You know it's hot when the buzzards come to waterWe have been hitting triple digits for several weeks. IT’S JUST HOT! With this heat we have had all kinds of wild life coming in for water. For about three weeks now there is buzzards flying in to the water trough. In all my years I haven’t ever seen them drink from a trough or any water. They are always flying in the sky, eating road kill, or up on a buzzard tower. Have you ever seen them drink from a water trough? We have been laughing and saying we should call our place “Tailspin Animal Refuge”. Hahaha! Since the buzzards are coming in everyday I thought I would find out more information on them. We have always called them buzzards or Turkey Buzzards. There official name is Black Vulture. The black vulture and turkey vulture gets confused with each other. The turkey vulture has more white on its wings than the black vulture. I never knew that till now. Close to our water trough is a clump of trees and brush. I think they have a nest in that clump of trees. We have seen them walking into the trees. They really waddle when they walk. Only at our crazy farm… Here is a video of the vultures in a dead tree near the goat pens making sounds. It was like a a scene from The Monsters. The black vulture is a medium-sized, dark bird with a short, black tail, whitish legs, and a gray featherless head
Leave me your comments below to let me know what you think. Until next time take care. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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We've rebuilt our website. Can you tell?You may have noticed that we are updating our look. We are taking steps to make it easier and more enjoyable to interact with us. So, what's changing?
Please bear with us while we work through this upgrade process. We’re really excited about our new website, new YouTube channel and our fresh new look, but it’s just the beginning. Hope you like the new look. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace Bloat Goat bloat is a serious condition. Do you know what causes it, what it looks like and how to treat it? Below you’ll get a detailed breakdown about this very important subject… We have experienced goats getting bloat, and have treated them all successfully. This information is just from our experience - we are not vets or professionals. It is what has saved a few goats' lives. *We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here for more info about cookies collected and our privacy policy.* The normal rumen churns one to four times every minute, and its bacteria produce methane gas continuously. Most of this gas is released as the goat belches. Bloat occurs when the goat is not able to release built-up gas. When a goat chews food their mouths produce something called bicarbonate. If your goats are eating hay or are in the pasture browsing the pasture grasses available, they are chewing a lot. Which means there is a lot of bicarbonate being produced and consumed. This is a good thing! But if they are mainly eating grain, especially grain that is highly ground up, or if they are wolfing down their grain without chewing, they are producing very little bicarbonate and any being produced cannot keep up. This is where the problem begins. This is one reason it is a good idea to have fresh baking soda available for your goats at all times, especially in confined situations. Many of todays Goats need our help providing them with things that will help keep them healthy. They “self medicate” when their body says they need the baking soda and it helps to regulate the delicate balance of their rumen. There are two main types of bloat: Frothy Bloat and Choke Bloat Frothy Bloat Frothy bloat - is caused by a build-up of gases in the rumen. This trapped air starts to put pressure on the heart and lungs. And left untreated, will end in death. Choke Bloat (Free gas bloat) Choke bloat - is caused by something, an obstruction, being caught in the throat of the goat. Symptoms and Causes Certain goat diets—especially fresh, green alfalfa—will cause the gas to form tiny bubbles that become trapped in the rumen fluid. This may produce a frothy bloat. The tiny bubbles cannot be released in a natural belch, and the condition progresses rapidly until the rumen is grossly distended and the goat is extremely uncomfortable. When a goat is bloated, the left side will be hard, and the right side will feel "airy." The goat’s rumen will swell, and the goat may kick at its left side while it grunts and slobbers. The goat may continually get up and then lay back down. If not treated promptly, bloat can lead to death. The position of the goat may also cause bloat. If the goat lies on its side, the opening between the rumen and esophagus will be low and the natural gas pocket in the rumen will be above it. The gas is again trapped and the rumen becomes painfully distended. When a goat is bloated, the left side will be hard, and the right side will feel "airy." The goat will be much wider/bigger looking than normal and will usually not want to walk or move around very much. Thus, bloated. Bloat is usually caused by goats either eating too much grain or to fast or getting out on new lush green pasture (that they are not use to). Bloat is a very serious condition and needs to be treated immediately. How to treat Bloat in a goat Treatment is obvious—the gas must be allowed to escape. Position the goat on a steep incline (at least a 45-degree angle) with the front legs higher than the rear. This elevates the opening between the esophagus and the rumen and will often be all that is necessary to relieve a positional bloat. For treatment, there are a few ways to go.
