Circle M Farm

It is odd how ecstasy has no x. Anyway –
The barely-started month of May continues to have its extreme ups and downs here at Circle M. continued »

Yesterday’s sunny warm weather made a world of difference for the young animals and for my mental state. continued »

Here are some adorable scenes in the life of the pigs these past few days. continued »

Well, the anxiety continues here at our sad, cold little farm. Tonight the temperature is to plunge below freezing in the valley, dealing yet another blow to our makeshift efforts to protect the new piglets from becoming dangerously chilled. As a last ditch and somewhat dangerous attempt to get them through, we’ve hung two heat lamps in the shelter and draped a tarp over half of the entrance. I am, frankly, exhausted with the worry and disappointment and late nights and early mornings midwifing this litter has entailed. I feel sick second-guessing our timing with the breeding. And today when I stopped for a moment to notice how pretty every building and paddock looked in the late afternoon sun, I dissolved into tears. If only the weather had been more gentle! continued »

The kids and I stealthily snatched up all of the babies from Piggy Lou’s teats tonight and tucked them, before they set up squealing, in a laundry bucket. Then, while Piggy Lou was still just confused about where the babies had gone, we debated the relative merits of taking them in the house for the night or somehow getting shelter and heat over them out in the middle of the garden. continued »

Five on the ground. One in the house. More to come? continued »

Thank goodness, Piggy Lou has put off pigging for another day at least. Unless she delivers tonight… continued »

Our voluptuous sow, Piggy Lou, is due to pig today, but I’m praying she holds on for a few days more. continued »

Last night just at dusk, little Lena, a yearling ewe, quietly sneaked off behind the barn to give birth to a single sweet tiny ram. When I came upon them during my evening check of the animals, he was curled up, dry and clean in the bright new grass like a delicate porcelain figurine, with Lena hovering on guard beside him. They made such a darling picture, all alone in an intimate circle of new motherhood, that I involuntarily gasped in wonder. continued »

Spring on a homestead typically involves growth in all directions at once. Now our chicken flock has grown. By 50. Thanks to the US Postal Service and Murray McMurray Hatchery in Iowa, we’ve got buckets of adorable peeps in front of the woodstove this morning. Which means none of us will get any sleep around here for a little while. continued »