The sheep shed is growing again.  This weekend it doubled in size to make room for a couple of lambing pens.  One small corner will be carved out for the Ram and the dog.   It isnt very pretty, but considering the first half was thrown up quickly during a snow storm, it isn't bad.  I have a feeling there will be more construction on it in the future.
Next, we fenced off about a quarter acre lot to separate the ram and dog from the ewes. We tried something new with fencing this time using 4X4 roll fence.  It worked out great, much less expensive and quicker to put up than goat panels.  After the bad experience combining baby lambs with big dogs, we don't want to take any chances.  Lambs could be born as early as 2 weeks from now.  

A lot was accomplished this weekend, thanks to my little helpers!

And their bellies keep getting bigger...

Earlier this week, the new goat barn was built. It is a 14X30 high wall with a small loft for storage and a wooden floor build by Ervin Hershberger of Patriot Ohio.  It will need a few amenities added, such as steps, feeders, and a wire wall for the chicken side, and of course fencing before the goats and chickens can be moved. 

Today was a beautiful sunny day, and a bit windy.  The chickens actually came out to play and peck around in their yard.  Flooding once again was the aftermath of melting snow followed by rain.  It was a few feet lower this time than a few weeks ago.  By evening, the water was beginning to receed.  Unfortunately, today was garbage day. Between the wind blowing the can over and the flood blocking the road, we got missed....

Connor's snow man said good-bye today. Hopefully he doesnt come back any time soon.

The new Amish built goat barn will sit in this spot tomorrow.  It is a nice level spot up behind the house site, complete with a spring fed waterer (in desperate need of cleaning).  This is the next step in getting ready to build. The goats, donkey and chickens will soon move to a more permanent location and away from the construction.  Very thankful for the warmer weather this week.    I hope it holds out for the weekend, we have fences to build... Trevor, don't forget your boots this time.

Connor and I went for a walk after the blizzard today.  On the side of the hill in what will someday be the 'back yard' there is a huge rock formation with a shelter underneath.  The waterfall that usually runs when it rains has turned into a thick fall of ice.  The fresh snow made awesome snowballs too!

Can you see the little deer watching?

Sandra dared me to post this picture :)
 
Last week I was reminded I still have allergies.  I was hoping I had outgrown them, but not so lucky.  With the cold weather, everything has been sealed up tight with not enough ventilation.  After several asthma attacks, I finally decided to go to the doctor.  "Allergic to chickens" she said.  Why does everyone want to blame the chickens?   I think its a combination of things, but for now, the mask is helping.  The coop needs cleaned, but that will have to be delegated to someone else.  I'm looking for volunteers....LOL

Wake up Jako, time to go feed the animals

Do we have to Mom? Its warm in here.

Anxious little faces waiting for their food and some treats. 

Thanks Mom!  I'm not sure but when a buckling rubs his head on you does that mean he's marking his territory?

The past 2 weeks have been spent, like everyone else, surviving the brutal weather.  From the snow and ice and sub zero temperatures, to the brief thaw and resulting flood.  Mornings and evenings consist of driving to the farm, breaking ice, feeding and watering.  When we are finally able to live on the farm, life will be a breeze!  Well, at least I won't put as many miles on my truck :-).
Hay was getting low in the hay tent, so last weekend during the thaw it seemed like a good idea to haul a trailer load from the storage container at the bottom of the hill to the tent on the top.  All went well until the tractor started spinning and slipping on a steep part of the road.   The ice thaw had left a slick coating of mud over rocks, and with the heavy load it just would not go.  We ended up piling it on the gator 8 bales at a time and taking it the rest of the way up the hill until the load was light enough to pull.  I suppose proper planning and preparation by doing this before the worst weather of the winter would have been smart.  But, unfortunately I can't drive the tractor.  Other than this, a few frozen busted pipes in the pole barn and frozen bathtub drains in the rental house, we have faired pretty well so far.  I feel very lucky, because know others have had many worse difficulties.
Yesterday, the flash floods came to Scottown.  775 at mile 8 was impassible for a while.  By evening, I was able to get through on one lane of the road.  The driveway to the farm was completely under water as was the county road.  Luckily (good planning this time) we have an alternate entrace that was built last fall with the dozing work. 
While working inside the barn, Scout started barking and we heard a male voice outside.  At the edge of the water in the dark was a young man and woman carrying a small baby trying to get through the water on foot.  On the other side of the flood water, a car was waiting to pick them up.  They were unkept and ragged.  I noticed even the baby's thin blanket and booties were dirty.  His tattered pantslegs were wet almost to his knees from trying to cross the water. "Can we get through here?" he asked nervously.  "We are trying to get home and that's my brother over there to pick us up."  "No way, the water is too deep and its too dangerous" I told them.  The water was high and it was flowing forcefully.  Anything in the water would get quickly washed away.  He would have to drive back to Proctorville and take another route. "I dont think I have enough gas" he said. "my gas light is on."  He was obviously distraught.  We had a can with a few gallons of gas in it, which we gave him to put in his car and they went on their way.  During the process, they briefly were inside the garage to get the baby out of the cold.  The encounter left me feeling unsettled. Hopefully, all will be well.
I didnt have my camera and it was getting dark so I wasnt able to get any pics of the flood.  Today, you can see where the water was - in all the areas with no snow.  The surveyors did a pretty good job marking the flood level with pink flags.  It looks like the water went slightly above in a few areas, but still far away from the garage and where the house will someday sit.
Meanwhile, Jako is growing like a weed.  He is getting used to the snow, and actually started playing in it.  He's 8 weeks old now and starting to look more like a puppy and less like an opossum.