Tragic ranch loss

A couple of days ago, tragedy struck the ranch.  I had returned to the ranch after teaching at the Guahan Academy Charter School in the afternoon.  Normally, all my chickens would be rushing to see me as I walked into the ranch area with their feed.  I didn't think much of it, at that moment.  I just figured they were foraging further south, on the south side.  As I came around the first fly pen, that's when I discovered the first hen.  The remnants of what was left of her, mostly feathers and other parts.  At the next fly pen, I was startled as I had almost stepped on a long brown tree snake on the path.  I jumped back waiting for it to move.  After I few seconds I prodded it.  Then I realized it was dead.  I decided that I was going to leave it where it laid and come back to dispose of it later.  After I had finished feeding the animals.  I discovered that hen #2 was 10 feet away from the dead snake by the water trough, same condition as the first hen.  Further down the trail underneath the wind fallen Annonas tree, the loud buzzing of the huge black flies showed me where hen #3 was hidden.  It was still intact but just as dead.  At the root ball of the wind fallen tree were only feathers of hen #4, nothing else.  I found hen #5 on top of the breeding pen. 

At first, I started to blame the puppies as I fed the two egg laying hens I had left.  I grabbed the white hen and put her in with the White Leghorn Rooster.  The hybrid RIR hen, I caught and put her with the RIR/White Leghorn Cross Rooster.  I'm going to have to start from square one to rebuild my egg laying flock.  I'm definitely going to have to order some chicks from Hawaii or CONUS. 

After I had finished feeding the pig and the surviving chickens.  I went to rotate the goat buck to another paddock.  From a distance, I saw him laying on the ground as if he was still sleeping.  I kept calling to him.  As I got closer, I noticed a large amount of flies on him.  Fly strike came to mind at first.  But as I go right up to him and noticed his condition.  He was gone too.  Looking him over a couple of times, I noticed that his right rear leg just above his hoof was really swollen. I suspected a Saligao (Guam Centipede) might of bitten him. 

In one day, we had lost 5 hens and 1 buck.  I suspected the puppies and saligao were the cause of our loss.  When I went to dispose of the snake.  I noticed a deep cut to the top of the head of that snake.  the snake was approximately 5 feet long and 2 inches in diameter and the thickest part of it's body.  It's tail was pointed making it, a male.  After sitting and thinking about what may have happened, I may have figured it out.

Confrontation

Woke up late this morning.  Missed morning service.  I was supposed to start going back this morning.  I'll try for next week.  Decided to just work the ranch and get some debris clean up done.  There are still lots of storm debris all over the ranch that needs to get cut, picked up, or moved out of the way.  Goat herd busy eating up the wind fallen leaves.   

I was working with the sheep flock moving them.  When Rex's barking caught my attention.  He was facing the road and had that snarling growling bark.  Then I heard chopping and voices on my side of the roadway as I quietly walked the trail closest to the road.  I decided to see who was out there.  It would be odd to see government workers clearing storm damaged trees on a Sunday, but not uncommon after a storm.  

As I walked out of the driveway, I noticed a guy across the road collecting coconut fronds, a ladder next to the three year coconut tree, and kids on the road.  That didn't bother me.  What bothered me was the guy on my side of the road, inside the property cutting coconut fronds off one of the trees.  That bothered me.  At that moment, I informed the young guy in the family property, that he is on private property and to get out.  The guy that was collecting coconut fronds, who is older than the younger guy, but younger than me, told the young guy to go ahead and cut the leaves.   That's when I walked closer and told them again, that they're going into private property and to leave.  He replied that their just cutting the leaves.  Then he asked if the younger guy may cut the leaves.  I said, No.   I told them to get out and stay on their side, meaning their side of the road.  

At the same time, as I was talking to them, I was thinking how I wished my dog, Duchess, was still here at my side.  She would wait right by my side, until I gave her the command, "Hit".  Then she would go for the closest guy to me, if he tried to attack me. 

After watching them for a minute or so, I walked back into the ranch and just observed them from behind the trees and brush.  After gathering up the coconut fronds that they had cut, they returned to their rental unit.  I realized that two of them had machetes of the four or five that were on the road.  I need to get my other ranch dog, Stormie, off her lead and back on rover duty.  

