So, I know I missed posting yesterday but I have to tell you I have been kind of busy... First, We have a bit of an issue with the flock/herd. We have found that some how they have contracted what
is called sore mouth. Don't Panic but it is very contagious. Even Humans can get it. We called our Vet and he reminded us of a young lamb we got last year that we called him about named Petunia that got a few sores in her mouth right after we got her. Well, She is also the one that has it the worst right now. Deduction, because sore mouth can lay dormant and some sheep/goats can be carriers without showing any signs, and because her case was so mild the first time, we are sure it started with her. Our Vet also informed us that there really isn't anything we can do. Even with treatment this is a virus and it must runs it's course. The good thing is that once exposed most sheep and goats will build up an immunity to it. He also advised that we keep close watch on the lambs ... While there isn't any real issues with sore mouth that can cause death some lambs will refuse to eat because of the pain and a few have been know to starve themselves.
So with all that said ... Yesterday I checked and split everything into two herds/flocks. One for those with signs and the other is for those who are clean. The entire Man pen and all the Goats are clean at this time. My next step ... (even though I know what Doc said about letting it run it's course) ... I used all the knowledge I have learned from helping Mom at the shelter and disinfected all feeders and stalls according to SPCA Guidelines. I also moved all the feeders in a line and using cattle chalk, just like we marked the Trips and Quads, we will mark any lamb that doesn't eat. If it refused to eat a second time in a row, It will be bottle fed. (Just so you know the lambs with the sores in their mouths give the Mommas sores on their teats) When I finished all of that and got our plan of action in place, I headed off to a Rodeo. I didn't do to great and we got back late so I just did chores and went on to bed.
This morning I started my day the same way, cleaning. The only difference is that I also loaded out the last two big roping steers. That will leave me with 7 roping calves, B'day and Libby. I am being slow to put the farm plan into action but I am getting it done. After that I cleaned out the Calf shed. Since the calves are now out on the pasture Charlie will be spending his days in it while I am away if it is nice. He stays with me most days but if I have to be gone he will not be out with the flock anymore. You see, Charlie is clean from sore mouth but his Momma isn't ... So he won't be joining the flock until this passes. (putting him in the man pen without his Mom is not an option) After all of today's cleaning I was off to yet another Rodeo. I did really good roping today but to be honest I just flat got beat. There are always others that are better then you and today even with as well as I roped, it wasn't good enough ... Oh well, I will get them next time.
When I got home I found Mom had done the grocery shopping ... Mom dislikes grocery shopping very much. (Mom says that the bible says it isn't right to Hate so she doesn't allow me to use that word... Can you tell?) But even getting groceries in a small town has it's advantages. First Mom did ALL the grocery shopping from Toilet paper to frozen snack food, she got it all probably about 2 carts worth. Meals around here are meat, potatoes and a veggie most nights and lunch is stuff like spaghetti, tator tot casserole, Sandwiches on hot days, Pizza ... That kind of stuff. Definition of Frozen snack food ... TV dinners, family sized banquet entrees, pizza rolls, frozen waffles, Garlic Toast, Chicken cordon Bleu, Hot pockets, Frozen Burritos ... Anything Microwavable that my friends and I can pop in and carry off ... As a 15 year old growing boy with a couple of friends the same age, I find that to fill us up is like trying to fill the Grand Canyon with a teaspoon ... Virtually impossible .... So what does ALL the groceries look like? Here ya go ... Check it out ....
is called sore mouth. Don't Panic but it is very contagious. Even Humans can get it. We called our Vet and he reminded us of a young lamb we got last year that we called him about named Petunia that got a few sores in her mouth right after we got her. Well, She is also the one that has it the worst right now. Deduction, because sore mouth can lay dormant and some sheep/goats can be carriers without showing any signs, and because her case was so mild the first time, we are sure it started with her. Our Vet also informed us that there really isn't anything we can do. Even with treatment this is a virus and it must runs it's course. The good thing is that once exposed most sheep and goats will build up an immunity to it. He also advised that we keep close watch on the lambs ... While there isn't any real issues with sore mouth that can cause death some lambs will refuse to eat because of the pain and a few have been know to starve themselves.
