"Giles" it is...

Finally a name for the little ram, "Giles" it is. He has been formally named by the Mock Olde English "Babydoll" Registry. He has been in rare form lately, and if you look at the picture at the top that is our wether "Fred" and "Giles" has decided it is breeding season and "Fred" is his "woman"! He has not let him alone and is curling his lip and well trying to have his way with him! "Fred" however is not having it. The song "We got to get you a woman" comes to my mind!

As October comes to a close, I am sad because it is my favorite month of the year! It went by so fast and so many things that you were hoping to get to it seems there just was not enough time for, maybe they can make October longer next year!

Well as the "Wheel of the Year" turns once more we look to our goals and hope that the year is good to us in health and life...

Our newest chicken

Meet our newest chicken, Sherri Lynn, named after her rescuer. She was found on the streets in Waterbury, Ct and for you who know that area, it is city all the way. So someone was keeping chickens and lost this one. She is a Rhode Island Red and has no feathers on her back end, they must have had a lot of roosters, because she obviously was ravished by them. She is a little nervous around the rest of the flock but she is taking her licks and slowly adjusting...

What's in a name?

  On this beautiful Autumn day, the day in which my son was born, I took a moment to remember 31 years ago when he came into the world. It was one of the happiest days of my life and he has grown up to be a wonderful man that I am so proud of, and everyone loves this wonderful guy I call my son. 
  So I am at a place where I have to name this little ram. He needs to be registered so a name is important for his paperwork. I have pondered the fact that he needs a nice english name because his breed is after all an Olde English Babydoll Southdown. I am thinking that "Rupert" or "Giles" would be fitting for him or maybe both names after the character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one of my all time favorite shows. Hhhhhmmm still pondering, anyone have any suggestions?

Dirty Looks and Shot Day!

  Today was the much over-due Ivermectin shots for the 7 Alpacas and our 1 Llama. These shots need to be done every six weeks as part of a de-worming regement with the "boys". This helps guard them against roundworms, mange mites as well as mengeal worm which can be deadly to both Alpacas and Llamas. It attacks the central nervous system and an affected animal looks like they have rubber bands for legs.

In the picture to the right the boys were very upset
after being "clotheslined" by Tim and myself and then 

subjected to the neccesary but I am sure a little
painful Ivermectin shot. Here is "Awan" showing me just what he thinks of us! What an attitude!

Putting the Bee Hives to bed for the year...

 While having a little vacation time left, I took a mini vacation this week to get somethings accomplished around the farm. I take this time off every year because it just helps to stay on track with everything. Today was spent preparing the 3 bee hives that we have for the colder weather to come. The first hive was doing so-so, it had swarmed many weeks ago so they are playing catch up, the second hive was un-believably right on track with where they should be. The frame on the right (pictured) is some of their honey reserves as well as some brood (baby bees) in the center. The third hive is the little hive that could. I have worked on setting this hive up since August with surplus bees from the observation hive at the Nature Center where I work. Just last week I took another 2000 bees out of it and brought them home and added it to the hive by placing a sheet of newspaper over the first hive body. This gives them time to be captivated by the queens pheromones so they can combine with the hive and not kill her. So overall I am mostly pleased with my bees going into the colder weather. Last year I combined my hives to one strong with bad results, so I am taking my chances this year by allowing the hives to stay independent, I think the odds are better that way. We will continue to feed them and eventually pull the outer feeders off and put the inner feeders inside the hives.

I placed large rocks at the entrances under the cinder blocks as well as using old frames to block the sides of the cinder blocks. Venting a small space between the hive bodies (about a match book amount) allows for the hive to keep from building condensation up. The temperature in the hive is about 90 degrees with their body heat. So better luck next year, we had no hiney this year due to losing our hives, so next spring we should have bees ready to go and get a head start on honey!

Welcome Autumn!

