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Norwal Farm Michael Walsh & Roger Norgel
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 6 ธ.ค. 2022
We are Michael Walsh, a retired veterinarian and Roger Norgel, a Senior Manager at a Milwaukee machining company. We started Norwal Farm March 2022 and we are building a Sheep and Goat farm from the ground up. We will be building our new home spring of 2023 and will be putting in all the necessities of our Farm including the livestock. We will get our Kiko Goats in May along with 3 Livestock Guardian Dogs and Heidi, our Guard Llama. Our White Dorper Sheep arrive in late June or early July. Follow Norwal Farm as we start this journey from purchasing land, building a home and barn, establishing Pastures, installing new Fencing, and purchasing the animals. Subscribe so you can enjoy the Sheep, Lambs, Goats, Kids, Llama and Dogs and all the ups and downs of starting a new farm. Enjoy!
#sheep #goat #kiko #livestockguardiandog #sheepfarming #goatfarming #dorper #whitedorper #texel #pastureraised
#sheep #goat #kiko #livestockguardiandog #sheepfarming #goatfarming #dorper #whitedorper #texel #pastureraised
Soggy Summer!!
We have had an incredibly wet spring and now summer. It has delayed hay harvest, drowned out row crops and washed-out driveways. We have to plan around the weather even more than usual. The sheep and goats are doing well, and the pastures are producing well with all the rain. We have begun the weaning process. All the kids are weaned from the does and 4 of the ewes have been weaned. We put the moms in the very north field and woods when we separate them from the lambs and kids. They are out of ear shot so they can't hear each other. This has greatly reduced the stress of weaning for both the moms and babies. We have 3 ewes that do not have lambs on them. They will remain with the weaned lambs for a short time after all the lambs are weaned. They serve as a stabilizing influence for the lambs once their mothers are removed. We have a pair of Tree Swallows and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds using our nesting boxes. The Swallows have 5 babies and the Bluebird's have 3. So pleased to have these the first year. Thanks for joining us at Norwal Farm.
Michael Walsh and Roger Norgel
#kiko #farming #livestockguardiandog #sheep #sheepfarming #whitedorper #dorper #goatfarming
Michael Walsh and Roger Norgel
#kiko #farming #livestockguardiandog #sheep #sheepfarming #whitedorper #dorper #goatfarming
มุมมอง: 384
วีดีโอ
Summer's Arriving!
มุมมอง 21621 วันที่ผ่านมา
After several weeks of constant rain, we finally are getting a break! We are going into our summertime routines, moving the stock to new pastures, clipping pastures to promote new grass growth and just enjoying some really nice weather. Our home is continuing to come together, and we look forward to moving in, hopefully this November. Thanks again for joining us at Norwal Farm. Michael Walsh an...
House Update, June 1, 2024
มุมมอง 159หลายเดือนก่อน
We are seeing a flurry of activity at the house, both exterior and interior. It is really taking shape and we are so pleased with how it is all coming together. Our general contractor, Jake Bohmann from Element 1848 Luxury Homes, is a pleasure to work with and is doing a fantastic job! All the subcontractors are artisans in their trades, and we can't compliment them enough. John Annis, from GCA...
Catching Up On The Kids, Lambs, and Pups
มุมมอง 221หลายเดือนก่อน
This time of year seems to become routine. We check everyone daily to make sure they are healthy, eating well, and in good condition. We have had one of the wettest springs on record! We should have cut our first crop of hay 2 weeks ago, but we are in a weather pattern of frequent rains. We have had 4 1/2 inches in the past 10 days. We are keeping 2 of the Livestock Guardian Dog puppies from ou...
A Busy Time at Norwal Farm and Latest Lillie Update
มุมมอง 182หลายเดือนก่อน
This past week we finished shearing, got the barn and the run-shed cleaned and made some pasture moves for the sheep and the goats. We have had more sightings of Lillie, and she appears to have settled into a routine area. We set out food and wired open a live trap hoping she will get used to going in for food. Once she does then we will set the trap and hopefully get her back. We also included...
Springing Into Summer
มุมมอง 186หลายเดือนก่อน
Summer will be here before we know it. We are completing shearing on the sheep and our llama will get her haircut as well. We have moved all the ewes with their lambs and the does with their kids out to pasture and our livestock guardian dog puppies have gone to the pasture as well and will stay with their flock/herd 24 hours a day. They made the move well and have adapted to being in the field...
