by James Koval, Farm Manager
When I was checking the animals this past Monday, it was 10ºF with howling winds. As I type this blog post on Thursday, it is 55ºF and pouring rain. Mother Nature is throwing us her best curveballs this winter. Thankfully, the animals here at Great Kids Farm are tough and resilient. Some definitely like the snow more than others, but overall, the animals are very happy and doing well!
The chicks that used to live in the lobby now have their own coop inside the barn. We have built a barrier that allows these “teenage” chickens access to the outside yard while still being protected from the bigger chickens and turkeys. This gradual introduction helps decrease the amount of “bullying” when all the birds are together.
The two turkeys that we hatched on the farm last summer are almost full size. They are best friends with our two turkens (a breed of chicken without neck feathers). Our adult hens are producing about a dozen eggs a day. We have an assortment of different breeds, so our eggs are all different colors, including green!
We currently have nine goats and three sheep on the farm. They have a home in the barn but spend most of their time outside. For the majority of the year, the goats and sheep will eat grass, shrubs, brush, and other plants in the pasture and the woods. They have several acres of land on which to graze freely. Now that it is winter, we need to feed them hay every day, since little is growing in the pastures.. We also must make sure they have fresh water that isn’t frozen solid!
This past month has also seen some veterinary action. Dr. Leanna Koval is Great Kids Farm’s go-to veterinarian (and also my wife). She visited to help us trim all the sheep and goat hooves. Hoof trimming is a routine treatment for the goats and sheep. However, one treatment here this month was not routine.
One of our sheep was acting very unusual. After taking her temperature, doing a quick examination, and making many phone calls to my wife, it was determined that the sheep most likely had Polioencephalomalacia. Fortunately, treatment is fairly simple. We gave her B-vitamin injections. After a few hours, she was back on her feet, and in a few days she was outside with all her friends. Routine animal care and veterinary check-ups are an important aspect of animal farming.
I believe the animals, like the rest of us, are excited for the return of spring. It will not be much longer until we see the green grass and excited students! If you have any more questions about the animals or what we do here at Great Kids Farm, feel free to email me at jpkoval@bcps.k12.md.us!
