The last couple of weeks on the homestead have been all about tackling “False Spring.” We had a stretch of warmer days where the temperature crept above zero, only to be hit by two days of heavy rain. The water poured down our property, flooding low spots and then freezing solid overnight, turning the place into an ice rink.
We’ve been burning through our ice melt just trying to keep the steps, the area in front of the does’ pen, and the coops safe to walk on. But with so much ice everywhere, it feels like we’re barely making a dent.
Luckily, during a drive back from Fredericton, I spotted something helpful: the road works had a pile of road sand and salt mix set out for the public. There’s a two-pail limit per day (which I missed the first time around), but it’s been worth making a few trips. The mixture works well and makes a big difference on our long driveway and walking paths.
Sometimes, it’s all about finding those little tricks to keep things running smoothly out here. And when nature throws a curveball, you just find a way to adapt and keep moving forward.
Prepping for kidding season.
With all the ice, snow, and deep litter build-up from winter, opening and closing the gate had become a real pain—usually accompanied by some choice words on my part. But when Mandy noticed Tessy showing signs of being ready to give birth any day now, we had to move fast.
We made a run into Fredericton to gather essentials: towels from the thrift store to clean and warm the newborns, plus fresh wood shavings and straw for bedding. Clearing out one of the stalls for the mama and her babies was no easy feat. We had to hack away at more than a foot of frozen ice, hay, and wood shavings, but we got it done!
We’ve also pulled together our kidding supply kits, making sure everything is ready when the big moment arrives. The thrift store towels are cleaned and stacked alongside the ones from last year and the extras we picked up last weekend—because really, you can never have too many towels. Puppy pee pads are a lifesaver, too.
We’ve got iodine and sharp scissors at the ready, along with gloves and powdered lube just in case an internal exam is necessary. There’s a bottle and a few spare nipples prepared for any kids that might get rejected or if mama ends up with more babies than she can handle. We even have a thermometer and a few handy reference sheets to guide us through any unexpected situations.
To top it all off, there’s molasses ready to be mixed into warm water for the new mom to drink and replenish her energy after giving birth. Now, we’re just waiting for the little ones to make their big entrance. Waiting is the tough part.
With the kidding stall ready, it was time to reshuffle the girls. Tessy now has her own space in the kidding stall at night, while Cosmo remains in the main area with Missy and Stella. June is set up in her own spot in the lean-to, but that left Ally in need of shelter.
The solution? Converting the milking area into a makeshift stall. It’s only temporary until I can dig into the ground, but with the earth frozen solid, that’s a project for another day.
Of course, Ronin and Shogun think they’re helping with the process—spoiler alert: they’re not. But interestingly, they’ve taken to lying beside the gate leading into the goat area. It’s like they know Ally is technically “outside” since her stall has no door. Their protective instincts are starting to kick in, and it’s good to see them taking their roles more seriously.
With the kidding stall ready, it was time to make sure the mamas were well-fed and hydrated. Pregnant goats are always hungry and thirsty, so we stocked up on feed, grabbing another thirty bales of hay from Ross on 620. Ross and his wife have been a reliable source of hay for us—this is our third time buying from them. They’re always so welcoming, and if it hadn’t been for the bone-chilling winds, Mandy would have probably stayed chatting much longer.
Speaking of those winds, they were strong enough to blow away our tie-downs, though to be fair, they were lying on the skating rink that had formed in front of Ross’s barn. It was oddly reassuring to see we weren’t the only ones struggling with this much ice.
Our kind neighbors let us borrow their utility trailer again, which always makes the hay runs easier. But this time, the ice had other plans. As we returned the trailer, the truck and trailer slid right back down the icy path from their barn. I tried veering off to the side onto the snow, but the truck got stuck, forcing me to back up and try again.
When I finally made it to the barn and released the trailer from the hitch, it started sliding down the icy path—with my hand caught in the chain. I was dragged along, unable to stop as the trailer kept moving over the smooth ice. It eventually came to a halt, wedged into a snowbank by the fence. I managed to get up and back into the truck, fighting for control as the tires slid sideways down the path before I got it back on track.
I don’t remember the ice being this bad our first winter here. I guess that one really eased us in.
Look at how happy those does are! The girls are so round! Each morning, everyone gets their 3/4 cup of grain mixed with black oil sunflower seeds, dairy goat mineral supplement, and alfalfa pellets—though the alfalfa is just for the girls. The people at the feed store will probably start greeting us by name soon with how often we’re there!
Feeding time is a carefully orchestrated shuffle to prevent any bickering, as the goats can be more than a little food-motivated. Once everyone’s had their grain, it’s time for hay. Right now, only the main part of the goat shed has a proper hay feeder, but I don’t just fill it up because Missy would hog—er, goat—every last bit.