Transitions
มุมมอง 2702 หลายเดือนก่อน
Transitions are a part of life, and this includes farm life. In this video we take you along as we move the new lambs and their mothers from the lambing barn to the run-in shed with access to pasture. The puppies are growing, and they are transitioning to going out to pasture with the flock. We have transitioned to having one less guardian dog (hopefully for a short time) as Lillie, our female,...
Bluebird Houses and Sunshine to the Rescue
มุมมอง 2122 หลายเดือนก่อน
We have such a variety of land on our property from farm land to woods to wetlands so we wanted to put up some Bluebird houses in hopes to get some nesting pairs. We put up two pairs of Bluebird houses and look forward to seeing the birds take up residence. The ewe, Freckles, did not accept her lamb when we released her from the stanchion on Sunday. We wanted to foster it onto another ewe and w...
A Very Busy Week at Norwal Farm
มุมมอง 2862 หลายเดือนก่อน
We are in the midst of our lambing season, the puppies are growing, and we are working on socialization and leash training with them. We applied fertilizer to the hayfield and the pastures as well as started shearing our wooled sheep. Seems there is always something to keep us busy. Thanks for joining us at Norwal Farm. Michael Walsh and Roger Norgel #livestockguardiandog #newfarm #goatfarming ...
Spring is getting into full swing
มุมมอง 5932 หลายเดือนก่อน
This week had variety for sure. first of all, the weather was very rainy, then turned to snow and then was a beautiful spring day. We gave the kid goats their first vaccination for enterotoxemia and tetanus and modified their creep area. They are big enough now that they can jump higher and further so they are now on top of the wall of the shed and I moved the jumping box away from the gate bec...
More Lambs, and the Kids are Growing!
มุมมอง 3303 หลายเดือนก่อน
Our lambing season continues. We have had 8 ewes lamb to date and have 19 more to go. They will finish the end of April. Our goat kids are growing well, have a good start on eating creep feed. We had some problems with the bottle babies, but we think we have the issue resolved and they are beginning to eat solid food as well. We got our Bluebird houses and plan to put them up later this week. M...
Moving Day: Shuffling the Goats and Sheep
มุมมอง 3353 หลายเดือนก่อน
Moving Day: Shuffling the Goats and Sheep
Lambing Has Begun, Some Surprises (and Disappointments)
มุมมอง 1.4K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
Lambing Has Begun, Some Surprises (and Disappointments)
She Loves Me.....She Loves Me Not.........
มุมมอง 3823 หลายเดือนก่อน
She Loves Me.....She Loves Me Not.........
The Kids are Arriving...........Finally!!
มุมมอง 3303 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Kids are Arriving...........Finally!!
Ultrasound Results, Puppy Update and More!
มุมมอง 4365 หลายเดือนก่อน
Ultrasound Results, Puppy Update and More!
Puppy Update and Getting Ready for Lambing and Kidding
มุมมอง 2265 หลายเดือนก่อน
Puppy Update and Getting Ready for Lambing and Kidding
Looking forward to reflecting back on Norwal 's beginnings as the years go by. You've accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. Happy 4th
thanks!
What a difference in a year. Everything is looking great and the lambs and kids and puppies are thriving. The pastures are lush and hope getting the 2nd cutting hay will work timing wise. All your hard work really shows.
Thanks Louise, we can really notice a difference in the pastures since last year. The grazing, fertilizing, and keeping weeds mowed has really paid off. It takes about 3-5 years to get a pasture to where we want it. We may interseed some additional grasses and legumes in the reclaimed pastures late summer, early fall.
Love seeing all the changes and how much the farm and herds have grown! I am learning so much. Appreciate all the insights. Thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting!
The birds are great to watch but it also sounds like they are giving a helping hand around the farm. The machinery these days is just mind boggling! That equipment can really cover some acreage in no time. I never realized how different goats were from other farm animals until TH-cam.😂 They are escape artists and seem to look for mischief.😆 As well, many people think goats can just eat anything and unfortunately this leads to goats with poor health. I follow Fisher Price Ranch and they raise Kiko goats. They recently moved to Arkansas from Arizona. In Arizona they were having some big time problems with the health of their herd. They chose to implement a free choice mineral buffet to their herd and the results were amazing. It was very interesting to see which minerals the goats consumed and how that evolved once their deficiencies were cured. I had no idea that the goats could tell exactly which minerals they were lacking and really self medicate. Thanks for sharing and stay safe!!🙏❤
Thanks Cindy, goats are very interesting animals indeed. We have a great variety of birds on our property, the wetlands really add to the variety.
