Shepherds Hill Farm

09/28/2025

02/07/2025

Animal control Officer Robbie here. I am taking this time to post an important 2 part PSA. Firstly many of you are probably already aware of the influx of bird flu in our area. This is mainly due to the snow geese population. This winter they flew into the area absolutely infested with bird flu. And due to their population size, and habit of ignoring social distancing practices (worse than the state of florida) the virus has spread like wildfire. We have seen it already spread to Canadian geese, vultures (who also had it in their population already), hawks and even our precious bald eagles. I’ve spent the past 2 months doing my best to clean up the deceased and remove the sick. But I can’t get to all of them. Merrill creek has been closed for weeks as they battle this issue daily in order to protect their eagles. Thankfully when it warms up the swarm of snow geese will head out. But we will still have to keep an eye on those birds that may have become infected while the snow geese were here. The standard practice issued by the state for cleaning up deceased birds that are suspected to be bird flu victims is to wear gloves and double bag them in sturdy trash bags, then simply place them in your trash. If you have found a bird acting funny, not flying away and in general seeming injured, please call your local police department NON EMERGENCY line. Do NOT call 911. They will dispatch someone to take care of it. If you are in one of my towns it will likely be me. Do NOT handle these birds, and please for the love of god don’t pick them up and bring them into your home. Please please please with sugar on top.
We will get through this. This isn’t the first time we’ve had it in the area. It’s just worse this time around because of the snow geese hoard.

Now. For the second part (And I’m sorry this is so long). If you haven’t noticed egg prices have skyrocketed to a ridiculous level, and you might as well have crab legs for breakfast instead of scrambled eggs. This is directly due to the bird flu issue. And the prices are still probably going to get worse. So I already know what’s going to happen as a result. ALL YALLS ARE GONNA START TRYING TO GET CHICKENS THIS SPRING lol. Having your own flock of chickens is in fact a great way to avoid egg prices. And it can be a real joy to be a “backyard chicken farmer”. HOWEVER, most towns around here have rules. And some towns even out right forbid it. So please check with your town first before investing in this venture. If you in fact are not allowed to have them, and you pop up on the radar, either myself or code enforcement will be forced to have you remove them. Most towns have rules involving land size, zoning etc. AND just about all towns have rules against ROOSTERS. So please look into these things first.

Now. That being said. If you are allowed to have chickens and are planning on it. Here are some helpful tips.

1. Free ranging isn’t completely necessary and can lead to predation. So keeping your birds in a run can save you the heart ache of losing birds to fox, hawks and raccoons etc. Also as I mentioned before about town regulations, free ranging will likely lead to a violation if your birds keep going over to your neighbors house and crapping all over their deck etc.

2. The best and easiest run you can erect is a large dog kennel. 8x10ft is perfect for around 6 birds.

3. If you are a normal sized family of egg eaters you won’t need more than 6 birds. If you go nuts and get like 20 chickens you are going to have eggs coming out of your ears, and after a while if someone so much as mentions “frittata” to you, you will prob throw something at their head.

4. Predation is one of your biggest concerns when keeping chickens. Fox, raccoons, hawks and more are always out looking to sn**ch up a bird. Raccoons can be the WORST. They will get into your coop and kill every single bird just for their throats or “crop”. So it’s best to have a very secure run from top to bottom.

5. Securing your run isn’t that hard. And you don’t need to “dig a trench” for the bottom. Simply attach chicken wire to the bottom section of you run, flatten it out away from where it was attached outwards along the top of the ground, then toss some rocks or dirt over the flat part of chicken wire to bury it. Any animal that tries to dig under your run will hit the chicken wire at the base of your run fence and will not be able to pe*****te through.

6. Always cover your run with some type of netting. Metal is best. You can use the same chicken wire for the bottom to cover the top. And it’s fine to simply zip tie it down.

I have plenty more tips but this was all I can think of for now. If anyone has any other questions feel free to ask.

Robbie.

P.s. This post was long as hell. I’m not spell checking it lol. And I have fat thumbs. So please excuse any errors.

08/31/2024

Attached are some images of friends Merlin could have encountered on the beach

Shepherds Hill Farm, where the grass is greener and the laughter is robust , lives Merlin, the therapy goat, along with his charming barnyard family. Upon slyly picking up tidbits of conversation regarding a family group cruise with How We How We Cruise:, Merlin felt a tug at his goaty heartstrings - a desire to spread joy and laughter to unsuspecting cruisers.

Without a second thought, Merlin schemed his grand escape. Under the cloak of darkness, he tiptoed through the barn, skillfully avoiding any prying eyes. With nimble hooves, he scaled the rock walls, his goaty determination more steadfast than ever. With stealth that rivalled ninjas and cunning that would make Sherlock Holmes jealous, Merlin evaded the watchful eyes of both his family and the ship's crew. He was on! As the cruise ship sailed past the iconic Statue of Liberty, Merlin found himself living his wildest dreams. Merlin's heart raced with excitement, envisioning the smiles and laughter he would bring to passengers unknowingly in need of his cheer.