These guys forget that I still remember that it was them and their family that stole scores of ducks and chickens from my ranch a couple of years ago.  They even killed and ate my ranch dog, Shortie.  One of the best ranch dogs I had.  He was a really skilled and trained dog, right up there with my other ranch dogs: Lucky, Stormie, and Duchess.  Now all I have is Stormie.  

All they had to do before this confrontation happened, was ask.  That's all I'm asking for, is ask permission before you help yourself to anything on my and my family's properties.  I didn't need the coconut fronds.  There is a lot.  But they didn't ask.  And because of what happened the last time...I have to be adamant and say, NO, no more.  I will not make it convenient for you and your family just because my trees are close by. 

Ranch Update: Tropical Storm Halong

2014.07.30  Tropical Storm Halong

Went outside to check on the animals in the midst of this tropical storm.  Tropical Storm Halong is making it's closest approach to Guahan right about now (1217 hours ChSt).  It's passing 30 miles to the North of the island.  Lots of wind and rain, flooding in various parts of the ranch, but nothing that won't go away after this storm moves further north of the island and slams into Luta.  

Karabao herd is okay.  Had to untangle both of them and move them to more grass.  My son, Frenfren, would be upset knowing they're both in the rain and not dry in a pen.  Have to teach him that karabao's like the rain and water.  It's hard getting Gera, my toro (bull), out of his mud bath.  When I need to move him to greener grassier areas on the ranch.  He will stay in there until he is ready to get out.  Today, Gera and Lala are loving this weather.  They're out there in the storm eating greens. 

Goat herd and Sheep Flock are okay.  Both underneath the back porch staying dry.  My Goat herd don't like the rain, but the sheep don't mind it.  Since the sheep follow the goats, they're in their shelter.  I'll let them all out when the wind and rains dies down later.  

Poultry flocks are doing okay.  Birds were out earlier during a break in the rain, scrounging for bugs.  My free range chickens were seeking shelter at the leeward side of the base of the big trees.  Ducks were out facing the wind and rain, if they were not scrounging.  

Our wild pig, Bacon, is wallowing in his mud bath.  I'll have to move him and his pen tomorrow.  He's in a tractor pen that I move every month.  I'll have to get him a bigger tractor pen soon.  The one he's in since he was a piglet.  He's slowly outgrowing. 

My banana trees didn't fair well.  Almost all are down.  No fruit trees fell that I know of.  I'll know more tomorrow.  After I do a thorough check of the ranch.  There was one small brush along the driveway that fell over.  I'll cut that tomorrow and plant a Sineguellas tree there. 



Keep Smiling

Trying to save downed kid

One of my doelings a 3 month old kid named Kasi, went down a couple of days ago.  She was fine one day, then I noticed that she was walking slowly, not keeping up with the herd.  At first I thought she may have a heavy worm load.  But when I checked her eyes, and her droppings, she was fine.    I figured back then she maybe a bit under the weather.  But will bounce back as she usually does.  Next day, I noticed that she wasn't really browsing as she normally does but is only nibbling at the leaves.  However, when I put out the goat feed...she's chowing down on it.  Again, I was thrown off.  
Last Sunday, I found her laying in the shade next to the road in front of the house.  I carried her back to the house, and placed her on the back porch.  Thinking she may have a heavy worm load.  I have her a good dose of dewormer to help her out.  Next day, she was still down.  She was back to eating good, finishing off her feed ration and drinking water.  Again, I figured it may have been a heavy worm load.  Today, she was laid out.  Can't lift her head, moaning, and dehydrated.  I gave her another dose of dewormer on the opposite side of the first shot.  

This afternoon as I was tending to her.  She showed the exact signs of Jerry, our capone ram; my first herdsire, Gadao,  A big white Boer crossed buck; Pepsi, my ranch pitbull; She was not downed by a heavy worm load, but by a Cane Toad.  I suspected but was not sure until this afternoon.  The signs were all there:

• slowness or weakness
• whites of their eyes were still red
• paralyzed from neck down
• Able to still eat and drink at the beginning but unable to later on
• major weight loss, onset of dehydration
• labored breathing

There is no recovery from a Cane Toad poisoning.  It's a slow death for any animal.  If she survives the night, I'll have to put her down in the morning.  

