Last Wednesday, Feb. 23 marked the start of kidding season for us. Usually it lasts up to a month. Of the 24 nannies we thought were pregnant, 20 of them have had kids. TWENTY. In six days. Most of those in single-digit temps. In that kind of weather, most mamas can’t get their babies dried off fast enough for them to survive.
I lost track of how many baby goats we took into the house to try to save. A dozen? Twenty? Probably somewhere in between, but I truly have no idea. The last six days have been one of the biggest blurs I have ever experienced. We lost a lot of babies. But we saved more than we lost. And that’s all we can focus on right now – that we couldn’t have worked harder than we did and we saved as many as possible.
Like this little guy. He and his sister were born at daybreak on Friday. I found them right after he was born. His mama gave birth right next to one of the metal-sided barns and by the time I got to him, he was stuck to the side of the building, frozen to it. After yanking him free (there is no standing on ceremony when it’s single digits and you have a wet baby on your hands!) I helped his mama dry him and his sister off, but they were still going downhill fast. After about 6 hours inside by the fire, they were back on their feet AND their mama took them back. Most mamas won’t take a baby back once it has been removed from them.
He has a tiny bald spot on his side, a badge of honor for being born on one of the coldest days of the year, freezing to the side of a building, and living to tell the tale.
We have 23 new babies (I think? My brain is so tired, and I’ve lost track so many times), and potentially four more nannies to kid. Thank goodness the weather is warm this week.
We will end up with a solid number of bottle babies at the end of all of this, which is equal parts fun and exhausting. Follow us on social media to see all of the baby goat antics to come. There is nothing cuter than frolicking baby goats!
In other news, the baby tomato plants are looking good and will be ready to be planted in the high tunnels later this month. Soooo happy it’s almost planting season!
We have also booked dates at Stroots Locker for five American Guinea Hogs this month (Mmmmmm! Bacon!).
Cost for a whole hog is processing fee (roughly $180-220, paid directly to the processor) plus $2.00 a pound for the meat. These smaller hogs will likely yield 50-75 pounds of meat.
Email sarah@wernercreekfarm.com or text 620-222-5821 to reserve a hog.
That’s all for now friends. My brain and body are too tired to think of any other news to share. Here’s hoping that by April, things will be back on track.
From Sarah at Werner Creek Farm
wernercreekfarm.com 