So with all that said ... Yesterday I checked and split everything into two herds/flocks. One for those with signs and the other is for those who are clean. The entire Man pen and all the Goats are clean at this time. My next step ... (even though I know what Doc said about letting it run it's course) ... I used all the knowledge I have learned from helping Mom at the shelter and disinfected all feeders and stalls according to SPCA Guidelines. I also moved all the feeders in a line and using cattle chalk, just like we marked the Trips and Quads, we will mark any lamb that doesn't eat. If it refused to eat a second time in a row, It will be bottle fed. (Just so you know the lambs with the sores in their mouths give the Mommas sores on their teats) When I finished all of that and got our plan of action in place, I headed off to a Rodeo. I didn't do to great and we got back late so I just did chores and went on to bed.
This morning I started my day the same way, cleaning. The only difference is that I also loaded out the last two big roping steers. That will leave me with 7 roping calves, B'day and Libby. I am being slow to put the farm plan into action but I am getting it done. After that I cleaned out the Calf shed. Since the calves are now out on the pasture Charlie will be spending his days in it while I am away if it is nice. He stays with me most days but if I have to be gone he will not be out with the flock anymore. You see, Charlie is clean from sore mouth but his Momma isn't ... So he won't be joining the flock until this passes. (putting him in the man pen without his Mom is not an option) After all of today's cleaning I was off to yet another Rodeo. I did really good roping today but to be honest I just flat got beat. There are always others that are better then you and today even with as well as I roped, it wasn't good enough ... Oh well, I will get them next time.
When I got home I found Mom had done the grocery shopping ... Mom dislikes grocery shopping very much. (Mom says that the bible says it isn't right to Hate so she doesn't allow me to use that word... Can you tell?) But even getting groceries in a small town has it's advantages. First Mom did ALL the grocery shopping from Toilet paper to frozen snack food, she got it all probably about 2 carts worth. Meals around here are meat, potatoes and a veggie most nights and lunch is stuff like spaghetti, tator tot casserole, Sandwiches on hot days, Pizza ... That kind of stuff. Definition of Frozen snack food ... TV dinners, family sized banquet entrees, pizza rolls, frozen waffles, Garlic Toast, Chicken cordon Bleu, Hot pockets, Frozen Burritos ... Anything Microwavable that my friends and I can pop in and carry off ... As a 15 year old growing boy with a couple of friends the same age, I find that to fill us up is like trying to fill the Grand Canyon with a teaspoon ... Virtually impossible .... So what does ALL the groceries look like? Here ya go ... Check it out ....
In our house a can of sliced peaches is a snack and I love to eat green beans or corn right out of the can on a hot summer day.... Who said canned veggies were for meals anyway ... Not around here... Three flats should do for a bit.... not to mention the spaghetti o's and meatballs for a quick inhale ... LOL
Anyway back to my story. In a small town everyone pretty much knows everyone. That goes for the checkers at the grocery store and today when they were checking my mom out they kind of mixed in three, out of date by one day, cakes... First off let me say no one did anything wrong ... We know the store manager as well and it is common practice to give the out of date backery goods to employees. Since the two checkers went to school with my Sister they are friends of the family. Besides that after one of the checkers got done Helping Mom, he told her he knew where he would be coming for lunch for the next few days ... And since the two checkers are brothers ... .Well the other won't be far behind I am sure. LOL... I love that about small town USA. I love that everyone is so close that none of it matters ... not even the Groceries. Mom says (I know you hate sentences that start like that but I can't help it) Her door is never closed to anyone. And her table is full for all! Strangers and Friends alike. Anyway, You have to see these cakes.... On is thin mint ... Oh My Mom is in love with it.... The other is a lemon and the third is a lemon lime creme cake....
So if you could have a free cake .... What kind or kinds would it be? Oh wait a minute ... Isn't there another Question I should be asking? Like if you could have a free share would it be Roving or Yarn? I guess I should be asking that very Question to our one lucky winner!!!! So Terri Shea you need to email me your contact information and the word Roving or Yarn to rj@barnontheweb.com before 7pm Central time on April 10th
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