The only animal I know that survived a Cane Toad poisoning is my ranch dog, Shortie.  He showed all the signs.  I was surprised when I saw him fighting back against the poison.  He did really good.  

I guess I was hoping that the doeling, Kasi, would fight back.  



ESTA

Ranch Update: Tropical Storm Neoguri (08) Wind Damage...not much more.

This morning at 0700 hours Tropical Storm Neoguri (08) passed the island of Guam at it's closest approach.  There was a lot of rain and wind that kept me from going outside to check on the ranch conditions.  When the wind did subside a couple of hours later.  Duchess, my ranch dog, and I ventured outside to get a look around.  

All the animals are fine.  They were just happy to see me with extra rations of their feed.  Not one of the pens lost their roof.  I'm surprised at that.  We have a lot of wind damage, lost some banana and papaya trees.  Other than that, All seems well.  I will not know for sure until I start the cleanup.  I'll do that tomorrow. 

Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day, for the USA.  Going to celebrate our 238th Birthday on a movie marathon.  All the animals are fine, sheltered, fed & watered, and the storm is moving away.  I'm heading out.  

Duchess has the Watch!

Lost some ducklings.

The other day, I was relishing the blessings of the ranch with Rhoda via long distance phone call.  Today, I am so disappointed in myself.  I neglected to release the ducklings from their feeder pen after they were done eating.  A feeder pen is similar to a creep, it keeps the small birds in, keeping out the other big birds and other large animals from getting the feed for the ducklings.  However this feeder pen didn't allow the ducklings to leave on their own.  I had to release them.  It's an up-cycled scratch pen. 

Today, when I got home from work.  I saw six of the ducklings waiting for me at the canopy with the 7 chicks.  It wasn't until I got to the poultry area that I saw my mistake.  6 of the other ducklings didn't get out of the feeder pen.  They were all stacked above each other on one corner.  I don't know if a small snake got to them or the heat of the morning and noon sun.  Either way, if I had released them after they ate their feed yesterday.  They would have been fine today.  

Costly mistake.  

Karabao Intentionally Injured.

Laceration is above my finger tips.  It's healing better now.  Looks a lot better than yesterday.

Yesterday, after I fed most of the animals, I went to feed, Gera, our karabao.  I brought his favorite flake of alfalfa hay for him.  Then I started to refill his water trough. I normally stay a bit after his trough is full to just take in the scenery.  As I looked at Gera's back, I noticed that there were a lot of flies on him.  A particular group of flies in a straight line, a long two spots on his back, caught my eye.  When I went up to brush them off, I noticed that Gera's back was cut.  I immediately washed him down with the water hose.  Then I went back to the house and grabbed some medications, particularly Hydrogen Peroxide and ointment.  I cleaned out Gera's wounds thoroughly, and then applied the ointment generously on the wounds.

As I was cleaning his wounds.  It was clear to me that his wounds were intentional.  There were multiple scratches in the area of the cuts, and majority of the scratches were on his left side of his body, almost none on the right.  The object could have been a dull knife or other object, the cut was not clean but jagged.  It was not deep either, only the first layer of skin was cut.  

Today, when I inspected the wounds.  It pretty much closed up and is healing good.  I'm glad that he is okay.  If I ever catch the person who did this.  May God help you.

Picking Up new Livestock: Ewe and Ducklings.

 It was an awesome day, today.  

This morning when I went I conducted my morning checks.  I noticed that 2 of my egg laying Rhode Island Red hens were missing.  I searched around the ranch in that Southern Area, but didn't find them.  I wasn't sure if they were sitting on eggs or went gallivanting into the tropical jungle. Then a third option fruited itself in my head.  Maybe they were stolen.  Hmmm...not sure.  I mean the dogs were barking really aggressively last night.  I passed if off as my dogs barking at the wild pig drove that usually comes into the ranch looking for something to eat.    But that thought of someone taking my birds did sink in.  

Earlier, I had moved Gera, our karabao, further into the jungle so that he'll help clear the undergrowth.  he's doing a pretty good job.  But we are supplementing his grazing with alfalfa hay.  I made sure to refill his water trough before I went back to the house.

