Thanks to all who bought our babies this year.  We are breeding for February babies.  We sold 22 kids this year and even though I miss them I know they went to good homes.  We held back 6 babies to add to our herd.  They will be bred in September of 2013.  We bought 2 new does at the kikofest which should bring added color to our herd.  One is a boer cross doe who looks alot like our red hot lover buck.  Her name is paprika.  The other doe is a purebred tan doe named honey.  Thank you to the Days for our new additions.  Please pray for our Maggie Mae and Lucky and their babies to make it through another deer season.  Mr. buttons is so little I can't imagine anyone shooting him but hopefully they will all stay safe.  I can't imagine the fear they must experience for 4 months.  Jill Zink

 

All of our bucklings are gone to Maryland to the buck test.  They are doing great and will hopefully continue to do so.  These bucklings will be sold after the buck test and so they will not be returning home.  We still have doelings for sale and also some mature does and mature and junior bucks for sale.  We will be a consigner in the kiko fest sale in Illinois and will be taking some of our top stock.  We appreciate the buyers we have had so far this year and as always are glad they are happy with their new goats.  All the DNA reports are back now and we will be getting everyone registered.  Thanks again to our buyers and we look forward to seeing some of the girls do well in the fairs this summer.  Jill Zink

 

Dear Friends,

 

     Maggie and Lucky were grazing in the bottom pasture with the horses and steer!!  We moved the baby girl goats down there since we moved our fence and took them down there to browse.  They remembered us and we got caught up on deer kisses.  I think they both look pregnant and it looked like they are bedding in the pasture.  I am so thankful that they are doing so well.  They sure are shedding and look so grey.  Lucky finally got a longer nose but Maggies ears are still longer. 

     We have a problem with a fox getting our chickens.  We are down to 4 hens and 2 roosters.  It just makes me sick.  We saw the fox one day when we were coming up from the bottom pasture but haven't seen it since.  I know they have to eat too but I would rather feed them store bought meat as to loose our chickens.

     We sold Domino and it really hurt to see him go.  He is going to a good home which helps but he was one of my favorites.  I just get so attached to the critters that I'd keep them all if we could afford to or at least had the land to let them all have plenty of browse.  The big bucks have really made a dent in the area where they are and there is only 8 of them in probably 15 acres.  We don't feed them any grain or hay (hay in winter)when they have browse.  Where we moved them from is free of sprouts and low branches are bare of leaves. 

     I have gone back to work (the drought really hurt and we replaced berries) and I miss being here on a full time basis.  We haven't even got our garden planted yet.  I think we are going to do that tomorrow.    We mowed the big hay field and will be baling that in the next couple days.  I love the smell of fresh cut hay.  For me there is no better smell in the world.  Not even a delicious meal cooking when I'm hungry.  Hope you all have a blessed week.  Jill Zink

We are done kidding at least until March (we had one doe get bred late and isn't due until March 2nd).  We have a total of 30 kids with the average for 15 does being twins.  We had 2 does have singles nad 2 does have triplets.  All are healthy and happy.  Frankie struggled to give birth to her doeling who weighed 11.2 pounds.  I felt it was her sholders that were hard to pass but once she was out I think it might have been her ears!!  LOL  We were blessed with lots of colorful kids who immediately after birth nursed and then proceeded to run up and down the isles and visit with other kids.  I am always amazed at how they can get up within seconds and by a few hours later be running around everywhere.  It is nice to finally get some sleep again.....it is impossible when you know they are ready to kid.  Many friends have been out to view the new kids and to laugh at their antics.  Jill Zink

 

For all who have followed the deer since last summer......they still come around and eat corn off the front porch.  They don't come everyday but I am always relieved when they show up to eat.  I still get my deer kisses when they show up.  I believe they are running with a small herd here in the area.  When I spot them I always roll down the window of the truck and call their names and tell them to be careful.  We have had young deer hit in the road at the bottom of the hill.....I always stop to check if it is them.  I hope when they get pregnant they still come and visit and hopefully bring their kids as they grow.  It may just be a wish but I hope to always be a part of their lives.