Though farm animals don’t recognize weekends or public
holidays, the December holidays do take on a
go slow. The short rains have subsided but they did a lot of good.
Fodder crops are in plenty thus feeding the animals is generally good. The cow
that delivered and got sick has recovered fully and also has done good in
helping raise two calves which are 3 and 2 months now. The other heifer is
still due anytime now.
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| The newly born Terrier pups |
As for the goats, the older the goat was put down to provide meat for the festivities. The rest are still good and due to delivery in January. On a sad note, a small kid developed some digestion complications and succumbed. Hopefully the next generation will survive to ensure success in the dairy goat project.
The geese are yet to lay. They being slow breeders, take
time before they lay and get broody. Also they don’t lay a lot of eggs. They
lay between 4 -7 only thus they do need patience before they reach the required
economically beneficial population.
It being the coffee season, work on the farm has been
reduced to feeding and caring for the animals to picking, sorting and
delivering the coffee to the co-operative (This is mainly my mum’s project –
the coffee though I assist her from time to time) Also the application of
manure was not alone, but will be from January as the work shifts.
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| Fluffy the mother with her pups |
The dogs are still progressing on well despite the loss of
the rottie pups. The female Terrier got
6 puppies and they are splendid. So much so that even people who are not into
dogs want some when they see them. In a way, part of my vision is coming to be;
breaking people’s rigidity in with regards to their view of dogs which make the
best pets, buddies and even offer security. They (puppies) are due to start
their jabs which will go on till they are 4 months old. Also the female GSD is
also mature now and due to go in season anytime.
The only set back is that the feeds and the medicine are
still costly despite changes in favour of the Kenyan Shilling. The stockists
always claim that they have to clear old stock acquired when prices were high.