Yearling bull 8265 It has been a little while since I've updated the Ranchland News, so I wanted to take some time this morning while it's quiet to write one and update all of you on our lives here at the ranch. It is most definitely summer here and it has been a very good start for us. The weather has been perfect for good grass and the top of the divide where we live is lush green. It's always very nice here this time of year, but with the combination of abundant rainfall and warmer than normal temperatures, the grass is emerald green and growing well. I never really concerned myself with grass growth other than as a gauge for mowing the lawn...now, it means the difference between lafe and death for us at least in terms of the cow herd. Needless to say, I pay close attention to each rainfall and forecast like only someone who's livelihood depends on it can understand. In fact, I've become something of a junior meterologist. Need to know the current weather or forecast in Colorado? Just give me a call.
With all the grass this spring, we have moved the cows across the road to the 120 acre pasture at my in-laws for the summer. We bred them May 19th and are hoping for good conception but Gosar the Destructor is out with them now to clean up after seven months of forced celibacy and much happier for it. He always seems relieved in the fall to be locked up in solitary confinement, but gets restless in the spring. This year as we were synchronizing the cow's heat cycles he got a little destructive and broke through his fence, so he spent the last few days of the breeding season locked in the barn, much to his chagrin. His name is still very fitting. He's very gentle, but he's got strength beyond comprehension... Anyway, when he was finally out, I don't think I've ever seen an animal more pleased with himself. So, now the cows are out on their big summer pasture and seem to be enjoying it a great deal. We are down to just a handful of animals on our side of the ranch now and I have to tell you, it's very nice to give our pastures and our staff (me) a little break. We have just two horses, three beef heifer calves and two alpacas here now, down from more than 30 just two weeks ago. It's sometimes tough to find the animals now that there are so few. It's a lot easier for them to hide now.
So, now that things have quieted down some, I have started the spring project list. There's always a lot of cleanup here after winter winds down, but there seems to be a lot more than normal this year. Part of that is the size of the cowherd....more cows equals more damage... but that's just part of the territory. I've also taken on a couple of larger projects, including building a new chicken coop for our expanding flock. We purchased another 10 laying hens this year as day-old chicks and they have been living in a small room off the garage for quite awhile. They are now at the point where they need to go outside. But, the rest of the hens need to be kept separate until the young ones get a little older. So, as a result, I have been constructing the newly dubbed Chicken Taj Mahal in the old homestead barn....formerly known as the Hantavirus Barn. Now, before any of you panic...I assure you there's no Hantavirus in there, or at least I am 90 percent certain there isn't. After two weeks of working in there the only hazards I've come across have been of my own making. Needless to say, construction is not my forte. So, I am pretty proud of the new hut.
The barn was originally built around the turn of the century and has just been sitting unoccupied for years...mostly due to it's name, so I decided it was a perfect new home for our chickens. I've built new walls for the pen, put in new nest boxes and roosts and by the end of the day should have the new outdoor run constructed for them. It's going to be a pretty nice shack when it's all done. Plus Amy and Wyatt like it, so that's an added bonus.
Speaking of Amy and Wyatt, they are enjoying summer vacation now. Amy finished school last Wednesday and is looking forward to the break. They have lots of activities planned and have started out doing a little gardening. I think that swimming lessons may also be on the to-do list this year for the little guy. In the meantime, he has a brand new fancy life jacket to keep him safe around the water. He and I went last week to get him a new fishing pole and tackle for the kid's fishing derby at Palmer Lake next weekend. It's his first time fishing, so he's very excited about it. I'm hopeful that there are enough trout stocked in the lake that there is a little action to keep him occupied. I am not sure that bobber watching will hold his attention for more than a couple minutes if it's slow. I'll post pictures soon though if we manage to catch anything.
We also have a camper now, we've joined the ranks of weekend RV families, so we're hoping to squeeze in a few weekend camping trips this summer. We found a very nice, gently used pop-up camper on CraigsList and have got it all outfitted and ready to go. We are very excited about the chance to go out as soon as the weather in the high country warms up a little. I think that the second or third weekend in June will be our first outing and we are very excited for it.
