Sadness: Heat stroke claims a goat

Our hearts are heavy tonight. We lost a long time goat, Violet, to heat stroke. Yesterday we hit a high of 116 degrees, and poor violet was older, and about 2 weeks away from giving birth to triplets.  The combination was just too much for her.

We found her this morning showing signs of distress, and we immediately moved her into a barn stall by herself, hosed her down with cool water, and started half hourly regime of force fed water with electrolytes. She improved slightly but then the stress caused her to go into labor. She was just too weak to give birth and eventually gave out.

We did an emergency c-section to try to rescue the babies, but they did not make it either, they had already passed away before the mom.

Farming is full of birth and death, it is management of life itself. I dont know if I will ever get used to dealing with it so constantly and permanently.  It does create a deep respect for life.. when you see it come and go so quickly. Every moment is precious, every moment to be enjoyed to the fullest. None of us knows which is our last.

As we say goodby to violet, we remember how precious life is, and how easily it goes away.

We Love to Farm but love doesnt pay the mortgage

This post, from another farm very similar to our, says so much that is applicable to all small farms. I simply can not add anything to her plea for understanding and equity.  Please, I URGE you to read through this piece, and then go support your local farm.

http://www.wellfedhomestead.com/we-love-to-farm-but-love-doesnt-pay-the-mortgage

Before complaining about pricing from local farms, ask yourself.. what if they all disappeared?

Welcome silver Appleyard ducks

Duck eggs are very popular,  especially with those allergic to chicken eggs.  Duck eggs are  also preferred by those using egg yolk as a healing food. Over the last year the sales of duck eggs has increased to about 40%of our total egg sales.  While that is all good news, the US a recurring problem,  the duck egg production is unsteady.

There have been many times when the production had barely met needs,  and now we faced one delivery where we were unable to meet all subscriptions.  We do apologize for the need to substitute chicken eggs for last week,  and appreciate everyone's willingness to temporarily adjust. We realize now that a change is in order to allow a more consistent duck egg supply.

The problem.?  Simply put,  stress!  Kaki Campbell ducks are great producers,  making close to 350 eggs per year per duck,  but only in a low stress environment.  Our farm,  by nature,  is not low stress.  We use rotational grazing if several species to improve health overall,  which requires lots of moving and change.  This in itself causes stress for the khakis.

Research has shown that this is a universal problem for khakis. Farms that rely on this breed go to great lengths to prevent change for the ducks.  Even so far as not only collecting eggs same time every day but the same person wearing the same clothes every time!  These ducks require rigid routine.

At present at are plagued with  large crows that are stealing the duck eggs,  which in turn stresses the duck and lowers production.  Also working with the fruit trees and berries causes them further stress. Production is currently very low.

So we have chosen to add a new breadth the farm,  silver Appleyard!  These are beautiful large size ducks that are useful both for eggs and meat.  They do not suffer from stress like khakis,  Appleyards are write calm and forgiving,  great forgers,  and very beautiful!  With his breed we expect a steady supply of eggs  and also the addition of duck meat to our offered products!

We will be hatching the Appleyards ourself from fertile eggs beginning next week.  If all goes well they silk be laying by March and we will be able to sell duck meat for Christmas!

We are very excited to bring this breed to the farm!

Herbal Products from Fir Meadows Available now

We are pleased to announce that Little Sprouts Farm will now be offering herbal products developed by Fir Meadows, LLC. as part of our product lineup  for farm pickup and home delivery.

Fir Meadows is the source for our own herb based support products for our animals. We routinely use the parasite control herb blend (DWorm-A)  and the healing support products as needed.  This has allowed us to stay away from all chemical medicines for 3 years.

Fir Meadows also has a book that contains a wealth of information about herbs, animal husbandry, and proper usage.  It is a great starting point if you wish to go chemical free and learn the basics of herbal support for animals.

We encourage you to try these creations, formulated by Kat of Fir Meadows and distributed exclusively through this brand.

For more information on these products browse our online store : http://www.farmigo.com/store/littlesproutsfarm


Items we will have in stock:

 

1) Book- The Accessible Pet, Equine and Livestock Herbal

2) GI Soother - for coccidia, used with grain for poultry starter. Very popular for poultry. Also for GI source diarrheas in pets, poultry, farm stock. Also ulcers.

3) DWorm A- can be used for any species including poultry, pigs, goats.

4) Layer Support- an herb blend developed to support egg laying birds.

5) Better Daze - very useful for senior stock, young stock or failure to thrives, or as a daily nutritional supplement for anything from poultry and pets through draft stock.

6) HerBiotic Herb Mix or Extract- used as an herbal form of 'antibiotic' in anything from chickens, pets through large stock.

7) Wonderful! Salve- for any type of tissue or bone or spine injury including serious burns, bad breaks, shatters, deep wounds, tendons, etc.

8) Cayenne- powdered- first aid, shock, bleeding, heart, stroke, etc.

9) Udder Blast- mastitis, infections in wounds, uterine infections (infuse), thrush/hoof rot in hooved stock.

10) MammarEaze salve- infected wounds or as an after care during and after initial mastitis infusions until mammary returns to normal (may be 3 days, may be all year depending on level of damage)

11) Gland Aide salve for knots inside of the udder-helps body break them down or push them out.

12) Syringe/Cannula packs for the Udder Blast

13) drenching syringes-

New team member

Please join me in welcoming me Christian McPherson as the newest member of our team at Little Sprouts.  Christian has been a part time help for a couple years,  you may have even seen him  on delivery day.  After graduating last month he decided to join us full time and move on farm.  We are very pleased to have his help around here!

Christian had shown a passion for our mission of humane animal treatment,  true land healing, healthy foods,  and pain old hard work.  He is a bright young man with a bright future and a healthy work ethic. 

If you see Christian around or come visit at the farm,  be sure to welcome him aboard!