We welcome a new member to the Coon Hollow Family, our new beautiful little "Autumn"! She is a precious terrier mix, with confidence one minute and not sure-ed-ness the next. She is fitting in so well here. The other dogs just love her, except old man "Charlie" who has had to set her straight a couple of times, but that's his job. She is fascinated with the chickens and just takes everything in. I caught her looking around the living room the other night as if to say "not a bad place, I like the curtains, foods not bad, I think it'll do". She is such a breathe of fresh air and I just love her. There was just something about this dog the first time I saw her when she came in from a rescue group who had saved her with one day left to go at the pound...she's definetly a keeper!
So as I enjoy this autumn day with my new dog "Autumn" on the autumn day that my daughter was born, all I can do is sit back and smile...

Let the Harvest Begin!

The Harvest has begun in the Herb Garden as I chipped away at it today, with plenty of Basil, Lemon Verbena, Pineapple Sage, Mints, Thymes and as the list goes on I will be cutting for a bit.
Pictured above left is Basil and Pineapple Sage, on the right you always should ID what you have cut and dried, believe me I have learned over the years, and below is the bush, yes bush of Pineapple Sage which grew as large as a Rose Bush! It smells just like Pineapple with just a hint of sage...nice...



Our Fiber has arrived!

Our fiber for the year has arrived! All 70 + pounds of it! It is so clean and soft and the smell is beautiful. Let's just say there is a lot of spinning, dying and felting in my future!

Thanks to all who attended Alpaca Days!

Alpaca Days was such a success and thanks to all who attended! We appreciate your support and was so pleased to see that many attendees had the newspaper article in hand and had it mapped out to go from farm to farm. Some folks were doing half the first day and the other half the second day. Educating folks on small farm living was so much fun and Tim did a great job talking to many and giving them little tours. The goldfish and frog pond is always a big drawer for the kids.

I must appologize however, as many of you knew I was a little under the weather and by Monday morning a visit to the Dr was in order to find out I have acute bronchitis and pneumonia in my upper lung field. I am hoping to get better fast and the timing on this was very bad.

Alpaca Days and An Open House Farm Tour!

Ourselves as well as other alpaca farmers will celebrate National Alpaca Days and Connecticut Alpaca Days on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, by hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their farms.
The event is free.

Besides us you can visit:

*Alpacaboose Farm at 12 East St., Oxford. The farm features female alpacas and products made from their fiber. Spinning and needle felting demonstrations are planned. Those seeking additional information may call Ron or Rose East, 203-888-4695.


*Alpaca Hill Farm, 8 Willow St., Seymour, visitors can meet 19 alpacas, muscovy ducks and herd guardian Kramer, a Great Pyrenees. The farm will only be open on Saturday, September 25. It has for sale soft yarns and roving and alpaca felt in a variety of colors from its own animals as well as garments made from alpacas, cuddly alpaca toys and alpaca bears.
Visitors will learn about alpacas and their care, and can pet and feed the alpacas. Those seeking additional information may visit www.alpacahillFarm. com or call 203-888-1526 or 203-215-8878.


*Coon Hollow Farm, located at 156 Punkup Rd. in Oxford, the public is invited to meet Tim and Dawn Sotir’s seven alpacas and other farm friends. There will be spinning and felting demonstrations as well as beverages and snacks.
The family farmstand will be filled with hand-spun yarns, alpaca items, felting kits, honey, eggs, goat’s milk soap, items made from beeswax, herbs and more. Those seeking additional information may call 203-881-1986 or visit http://www.coonhollowfarm.blogspot.com/.


 *Dream Come True Farm, 82 Freeman Rd., Oxford, Mike and Pam Blasko will feature handspun yarns, wool for spinning, spinning wheels, goat milk soap, woodworks, maple syrup and handcrafted gift items. The public can view the couple’s alpacas, llamas, sheep and goats and obtain information on small farming. Those seeking additional information may call 203-736-2630 0r visit Area alpaca farmers will celebrate National Alpaca Days and Connecticut Alpaca Days on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, by hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their farms. http://www.pamsfiber.blogspot.com/

*Hubbell Farm at French’s Corner in Shelton (White Hills) is an 1825 farm that retains its original barns and outbuildings, vintage tractors and farm equipment. Visitors can view alpacas, a llama and sheep and purchase herbs, herbal products, sachets, dream pillows, alpaca and sheep raw fiber, yarn, felting kits, soap and more. Also available is roving in natural colors from the farm’s sheep and alpacas and wool dyed on the farm. Those seeking additional information may call 203-929-2052.