Prevention Do not confuse a full rumen with bloat. The rumen lies on the left side of the goat. True bloat will cause a tense, firm swelling in the left flank, and the goat will be in obvious distress. However, some goats will eat a big meal and look bloated, but they are comfortable and can easily belch or bring up a cud, assuring you they’re happy and healthy. To prevent bloat, feed balanced rations and make dietary changes gradually, and prevent goats from overeating. I hope this helps. Again, this is just our experience. We are not veterinarians or professionals. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace Growing Lemongrass in your yard.Lemongrass is a tropical herb, hardy only to Zones 8 and warmer. In other regions, grow lemongrass as an annual or in containers that you overwinter indoors. Lemongrass grows quickly and spreads to fill a planting bed or pot. When using too small of a pot, the lemongrass roots will likely break it. We have lemongrass growing in our yard in several flower beds. I think we have had it growing now for about three years. We live in Zone 8 and the lemongrass is thriving. I just love the smell of lemongrass. To me it has a fresh clean smell. What is the flavor of lemongrass?What Does Lemongrass Look and Taste Like? Lemongrass is easy to identify by its pale yellow-green stalks and aromatic citrus scent. It has a resemblance to green onions, with a bulbous bottom but has woody, tough stalks. The flavor of this citrusy herb is a unique blend of tart lemon with the brightness of mint What are benefits of lemongrass?Lemongrass might help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain and swelling, reduce fever, improve levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow, and have antioxidant properties. Did you know lemongrass keeps mosquitoes, snakes, and ticks away? Citronella oil, which comes from the lemongrass plant, is commonly used in commercial bug sprays and candles. It features a lemon-like citrusy scent that is irritating to mosquitoes, and deters snakes, but wonderfully pleasant to people. It even keeps ticks from your garden as well. Lemongrass can be planted outside your home as an attractive, yet effective repellent. Lemongrass is drought-resistant and easy to maintain. Well lemongrass come back every year?In moderately cooler zones, lemongrass may survive the winter and return in the spring even though the plant's leaves die back. Lemongrass roots are typically hardy in USDA zones 8b and 9, and in these zones, the plant may return year after year. A clump of lemongrass Transplanting lemongrassJennifer came over last weekend and helped me transplant a bunch of lemongrass. Lemongrass is planted from transplants, either purchased or overwintered, in summer after all danger of frost has passed. In its perennial hardiness zones, lemongrass requires digging, dividing and transplanting every two years or when the clump becomes too large for the site. We dug up the clump of lemongrass and divided it up. When dividing lemongrass plants, be sure they have at least one inch of root attached. ... Dig up the lemongrass plant and, with a shovel or sharp knife, divide the plant into at least 6-inch sections. Plant these divisions 3 feet apart to accommodate the vigorous growth; plants can grow 3-6 feet tall and 3 feet across. Bonnie Plants has a great write up on how to grow lemongrass. I like how they go into detail. Hop over and check it out. We even had enough lemongrass for Jennifer to have some… I still have several more bunches / clumps to dig up and separate. It’s so much fun digging in the dirt… HAPPY GARDENING! Blessings,
Margarita & Stace What are you planting this fall? When we start our Fall Vegetable Garden In South Texas Fall is the ideal time for a vegetable garden in South Texas. Traditionally, September has been the recommended time to start planting most of our cool season crops. Seems like the summer heat drags on longer and longer each year, so you may want to hold off until mid-September if the days are still really hot. This year we are putting up a netting fence around out garden to keep the deer out. We will keep our fingers crossed that it works. Our deer seem to always eat our garden… We are halfway through summer and the hotter the days get the less I want to work outside. While you may not feel like being outside right now, this is a great time to do prepping for your fall vegetable garden. Remember when planning your vegetable garden: select varieties for our area, plant at the right time, prepare your soil, provide adequate moisture and make sure you have plenty of sun. When should I start my fall garden? Fall Garden Planting Schedule 12 to 14 weeks before your first killing frost. 10 to 12 weeks before your first killing frost. 8 to 10 weeks before your first killing frost. 6 to 8 weeks before first killing frost. We order our seeds online, when ordering online check what is suited to our growing zone. Check with your local plant nurseries for a better selection for plants that are right for our area. If you don’t know what planting zone you are in, I have listed some good websites below to help you find the correct zone. We are in zone 8. We have a little longer time for our plants to mature and produce longer. Get your garden area ready for your fall plants. Add any fertilizers, and nutrients needed for your Vegetable plants. Unlike our landscapes, vegetable gardens need to be watered almost daily. A drip irrigation system is recommended for the most efficient application as it will deliver the water directly to the root zone. If you have to water overhead, make sure to do so early in the morning to avoid the plants being wet for prolonged periods of time. With our high humidity excess moisture can quickly create favorable environments for pests and disease. While you may be tempted to plant your garden in the shade of a nice tree, remember that most fruits and vegetables need a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. What can I plant now in South Texas? Highly Recommended Crops:
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace |
AuthorI'm Margarita. A Christian, Wife, mother of three, & grandmother "Mimi" of three. I create blog post about our life on the farm. Archives
April 2024
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The Goat Management Binder
$15.00
The Goat Management Binder This binder will help you keep your goats health records organized and more. Remembering all the identifications and medical records for each goat is difficult so I quickly learned that I needed to write down our goat herd information. We created all the pages for our goat heard. This system works for us. I think our Goat Management Bind will help you with your recordkeeping. This eBook has 24 pages Print our the pages, fill in your goat information and place in a binder of your choice. When all of your goat information is kept in one place it saves time in case of an emergency. Homemaking / Home Management Binder
$15.00
Digital Homemaking / Home Management Binder I'm excited to share with you my Homemaking / Home Management Binder. This is a beautiful simple binder to write your Weekly task for you home. You can use every day over and over. You will get: Faith based / Proverbs 31 Women Weekly Cleaning Schedule Organizing your home Daily Chores Monthly Plan Meal Planner Grocery List Bill Tracker Savings Tracker Vacation Budget 20 pages 8.5"x11" letter size that matches any printer Unlimited prints (personal use) Instant download and get started PDF Printable Enjoy getting organized with our Homemaking / Home Management Binder ** THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT. ** NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SHIPPED. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. * You may print the files as many times as you like for your own personal use. * Sharing this product is not allowed. ** We do not accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations, but please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Instant Download Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. Farm/ Livestock Management Binder
$25.00
Farm / Livestock Management Binder In this binder you can log all your livestock needs and help you stay organized with all records. Such as: *Goats *Chickens *Horses *Medications *Purchases of Livestock *Sold Livestock Our Farm / Livestock Management Binder is 24 pages. Print our the pages, fill in your Livestock information and place in a binder of your choice. When all of your Livestock information is kept in one place it saves time in case of an emergency. Gardening In the South
$20.00
Gardening In the South E-Book Learn about Gardening in South Texas Zone 8 In our e-book we cover Fruit trees, Perennials & Pollinator, Garden checklist, What months to plant. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Thank you for shopping with us! Margarita Common Goat Medications
$20.00
Common Goat Medications We give you goat medications that we use for our goats. Included: Common Goat Medications & Easy to Understand Dosages General Information on Injection Wormers Antibiotics Anti-Inflammatories & Hormones' Injectable Vitamins and Minerals Oral Treatments You will get: 13 pages - eBook Unlimited prints (personal use) Instant download and get started PDF Printable ** THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT. ** NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SHIPPED. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. * You may print the files as many times as you like for your own personal use. * Sharing this product is not allowed. ** We do not accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations, but please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Instant Download Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. Thank you for shopping with us. Crochet Cup Sleeve Cozy
$6.00
Only a few left! Pretty cup cozy for both hot and iced beverage cups. It will slide up over a standard size non handle travel cups or store-bought coffee cups. They are great at protecting hands from the heat and cold of the travel mug/cup. *100% cotton yarn. * Colors may vary due to stock so message me if you prefer something specific. *Machine washable and dryer safe on low heat. *All Cozy’s make a great gift for literally anyone! *If you don’t see one you love don’t hesitate to message me! I love creating new products. Thank you for visiting our store. Handmade Goat Milk & Honey Soap
$7.00
Handmade Goat Milk & Honey Soap 4 oz. bar. Benefits from goat milk & honey - it's moisturizing, clarifying, and naturally antibacterial. Goat milk & Honey Soap has always been a favorite, it smells divine, and there are loads of skin benefits. Goat milk & Honey Soap hydrates and nourishes dry skin. It doesn't leave your skin feeling dry. Ingredients: Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauretha Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Goat Milk, Honey Titanium Dioxide. Due to the handmade nature of our soaps and fragrance oil added, all bars vary in color. |
Handcrafted items made with love.
Farm / Homesteading eBooks Faith eBooks Notary Public Service Goats when available |
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Tailspin Farms
2273 FM 1681 Stockdale, Texas 78160 |
210-771-7205
Email - mcgoats@tspinfarms.com |