After my morning checks and short chores, I headed out to the village of Humatak to pick up a proven ewe to upgrade my sheep flock.  The drive down was eventful.  Construction work on Route 8 in Maite, and another traffic work zone on Route 1, Marine Corps Drive right by Polaris Point, actually slowed traffic down causing a delay on my TOT (Time On Target).  As I drove into Humatak village I made sure I was going below 10 mph within the village proper.  Good thing I did, as there was funeral service going on at the village church.

At the Santiago Ranch, I helped Rick load the Ewe into the kennel and then unto the back of my truck.  He showed me a newborn ram lamb from last night with some type of deformity to his front legs.  It's probably genetic.  He asked me what I would do with the lamb.  Me, I would raise it up, then slaughter it at the appropriate time.  That's all he's good for, can't breed him due to his deformity.  Gotta cull him out.  I was able to see the intact ram lamb that I bought.  He is nice and white and growing fast for his age.  He'll be a month next week on the 6th.  He'll be down there for another month before we wean him out and take him to my ranch. 

On the way up North, I got mixed up in a funeral convoy from Mallesso Village.  That was some slow driving until we passed the construction site at Polaris Point.  From there, I was able to get into the fast lane and get out of there.  

 

I made another stop at the Cruz Ranch in Mangilao.  Where I met Vince for the first time.  I'm not sure if I'm related to them or not...might be...never know.  He does look familiar.  Anyway, I bought some ducklings from him.  They're Muscovey Ducks.  I used to raise muscoveys a couple of years ago and had well over a hundred ducks in my ranch flock.  Really good ducks...good eggs and meat.  Vince gave me a really good deal on the ducklings.  

I made one more stop before I got home to my ranch.  I got some materials and equipment at Guam Home Center.  One of my other favorite home improvement stores on island.  I bought some water hoses, sprinklers, collar for the ewe, and other materials for the ranch. Used all but two of them today before it got dark.  


Finally back at the ranch, I was able to get the Ewe off the truck with some coaxing and pulling on her lead after I got the collar around her neck.  Her son recognized her as I brought her close to the pen.  I let the goats out and left the gate open for them to go in and out.  The ram lambs couldn't decide if they were going to stay in or go out with the goats.  Their bonding with the female goats is a lot stronger than with their dam.  It'll take time to readjust back to the old ways.  We'll see tomorrow...how things are working out.  

The Ewe is taking things calmly.  She's not as stressed in the pen, as she was during the commute up North.  She was eating with the goats later on, not pushing around.  Things are going to be okay.  

One of the missing hens showed back up this evening, my red/black RIR hen. The Alpha hen.  This time I locked them all up in their coop.  Red is still missing. 

ESTA...

RUN, MIchael!!! RUN!!!

During our daily late afternoon feedings, my nephew Michael and I went to feed a flake of alfalfa hay to the karabao.  Michael carried the box container of hay to the karabao.  While I walked ahead to check on him.  When we got to the Kamias tree (Pickle Fruit Tree).  I told Michael to stop and wait right there by the tree, while I go and untangle, our karabao, Gera.  

As I cut numerous vines and branches to free the rope lead, I was speakig Chamoru to Gera.  Giving him certain commands in my native language so he doesn't make it too hard to untangle him.  Just before I cut the last couple of vines, I told Michael to put the flake of hay next to the drinking trough.  At that moment, Gera made one last hard pull to get to his hay.  

As we watched Gera eat, Michael was commenting that he wasn't afraid of Gera anymore, and that he would like to ride him one day.  I mentioned that he could ride him, when he was ready, and that he doesn't have to be afraid of the karabao. 

A bit later, Michael started calling Gera, a girl, a she.  I told him that Gera is a male, but he kept calling him, a girl.  When Michael walked closer while Gera was still eating.  Gera looked up and charged him to chase him away.  I've never seen Michael run, that fast.  I stepped between Gera and Michael and told Gera in Chamoru to stop.  Which he did and went back to eating.  

Then I started kasi'ing Michael for kasi'ing the karabao, "See you called him a girl and he chased you.  You shouldn't tease Gera.  He understands English and Chamoru.  Speak to him in Tagalog.  He doesn't know that yet".  