It's a shame about your driveway.
You have to respect Mother Nature! We are supposed to get the catch basin in place tomorrow for the drain but more rain again Friday. we will have to repair/replace all the gravel. Since that photo it has expanded to 4 feet deep and feet wide. Half the drive washed into the hayfield. Just have to keep at it.
Everyone is looking great! Well done to both of you!
Thanks Craig. The does and our buck are really thin, I think due to a need for copper bolus again. I have them ordered but they are yet to arrive. We'll get there!
Smart Pup👍
Yes, thanks
First to comment
Love it! Looks great!
Thank you!!
Beautiful farm! Love seeing how much and fast th sheep, goats and dogs are growing!! Keep hoping you can get Lily. Thanks for the update!
Thanks, we hope to get Lillie but we have our doubts.
Looking good guys
Thanks Mark
Where did you get your Ile-De-France sheep from? I imported 35 ewes and 6 rams from Canada in 2022. You can see mine on my Ile-De-France sheep farm TH-cam channel.
Hasbargen Land and Cattle Co., Minnesota.
Goats and sheep sure are loving their grazing in the pasture.
The rotational grazing is really working well this year. Last year, it worked too but we had a severe drought. I think the rotational grazing helped us to get through that dry period.
Keep trying to get Lilly! She’s worth all the effort it takes!
Thanks
WOW the house is coming along well and we love the choice of quarter sawn oak❤
Thanks, we are really glad we chose the quarter sawn oak. It adds so much dimension to the grain and looks really nice!
Absolutely gorgeous already! Love all the details and know many more to come! Love watching the progress.
Thanks, it's great watching it all come together!
The attention to detail is amazing! Love seeing the progress that has been made. Can’t wait to see it finished!
Thanks!
Impressive!
Thank you.
Beautiful!!! The attention to detail is awesome!! I'm excited to see the fixtures you guys have chosen for the lighting and plumbing. It's already a gorgeous home and I can't wait to see more. Thanks for sharing and stay safe!!🙏❤
Thank you. We can't compliment the assembled team for this project enough! Everyone, architect, general contractor, and subcontractors have been true craftsmen and a pleasure to work with. Everyone has brought attention to detail to their task with the ideo of how their work will be received by the next people on the project. The head stone mason put it this way that everyone working on our house all have the same job.....................to get us into our home. Great attitude!!
Your house is coming along. Beautiful. I like the two washer and dryer concept, with keeping farming grubs separate. Good idea. Thanks for sharing.
We discovered that with our dogs. We kept our older set in the basement for the dog laundry (and farm laundry) when we got a new set. It has worked really well and makes sense to us. Thanks for your comment.
Love seeing how your farm has progressed. All the animals have grown and changed so much. I hate to ask this but any word about Lily?
We purchased a larger trap to use and put it in a new location. The downside of this is that she is still ranging in a fairly large area, so it is difficult to know where to place the trap. We have sightings reported to us about every 3 or 4 days. As it warms up, she likely rests during the day and travels at night. We are still trying but I am less hopeful about getting her back. Thanks for asking.
Dogs, Sheep and Goats are all looking great and getting so big. The pastures look very lush from all the good rains we've had this spring. Norwal Farm has come a long way since last spring.
Thanks. A bit too much rain right now as it's too wet to finish planting and to harvest hay.
It's all such a balancing act. Hoping you can get your hay harvested next week. We Missed the huge downpours you got. The weather really figures in to so much in everyone's lives.
Goats do make great "lawn mowers."
Absolutely and great at clearing brush!
Hopper is adorable.
Thanks, he is doing well, overcoming his setbacks. He is always on the lookout for us!
What a cute video! ❣️
Thanks for the recap on your farm and how you two started. I love watching sheep and goats; calming to my heart and helps me on my rough days.
Our pleasure!
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Glad to see Lillie is at least doing okay. Hope she finds her way home.
Yes, we are encouraged a bit more now that she seems to be in a certain area. This has taken on a life of it's own on Facebook. We are very grateful to the community which has been very supportive and have been emailing us sightings on a regular basis. One person loaned us the use of the live trap and the farmer gave us permission to set the trap on his farm. Hopefully she is home by Memorial Day!
