Butchering Days

We've been busy at Little Flower Farm. Sausagina and Bacon have given their lives over for the greater cause, and we've been turning them into hams and bacon, pork chops and soap. It is an amazing experience, growing your own food, especially growing your own meat. We find our respect for the common sausage is exponentially increased. Our appreciation for the fine animals that pigs are will never diminish.

Letting Nature take its course

INTRODUCING SIR WILHELM, our visiting buck.

Its breeding time for the sheep and goats...time to ensure some milk production (and cute kids and lambs) come spring. Sir Wilhem arrived to meet our ladies, Ginger and Dixie a couple weeks ago. This was after our first choice, a Nubian buck, failed spectacularly. We were excited about crossing Ginger with a Nubian for big meat kids and for richer (higher butterfat) milk since she is part Nubian...but looking back we should have thought twice when his owner said (and I quote:) "well....maybe you'll need a hill to make it work." The fellow was beautiful, he was purebread Nubian, he had all the goods....and he stood about two hands tall. Next to Ginger he would have needed a crane to hoist him into position. He also cried alot for his Mammy. We took the milk baby back and exchanged him for a "raring to go" Alpine. His Sire was named "Chaotic". That's why he looks the way he does. A buck only a mother could love. BUT he didn't need a hill! Here is his picture:

He is named after my brother William. Evidently they share the same stylist.

If you know anything about goats, you know that they get right down to it. Artificial Insemination with goats is a farce: they do just fine by themselves, and very quickly too. No mood lighting, no smooth jazz, nothing. When he saw Dixie, he locked eyes with her right away.

Later on I would catch him snuggling with Ginger in the hay pile. They are a happy family now, and we are looking forward to Springtime at Little Flower Farm!