Michael:  "He knows English and Chamoru?"

Me: "Yes.  Why do you think he chased you?  You called him a girl.  Big bulls like Gera are sensitive.  Especially when you tease them about their masculinity." 

I was laughing to myself all the way back to the house.  ROFL...  Never saw Michael run that fast before. 


Note:  In reality, Gera didn't chase Michael because he called Gera a girl.  Gera doesn't know him well enough and thought Michael was trying to take his flake of hay.  Gera does understand English and Chamoru commands.  He is also learning some German. 

Future Caprine Workshop - MAYBE...

Matua Ranch's herd sire.

I was asked earlier today if I may conduct a workshop on how to raise goats on the island.  I tried to defer the person on the other end of the call to check out the Agriculture Extension Service at the university or talk with other ranchers on the island who have been doing this longer than I have.  But the caller would not consider those recommendations.  They have been there, done that already.  In fact, the caller was referred to me by some of the staff at the extension service.  


I did not commit to the request.  Towards the end of the call, I mentioned that I will consider it.  At the moment, I am currently busy with Safety Training Courses at the college and with my own clients, busy with work as a Site Safety Health Officer, and my own ranch.  As I write this post, I'm thinking to myself...how am I going to fit this into my schedule.  I know exactly what Rhoda will say...pray about it, lift it up.  

A lot of people think conducting a training course is easy...just get up there and talk.  That is not the case.  I have to do lots of research on how to raise goats on a tropical island.  Same as when I conduct a safety course.  I have to research the OSHA website, the Navy's Construction Safety website, check other sources to see if there are any updates on the topic or course that I will conduct.  If there are updates.  Then I will have to update my slide presentation and rehearse the presentation to bring those updates into the training smoothly. 

With my schedule the way it is now, it'll take approximately 2 months to do the research for this goat workshop.  Yes, I have lots of experiences raising goats and I can just talk about that.  However, I do want to give the best workshop to the potential clients, especially when there will be a cost to participate in the workshop.  


ESTA...


KEEP SMILING. 

Working the ranch with Michael.

Did some work on the ranch today.  I put the goat herd out and had them out on their leads along the side of the house.  They're slowly cleaning it up.  Our goat buck was there last week and did majority of the browsing work to clear up the place.  The buckling and doeling were placed along the trail.  

Readjusted the herd buck, Fluffy, and moved him South.  He'll be following the Karabao, two days later as I rotate them in the South Paddock.  The challenge is getting Gera the Karabao his daily water of 15 gallons with all the rocks in the way.  I'm definitely going to have to run waterlines in the South Paddock to make it a lot more convenient to work.  

During the morning chores, I harvested 6 eggs.  It looks like the hens are getting their rhythm  on and have settled down a lot.  That rainstorm last year really messed up their laying capacity.  Discovered that one of the hens was not laying in the nest box but outside by the perimeter guard dog.  I harvested those 8 eggs and added them to today's collection. 

After lunch, my nephew Michael came out from his cousin's house next door and asked if he can come into the ranch with me.  We got a nice fire going to help keep the mosquitoes away.  Then I started adjusting things here and moving thing there.  I showed Michael what type of wood to get for the fire to keep it burning.  He seemed to be enjoying himself with the fire and burning the tips of the sticks he finds.  He maybe another arsonist in the family, lighting fires or blowing things up.  I had him go back to the house to fetch some newspapers to help light up the fire.  When he got back, I had him stuff newspapers on the leeward side of fire pit, in between the firewood.  I did the same on the windward side.  While he wasn't looking.  I took out the lighter and lit the newspaper and returned the lighter to my pocket.  Michael looked up from his side of the fire stack and exclaimed how did I do that?  I told him that I just snapped my fingers and there was fire.  LOL...he tried doing it. 

I did some upgrades in the ranch while the fire was burning.  To protect the ground feeders from the weather, I retrieved two sheets of roofing tin to cover them, making a makeshift lean-to against a tree.  Then placing the feeders underneath the makeshift lean-to's.  That'll work for the mean time. 

