The icy weather is beginning to melt off now. After the weeks long deep freeze and the snow and ice storms the sun is finally beginning to shine. As I write the sun gleaming off the ice in the tree outside my office window is blinding. YIPPEE!
We have had quite a bit of difficulty at the farm as a result of the weather. Having the flu has made it even harder. I even have some frozen water buckets. Everything was working, now its not. Time to bundle up and head into the out of doors again and dig out the electric connections to the water buckets and figure out the problem. I suspect we may have some moisture in a connection.
The alpacas have managed well through this unseasonably cold period. I think they are also tired of the snow and ice though. The babies played in it in the beginning, but once it became ice crusted they lost interest. Fortunately the baby with pneumonia recovered before the deep freeze began. I am happy to report that he is doing very well.
I think this has been toughest on the nursing moms. I can tell that they have had a bit of weight loss over the last couple of weeks. Keeping up with nourishing their own bodies, producing milk and keeping their own body temps up takes a lot of energy. I have been giving grain in the evening to help them to produce more internal heat while digesting their grain and chewing cuds. I think it helps. I believe I will find something to add to their feed to increase the caloric intake. I have used sugar beet pulp in the past. I think I will pick some up.
If you have any ideas be sure to email me through the website.
Stay warm,
Cheri |