Once onboard, the daring Merlin, the therapy goat, wasted no time making his mark. From charming the crew with his irresistible bleats to befriending the littlest passengers with his heartwarming antics, Merlin's mission to spread happiness was in full swing. He trotted from deck to deck, seeking out anyone who needed a dose of his special brand of goat-induced cheer.

Beyond just mingling with the guests, Merlin explored every nook and cranny of the ship, from the grand ballrooms to the sundeck. He partook in lively games of shuffleboard, showcasing his impressive hoof-eye coordination, much to the amazement of onlookers. At night, Merlin became the star of the show, wowing audiences with his unique talent for "goatoke," where he belted out hits like "Goat it Like It's Hot" and "Sweet Kid o' Mine."

With his infectious energy and endearing antics, he became the ship's unofficial mascot, brightening the days of all who crossed his path. He nibbled on the gourmet buffet with gusto, always managing to sneak a bite of the choicest treats when no one was looking.

Despite his best efforts to remain incognito, Merlin's fame aboard the cruise ship grew rapidly. Passengers eagerly awaited his impromptu comedy shows and adorable performances, while the crew marveled at his ability to bring smiles to even the sternest faces.

Ultimately, as the cruise ship made its way back to port, Merlin knew his time in the spotlight was coming to an end. But the memories of his daring escapade, filled with laughter, joy, and unexpected adventures, would forever be etched in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with the one and only Merlin, the marvelous therapy goat from Shepherds Hill Farm.

08/31/2024

08/30/2024

Merlin the Therapy Goat wants everyone to know, Goats are more than just a pretty face

In the ever-growing saga of strange animal facts, goats have clawed their way to the top with their quirky characteristics and exceptional talents that rival even the most celebrated household pets. Let's dive into the wild and wonderful world of goats to discover why these hoofed wonders are more than just your average lawn mowers.

First off, did you know that goats were the OG squad of domesticated animals? Yes, way back before smartphones and avocado toast graced the scene, humans were already herding these furry creatures 9,000 years ago. Talk about being ahead of the curve in the pet game!

And speaking of trends, forget about beef or chicken – goat meat is the *real* MVP when it comes to per capita consumption worldwide. Move over, filet mignon, there's a new protein in town, and it's bleating with flavor.

Now, here's where things get really interesting – goats can actually learn their names and come when called. Move over, Major the Sherman Shepherd, you've got some competition in the obedience department. But don't be fooled by their keen listening skills; goats have a gestation period of just five months, making them the speed demons of the maternity ward.

When it comes to parenting, baby goats are the true MVPs. These pint-sized bundles of joy are literally hitting the ground running, taking their first steps within minutes of being born. And forget about helicopter parenting – mother goats recognize their kids by unique calls and scents, not by sight. It's like a barnyard version of "Marco Polo" every day.

Contrary to popular belief, goats are not garbage disposals with hooves – they are actually quite picky eaters. With sensitive lips that rival a gourmet food critic's discerning palate, goats will turn up their noses at anything less than haute cuisine. Hay that's been on the floor for a day? No, thank you. These goats have standards, people.

But don't let their refined tastes fool you; goats are social butterflies at heart. Keeping a goat solo is like forcing them to go to a party without their BFFs – it's just not the same. These herd animals thrive on companionship, so be a good pet owner and give your goat some pals to hang out with.

Now, let's talk about their legendary climbing skills. Goats don't need stairmasters; they'll scale trees and dams like they're training for the barnyard Olympics. With rectangular pupils that provide panoramic vision and epic night vision to boot, goats are basically the ninjas of the animal kingdom.

And let's not forget about their digestive prowess. With four stomachs to work with, goats are the true multitaskers of the ruminant world. They digest cellulose like it's nobody's business, all while serenading the barnyard with their signature burp symphonies. Move over, Beethoven – there's a new maestro in town.

So, the next time you see a goat grazing, remember – these hoofed heroes are more than just lawn mowers; they're the unsung legends of the animal kingdom. Bow down to the GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time, the goat.

08/25/2024

Merlin the Goat is here to say,
I brighten up each and every day.
With a wag of my tail and a friendly bleat,
I’m the goat, you'd always want to meet.

When you're feeling sad or a little blue,
I am always here to smile at you
He'll nuzzle and cuddle, and gently pat,
Always your friend, imagine that!

So remember Merlin, so kind, so sweet,
With happiness, he always greets.
With Merlin around, your troubles will mend,
I’m a therapy goat, a forever friend!