Horses and Livestock

We have a small, yet varied flock here at Fenlea Farm. Each one is recognizeable immediately not only by sight, but also by the sound of their "baaaaa" (or in Gus's case, "maaaaa"). These fuzzy critters are all permanent residents here at Fenlea Farm, although the offspring will be offered for sale. We are expecting lambs and kids for 2009, although life is full of the unexpected, so who knows what we will get. Here are the members of our flock/herd:

Gus is an Angora goat wether, born in January 2006. He donates his fleece every spring to be spun into mohair on my spinning wheel. Along with his charming good looks, Gus also acts as the alarm, and the dinner bell. He has been known to cause trouble, though; when he first arrived at the farm, he was an excellent "Destroyer of Fences"... which quickly ended with the installation of a line of electric fencing on the inside of the perimeter of the sheep paddock.

Portia is a Dorper x St. Croix hair sheep, born in May of 2006. Portia is not a large ewe, weighing about 70 lbs, and is very sweet and friendly. She loves to have her face rubbed, and has the most feminine "baa" of the whole flock. Portia can often be seen facing off against Gus, who is approximately the same size as she, as the two playfully spar.

Winston is Portia's 2008 lamb, by my deceased ram Dodge. He is incredibly outgoing, almost more goat-like in behaviour, He and Gus will follow me around the farm like dogs, browsing on whatever they might find. I'm hoping Winston will continue the legacy started by his sire, by producing good quality market lambs when crossed on Suffolk ewes.

Annette is a Alpine x Toggenberg doe, born in 2006. She is the farm's dairy goat, and is a magnet for trouble, creating more havoc than even Gus.