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...
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