Michael was concerned that the roosters were beating up the hens by pulling their head feathers and getting behind them.  I told him, the birds are having sex.  He asked why so rough.  That's how they like I replied back. 

The fire embers got Michael's attention again.  As he was busy playing around the fire.  I went and collected the firewood that I cut months ago and stacked them on one side of a small tree.  There are a lot of felled trees that I need to cut up into firewood lengths and stack them for future barbecues. 

While I was stacking up the firewood.  Michael went wondering about and discovered my live worm bin.  He thought he discovered it on the ranch.  He asked what was inside.  I told him to go look.  And exploring he went.  When he came back.  I asked what was inside.  He said, lots of feathers, wool, and looks like a goat's head.  Also, lots of flies.   He asked why is that on the ranch.  I explained that was where we put the dead animals from the ranch.  We recycle their carcasses into the bin.  He asked how does that happen.  So I had to explain to him that when the animals die for whatever reason.  I put their carcasses in there.  Later the flies will lay their eggs on the bodies and within a day the fly eggs will hatch into maggot larva and start feasting on the carcass.  Some of those maggots will find the drilled out holes at the bottom and sides of the bin and will crawl through it.  On the other side waiting are the poultry.  My Rhode Island Reds, Guinea Fowl, Jungle Fowl all devouring their maggot treats.  This gives my birds the protein they need to sustain them.  So we're doing our part to recycle the circle of life. 

Discovered the wild pig grove are visiting at night again.  They devoured some taro roots.  Will have to make time to go hunting to cull out the drove. 


ESTA


KEEP SMILING 

Getting Better

 

Worked the ranch today. 

Got up early, ate some really runny eggs, had chocolate to chase that down, then out the door to check on the animals.  Normally, the does and ram will be outside in the pen's yard doing their thing.  Today, they preferred to stay in the pen, which is situated underneath the back porch.  They did come out to browse for awhile.  Then went back in.  It maybe the weather since we're supposed to have a rain storm coming.  NOAA Guam states that Tropical Storm Faxia will move North, missing Guahan.  If they don't eat their feed tomorrow.  I'll go ahead and give each of them a dewormer shot, just to be safe. 

I opened the gate to the pen and left it open for them to go in and out as they pleased.  The two kids came out and started exploring their new surroundings.  I put a collar on the doeling.  I picked up both the doeling and buckling to look at them closely.  From their teeth and other physical attributes, they're about less than 2 months old, or right at 2 months.  The horn buds on the buckling is about right for a 2 month old.  The doeling has yet to have her horn buds breakout.  These two kids were weaned to early.  I'm going to have to give them milk bottles to compensate for their loss nutrition. 

I relocated the toro (buck) closer to the house to have him clean up the area.  Once he's done with that.  I'll fence it off and put my garden there.  I trimmed back a lot of the over grown plants close to the house.  The two kids came over and helped clean up the area a bit, just munching on anything they saw, or what I cut or pulled down. 

At the chicken's area, I fixed up some of the blown off roofing tin from the fly pens.  Was able to put them back to the pens that they flew off from.  Today, the chickens got some rice with a mix of grain.  I noticed that they are eating less of the grain and constantly scratching and looking for other goodies amongst the grass.  Which means less feed to purchase from the feed stores in the future. 

Our egg layers have been laying eggs for a while now.  But never at the level that they were laying when we first acquired the lot, last year.  We're currently averaging 3 eggs per day.  That's not bad for family consumption of table eggs.  Unlike last year when we were getting 8 eggs per day.  I was hoping for more eggs.  So I'll be able to sell the surplus to potential customers.  Looks like I'll have to wait until the new egg layers from Hawaii come in to help bring up the egg count.

Worked with the karabao today.  Gera is doing okay.  The grass up here is not helping him though.  The alfalfa hay is helping to supplement the nutrition he needs.  I'll have to get more alfalfa bales and cubes for him.  He likes the cubes a lot.  There is no waste unlike the flakes from the bales.  Trying to get his mass and weight back up.  I may have to do some cut and carry method, for awhile, until I move him to the back ranch.  Trying to avoid moving him to the back ranch until the access way is open.  Don't like the idea of crossing a relative's property to get to mine, even if there is approval to do so.  Don't need the gossip.   

