Free. My favorite four letter word.

A neighbor let me hack away at her giant cow tongue cactus. I got 15 paddles. These grow/ root very easily. You basically just stick them in some dirt and pour a little root stimulator on it -wham! 15 new plants!

Thank you neighbor!

New chicken run

I finally got the new chicken run built! It isn't very fancy, and there are still some things that need to be done, but the bird are much happier with just over double the space they shared before.

I got all the chickens and ducks moved, except three. The old.chicken run is now the pig pen. The potties seem to be enjoying their larger space as well and don't seem to mind sharing with the three chickens that got left behind.  I realize whatever eggs get layer in There are probably going to end up pig chow but that's Okay.

The goats pen is smaller now though. That too, doesn't seem to be an issue since we have 3 less goats than when we moved in.

All in all, I think everyone is happy.

Goat milk does the body good.

This week I've skimmed cream off of a weeks worth of milk to make butter.  I've made raw cottage cheese using white vinegar instead of rennet and now I'm setting milk out to clabber to use as feed for the flock.

Lucy is only giving me about one 1 1/2 pints in the morning and I'm not milking consistently at night because she's still nursing. If I notice one side of her big beautiful udder is in need of a quick milk out ( from her remaining only liking her right side) then I'll do that in the evening and I get about a cup.  Even with a nursing kid, she's giving us about One quart a day. This is her second freshening.

I'm very proud of Lucy! She's been such a good girl. I can't wait until the fall when we breed Supermodel. She's going to be a touchy though. I'll have to start working with her sooner rather than later. She is so kicky and bratty Just from doing her feet.

A note on nigerian goats

<p>There are some misconceptions about the adorable little Nigerian dwarf dairy goat. If you love alone or there are only two of you and you aren't a big enjoyed of dairy, than yes, a nigis is perfect for you. However if you love your dairy or have a family, they just wont cut it.</p>
<p>There are some perks however. They aren't as hard in fencing as the larger breeds. Also, they can ne bred year round so you can stagger a couple does and have fresh milk 365 days a year!</p>

So it comes down to if you want to milk 3 or 4 goats at a time. Or 1 or 2. Lover would like to get out of nigis and stick with the big guys. I would still like to keep a mini around for off season milk from the bigger gals. I'm currently researching if the mini crosses with nigis can breed year round.  We shall see.