Loved seeing the progress! Still praying for safe return of Lily!
Thank you so much!
🙏❤
Great update!
Thanks!
The black and white fleece is beautiful. I am curious to see what the yarn will look like. My sister lives in Nashatah and she has Sand Hill Cranes that bring their babies to her yard every year. Sometimes they knock on her sliding glass door if she hasn't put the food out early enough. Beautiful birds. Loud! We have a sanchary (sp?) near my home in Indiana where they rest in March and October as they migrate to and from Canada. We even have a Sandhill Crane Festival to celebrate them! I really enjoy your channel!!!
Thanks Julie. I grew up not far from that sanctuary in Indiana. I believe it is the Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Refuge. I also had my veterinary practice in Crown Point before I moved to Wisconsin 3 years ago. I will see if Fran will send me a sample of the yarn when finished. It will be a while, I'm sure.
I bring my dogs to Dr. Smith in Crown Point since he closed his office in Demotte. It's a small world.
Dr Smith is a great vet. He was helpful when I first purchased Oak Hill Animal Clinic from Dr Allee in 2007 until 2020 and then I moved to Wisconsin in 2021. You're right, it is a small world.
Glad all is going well! Hope Lillie either finds her way home--or you find her.
Thanks Craig, it will take some time either way. Fingers crossed!
Lots happening at Norwal. Happy to see the lambing season is done and you can move forward with the new group. Hope plans for Lily will work and your able to capture her and bring her home. We will have her in our thoughts. I know how worried you both are.
Thanks Louise. We are hopeful. We'll keep everyone updated.
It must be rare to have a sheep with 4 nipples.
I've seen it before but not one with 4 quarters (functioning glands) to the udder. Usually there are 2 halves to the gland and the nipples are extra, not functional.
That is so sad about Lily. I hope she finds her way home or someone finds you and lets you know where she is. Hoping for the best. (I wrote this before I saw the end of the video.) I'm not a fan of ewes with four quarters. The argument I was always taught is that milking four quarters significantly increases the risk of mastitis. I have no idea if that's true or not. It's just what I was told as a kid. I know that seems like a really low lambing percentage, but it's perfectly acceptable when they are entirely first-time lambers. It will go up next year--hopefully around 150% or better.
Thanks Craig. We are checking the feeder daily to monitor if there is activity. The feeder is at the gentleman's property where he has seen her. Once she routinely is feeding, then we will set a live trap and hopefully catch her.
Mother Nature is amazing!!!
Wow...that was a lucky adoption.
The lamb got out and the ewe was in early labor and decided to latch on to it. Fortunate for all involved.
Getting a ewe to foster a 5-day-old lamb was a giant piece of MONSTROUS LUCK. I'm guessing the fact she was a first-timer probably helped. Well done.
I think the stars aligned LOL! The lamb was an escape artist and was probably a bit hungry since mom was out of the stanchion. All in all, we are very pleased.
I always love to see your updates. 🤗
Thanks, glad you are enjoying them.
Love your videos! Thanks
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
What a great job shearing the sheep!
Thank you, we do not sell the wool so I shear them while they are standing. Better for me (my back) and less stress on the sheep.
The puppies are so big now.
Yes, we weighed them 3 weeks ago (9 weeks old) and they weighed around 20 pound average. They are likely closer to 30 pounds now!
What a busy time ! I may have been a professional groomer but I would NOT want to take on a sheep 🤦🏻♀️. My back and hands aren't good either so I was feeling your pain. May want to rethink this process lol!!!
For this year, anyway, we will shear them. Next year...........................?
Roger, just hire a shearer. Seriously. It is back-breaking work.
The last two I sheared with them standing and it wasn't bad at all. It is hard to find a shearer and I do enjoy it. I will continue to shear them standing since we are not selling the wool.
Loved watching the kids climb all over!!
Thanks for watching and thanks for leaving us a comment.
I loved this video, though I don't raise kin, and Kudos to you for being able to sell them, but I felt so relaxed in watching. Thank you for bringing good animals with proper feed to God's Earth.
So glad you enjoyed the video, thank you for watching and leaving us the comment!
Great video. What a happy looking herd of kids.
Thanks Louise!
Thank you for an interesting video. Your sound quality has improved and it’s much easier to follow what you’re saying.
Glad it was helpful!
That rain looked so cold!
It was a very cold rain!