Randy and Storm left Friday afternoon and on Saturday we expanded the stall for the does.
If you look at where Joshua is standing you will see a post behind him against the wall. A wall was there which made a smaller stall that we put the babies in at night so we could milk their mommies in the morning. It is an increase of about 33%. They seem to really like the extra area.
We turned the stall across the aisle (formerly called the Love Shack) into a multi-purpose stall. It will be the stall that the babies are in during the night, the kidding stall, and the Love Shack.
We needed to clean out both the buck’s stall and the stall formerly called “The Love Shack” now re-named the “Multi-Purpose Stall”.
This created a dilemma for our Barred Rock hen that likes to nest behind the boys door when it is open. Multiple times she went into the barn and into the buck stall only to find Michael in there scooping all the straw out. She looked very perplexed.
She would leave the stall, go out to their outside pen, enter in through the cattle panels that we use for fencing and go to the door only to find it shut. She would attempt to squeeze in under the door which was impossible. Her next move would be to fly up to the window and enter the stall that way. She would go to her corner, that was now void of any straw, and again, look perplexed.
This was repeated ALL DAY LONG! At the end of the day when we went back out to the barn to put straw down, there was a lone egg on the cement floor.
That night we put Sandy and Jessie in the “Multi-Purpose Stall”. They immediately didn’t like it because they couldn’t see the other does (mostly missing their mommies). The previous night Sandy seemed sad to not have Storm with her on their bench where they would sleep together.
I think it was too much change for Sandy. The next morning, when I came out to open the barn, I could hear all the goats making a bunch of noise. As I approached the barn door I suspected what had happened. Sandy was out running up and down the aisle. Probably in an attempt to get to something familiar (mom), she jumped out of the stall (reminiscent of Ramblin Rose) and then couldn’t get into another stall. We knew she had had plenty to eat by all the little goat poops over by the alfalfa.
Michael sat with her for a while and she enjoyed the attention.
I’ve never been a fan of change. In this instance I think all the change was hardest on Sandy.
Have a great day even if it involves change,
Karen
Your photo of the chicken really captured the situation… so funny! Thanks for another morning giggle to start my day… :o)
Hope everybody has gotten a little more comfortable with the new routine… change IS hard!
XO,B
PS The new stall set-up looks awesome… very roomy but cozy for the upcoming fall and winter…
I’m really not a fan of change and yet it is something that happens all the time. You would think it would become comfortable.
Everyone seems to be adjusting nicely. Sandy doesn’t cry all night long anymore.
The chickens have discovered the feed room and occasionally lay eggs in the straw bales.
Tomatoes are welcome. Used the last of the Romas in a double batch of salsa late last nigh.
Hugs,
Karen
I agree. Change is tough. Sorry it’s been a tough transition for everyone. Hope things are calming down. When I think of your animals, I think of the set from the movie Babe. All with personalities, etc…. have a great weekend Karen and family!