The Barn

Several of you have asked for more pictures of the barn.  This is actually a 12x20 Super Calf Hutch supposed to be able to house 8 calves.  We did not build exactly to plan. We used 6x6 skids (6x4 not available)  also we do not have the flip-up ends, we used 6x6 at the ends and ran the studs all the way to the 6x6.  We divided the barn in half so that Dorothy and Fiona could each have their own stall while getting to know each other. We did not fully enclose the barn, but will before winter.  We left Dorothy's end more open than Fiona's. We will finish enclosing it, put in the windows and add a sliding door.  For now though we thought it would be cooler to leave it partially open. It's built on skids so that we can move it.  We will add a floor, a milking area and a small pen for Dorothy's calf - due in early September.

 Here are some pictures of the work in progress.

The Cows Have Come Home

We are now the proud owners of 2 registered Jersey cows.  Thank you Hester! They arrived yesterday. Thank you to Sam - he transported the cows and helped us get them to the barn. Dorothy is 3 years old and will become our family milk cow when she freshens in early September.  Fiona is 7 months old and is Rhiannon's calf to train.  We bought them with the help of NNYFP. We know we have a steep learning curve ahead of us, but we have all summer to get to know Dorothy before we begin our milking relationship. 

 Here they come

They are here!

These two were supposed to be on the lookout for the truck - looks like they were otherwise occupied. I wonder if big sister Rachael (photographer for the day) might have been egging them on.

Buckets of grain ready.

 Rhiannon filling the water buckets.

Fiona unloads easily.

Fiona walking to the barn like an old pro.

Hey (or should I say Hay) I got a  room with a view

Dorothy's turn - she doesn't want to come out

Stopping for a photo op

Walking to the barn...s l o w l e y.

Finally in the barn, but she doesn't look too happy - I think she misses her herd.

Green is my color don't you think?

I think I'll take a break

Nap time

Freedom Rangers

The chicks have arrived!  All 75 of them - healthy and active. We are raising Freedom Rangers for the second year. 

The pool is ready

The chicks arrive.

Learning to drink

All settled in