Good news and middling news .. kind of.
Marmalade had her kittens yesterday. That is the good news. The bad news is that she had SIX kittens. The good news is that we have homes for three and the rest have work to do in the West Barn. But first poor wee Marmie has to raise them. So far she is a great wee Mum. She is on a high protein real food diet. Naturally, being a good girl – she had her babies in the special box I had prepared for her, lined with the blanket she grew up in, right in the back of my wardrobe. Six is a lot for a first time Mum. But as there were so many people wanting one of her kittens she was allowed this one litter. Just one litter though.
She is very laid back about it all. No pictures yet. There is no light at all back there. Maybe later today I will pull all the coats aside and take a quick shot for you. They are all varying shades of ginger. All of them. A whole litter of Marmalades.
The other good news is that Tane, the kunekune boar piglet, (his name is pronounced Tarnay) – is coming on Wednesday. This Wednesday. The bad news is that he arrives at 10pm. I am looking for a driver. It is a two hour drive from here, then back. It will be a late night. And I still need to work out exactly where one goes to pick up a travelling pig. Tima will wait up.
We had such a warm lovely day yesterday. All the doors and windows open.
I did some potting up in the glasshouse ..
sowing the lettuce, potting up the basil. It took quite some time to reclaim my kitchen – back from its bachelor existence. Then workd outside in the sun.
The peafowl were hanging out in the darkest corners of the barn but I got some middling shots with a little fill-in flash. The Mama chook still has eight chicks up in the loft too. They are growing nicely.
I am still desperately seeking a bull for Queenie who is due to come back into heat this weekend. No luck so far.
We have to be able to breed her. One way or the other.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “News!”
A truly welcome addition to the farmy family! Well done little Marmy. And good morning to you. xx
I don’t suppose Boo has seen them yet. Six will be quite a handful to bring up for poor Marmie. And Queenie – where is your lover? You’d better get a move on.
We too have lovely warm sunny weather. There were people swimming yesterday at the beach, and trotters pulling their sulkies through the shallows (see pix on my FB page). How do you see what you’re photographing when the sun reflects off the viewfinder? I just had to point and hope.
shade it with your other hand.. it is wonderful the shots you get into the sun.. I will check them out.. c
I tried that, but it didn’t work very well.
Excellent – I bet Marmalade had 3 extra for Boo 😉
What a welcome home present and right in your wardrobe! I think you need to swiftly arrange a speed dating session for Queenie! I love the photo of Tima through the glass, is that a ghost at her back or the shadow of a dog…. I am not quite sure. I hope you find a driver, company is always good while driving at night.
I was confused at the picture of Tima. At first glance, she appeared to be up to her hips in water! Congratulations to Marmalade!
LOL I thought the same thing Bev!! Took me a while to realize she was lying down.
I also thought the same thing when I saw that picture! I needed a minute to figure out what was really happening!
I never even saw that! oops.. she was laying at the back door waiting for me to come back out.. good little piggy..
Hope Tima’s dreamy smile is in preparation for Tane 🙂 Interesting to see if Marmie is a good mother after being abandoned so early on by her own. Boo will be happy. Laura
I have worried about that .. luckily she is a house cat so i can monitor her absences, so far she has been very vigilant.. c
6 little Marmalades?? You know she is my favorite, right? So I can hardly wait to see the babies. Oh my. I totally understand the bachelor kitchen comment. I spent the week in my husband’s apt in TX and when he came home after my first day there when he was at work he stated that it smelled and looked like a girl now. Well–that is not a bad thing in my book. It needed a woman’s touch. 🙂 Can’t wait to see the new little piggy. I am sure you will get it all worked out just fine for the pick up.
Lovely shot of a smiling Tima. Cherish your last days of singleness, my lovely, because soon you won’t be having it all your own way any more! I bet Tane will have his own fan club, he’s a handsome little devil. They should have beautiful piglets between them!
I wonder if Marmalade actually waited for your return to have her kittens? 🙂 Can’t wait to see them!
Did you plan Marmelade’s mothership as well as you are planning Queenie’s?
I did plan the pregnancy, just not the Tom, I am not sure who he was.. c
Have you considered using an AI technician for a bull? I know it is less natural, but guaranteed to be there when you need it.
Queenie has been AI-ed TWICE by her vet, now the vet is recommending a bull.. bit of a pain really.. c
That sucks… Sure she is fertile?
She had a lovely calf in the spring,
Makes me think your vet isn’t so good at AI
Hard to find someone to do it around here.. makes it tough..
Kittens are so wonderful! For sure you’ll enjoy them to the fullest, and then off to the vet with Marmie! That Tima is such a cutie! I’ve been dropping hints to Jack about how great it would be to have one like her around, but sadly am not getting any positive responses. 😦 Well, I still have time. Happy Week!!! xo
Tell him they JUST EAT GRASS! Cost nothing at all to run.. c
Wonderful news about Marmalade. Can’t wait to see them. I love kittens and orange kittens are the best…okay, any kitten is the best. 🙂 Everyone in the pics today looks content. They are glad you are back, I’m sure.
It is so lovely to see Farmy pictures. Hooray for kittens. Have you talked to your vet about who has bulls in the area? As a not so commonplace large animal vet they probably know many of the herds around. They could also give you a heads up on who to stay away from as there are STDs in the cattle world. Also does the Ayrshire breeder you know have a young bull that they use on heifers? It use to be a common practice . Good luck in your search for a match for Queenie.
Yes, the vet is on my list too ask and HORRORS! stds in cattle.. I never thought of that!
Everything seems bathed in a sweet light. These are happy days. The glass house is beautiful. I dream of such a place to be alone with my hands in dirt. And the shot of the dogs is beautiful.