I will replace his lead this week.  The one he has is unraveling due to the constant twisting.  Even with a swivel to keep the rope from twisting to bad, Gera finds a way to do so.  The current rope lead will hold for a couple of days.  But we'll probably change it out tomorrow or Wednesday.  

I do have to admit that the ranch is looking a lot better than last year.  When I restarted the ranch operation after a long break.  Just some housekeeping, waste management, and operations management to tweak to make it better for me and the animals. 


ESTA


KEEP SMILING

New kids on the ranch.

Buckling - White kid.  Doeling - Brown with white. 

Acquired two weaned kids from Quan Ranch this afternoon, a doeling and buckling. I'm estimating their ages to be approximately 2 - 3 months.  The buckling is really tame.  While the doeling is a bit skittish.

Learned that the line is from another ranch who i deal with occasionally.   I know the Rancher and the herd from where these kids originally came from.  Good stock from that ranch.

We'll see how these two kids fair with the does in the next week.  Then I'll introduce them to the herd buck.


ESTA

KEEP SMILING.

Ranch Update: 2.23.14

Have not posted any updates regarding the ranch since before and after my vacation in December 2013.  I've been preoccupied with other areas of my career.  It wasn't easy trying to tackle each one.  But now, I have it somewhat under control.  We'll see how long that lasts.  

I've been slowly working up the ranch with, my niece, Arissa's help.  It's not easy working a full time job as a Site Safety & Health Officer, teaching full time at the college, and managing a part time ranch.  Something will give, and it's usually the one that's given the less time.  But, we've reprioritized. and the ranch is now our main priority.  We're hoping to start getting some products out to make this ranch sustainable on it's own.  

Anyway, since I've been back from vacation.  I learned that one of my sheep rams died due to fly strike.  It was the white one, Tom.  Since he moved up from the South, he's been like that though.  It was sad to learn of his passing.  The brown ram is doing a lot better.  Has always been doing better the his brother since the move last year.  It's still a discovery period with the sheep.  Learning new things about them everyday. 

Our karabao lost some mass while I was gone on vacation.  So getting him back up to re-gain the weight was a challenge.   A lot of it was due to the forage we have on the ranch.  Not much protein to provide him with what he needs to stay fit.  So we've been supplementing Alfalfa Hay, since before I went on vacation.  It helps, but it's still not enough.  We've raised his hay intake up from 10 lbs to 20 lbs, to help supplement his diet.  That seemed to work.  I've also been relocating and replanting some grass with high protein around the cleared areas of the ranch.  Hopefully, this will help improve the grass forage within the ranch area.  Yes, Gera our karabao is on rotation through the different paddocks that I've identified on the ranch. 

Several of my ranch followers, I guess you can say...potential clients, has been asking me to expand my chicken operation to sell farm fresh eggs.  There is a demand out there on the island.  I do have a flock of Rhode Island Red Egg layers that I acquired from another rancher last year, around August.   Even with the hens I have.  I don't have that increased number to properly meet the demands from the market.  I've done this before with Muscovy Ducks.   I was told, "Raise them, and I'll buy it".  So I raised over a hundred ducks and drakes for this supposed roasting duck market.  It turned out to be a flop.  I will not let that happen to my ranch again, especially to the animals.  You can only feed so much on a fixed budget.  

From personal experience, We, at Matua Ranch, will go slow.  We'll build up slowly to properly raise the best egg layers we have on the ranch.  We will follow a manageable breeding plan to breed, hatch out, and raise the best chicks for our region.  So in the future, we will be able to sell meat products due to our high culling rate.  

I just read a post from a part time chicken farmer on island.  He posted on one of the Facebook Groups that I'm subscribed to.  He is having issues meeting demand and fuel costs.  If he doesn't get it under control.  He's going to start taking short cuts to meet his market's demand.  I've met to many farmers, who start up good, only to go under, because their market demand was to high to manage.  

During my Monday Safety Briefs at work, I always tell my work crews, "Go Slow, Go Smooth, Gets you Fast.  When you work slow...you're actually working smooth.  Then smooth gets you fast.  When you work fast, you get into an accident, then work stops...production stops".  


ESTA


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