A new chapter of our lives now occupies our weekends until the end of July.  The ever changing weather conditions have caused David to swiftly manage rescheduling with our very flexible instructors and participants.  With the cold weather the first of May, we  were forced to reschedule a number of classes.  Two weekends ago the weather turned into an August heat wave.   Yet yoga participants kept coming!  We held four classes this last weekend as the temperatures rose.  Our classes were held at the Waller pasture under a black shade tarp cutting the heat by 5 degrees. Many people so enjoyed the interaction with our goat babies, made it worth the efforts to keep the animals cooled off.  This last weekend of June 9 and 10 were only 2 days of a five day cycle of rain. Although we managed to hold two classes, three were rained out.  Last weekend we have endured a heat dome in the 90s at Garfield Park classes. 

This coming  weekend seems comfy though we have decided to purchase and set up a pavilion tent to help us mitigate changes in temperature and rain.  
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O Chicago, the windy city brings such different conditions daily.

Two weeks ago, Thibout, our volunteer,  called me to the porch.  He said there was a cat sitting on the chair who purred and sat with people on the porch.   I said hello to the gray tabby, telling her "NO you cannot stay."  We have three cats in the house.  No more cats.  To add complications, this young female appeared pregnant as well.  Not a good scenario for us. 

David waited a few days when the cat continued to grace us with her pleasant presence.  He said, "We need a 'barn' cat who can fight the rat war in the alley."  She would be a great deterrent.  So we started to feed her in the garage.  She appears every day when we do chores, and likes to eat with the chickens and goats.    

Kittens anyone?  

My priority for the last 20 days has been goat health. We have begun milking and goat yoga classes.  Both of these activities require healthy animals.  Please only read this if you are interested in goat care.  It is a bit detailed. 

When a goat becomes sick its stomach, the systemic health of the animal dives towards illness.  What does one do when five out of 17 animals are ill?  Three baby kids and two mommies caused me distress.  While I am not an animal husbandry specialist, my degree is in Library Science.  So I researched, using materials on the internet as well as my vet and mentors.  Dr. Vigil came to burn horns for Gracie's girl.  We discussed the possible illnesses. While here he took a lab sample of one of the kids.  With his oversight and recommendations for the coccidia parasites in the babies, I began a routine of medication using DiMethox brand of sulfadimethoxine (40% liquid).  It is an injectable medication given orally to goats.  After two days it did not appear to help in two of the kids, both orphans.

Last May 31, Dr. Vigil suggested a larger dose.  I chose a more radical action.  Two of our orphans had volcanic diarrhea from the time we brought them home.  In my research one suggestion was to take them off milk for two days.  So I mixed the 911 (trademark product) electrolyte powder and fed them this jello type stuff for two days, small doses of 4 ounces every two hours.  The diarrhea stopped.  Their digestion systems were re-started with a little bit more of milk for three days, six times a day.  They began to chew cud and digest more slowly.  I gave them full milk after a week.  It was a very deliberate hand-on process, which I do not suggest lightly. We are back to three feedings a day. They have had no problems since. 

Typical to intense management of many goats in a small space, other babies became ill.  Last Sunday we had four kids with problems. So Monday, June 10, we reorganized the sleeping space for babies, which sleeps twelve growing kids. They have now over 100 square feet of space.  Peptobismol (yes the stuff you buy at Walgreens) is given three times a day helped.  Cross contamination is slower.  Today, only two slightly poop messy  bucklings showed problems.

One of our milkers, Destiny, remains weak;  however she is slowly recovering her usual cheeky self.   I learned to take a temperature when a goat is facing away from the herd, lies down a lot, and walked slowly. The fever broke with antibiotics, accompanied by B complex.   Dr. Vigil provided followup via phone on Monday.  We have been very fortunate to have him.

In these situations when one cannot see the outcome,  gratitude  and hard is imperative, along with prayer.  I was very thankful that Dr. Vigil provided text support, as well as my mentor in Wisconsin.  Our Wwoofer volunteers Thibout and Apoovra cleaned goat mess caused by bad poops every morning for two weeks.  I also appreciated the documentation which is found online: Fiascofarm.com and Onion Creek Ranch http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/.  My evening reading involves animal care with a study of The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Julliette Blaircli Levy.  Our farm in the city of Chicago is always a learning experience.