Item of the Week: Drop Spindle Kits

This week we are offering these Drop Spindle Kits at just $25! If you want to learn or have someone who has wanted to learn the art of spinning this is an excellent gift! I will throw in a free lesson as well! The kit includes the following:

A quality Drop Spindle complete with a leader line from handspun alpaca. The spindle has a wrap notch cut into it for easy stopping and wrapping your handspun.

A ball of 2 1/2 ounces of alpaca is included from our animals here on the farm. It is cleaned, put into roving and ready for spinning. You don't need to do anything to prepare it!

A complete instruction sheet on how to get it going and how to spin (of course we are only a call away).

 All of our information is on the bag too!

Happy Thanksgiving from Coon Hollow Farm

 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Coon Hollow Farm! As we ride out this pandemic and stay home, give Thanks that we can!

Item of the Week: Punis/Rolags

This weeks item is Punis/Rolags. These are ready to be spun, made with different fibers and wools, like angora rabbit, alpaca, merino wool, Gotland and Lincoln. Some are natural colors while others are hand dyed. Each Puni/ Rolag is hand carded and hand made. They are $7.00 and ounce. Pick up or shipping is available. Email @ CoonHollowFarm@aol.com or message us here for info.

 These are my favorites! Autumn colors that remind me of spices!

The Geriatric Ward

 

One of the hardest things is when or animals get old. We have come to that sadly here. This week we made the decision to separate "Teddy"  back of picture) and "Winchester" ( front of  picture) from the herd and isolate them to the lower barn. It has become difficult for them to go up and down the hill and due to their aging conditions they are low men on the herd pecking order so I have been watching and noticing that they are being picked on. "Winchester" is 15 now who is suffering from arthritis,  while "Teddy" has some esophagus issues and has to eat with his food bowl elevated and has to eat often throughout the day.

They are so sad and sulking a bit about being separated from their herd brothers. It's so sad but before long the others will be joining them as this herd is aging and growing old sadly.

"Winchester" happily with his herd. I love this boy so much, he is the sweetest most kindest animal. Always patient with the others, and always patiently waits his turn. There is no other like this sweet kind boy.

And then there is "Helen", our blind chicken. She holds her own with the others but it's time to bring her in for the winter and allow her to live out her days. One again just the sweetest bird. I talk to her all the time and she has so much to say! Not many would think this of a chicken but they haven't met "Helen". She is the most personable bird and just talks and talks. Sadly I saw a rooster picking on her so that is how I have come to this decision. It's so sad to get to the end of the road with all these animals. Even old "Tawny" our Sr English Angora just turned 7, while "Autumn" our farm dog just turned 11! We grow them old here, that's for sure and have spent a lot of time with all these animals and their funny personalities. It's breaking my heart in so many ways but keeping them comfortable and allowing them to live out their final days with love.

It's the little things

 It's the little things these days that are getting us through these hard times. While the pandemic seems to be worsening we really need to embrace those little things that can distract us from everything and give us a bit of hope at this seemingly endless tunnel of despair, for me it is this, our first ever Black Copper Maran egg! This brought me so much joy! I have been working my flock towards this breed which I love and the color of their eggs are amazing. Lets all try to find that one thing every day that can bring us joy as we ride these times out. 

Honeybee's on the weather

The weather here in Connecticut has been truly spectacular! And I must say the honeybees approve! I made them some 3:1 sugar water (3 parts sugar to 1part water), and fed them. It was so thick that it took some time getting out of the container! This time of year you need every opportunity to feed them and prepare them for the cold winter ahead.  

The bees were quite interested and came right up to feed. 

This little girl is full proboscis out and was sucking up this droplet. Next month we will install candy boards and make sure they are fed throughout the winter.