*Simple Gifts Farm, 1135 James Farm Rd., Stratford, grows fine fiber from its alpacas and Olde English babydoll sheep. The farm is owned by Marti and Ray Kosh. Once the roving returns from the mill, it is spun into yarn. Marti designs patterns for hand-spun natural and hand-dyed yarns and makes up knitting kits. Along with an array of hand-spun yarns, there are hand-knitted items and gifts created on the farm.  Visitors are invited to enjoy spinning demonstrations, stories about the couple’s “furry” friends and Ray’s adventures as a gentleman farmer.Visit www.simplegiftoffiber.blogspot.com or call 203-378-0893 for information.

Celebrating Alpaca Days!

We will be celebrating National Alpaca Days on Saturday, September 25th and Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 10 to 5 with an Open House as well as a Farm Tour with some of our other Farm Friends. The posting with the additional farms and their location will be posted in a few days. 

Come and visit these amazing creatures and learn about their personalities, which each one has their own! There are 7 Alpacas total on the farm. We will have many Alpaca items on sale in our farmstand as well as spinning demos, needle felting demos and a do-your-own needle felting project. We will have refreshments and coloring contest for the kids. So come by and say hi! 

(pictured: above left, "Awan", above right, "Cyrus", bottom left, "Garth" and bottom right, "Norman")

Labor Day opening and White Pumpkins!

It's the great white pumpkin! These are needle felted pumpkins made out of alternating alpaca and sheep wool from our own animals. They are 100% hand made by me and are available in our farmstand. This weekend the farmstand will be closed on Sunday but we will be open on Monday, September 6th, Labor Day from 12 to 4. Have a Happy and Safe Holiday everyone!

The first egg!

O.K. folks, we have done it here at Coon Hollow Farm, we have proven that age old question, the one people spend countless hours pondering, over and over again...which came first the chicken or the egg? Well the chicken of course and 5 months later we got our first egg! With 13 hens and 1 very handsome rooster we will soon have farm fresh eggs in our farmstand along with many other things!

Lily the Lamb

Here is "Lily" the little Olde English         "Babydoll" Southdown ewe lamb. She's getting so big and today she became a big girl because she got her ear tag that will forever identify that she came from Coon Hollow Farm. She wasn't even phased by it at all. I just can't get over how much she looks like her sister "Rose". They have the same parents but it is just uncanny how much they look alike! The only difference is she doesn't have that rose colored fleece, she has a pretty standard colored fleece. She has a personality all her own, here she just got into the hay!

"Sweetie" and her lambs go to their new home!

It's official, "Sweetie" and her boys left this morning for their new home! She will be living with her two boys in Washington, Ct with a family that has also gotten the farm bug! The wether on the left has been named "Joey" and the brown one in the back is "Coco". I know they will be happy being together and enjoy their new family!

Pumpkins and Acorns, oh my!

As the summer goes by I am feeling the stir of fall, so a few weeks ago I began to needle felt some acorns and pumpkins for the farmstand. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the colors, the cooler weather and everything about the harvest, the turn of the wheel of life...

Baby Bees being born!

If you look at the center of this photo you can actually see baby bees being born. They are coming out of their cells for the first time. I just happened to be doing a hive inspection yesterday and caught this just at the right time. The other capped cells in the center are baby bees that are yet to be born, however I believe this is a bunch of drones. The hives are doing fairly well for this time of year!

Yet another passing on the farm...

Yet another one of our beloved animals has passed away this year, we sure have had a very bad year. Our wether "Scar" passed away this week. The picture on the left is him getting sheared and he is in the picture on the right in the right hand corner. He had gotten rot under his skin back in the winter and just would not stop rubbing it. We tried everything to keep it at bay and from not getting infected. Untimatley we had to put him down due to maggot infestation. In all my years working with animals and wildlife, of for which I am accustomed to seeing regularly, I had never seen anything like this before, they we everywhere. He would not eat or drink and we thought it best to have my friend, Dr Brown come by and put him down. He was the sweetest most gentlest of all our animals and we will miss him... 

