage that night. I’m hoping, they will naturally move the kids over to the barnyard (greenhouse).

LilyAnn with one of her kids

Next weekend, I will try to get them switched with the ones who are kidding next.  This is a crazy fast turn around between rounds of kidding.