Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of you. My wish is that the New Year brings you lots of happiness and joy. May God shower his abundant blessings upon you all year round. 

Green!

The other day when I took pics of our Anatolian Shepherd pups, I noticed some this green stuff sprouting all over.

It looks like the clover is back for another year.  It feels like Christmas to me every year when I see it.  I had to take pics to show Shane.  This field was planted several years ago and each year it has re-seeded it self and sprouts in the late fall.  So glad to see the green! I'm sure the goats, cows, and horses will be even more glad than I am :)

Warning! Cute Puppy Pictures Overload!

I had a moment this afternoon to get out with my camera and just enjoy the fresh air while snapping photos. No other chore was pressing at me.....so I must confess this afternoon was heavenly. We have a litter of pups out of Sinbad and LuLu that are about 8 weeks old, so I thought it would be fun to try to capture some of them in photos. I must confess, I not only aimed the camera and pushed the buttons.....I also got a little puppy loving too :)

I was greeted at the gate like I was an intruder.  Big bad pups on guard ;)  

After realizing it was only me coming into their pasture, they chilled out a little. 

This one kept his eyes on me most of the time.

Just look at that little face!  It is very hard to focus on the pups, let alone manage to get one to look towards the camera.  I was glad to see that some of thepictures turned out halfway decent.  I am no professional, but I'm proud that you can at least tell what my subject is.

Yes, this pup is dirty from tousling with its siblings in the dirt, but that sideways look is too cute not to share. 

The pup on the left isn't so sure of my camera.  He barked at it when I got down closer to them. 

Still not so sure!

This little guy looks deep in thought!  He is super spunky.  I noticed he went from sibling to sibling trying to pick a wrestling match with any of them willing to go along.

I ended up sitting down on the ground to get more on their level and this little girl came and crawled in my lap.  She made herself quite comfy and stayed so long I ended up just snapping her photo while in my lap.  She was very laid back.  Maybe....... just maybe I can convince Shane that she would be a perfect inside dog ;) However, I doubt that will ever happen!

She found a comfy place to lounge

A little rough-housing with each other

This one found a good chew toy

I hope you didn't mind all of the puppy pics.  I was really having a hard time figuring out which ones to post, so I posted most of them.  I sure hope y'all have a great rest of the week!

Strip Grazing and Rambling

I took this picture with my phone while I was out in one of our pastures this afternoon.  We move this strand of electric fence every day to give the cows summer grass that's stockpiled.  I can't figure out how to post it other than at the bottom of this page, so you'll eventually see it beyond all of my ramblings. 

I had posted it to our farm Facebook page and Instagram. Shane pointed out that I could share it with my blog readers, since it seems as though the blog has been dropped off of my to-do list lately.  I apologize. It's not the best picture, but it shows we're still chugging along in our farming endeavor. I've been kinda busy since I started homeschooling both of our kiddos......oh.....wait..........I didn't tell you that I've been homeschooling a 5th grader and a 2nd grader yet?  We're getting ready to finish the first semester!  I'll have to save all of that for another post. I'm actually kicked back in my bed right this moment putting together this post on my phone to my few faithful readers. I appreciate that you still stop by every now and then to see if I've updated the blog. One of these days I just might get back with the program. 

God bless and have a great rest of the week!!!

A Chip Off The Ol' Rock

Lil' Rock, our very first horse to be born on the farm, had his 2nd birthday several weeks ago. We've always called him Lil' Rock....because his daddy's name was Rocky.  However, he had to have a different registered name, so his registered name is A Chip Off The Ol Rock.  I just love horse's registered names.  Although I have no idea about any of the bloodlines.  Some people get real creative with them. 

I still remember the morning he was born.  I had been instructed by my dear husband to get my hands on him as soon as he was born.  We'd read of the theory of "imprinting" them.  His mother Dixie wasn't too sure about me messing with him, but I can remember petting all over him before he'd even had the chance to dry off.

newborn Lil' Rock

Since he's the first horse that was born here, I'm not absolutely certain that handling him affected his disposition.  I can tell you that he is very gentle and laid back.  He doesn't have any sort of attitude issue like some of the other horses that we have owned or currently own. He has had to learn to stay out of our "personal space".  He did have the tendency to want to be right next to you; touching you.  He was corrected a few times and quickly learned his place isn't right on top of you.  

We've enjoyed getting to watch him grow and give him plenty of love.  We had him leading on a rope within his first few months of his life.  He was always a quick learner, and still is to this day. 

