Preparing The Nursery

As you see from the picture I was getting an early start on the day. I had to get this pen ready for my doodler (bottle calf). This pen has been used for all sorts of animals. My mother kept chickens in it. My daughter kept bunnies in it. Now I am getting ready to turn it into a nursery for doodlers.

It looks pretty grim in there. I have my work cut out for me. I got Chuck to help me lift that dog house out. We had to lift it over the pen because it was too big to fit through the door. I moved the cages out and raked all the leaves and put them in a compost heap.

I took the old tarp off the pen and used it to drag all my trash down to the dumpster. I probably could have used that for something but did not think about it at the time.

Now it’s time to go get some hay. I burnt up the electrical system of my utility truck. Note to self: do not jump start a small battery with a tractor diesel battery. Live and learn.

It took me a wile to find that key. I put it in a safe place last time I used it. I am using my zero turn lawn mower to haul my hay. Crazy I know. Sometimes you gotta do what it takes. I am saving for a truck.

Here is the last of the square bales. I like to have some so I don’t have to use the tractor.

This is how I move the square bales.

This is how I move feed barrels.

Dang I broke a nail.

They hay is ready for the calf. I am not sure when they start eating hay.

The water bucket is set up too.

I spread a heavy layer of pine savings. This keeps the baby warm . It also makes clean up of poopage easier.

I ran electricity out to a heat lamp in the pen to keep the baby warm.

I also put across the top of the pen for protection against the weather.

Now it’s time to feed the big girls. I toppled over in this hole. That looks like another opportunity for a project.

Everybody is here for breakfast. This is the donkey. Here name is Parsley. She protects the herd from coyotes. She is very important.

These two horses came from Fort Polk LA. We adopted them. They needed a home.

The water trough is uneven. The water is running over the sides. Gotta get that on the project list.

We got a text from the person delivering the brown cow. It is not taking a bottle well so they are bringing out this little one tomorrow. We are eagerly awaiting. Wonder what we should name him.