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...