We have been busy prepping and planting the garden (and even harvesting a little), raising baby goats, raising baby chicks, building the barn and starting the soap making.
Barn Update - The roofing material will be delivered on Monday! yeah! The roof frame is up and the nailers are in, all we need to figure out is how we get the metal sheets up there! Once the roof is on framing and siding will be begin. The barn is coming along nicely, we can't wait to get the goats in their new home.
Baby Chicks - We decided to purchase chicks for the first time this year. I found some blue, black and splash standard size cochin chicks for sale on Craigslist and for the price I could not resist. I purchased them from a wonderful young farmer. The babies are doing well, we have lost a few due to a pesky hawk, but think we have solved the problem of how he was sneaking into the baby pen.
Soap Making - I have decided that in part with the new barn, the goats will need to expand their function on our farm. With all of the babies that we have been having we have begun to milk some mammas as their babies leave the farm. Anika was our first milking victim! She did great considering it was her first time and ours. I have been freezing the milk and began experimenting with soap making. I am still in the trial phase. I have found a basic recipe that I really enjoy for the lather and the texture so now I have begun my experimentation with scents and add ins. A few weeks ago I made an Oatmeal Honey Bar that is great, and I will be keeping the recipe. Today I made a batch of Eucalyptus Mint with mint flakes, I will let you know how that one works out!
Garden - This year we have: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Strawberries, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Radishes and Lettuce. So far we have enjoyed the Broccoli, Cabbage, Strawberries, Radishes and Lettuce. We cannot wait for the rest of the vegetables to mature!
Baby Goats - We have had a great season so far for baby goats. At this point we have had a total of 8 babies and 7 of those have been girls!
Anika gave birth to Belle and Colt on March 29.
Deva gave birth to Alexis on April 6.
Lilly gave birth to Aurora, Jasmine and Show White on April 23.
Misty gave birth to Jayden and Melanie on May 19 - pictures to come
Sadie gave birth to Sable on May 28 - picture to come
Sable will be retained as it is getting close to Sadie's retirement.
Still expected to give birth:
SweetP
Dottie
Stella
Thank you all for taking the time to check in with us!