New Needle Felted Necklace Pendants

New in our farmstand is our new Needle Felted Necklace Pendants. They are made with both alpaca and wool, dyed in different colors. As you can see no two are the same. You can also interchange them on a chain or something else you may have. I am trying all kinds of different color combos, as well as shapes and designs, but for now I having fun playing around with these.

Vacation=Skirting wool and building bee hives=priceless

How do you spend your vacation? On the beach, camping, whatever. Well here we always have so much needed chores to get to. The picture on the right is a bee hive under construction and being painted. This will be our third bee hive which is already being established on the "bee hill". I am hoping to check it tomorrow and see if our queen has emerged from her queen cell.

The other pictures are of the wool from the sheep that we are "skirting". That is a term for picking the bad stuff and the "poop" out of it. The picture showing my fingers, if you look close enough you can see the lanolin. The fleece is soaked in it.

Don't worry though we are planning a few things to do on vacation for fun!

Chickens first outing!

Here are the chickens on their first outing from the enclosure. They were a bit apprehensive at first, but that turned into curiosity quickly. They were fascinated with my garden beds and scratched, ate bugs and took a few tasty bites of grass. Tim and I played protective mom and dad and the dogs sat watch over them as well.

Success! A new hive

My attempt at a split to make another hive appears to "bee" succesfull! I kept the nuc hive in the basement for a full week which was a little longer than I should have but it seems to have worked. As soon as I opened up the base, they came out in a furry, many of them made off for a good bathroom flight while some just checked the outer part of the hive out. I did not take a chance to open it up quite yet, a hive tends to be a bit aggressive while they are raising a new queen and with a 90 degree day I am not about to put the bee suit on. I will give this some time and see how well it has worked out in a couple of days.

Beginning a new bee hive

In this picture is what is known as a nuc box. It is a smaller version of a bee hive and is used for capturing swarms as well as starting a new hive. Today I placed a few frames of brood (baby bees), honey and empty frames. They will remain in here for about a week in my cool basement. They are taped and locked in here, and this will trigger them to raise a new queen. In two weeks I will put them in a new hive body and hope to start a new hive. This is my first time trying this so I am excited to see what happens, as I continue to evolve in my bee keeping efforts I learn and also hit my more experienced bee keepers friends with advice. Thanks to David and Ralph who always seem to have the answers to my questions!

Today I also was able to locate both my queens and mark them. I attended a class recently with the "Backyard Beekeepers Association of Ct" and learned how to locate and mark the queens. I was excited because it was done with little effort on my part and all because of the techniques I learned from them! 

Farm Tour and Open House this Sunday!

This Sunday, June 27, 2010 we will be having an Open House as well as a Farm Tour with 5 other small area farms like ours. It is from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be spinning and felting demonstrations as well as beverages and snacks from things grown here on the farm. Come see the animals and visit our farmstand which will be filled with various items. The tour is set to share small scale farming as well as organic and self sustainability which is getting to be very important in this day and age.

The following farms will be joining us:

*ALPACAboose Farm:12 East St., in Oxford, CT. Come and meet our Alpaca girls and spend some time learning about these wonderful animals. Browse our farm store full of products made from their beautiful fiber. We will also have spinning and needle felting demonstrations. Contact Ron or Rose East for more information: 203-888-4695


*Alpaca Hill Farm: 8 Willow St, Seymour, CT. Visitors can meet our 19 Alpacas, muscovy ducks and herd guardian, Kramer (Great Pyrenees) when they come. http://www.alpacahillfarm.com/ or call 203-888-1526. We sell soft yarns and roving from our own animals in a variety of natural colors. Alpaca felt with a blend of colors is also featured for sale from our herd, as well as our own products we have lovely garments made from alpacas. Cuddly alpaca toys and alpaca bears are a favorite. Visitors will learn about alpacas and their care, as well as getting to pet and feed alpacas alfalfa cubes.

