Jasper is a Welsummer, which is a light-weight breed. She is very pretty, and is curious, active and gentle. She is the only hen that has been picked on. For some reason, the other girls like to pluck out the feathers at the base of her tail. I’ve tried all sorts of remedies, but to no avail, and although it makes her look scrawny, it doesn’t seem to bother her. Jasper tolerates the feather-picking and no blood is drawn. Her eggs are dark brown. She is a very nice hen to have around.
Monthly Archives: April 2012
Pearl
Pearl is a Cochin with blue-grey feathers. Cochins have masses of soft feathers all the way down to their toes. This makes them very pretty, but also high maintenance. They suffer in the heat, and when it is cold, get mud and snow stuck to their feet. Cochins are heavy-bodies birds, so waddle more than run. Pearl is a sweet, mellow bird.
The Beast
The Beast arrived at Little Pond Farm in 2003 when she was a little fish, no longer than two inches. She looked pretty – all white, with a big black spot on the top of her head. But as this koi grew, the spot didn’t, and now she is a pale peachy color. The Beast lives year-round in the water feature that we call a “pond.” There’s a big rock, with a fish cave under it, where this huge, savvy old fish stays safe from Great Blue Herons, and hibernates in the winter. Smaller goldfish, and goldfish/koi mixes keep her company.
Lily and Scooter
Both of these dogs came from rescue organizations. According to DNA tests, Lily is Collie, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatian and Husky. She’s unique! She’s smart and has a high prey drive. She’s a good farm dog – she chases hawks out of the sky and keeps raccoons away. She was born sometime in April, 2003.
Scooter’s mom was a mixed-breed stray. DNA testing tells us that he has a lot of Chihuahua and Shih Tzu in him, too. Scooter’s job is to be a pest to Lily to keep her busy (he gets her to play by biting her toes). They are our comedy duo. Scooter was born January 8, 2007.
Pip and Caper
Pip and Caper are twin brothers, born on April 26, 2009 at Village Haven Farm in Maine. They are purebred Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats. Pip and Caper are pets. They’re gelded males, and their only job is to delight and amuse – which they do very well! They also help to keep the back meadow free of briars and poison ivy.
Caper is the goat with the darker splotches. He is the talkative, loud boy, and the smarter of the two. Pip has the caramel-colored markings, appears to be always smiling, and is the domineering one (you’ll see him butt Caper away from the food.)
