Weighing in on the Goats and Sheep

Nothing exciting going on, on the farm today.  Went out and measured the weights of my goats and sheep by measuring their heart girth and length of body.  Using these two measurements, you use the following calculation:

Heart Girth X Heart Girth X Length of Body / 300

Using this calculation I came up with the following weights:

Goats:

Caesar(buck): 54.08 lbs.

Faun(doe): 60.12 lbs.
Jadis(doe): 67.28 lbs.
Lucy(doe): 41.67 lbs.
Ava(doe): 41.67 lbs.
Holly(doe): 33.5lbs --- she is in fact only a pygmy, miniature goat.
Gabby(doe): 80.08 lbs.

Sheep:

Dodge(ram): 86.50 lbs.

Mary(ewe): 85.33 lbs.
Freckles(ewe): 67.95 lbs.
Carmella(ewe): 81 lbs.
Ugly Betty(ewe): 83.29 lbs.
Dark Carmel (ewe): 78 lbs.
Cocoa(ewe): 95.57 lbs.

Some of these weights were right on track, others not so.  Was pleased to see that most sheep were around the 80 lbs. mark, with the exception of two.  The goats were mostly disappointing.  I was hoping they would weigh more than they did.  With these measurements, I need to decide what choices to make next to help gain their weight and size.

Some Mistakes Are A Good Thing!

We were hoping to expect some goat kids due in February, since we had mistaken to thinking he joined the does in September, but in fact, he wasn't brought in till October.  So checking up on the goats, we are hoping for some kids in late March.

Almost two year old doe, Faun.

Faun Again.

So with some wishful thinking, gave all my does another look.  Being a first time breeder, I'm still learning about all the signs to watch out for pregnancy.

Our three year old doe, Gabby.

Another view of Gabby.


Top Views of our Does:

Jadis, whose half-sister to Faun. 

Lucy, younger doe.

Faun.

Holly, our only pygmy.

Group shot.

Fingers Crossed for Kids!!

New Adventures For The Summer!

I've always had a love of animals, especially horses since I was a child.  So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to apply for the trail guide position back in October 2012.  At the time I thought it was a long shot, applying for a job out west, but just a month ago I got accepted.

I applied to a big company out west in Alberta, whose farm has actually appeared on television before.  I had to send a video application of my horse experience, riding abilities, and tacking up capabilities, which in this video (which lasted no more than ten minutes) took about a week to make.

My start date is for the middle of May, and I will be staying their till the end of summer.  I will be guiding 1-5 hour lengths of trails on horseback over the summer, and will also be involved in many barn duties/chores.  My workdays will be very long(eleven hours in fact), but how is horseback riding considered work?  This opportunity is my dream job, which I've been wanting to do for years.  And it is even ten times better with it being out in Alberta in the mountains.

About four years ago, I went on vacation to Alberta with my family, where I fell in love with its majestic beauty.  I have been wanting to go back ever since, and found this job position was the perfect opportunity.  I am hoping I will get to see a variety of wildlife over the three months I am gone, which would include the sight of a black bear.

Although I created this blog as to talk about my adventures on my farm, this summer there's a turn of events.  My goal is to be more frequent with posting blogs with updates on my life out west, and I will continue to give updates before I go(which is in two months), about preparation for this job and other exciting events/facts on the farm.