 *Dream Come True Farm: 82 Freeman Rd, Oxford, CT. Mike and Pam Blasko will feature, Ashford spinning wheels with demos, goats milk soaps, handspun yarns and turned wooden bowls, among other items all made here on the farm. http://www.dreamcometrueyarn.com/ 203-736-2630


*Old Solar Farm: 153 Bowers Hill Rd, Oxford. Bill Deusing, We grow organic vegetables, and have a few chickens for eggs, as well as fruits and berries. 203 231-1790 http://www.ctnofa.org/


*Rowanwood Farm: 31 Chestnut Hill Rd, Newtown,Ct. A.J. and Jeff Collier have alpacas, llamas, Olde English Babydoll sheep, and Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. The farm has "gone green" following the trends of today, by harvesting and selling all of the natural products produced from the animals. There is alpaca fiber, sheep wool, and homespun yarns. They have thirty varieties of uniquely scented , handcrafted goat milk soap. The pedigreed herd of alpaca, goats, and sheep are also for sale. 203-270-8346 or http://www.rowanwoodfarm.com/

There's an imposter in the hen house!

So, a few months ago I ordered my chickens and it read "hens only". My order went in and figured that would be nice to just have hens and not have to deal with an aggressive rooster. We have been noticing this guy for the past couple of weeks and am convinced she's a he! This picture doesn't show his tail feathers but he is getting them, long and black and red. Check out the iridescent feathers coming out in his neck. He has not started to crow yet but he even cuckles different than the others. The hen in the background is what a hen should look like. This guy is also much bigger than the "girls"...oh well...I think I'll keep him anyway, he's kind of grown on us.

Update: The morning after I posted this, Tim and I were walking up to the chicken coop when we heard a gosh awful sound which sounded much like the owl at work when we are cutting his talons. We stood there for a moment and realized it was the rooster attemping to crow!

Needle Felted Alpaca Pillows now in the Farm Stand

Needle Felted Alpaca Pillows are now in Coon Hollow Farm's farmstand. Each pillow is made with 100% Alpaca and handcrafted here on the farm, generally into the night after long days at work, but the desire to create makes me choose that over sleep! I have so many new designs in mind and can't wait to get started on them!

Olde English Babydoll Southdown Lambs for sale

On the left is our two brother lambs a couple of days old and on the right is them now. They are inseperable and will be sold as a pair. One is black and one is white. Their wool is wonderful and would make a great addition for a spinner. They are both friendly and as sweet as can be. Their father is "Harley" a super nice ram and their mother is "Sweetie" and the name totally fits her.  In the morning when I go down to feed they tug on my pant leg, they always want to know what you are doing and will let you pick them up and they actually act like they enjoy it!

As you can see in the picture below and on the left, he wants to know what the camera is all about!

Bee inspection, a success!

The picture on the left is a very interesting comb that the bees have made in 3 days. I opened the hive up on Thursday morning and by Sunday morning they had successfully built this beautiful comb. In this picture they are busy working and...

in the picture on the right is after I had smoked them. It sends the bees running below and also calms them. In todays inspection I also saw each queen in both hives which is something I have never been able to do before. Some of the frames were drenched in honey and dripping. There was capped honey and each hive had brood (baby bees) as well. I am so happy with my hives and am looking forward to a great year of bee keeping!

 

Our New Chicken Coop

Here is our new chicken coop in the making. It is made from mostly recycled items that we got from here and there. The cage part is an old wildlife cage that I had, the fencing was being thrown away and we salvaged it. Tim also took down some old caging I had and is recycling the hardware cloth for the outer part of the fencing. In the future we will be building a greenhouse on to the front of the wooden part which will act as a solar heating area and will keep them warm in colder months.

Next is making some laying boxes which will be out of recycled items as well. We've already looked at it and are making some changes.

This picture below, is the chickens now about 7 weeks old and their first day out and about. They were chasing bugs and exploring whatever they could find.