About 1 year old

He's turned out to be a really nice looking horse too.  He's still intact; Shane wants to breed him to his half sister that we got last year.  I personally don't want him being the stud around here.  Horses are just so......well..... if you recall the last time we had a stud here on our farm it made me a little more than uncomfortable.  Anyhoo, Shane wants to really concentrate the genetics of their sire, so he's hoping for an even greater horse than Lil' Rock and his sister.  We shall see how that one goes :)

Shane is the only one that is riding him now, due to the fact that I am a big fraidy cat.  I've been riding his mother, Dixie.  She is really a great horse.  A little stubborn, as in wanting to go back to the pasture with the other horses rather than being ridden.  I'm not a dominating person, and I know that if I want it to work out with her, I have to make her do what I want.....not what she wants.....kinda hard for me, but I'm working on that.....a little.

Also speaking of celebrating birthdays, this girl right here celebrated another one already!  It is so hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  Where does the time go?

Anatolian Shepherd Pups For Sale

Now is the time to be thinking about whether or not your livestock is protected from predators out in the pastures.  I feel so sick when I hear about someone that has lost the majority, if not all of their herd overnight due to a predator attack.  We are able to sleep at night knowing that our animals are very well protected by our Anatolians from the predators lurking along the fenceline. They are the most amazing animal I've ever seen.  The guarding instincts of these dogs  is amazing!  Don't leave your herd unprotected another day or wait until it's too late.......

We have four 5 month old Anatolian Shepherd pups out of Sinbad and Cheyenne for sale.  You can click here to go to our website for more information and photos on our LGD's.  There are 2 males and 2 females available.  They have been with our main doe herd in a forty acre pasture along with both parents guarding the goats and cattle.  

They have been exposed to horses too.

These pups were born and raised out in the pasture.  We usually try a absolute hands-off approach, but we've noticed some the pups will grow to be a little uninterested in having any human contact....which we don't mind too much.   We've had some customers that really don't like this behavior. They want a more hands-on approach.  With this litter we have been having more contact with them out in the pasture due to that.

Cheyenne and pup trying to figure out what I'm doing.

I also wanted to share some photos that I'd found on my computer that are more recent of Sinbad and Cheyenne. 

Sinbad

One of my favorites of him

Sinbad's registration papers

Cheyenne

Cheyenne's registration papers

The pups have been vaccinated with a 5 way vaccine and also have received their follow up booster. They are dewormed on a regular schedule as well. If you are interested you can leave a comment below or email us @ deepsouthkikos@yahoo.com. You can also call or text the cell number that is listed on the contact page on our website found here.  We may be able to offer delivery.  Just contact us for more information. 

Our Trip To Fulmer's

Back during the summer, we had one of our Mississippi Farm Bureau Women's regional meeting at Fulmer's in New Augusta. What a treat it was! Fulmer's is the home to the big MS Pecan Festival every year in September.  We were able to get a tour of the old homes and the antiques from days gone by that have been relocated to the Fulmer's homestead. 

Farm Bureau Women From Region 7

It had rained quite a bit the days before our tour, so it was somewhat muddy.  That didn't lessen the experience at all though.  It was cloudy too, so it enabled us to keep somewhat cooler from the usual heat and humidity that we encounter here in the deep south.

They had chickens, turkeys, and guineas roaming about.  They even had a few goats too.  The kids were interested in seeing if they had any kikos out in their goat pasture.  They did have one that appeared to have a touch of kiko influence.  You just never really know.

checking out their goats

Right before we settled down to enjoy a delicious down home cooked lunch, we were able to see their draft horses up close.  Then we were able to see them get hooked up to a wagon.

The horses were amazing!

I don't know if it's obvious, but that little girl in the picture below couldn't wait to see the horses. 

How nice it was for them to let her get up close to pet them.  That made her day.  She later told me that we needed to get some horses just like the ones we saw that day.  I don't think we're quite ready for that :)

If you're ever over that way in Perry County, you should stop by.  They have a general store that is out of this world. Some things are a little pricey, but the quality is great. I love their oatmeal they sell in bulk.  It is better than any I've ever had!  They are such genuinely nice folks too.  I'm so glad we were able to have our meeting at their place!

Cow In The Creek, Oh My!

Right before getting ready for church Sunday afternoon, Shane decided to make one more round to check on the cows and goats in the back forty. Not long after being gone, my phone rang. When I noticed it was Shane calling, I started wondering....what's going on? As soon as I said "Hello", he said to me "Go to the barn and get the come-along and bring it to the back. We've got a cow down in the creek."

