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\r\n Lambs–the first sign of Spring!<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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When St. Patrick\u2019s Day is near, you know it\u2019s lambing time! We usually start welcoming the first babies of Spring in mid-March, and soon the pasture at the Settler\u2019s Cabin is filled with bouncing, playing lambs. Our Shetland sheep usually have twins, and they\u2019re wonderful mamas. Shetlands are unusual because they come in all different colors, but most of their lambs are born black. After a couple of months they start to change color and may end up cream, red-brown, silver\u2014or even black.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n Lamb rescue<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Sometimes a lamb will get separated from its mama and we have to come to the rescue. This little fella, about two days old, had rolled under the fence and couldn\u2019t figure how to get back. We helped make a happy reunion.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n Spring plowing – getting ready to plant potatoes<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Late March is the time for early planting\u2014potatoes, greens, and onions. But first we plow the ground that\u2019s been resting all winter, and chuck out our biggest \u201ccrop\u201d\u2014mountain rocks\u2014from the furrows. Come April we\u2019ll get in some more early planting, lettuce and peas, and the asparagus will start shooting up\u2014a happy day! Here in the mountains, the more tender plants will wait for Mother\u2019s Day for planting, since there\u2019s always a chance of freeze until mid-May.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n Tulips and daffodils bring in April<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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After lambing time it\u2019s flower time! Tulips and daffodils are everywhere, and the woods are full of early wildflowers. Hens are setting on eggs, and before long we\u2019ll have chicks everywhere too.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n Goat babies!<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Our goats start kidding toward the end of April, and babies keep coming until nearly June. With their knobby legs, sweet expression, and incredibly long ears, there\u2019s nothing so cute as a baby goat. And best of all, they love to be cuddled!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n At nesting time, sometimes everybody wants the same nest<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Our free range hens\u2014and guineas, and ducks\u2014lay their eggs wherever they think looks like a good spot. Unfortunately, sometimes other folks think it\u2019s a good spot too! Not much of a problem until the time comes for setting on the eggs. Every now and then we have a \u201cbattle for the nest\u201d, with three or four mamas all trying to set on the same nest. Here\u2019s a battle royal with a Buff Orpington hen, an Old English Bantam, and a Guinea all setting together.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n Merlin helps out Mama Hen<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Sometimes it\u2019s not just poultry that sets on the eggs. Here\u2019s Merlin the barn cat giving Black Hen a break from setting.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n Spring kittens in the barn<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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A barn always needs barn cats, and Spring brings a new crop of kittens. When they get about this size their mama starts bringing in mice to help them learn their job. Later, through the summer, they\u2019ll delight our visitors with their friendly ways. They spend a lot of time being carried around!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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\r\n First pond for ducklings!<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Spring means baby ducks too, with proud mamas leading their babies all in a line. We provide tiny \u201cwading pools\u201d for the ducklings to try out their swimming skills before Mama takes them to the creeks and ponds.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>","max_pages":9}