Needless to say, we've got lots going on this summer and a great deal to look forward to....as soon as the Taj Mahal is complete. Speaking of which, my construction buddy is already outside calling my name, so I'll leave you with that. We hope this letter finds you doing well, wherever you may be.
Best wishes from all of us in ranchland.
With all the grass this spring, we have moved the cows across the road to the 120 acre pasture at my in-laws for the summer. We bred them May 19th and are hoping for good conception but Gosar the Destructor is out with them now to clean up after seven months of forced celibacy and much happier for it. He always seems relieved in the fall to be locked up in solitary confinement, but gets restless in the spring. This year as we were synchronizing the cow's heat cycles he got a little destructive and broke through his fence, so he spent the last few days of the breeding season locked in the barn, much to his chagrin. His name is still very fitting. He's very gentle, but he's got strength beyond comprehension... Anyway, when he was finally out, I don't think I've ever seen an animal more pleased with himself. So, now the cows are out on their big summer pasture and seem to be enjoying it a great deal. We are down to just a handful of animals on our side of the ranch now and I have to tell you, it's very nice to give our pastures and our staff (me) a little break. We have just two horses, three beef heifer calves and two alpacas here now, down from more than 30 just two weeks ago. It's sometimes tough to find the animals now that there are so few. It's a lot easier for them to hide now.
So, now that things have quieted down some, I have started the spring project list. There's always a lot of cleanup here after winter winds down, but there seems to be a lot more than normal this year. Part of that is the size of the cowherd....more cows equals more damage... but that's just part of the territory. I've also taken on a couple of larger projects, including building a new chicken coop for our expanding flock. We purchased another 10 laying hens this year as day-old chicks and they have been living in a small room off the garage for quite awhile. They are now at the point where they need to go outside. But, the rest of the hens need to be kept separate until the young ones get a little older. So, as a result, I have been constructing the newly dubbed Chicken Taj Mahal in the old homestead barn....formerly known as the Hantavirus Barn. Now, before any of you panic...I assure you there's no Hantavirus in there, or at least I am 90 percent certain there isn't. After two weeks of working in there the only hazards I've come across have been of my own making. Needless to say, construction is not my forte. So, I am pretty proud of the new hut.
The barn was originally built around the turn of the century and has just been sitting unoccupied for years...mostly due to it's name, so I decided it was a perfect new home for our chickens. I've built new walls for the pen, put in new nest boxes and roosts and by the end of the day should have the new outdoor run constructed for them. It's going to be a pretty nice shack when it's all done. Plus Amy and Wyatt like it, so that's an added bonus.
Speaking of Amy and Wyatt, they are enjoying summer vacation now. Amy finished school last Wednesday and is looking forward to the break. They have lots of activities planned and have started out doing a little gardening. I think that swimming lessons may also be on the to-do list this year for the little guy. In the meantime, he has a brand new fancy life jacket to keep him safe around the water. He and I went last week to get him a new fishing pole and tackle for the kid's fishing derby at Palmer Lake next weekend. It's his first time fishing, so he's very excited about it. I'm hopeful that there are enough trout stocked in the lake that there is a little action to keep him occupied. I am not sure that bobber watching will hold his attention for more than a couple minutes if it's slow. I'll post pictures soon though if we manage to catch anything.
We also have a camper now, we've joined the ranks of weekend RV families, so we're hoping to squeeze in a few weekend camping trips this summer. We found a very nice, gently used pop-up camper on CraigsList and have got it all outfitted and ready to go. We are very excited about the chance to go out as soon as the weather in the high country warms up a little. I think that the second or third weekend in June will be our first outing and we are very excited for it.
Needless to say, we've got lots going on this summer and a great deal to look forward to....as soon as the Taj Mahal is complete. Speaking of which, my construction buddy is already outside calling my name, so I'll leave you with that. We hope this letter finds you doing well, wherever you may be.
Best wishes from all of us in ranchland.
