Duke and Meyla

Duke and Meyla

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Life On Finn Ridge Farm-Part 1


I had to write a story for school. So here it is. The other parts will come when ready. Pressure will likely cause delay.

                                              Life on Finn Ridge Farm

            My alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. with an annoying squeal.  I rolled over, turned it off, and got up. I quickly got dressed and went upstairs.  Bacon, eggs, toast, and orange juice made up my breakfast. When I was finished, I cleaned up and went outside.
            Early mornings in June take the cake, I say. The morning is still fresh, dew glittering on the grass, birds chirping, roosters crowing, with an occasional low of a cow, and the bleat of a goat. I drank it all in for a couple minutes before the loud "maaaa" for my Alpine herd queen, Lady Grace, told me I'd been spotted.  I "maa-ed" back and said, "Just be quiet!"  Instantly, the barnyard burst with moos, quacks, clucks, meows, nickers, and, of course, maas.
            I went to the milk barn and flipped on the water heater, lights, and milk cooling tank. I was doling out grain when Mom showed up in the doorway. "Good morning," she said. I replied with the same, and add, "You can let them in if you want." She went over and opened the door. Fifteen goats of various colors, ages, and personalities entered and went to their accustomed stalls. I went by, patting and greeting each one as I locked the head gates.
            Next door, I heard the rattle of the grain cart and Kaia's voice greeting her cows.  I stepped in and let the lovely Dexter/Jersey cows into their stalls while Kaia gave them grain . When all five were in, I locked the head gates and washed them up. Kaia was behind me putting on milkers. I turned the milkers on and returned to the goat parlor where Mom was watching the goats to make sure everything ran smoothly as they were being milked.
            I grabbed the wash and bucket and went in a separate room to milk Lady Grace.  I like to milk each goat by hand at least one a week, and this day was her turn.  I usually milk three in the morning and three at night.  She jumped up on the stand, and after washing, I began to milk. Soon I heard the goats in the main room go out and fifteen more come in. All of my goats are Alpines and I expect at least one gallon a day out of each. Grace gives just under two gallons a day, as a four year old.
            When I finished, I gave her her treat and let her out.  I then strained the milk and poured it into bottles for my three calves. My 15 year old sister, Brittany, showed up about then and took the bottles. She is in charge of feeding the horses, calves, kids, chickens, and cats.
            Just as I was finishing with the third doe, Zoe, Brittany poked her head in the door, about to cry, and said, "The kids got out, Zipper's chasing them, and something is wrong with Tulip." Just then, Kaia came up behind Brittany and hollered, "Boo!"  Brittany just about hit her head on the ceiling and came down glaring.  Kaia pretended like nothing happened and said, "There are about sixty kids running around, with that nasty Border Collie puppy of yours chasing them." 
            "I know.  That's what Brittany and I were discussing when you gave your warm greeting. Will you help Mom clean up so I can go help catch them?"
            "Sure," she said.
            We went out and 9 year old Riika got up from by the door. I hollered at Zipper to stop but he had earplugs in. So I said, "Riika, go bring Zipper here.  Zipper."  She ran over, picked the 3 month old delinquent up, and deposited him at my feet.  I grabbed his scruff, shook him, gave him a speech, and thought about what I should do with him  “Aha! Now is as good a time as any to give him a lesson on rouding up the goats.” I got a short piece of twine and tied him to Riika's collar.  "Riika, round 'em up!"  Brittany opened the gate wide while I went to help Riika.  Soon, all fifty nine kids were in the pen with the gate securely latched.  I patted Riika on the head and praised her.  "Good girl, Riika."  She panted happily and wiggled her stub tail.  Zipper whined so I turn away until he stopped, the released him.  He ran and jumped in the pond with his ball.
            It was then that I noticed Tulip lying in the corner all by herself.  Just lying there.  I came closer and instantly saw what's wrong.  Her cannon bone on the front left leg was broken. I sent Brittany to get a plaster and a shot of Banamine.  I gave her the shot and after twenty minutes, told Brittany, "Straddle her and hold her still.  She'll scream bloody murder, but hold her down."  I felt the leg.  Yes!  A very easy break to fix.  I pushed the bones back in place and wrapped the plaster around it.  Tulip bellowed and struggled, but Brittany did a good job of holding her down.

5 comments:

  1. what ever guys. luke

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  2. That's a real nice story. I'm waiting (stamp, stomp, scuffle) for part 2,3,4,5...
    Moldy

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  3. Hope you write more.

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  4. That was real decent. You going to be an author and a goat farmer? Stubby

    ReplyDelete