This ole girl right here had gotten down in the creek and couldn't/wouldn't get up.  Shane tried many different ways to get her moving.  None of them seemed to work real well. 

Not to mention the location she was at was extremely hard to get to with any equipment.  Shane managed to use the come-along, some rope and the tractor to get her out.  It sounds so simple, but I'm here to tell you I didn't think we were going to be able to get her out.  Shane would get her to a certain point, and then he'd have to move the tractor to another location to pull her in another direction.  This went on for a while until he finally got her up and out. 

The first time he got her out ( yes I said first time ) that crazy thing walked  straight back into the creek she'd been delivered from.  Shane decided we needed to get her into the cattle trailer and put her in the catch pen.  After much work, we did finally manage to get her into our catch pen.  

She was pretty weak, so we decided that she needed some TLC and medical intervention.  All we had on hand at the moment was LA 200.  So I gave her an injection of that.  Hey, anything is better than nothing.

I couldn't believe how large of an injection it was!  I'm so accustomed to injections for the humankind, that this LA 200 seemed unbelievably huge.  And for some reason, I have the craziest issue with giving injections to animals.  I was trained in nursing school to "dart" the needle into the area you are to give the injection.  I have always been very proud of my "darting skills".  Many times I'd had a patient tell me they didn't even feel the injection. ( That makes a nurse very proud, I must say )  Well, the first time tried my darting move with a cow, the needle bounced right off of their hide and I had to scramble to catch it.  Their skin is so much tougher than humans, so to give an injection to them, you have to practically stab it.  Not very fun for me, yet it doesn't seem to bother the cattle at all.  Goat's skin isn't as tough as the cows though.  Thank goodness!

Shane called the vet and he ordered some antibiotic boluses and an injectable dewormer because she had the scours.  We really don't know what got her down.  She was an older cow, but raised a pretty good calf last year.  Sometimes, you just never really know. 

For 2 days I made trips to take her water, feed, and hay hoping that she would get up and bounce back. Each time I headed back, especially in the mornings, I'd have an audience.  It was almost as if all of the cows would come to check on what I was doing their herd mate. 

 

Unfortunately, after much trying to get her back to health, she didn't make it.  It doesn't happen often, but sometimes it can happen.  And I have to say, it really stinks!   I hope it doesn't happen again for a loooooong time.   

Farm Families of Mississippi

There is something that I've been wanting to share with those that live in Mississippi.  There is an organization called Farm Families of Mississippi that was created for the specific purpose of promoting Mississippi agriculture to the general public.  I've seen several of their commercials that they have aired on local TV channels informing the public about the importance of MS Ag.  It's amazing to me how very few people realize where our food comes from.   

As their website states, "Every day of our lives, we rely on farmers. From breakfast to dinner; in the cars we drive; in the clothes we wear, and the things that we use, the presence of agricultural products is with us every second. And it is a blessing that we all take for granted.

Farm Families of Mississippi is dedicated to educating those who are not actively engaged in farming of the real benefits we all share in from agriculture, because without an appreciation of what it takes to provide the food, fiber, and energy that we all use, many people tend to dismiss agriculture as unimportant."

 

This is something I've been meaning to tell y'all about.  You can now purchase a Farm Families of Mississippi car tag at your local county tax collector's office.  $24 of the $31 that it costs will support this organization in helping spread the word of agriculture.  Here is the ad that was posted at our local Farm Bureau office. 

Go check out their website at growingmississippi.org to find out more.

(**Note** I am not being paid to mention the organization Farm Families of Mississippi.  I just thought I'd share a little information about them.  If you are interested in supporting their cause, that is entirely up to you.)

DSK Bucks For Sale

We have updated our website's for sale page, but I thought I'd include the pictures and a little information here on the blog too.

We have listed two bucks for sale.  They are both sons of our herdsire, CPK Rooster Cogburn.  These two bucks have been performance tested on our farm.  They have been pasture raised, along with their dams, since birth. They have survived and thrived all while living under the conditions that we have here in the humid deep south.  

Lumberjack (L) and Duke (R)

DSK Duke-2 years old

Duke's registration paper

DSK Lumberjack-3 years

Lumberjack's registration paper

 You can email us at deepsouthkikos@yahoo.com for more information or you can fill out the contact form on our website on the buck's for sale page.