Chy and Wilson have a new home

I had been going back and forth about this for a long time and recently decided I was making the right decision to find a new home for Chy and Wilson, my 2 standard donkeys.

The goats will be kidding in a few more months and things will be getting busy here.  After reevaluating what our goals are for the farm I decided it was time to slim down and make room for my animals that produce food.  As much as I love Chy and Wilson, I knew it was time to let go of my giant pets.  I'm thrilled I found a home where they could stay together.  They're living with a single donkey who needed companions and I couldn't be happier with their new home.  Their dad is just the kind of person I'd want them to be adopted by.  Oddly enough, they are living on a farm also on the James River.  What are the chances of that?  As they drove away I shed just a few tears but seriously I couldn't be happier for them.  It was a good move for all of us.

Jaz and Willo, the mammoth donkeys, snuck through the electric ribbon during all the commotion of the move and are now cohabiting with the goats, cows and dogs.  They're a little calmer and kinder to the other animals at feeding time and I love to see everyone sharing without being bossy.

On a sad note, we also said goodbye to Roxie recently.

Typing this puts a lump in my throat because she was the best first pig a person could have asked for. Unfortunately, she wasn't reproducing and was starting to lose weight so I decided it was time to let her go.  Being the gracious pig she was, she very calmly walked into the trailer when the time came and when we reached the butcher she walked out just as calmly where we said thank you and goodbye.  There was no stress on her end, that was clear; maybe a little stress on my part.  Joe, our wonderful butcher, told the man doing the killing that this was my very first pig and they showed compassion that you wouldn't expect from a butcher.  That's why we go there.

So now we move forward.  This is a calm time on the farm.  I'm only milking Raisa, and the goats are growing bigger, showing signs of new life to come.  I'm hoping Papa bred Raisa and we'll have a new calf next October.  Mickey, is getting rounder also and will be giving us more piglets in another month or so.  I've ordered chicks, both layers and meat chickens and they should arrive mid February.

Winter can be hard on the farm but it's also a time for planning.  I'm looking forward to spring and what's to come and feeling hopeful.  I'm also feeling grateful.