When There is Death, There is Life

I spoke of this a couple entries ago, but when there is death, there is life, just like when there is life, there is death.  The new gilt  had her piglets early this morning.  I think I'll call her Caroline after the Queen of England who reigned in 1823 when the first Berkshire pig (who is from Berkshire County, England) came to the US.  She had 8 alive and only one dead.  Not to bad for a newbie!  But I'm pretty nervous, because Caroline is pretty nervous.  As I was watching her today, she was running all around stepping on her poor babies.  She just didn't really seem to understand what has happening.  Hopefully she'll calm down, and won't cause any more death.

All 200 chickens were culled (aka kill, but cull sounds a little nicer) yesterday.  We also culled one of our old rams too.  Geesh.  This weekend has not been so good. We are also sending 10 ewes and 4 pigs to slaughter!  This week doesn't seem much better either.  But with 8 new babies, it adds a little brightness among all that is farming.