Soon to be New Arrival at Frolic Farm

Annette Johnston — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:07:04 +0000

I just attended a Fiber Arts Festival in Marshall Michigan, and one of my sheep friends was there with 4 adorable baby Icelandic lambs. Just too cute. They were two sets of orphan twins, so she was feeding them with a bottle. When I told my dad about the festival and the lambies, his only question was, “So how many did you buy?” Only 1 darling little lamb. She will be coming to Frolic Farm in about a month, when she is old enough. I told another friend about the lambs, and his first question was exactly the same as my dad’s. So I guess I must be pretty predictable!

This Little Darling Still Needs a Name

Trying to Keep the Lawn Mowed in Between the Raindrops

Annette Johnston — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:04:44 +0000

We’ve had a lot of rain lately, which sure makes the grass grow green and tall both in my yard and the pasture too. It’s great that the pasture is looking so good, and Dollie Llama, Robin, and Hershey really enjoy that. I do have a hard time keeping my lawn mowed, though. I am very glad I finally got a mulching mower on my John Deere tractor that chews up the higher grass. No more raking the grass for me!

Pheasants Fly the Coop Literally

Annette Johnston — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:24:51 +0000

On Monday evening when I went to feed everyone, I noticed that two of my gorgeous red-golden pheasants were gone. I searched high and low in their pen, but they were definitely gone. I found a small opening under the fence bordering the pond, which must have heaved during the winter, and that must be how they got out. I looked around the yard, but did not see or hear them. On Tuesday morning, when I was headed to the barn to feed breakfast, I heard a pheasant cackle from the trees lining the edge of my property. I quickly grabbed my trusty fishing net with a long handle, and tried to catch the pheasant. There was too much brush, and he got away. A few minutes later, my dog Kandi, alerted me that he was in the back yard, near the fence. I stealthily walked over with my net, and when he tried to fly away again, I swooped in with the net and caught him! I put him back in the pen with his brother, and I have naturally fixed the fencing so he won’t escape again.

Spring has sprung at Frolic Farm

Annette Johnston — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:43:09 +0000

The sheep have been sheared, and they are very happy to have their heavy winter coats off. Liam (the Icelandic sheep) was particularly pleased. They also had their hooves trimmed, and received their vaccinations (CD&T). The vet will be out soon to take care of the horse, llama, and mini donkey, and will give Liam a special shot to boost his selenium level. Everyone is fine.

Dollie Llama Enjoys Hiking in the Snow

Annette Johnston — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:47:45 +0000

Dollie Llama with family, including Mom, Kandi, and Skipper

I can’t wait for spring, and neither can the critters!

Annette Johnston — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:06:42 +0000

The winters sure seem long here in Michigan. The frozen water buckets, trudging through snow and ice to feed everyone, doing chores in the dark, what fun we have! Then when we get a warmer day or two, we sure enjoy that. The critters are all fine. The sheep’s fleeces are huge, and Lambchop feels his is a prize-winner for sure. I’m not sure if we’ll show at the Armada Fair this year, since the Michigan State Fair has been canceled. I have ordered my vegetable seeds, and am looking forward to spring planting of the garden. Dollie Llama wants me to plant lots of carrots for her this year.

Happy New Year from All the Critters at Frolic Farm

Annette Johnston — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:20:05 +0000

The holidays were very busy on the farm. Dollie Llama, Hershey, Robin, and all the others hope this year will be much better than last! With this cold weather, they are glad for their nice stalls in the barn, so they can sleep in comfort. During the day, they go outside, but still have a run-in shed where they can get out of the elements. They don’t spend much time in there, however. Dollie and company can be seen foraging in the pastures most of the day.
On Sunday, I brought out my deworming medications for Dollie, Hershey, and Robin. The de-worming went well, except Dollie ended up wearing some of the dewormer.

Hens are Laying Lots of Eggs

Annette Johnston — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:19:27 +0000

I am busy gathering many eggs every day. The new young hens grew up, and they are laying their little hearts out for me. I have a hard time keeping up with washing the eggs. I sell them once a week at my Chamber of Commerce meetings. These hens are unusual in that while I have several boxes they can use to lay their eggs, but they seem to prefer just one. The ladies line up to use one box, and the other boxes stay pretty much empty. I have lights on so they get 14 hours of light each day. This is so they will keep laying this winter. With the high price of chicken feed, they'd better keep laying!



Turkeys Fly the Coop, Literally
Annette Johnston — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:13:53 +0000
Yesterday, I came home from work and all 7 of my beautiful turkeys were gone, and no sign of them anywhere on my property.  The gate was still closed, so either they were turkey-napped, or they flew up over the gate.  It was dark by then, so I had to search for them by flashlight.  I walked up and down the road, searching ditches and neighbors’ yards, after I determined they were not in my yard.  No luck.
This morning, I searched again by truck this time, with my trusty broom and their feed rattling in a large container.  Sure enough, those Houdinis were in a nearby soybean field, clustered together, waiting for me to show up with food.  I called to them and they actually started toward me, but then they scattered.  I had all kinds of fun, herding them back to my house.  I just hope they are still there when I get home tonight!  



Victories at the Michigan State Fair
Annette Johnston — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:11:42 +0000
I had great success this year at our state fair.  It is particularly nice, because this may be the last year for the state fair here in Michigan, due to budget problems.  Lambchop’s fleece won the handspinning competition, and he took Reserve Champion of the whole show!  Liam’s fleece won 2nd place in the coarse wool category, and Lassie took 3rd in her medium wool class.  Her twin Lucky got 4th place.  I talked to the judge and he really liked Lambchop’s and Liam’s fleeces.

Also, my basket of 10 dried gourds won first place, as did my dill, mini Indian corn, and mini pumpkins.  My peck basket of veggies took 2nd place.  So it was a very successful fair.  Although there were lots of sheep fleeces entered, there were very few vegetable entries.  Many people thought the fair was canceled for this year, so maybe that explains the low turnout.

Come see my exhibits at the Michigan State Fair!  They are all located in the building near the Coliseum, near the Circle of Life exhibit.