Our Ewe dropped her lamb last night. It's a ram lamb. Our first lamb for Matua Ranch. I was hoping for twins or triplets, but a single is better than none. Ewe and lamb are doing fine. Both were out of the under the porch shed and into the pen most part of the day. Haven't named the newborn Ram Lamb yet. I'll wait for a couple of days or weeks before I decide. He'll definitely be a great addition to our breeding stock. I'm still acquiring another intact ram and ewes from the Santiago Ranch.
I tied out both the goat doe and capone ram. Didn't want to have both of them cause safety issues with the newborn ram lamb. In a couple of days, I'll bring both back into the pen. That should be long enough for mother and lamb to bond. I'm pretty sure, the bond is strong between the two.
I picked up a Muscovy duck from a former student of mine in Santa Rita. It is all white with a patch of black on it's crown. It's my first rescued duck.
A week earlier, I acquired three new Muscovy ducklings to replace the first three ducklings that a rat killed. They are now in the pen with the Barred Rock, Silver Laced, Rhode Island Red, and Easter Egger chicks and pullets. All of them are doing really good. Unfortunately, we lost 18 chicks: Barred Rock and Silver Laced due to the weather, high humidity and heat after the passing typhoon. Before and during the typhoon, they were all doing fine. Two days after, whole bunch of them died. We have three and three left of the Barred Rock and Silver Laced chicks. Hopefully, I get a breeding pair out of both set of birds. That I'll just breed my flock locally instead of flying them in from Hawaii or the mainland.
The karabao herd started their second grazing rotation at the back ranch. Amazing how fast the grass grows after it's been grazed over by the herd. Finding nasty blood sucking bugs on the herd. Pretty sure the feral dogs, wild pig, and deer have something to do bringing those ticks and fleas into the Back Ranch. Definitely going to need Guinea Fowl to control the tick and flea population at the back ranch.
We have some new livestock coming in, the next couple of weeks and months. Twenty-four Buff Orpingtons and Americanas, Two goat does of Nubian/Boer Cross, an intact ram lamb, and two more karabaos...another toro and baka (bull and cow) to add to the herd.
Slowly growing, one day at a time.
Keep Smiling
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
2015 Ranch Update: Losses and Gains.
I've been busy since my last post, last year. A lot has happened since October, I resigned from the former company due to professional differences. Was teaching full time for awhile, then went on vacation to the Philippines in December 2014.
We had some major set backs prior to me leaving on vacation, during my vacation, and upon my return. We lost Lala, my karabao calf due to heat stress. She went down the day prior to my departure and died the day I left. A couple of days later, we lost the Ram. He was my breeder. Two of my free range Barred Rock hens went missing, not sure what happened to them. Upon my return, we lost one capone ram. My white drake was lost a couple of days after I returned. Someone had shot him.
Since I returned, I've been trying to get the rest of the animals healthy, including the dogs. It's now two months and all the remaining animals are back to their optimum healthy selves and the dogs too. We acquired some Muscovy ducklings and more Rhode Island Red, Easter Egger, Barred Rock, and Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicks. We have ordered Buff Orpington and Americana chicks from Hawaii, due on island in late April. I've ordered 4 more sheep, 1 ram and 3 ewes, from the sheep herder down south and purchasing more goats and another karabao cow.
Since we moved the karabao herd to the Back Ranch. They've been doing a lot better. They've grazed down a lot of the sword grass and jungle. That's helped me survey the ground a lot better. It's sad that the family property was destroyed by a relative, over rocks. The property can be rehabilitated with a lot of green and brown debris inputs. Most of the loose rocks will be stock piled, and then used to make rock walls along the property border or to divide paddocks for future grazing.
We have a lot of wildlife on the property. Deer, wild pig, birds, and the occasional feral boonie dog pack. I'll be harvesting some deer and wild pig soon. Feral boonie dogs have the shoot on sight, target of opportunity priority, on the ranch. I cannot risk transferring the sheep flock and goat herd to the Back Ranch until the feral dogs have been eliminated. The boonie dogs don't bother the karabaos. But you could hear them taking down a deer or wild pig deeper into the ranch.
There are a lot of illegal dump sites on the property. Haven't started to clean up, just surveying where they are at, as the karabaos eat the grass covering the trash. I'm going to have to put up a fence and gate to keep people out of the property. Once I get that done. Then I'll clean up all the trash and get rid of it properly. I'll have to inform the other families prior to putting up the fence and gate. I know who dumped the trash at the deep end of the ranch. The other trash along the ranch road was from the renters at the two houses at the front of the ranch. Now that I go in to check the herd daily at random times. They've stopped coming in.
One day soon, I'll be ranching with my family here on island. One day at a time.
KEEP SMILING!
We had some major set backs prior to me leaving on vacation, during my vacation, and upon my return. We lost Lala, my karabao calf due to heat stress. She went down the day prior to my departure and died the day I left. A couple of days later, we lost the Ram. He was my breeder. Two of my free range Barred Rock hens went missing, not sure what happened to them. Upon my return, we lost one capone ram. My white drake was lost a couple of days after I returned. Someone had shot him.
Since I returned, I've been trying to get the rest of the animals healthy, including the dogs. It's now two months and all the remaining animals are back to their optimum healthy selves and the dogs too. We acquired some Muscovy ducklings and more Rhode Island Red, Easter Egger, Barred Rock, and Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicks. We have ordered Buff Orpington and Americana chicks from Hawaii, due on island in late April. I've ordered 4 more sheep, 1 ram and 3 ewes, from the sheep herder down south and purchasing more goats and another karabao cow.
Since we moved the karabao herd to the Back Ranch. They've been doing a lot better. They've grazed down a lot of the sword grass and jungle. That's helped me survey the ground a lot better. It's sad that the family property was destroyed by a relative, over rocks. The property can be rehabilitated with a lot of green and brown debris inputs. Most of the loose rocks will be stock piled, and then used to make rock walls along the property border or to divide paddocks for future grazing.
We have a lot of wildlife on the property. Deer, wild pig, birds, and the occasional feral boonie dog pack. I'll be harvesting some deer and wild pig soon. Feral boonie dogs have the shoot on sight, target of opportunity priority, on the ranch. I cannot risk transferring the sheep flock and goat herd to the Back Ranch until the feral dogs have been eliminated. The boonie dogs don't bother the karabaos. But you could hear them taking down a deer or wild pig deeper into the ranch.
There are a lot of illegal dump sites on the property. Haven't started to clean up, just surveying where they are at, as the karabaos eat the grass covering the trash. I'm going to have to put up a fence and gate to keep people out of the property. Once I get that done. Then I'll clean up all the trash and get rid of it properly. I'll have to inform the other families prior to putting up the fence and gate. I know who dumped the trash at the deep end of the ranch. The other trash along the ranch road was from the renters at the two houses at the front of the ranch. Now that I go in to check the herd daily at random times. They've stopped coming in.
One day soon, I'll be ranching with my family here on island. One day at a time.
KEEP SMILING!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
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.
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.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Ranch Update: Tropical Storm Halong
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| 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
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
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:
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
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
Friday, July 4, 2014
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!
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!
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