Instead, I spread hay around, tucking it into the pallets in the milking area, the lean-to, and a few spots on the ground. Goats are notorious for wasting food, tossing aside perfectly good hay just to dig for the best bits. Building a larger, freestanding hay feeder is high on our project list, and hopefully, it’ll help us save on feed costs. Fingers crossed!
And we can’t forget about the fathers-to-be—Johnny Bravo and Bron! Not that they seem to care much. Bron continues to keep me on my toes, constantly finding new ways to test the fence and plot his great escapes. He’s a true escape artist, always looking for a chance to take himself for a walk. Johnny, on the other hand, prefers ramming into his shed door and various trees. Thankfully, he’s respecting his fence… for now. But, between you and me, it’s full of holes. Let’s hope he doesn’t figure that out anytime soon!
When we are frustrated with the bucks, we start to think of alternatives. There’s always the option of AI (artificial insemination), which would mean not having bucks on the property at all. There are positives and negatives to that route as well, like the cost of the equipment, purchasing straws, and the fact that, despite the investment, there’s only about a 30% success rate. On the plus side, without bucks, we’d have fewer animals to care for, and let’s be honest, bucks can be stinky! Plus, we could choose the genetics we want to add to our herd, which could improve traits that we value most. Lots to think about!
I apologize for the washer noise in the background, but I wanted to share a clip of our forecast for a clear day. Giants Glen Road definitely has its own unique microclimate, and we’ve become our own weather forecasters around here. There are tiny signs of spring showing up, like the return of some singing birds. It’s refreshing to hear some life in the woods again, aside from the usual squawks of ravens, crows, and blue jays. Of course, none of that is really captured in the video above—lol!
Let’s talk about these two troublemakers—Shogun and Ronin!
Ronin is the mischievous one, always seeking out trouble and testing boundaries. Shogun, on the other hand, is a bit more laid back, but when his brother calls, he’s right there, and together, they’re Double Trouble with a capital T! I had them secured in their run to charge their fence collars, but when I came back from market day, I found them on a neighbor’s porch, down the street! After a few more escapes, I decided it was time to take action. I reinforced the run, adding extra slats to make sure they couldn’t slip through. For the most part, it’s holding, but we’re thinking about investing in some corrective collars. These two are massive dogs, and when they want to go, they’re taking me with them!
We go through a bag of Costco dog food every two weeks just for these two, with some chicken and eggs mixed in, but they’re growing bigger by the day. Despite all their antics, though, they know how to melt your heart when they want to. For now, we’re doing our best, but honestly, we have no idea what we’re doing with these two!
Marigold update:
Marigold, our sweet whoodle, is hanging in there, though it’s clear she’s showing her age. Recently, she’s been dealing with canine geriatric vestibular disease, which has left her with a tilted head and ongoing dizziness. While some moments are better than others, she still has trouble with her balance. We’ve learned to be extra careful not to startle her, as the cats certainly don’t help in that department. When she gets startled, she can go into a roll with rigid muscles. She can’t manage stairs going down anymore, but she can still make it up a few.
Marigold responds well to her name, happily wagging her little tail when we offer pets and cuddles. She’s eating soft foods now, though she’s lost interest in her kibble. She drinks fine and doesn’t seem to have any bathroom issues. While we think she still has a good quality of life, we’ve come to terms with the fact that she won’t fully recover to the way she was before her first episode. We have another follow-up appointment this Friday, and we’re hoping for some good news.
Tea Time!
We’ve really enjoyed the herbs we grew, foraged, and dehydrated throughout last year’s growing season. Lately, I’ve been reaching for a blend of lemon balm, heal-all (Prunella vulgaris), and raspberry leaf the most. This tea is fantastic for reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and supporting digestion. Plus, it’s pretty tasty! We’re excited to expand our collection of tea-specific herbs this year and can’t wait to see what we can grow next.
The turkeys are definitely another sign that spring is on its way. This time of year, any loud noise seems to make our Tom gobble in response, and it’s just too funny! Whether it’s the rooster call, Addy yelling at the ducks in the background, or even me trying to mimic a gobble myself, it always gets a reaction. I had to make a video to share the moment with you all. It’s guaranteed to give you a good laugh!
Thanks for following along with us as we navigate the ups and downs of life on the homestead! From managing the “False Spring” weather to preparing for kidding season and taking care of our animals, it’s been a whirlwind of activity. We appreciate your continued support and interest in our journey. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue working on new projects and adjusting to the challenges that come with this time of year. We’re grateful to have you along for the ride and look forward to sharing more soon!
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