My week is beginning on a Tuesday this week because I was out for the count yesterday. I am feeling better today. I wish I could say the same for Missy. I never realized- or really thought about the possibility- that animals can get colds much like you and me. Thankfully, she won’t catch my cold and I’m safe from hers- but I have had my eyes on the herd. I’ve been told the sniffles can run through a herd just as fast as they do in preschool. I first noticed Missy’s snotty nose at the end of December. Tiberius, her seven month old cria, and his friend Mohogany Prince ate the only two who have shown signs of a cold. They both look fine now. I wonder if the youngsters heal faster of if the fact that they are both still nursing – though not much- adds to their immunity as it would to a human nurslings. Also, is Missy slower to get over thus due to her age and pregnant condition?

Aside from wiping noses, I had the tasks of feeding and cleaning. I filled all the hay bins, gave everyone clean water and dished out pellets. Then it was onto the task if scooping poop. I filled four wheelbarrows today and was ready to head in for a shower and some lunch.
That was about when Arnie came out, so I showed him some places where the tent was coming loose from the poles in the cria yard. The winds have been fierce lately, I have to remember to check those more often, as I was surprised they needed adjustment.
Now I was ready to head in- passed ready, really. That’s when I noticed some crusty toes on one of the little ones. drat my observant self. It’s called mange and it was on the right front and back feet of Sheeba, Oona’s cria. I’ll write more on mange another time, I hadn’t intended this post to be so long! I showed Arnie, and waited until Sandi came out. We treated the toes with Kopertox, which was recommended by our shearer last May. In the past we’ve used Blue-kote and something else that was similar to Decitin, the diaper rash cream. Sandi chose Kopertox as it seemed to work fast and stain less than Blue-kote. Sheeba will be entered in shows soon- so stains and mange are not good.

That was pretty much it for my day today.

I did take a few pictures- but those will have to wait for another day.