Eggs are incubating!

On wednesday a box containing 39 hatching eggs arrived! 1 was cracked, but the other 38 were in perfect condition! I set 5 under Itty Bitty, since she has gotten bit by the broody bug . . . again. I put the remainder eggs in the incubator where they are happily automatically turning in perfect temperature and humidity conditions! They are expected to hatch at or around March 3! I am very anxiously awaiting that day, and know that the next 21 days will go by slowly. Fingers are crossed on a great first hatch! I will be sure to keep you posted about the progress of the eggs as they are candled and hatch.

As far as goats, Lela is growing slowly but surely. At 4 months of age she weighs in at 8 pounds. She is about 1/3 of the size she should be at this stage in her life. (as perspective, I have two month old babies that already outweigh her!) Chris says she must be a slow grower, after all her mom is very petite. As long as she continues to gain weight and be an active baby I will remain hopeful for her to reach a normal size.

Pregnancy update:

Stella is getting rather large! It is due to my being unorganized that I cannot recall her breeding date. I have turned the house upside down and backwards looking for where I recorded the information. I am going to guess and say that she was bred in November 09, which would mean I should hopefully see babies around April. It would fit with the way she is getting wider and wider over the past week, and a teeny tiny udder seems to be poking out.

Coco is getting round, not sure if that is a sure fire sign that her breeding has led to a pregnancy or not. I am fairly confident that it has, she has also gotten more needy with me and demands constant attention when we are outside. Hoping for July babies.

Ava I do not see a change in at the moment. She is larger than Coco, so seeing changes in her body will take a little longer. I suspect that by the end of the month we should be able to see some growing in her tummy! Also hoping for July babies from her.

We are working on picking the next two does to breed in February. I hope that Donovan is ready for the task since I plan to breed one to him and one to george every month here on out. I am attempting to get breeding pairs to see this spring, since I have had plenty of people ask me about it in the past.

Hoping to get another pasture set up tomorrow since we have company this weekend. It is always nice to do daunting tasks with friends and family, ya know, let them truly share in the farming experience. I had better get myself to bed so I can get up early to make a hearty breakfast for the day of work!

oh, and PS . . . we just got back from Avatar, so good! Such a beautiful and moving movie.

Movin' on up!

Well this weekend we installed lights in the barn. It is so amazing to be able to see what you are doing! They are powered by a solar cell, which charges an old car battery! Very exciting!

We have dusted off the incubator and fired it up! I discovered that the egg turner I have does not seem to be functioning right now :( very frustrating. I have eggs on the way! I ordered 24 Mille Fleur D'Uccle! We are very excited about them, here is what they look like.

Hope we have a great first hatch! And that our birds are as beautiful as this one!

we have been doing some goat breeding, Stella, Coco and Ava are all pregnant. More will follow soon!