8 June 10
So...yesterday...what a day!! 8 am my friend shows up. I had almost everything set up. Table...hot water going on the grill...pans, rain barrell with cold water, knives, and hatchet. We started the task of butchering. Knocked that out right quick. Then, the plucking. Ohhhh, boy...I can barely type today, my fingers are so sore! It took us 7 hrs from start to finish. We ended up skinning the last 6 or 7...just needed to get done fast. I will use them for canning. Got them in the fridge, cleaned up most of the mess...got the fire going to burn the "extra" parts...then headed to the coops. Had to check on the chickens, poults, and ducks. I decided to put the ducks in the pen that the cornish were in. So, I was able to get Baby duck...the oldest femal to follow me in...then I went and got the 3 babies, and put them with her. I was surprised to see them get along just fine! Filled water dishes, feeders for the chicks, then came inside to wash off a bit, and get some much needed water for me! I was just getting comfortable, when the doorbell rang. ( dang it) It was the sheep shearer. She was early...about an hour or 2! Oh well..back on my feet....ready to go. She wanted to go out to see the Turkeys. She said she has never seen a "real" one. So, out to the coops we go. She ooohed and aaaahed over the poultry for a while....then we headed to the barn. 2 of the Ewes still needed sheared. She also said she would trim ALL feet out there. ( thats a lot of feet!) First was April. She was a bit of a fighter...but we were able to get her sheared and triimmed. April is the one with the messed up jaw....from being attacked by goats at her former home. I have to feed her seperate, and make sure she gets enough. Well, apparently..she is NOT getting enough. She is SOoooooooo skinny!!Starting today, she will get EXTRA rations.
Then we got Mary...she is a bit more skittish around strangers. Got her down, and started shearing. So this woman says...where are HER babies?? HU?? She doesnt have babies! She said..no?? Well..look here...if she doesnt, she will! O M G ! Mary has milk bags....HUGH milk bags!! We were a bit more gentle with her after that, and after getting her sheared and trimmed...its OBVIOUS...she is preggers!
Thinking back...we took the ram out in March..so..no later that August, Mary will lamb. Im thinking alot sooner...like this month. Wow. That was a shocker. Time to up her feedings a bit as well.
Then we went to the goat pen...time to trim feet. We muscled them all, and got them trimmed. I am bruised, lliterally from head to feet. I HATE horned animals!!
At least THATS all done....for now.
Today I will be working on those chickens. Cutting, canning, and freezing...chickens...ALL DAY!
I have about a gallon of mulberries picked and in the freezer...Jelly makeing wil have to waite.
Time to go feed, water, and turn out animals....then start in the kitchen. Whew...im already worn out! LOL
I gues she is over the big mean shot thing.
Grow babies grow!!
I better get myself busy, and get things ready. Need to go put an edge on the hatchet....Fill the water barrell...get my wrapping paper and pots ready, and get the fire going. Hope everyone has a wonderfull weekend!!
I made all the kids "trip bags" complete with cookies, jellybeans,cheese puffs, peanutbutter crackers, and $2.00 each for drinks. Yeah, I know, I should have made them healthy snacks....but jeesh...I dont get to see them very often..so I splurged. 
15 for me, 8 for my friend that helped...and we had it all done in 6 hours. Oh, I still have a bit of a mess to clean up...burn some stuff..bleach a few things...but..we are DONE! 
