The mechanism which controls the breeding cycle of cows is understood only to a limited extent. With your hand in the cow’s rectum it is possible to feel the whole of the genital organs and the changes that take place in them as the breeding cycle goes along. The mechanism that controls the goats breeding mechanism is believed to be similar.

The sexual cycle of the goat is started by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland secreting follicle-stimulating hormones which excited the ovaries at each tip of the ‘horns of the womb’, to develop a ‘blister’ inside which one of the store of eggs in the ovary rapidly develops. This blister itself secretes estrogen which in turn produces the symptoms of oestrus or ‘heat’

The womb contracts, the cervix at the mouth of the womb relaxes and opens, the vagina is tensed and lubricated by slime. The goat becomes restless, bleats and wags its tail with a red and swollen vulva often showing signs of discharges. The goat is ready to stand to the male goat billy.

When the blister in the ovaries reaches its full size the pituitary produces luteinizing hormones which causes the blister to burst which in turn causes the mature egg to start its long winding journey down the fallopian tubes. The broken walls of the blister then grow lutein which is a kind of temporary gland that secretes progesterone. Progesterone has an opposite effect to that of oestrogen. Thus the outward symptoms of ‘heat’ subside, the vagina relaxes and dries off, the cervix closes to seal the womb and the womb then relaxes and is richly supplied by blood.

If the mating is successful the egg on its way down the fallopian tubes encounters a sperm and fertilizes and upon arriving at the womb finds its place prepared for it (by the action of the progesterone) settles down and develops. The lutein remains continuing to produces progesterone until the foetus is mature

Upon maturity of the foetus the lutein is reabsorbed and at the stimulus of the pituitary, the ovaries once more secrete estrogen which relaxes the cervix, lubricates the vagina and contracts the womb to expel the kid. When the kid is born the secretion of estrogen stops.

If the egg is not fertilized on its way down the fallopian tubes the lutein persists secreting progesterone for about 10 days after which it shrinks away and the follicle-stimulating hormone is again secreted by the pituitary gland to start the cycle all over again.

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The Kebun is now undergoing a bit of sprucing up now that we have decided to officially open up the farm for homestay bookings. Busy lot we are what with some repainting and minor repairs going on apart from our usual chores. We really want to thank all of you previous visitors that encouraged us to turn the farm into a proper homestay experience. We are not accepting anymore walk in guest’s for the moment until mid December where our committed bookings shall continue.

TRANSLATE!

It is the Monsoon season again looking on from behind the verandah of Olivia’s Bungalow. Short heavy burst of rain. Everyone including the animals are huddled like wet rats feeling the chill. It’s going to be nice sleeping tonight.

Sometimes we come across tortoises in the stream more often at night when we go skinny dipping hunting for freshwater prawns. This time we had the camera handy. I don’t know what kind of tortoise this is but it is one of the more common types we have come across on the farm.

It would be good if someone could help us identify the species.

We went hunting for freshwater prawns a few early mornings before light. The stream was rather quiet that morning save for the crickets and frogs. Fresh prawns like these taste lip smacking good cooked whatever way but for a quickie it’s 2 minute instant noodles for us.

No one has been able to confirm if these are the juvenile of the what the locals call the Udang Galah but those huge fellows are even better eating. Now I am hungry.

It looks like this is going to be a very good year for our Breadfruit. All the tress are showing good fruit numbers and maybe this time we will be able to offer more at the roadside stall. Has anyone ever tried fried breadfruit fritters? Very yummy as a snack in the afternoons.

The drain was emptied yesterday. We were hoping to get a good harvest of cat fish but there were too few to even bother to be happy about. The cat fish have either burrowed deep into the mud or did a Houdini.

Or just maybe some farmhands people have been slowly enjoying some rather delicious catfish recipes for the past year.

Last night was another storm to remember with the wind howling and rain thundering down for most of the night. The lightning was also throwing a tantrum but it is always refreshing to see everything washed cleaned in the morning. Except for the cleaning up of course.

There is a new hole in the sampan. Last night’s heavy rain made the stream swell and the sampan got bashed around a bit. Should have not been a lazy ass have tied the sampan better. As if there is not enough to do?

There are few things sadder on a Farm when you notice Mrs. Goose or Mrs. Duck calling for their kids who were swallowed by a python missing kids. Then there is not much else more satisfying than lopping off the Python’s head when it came again to inspect the buffet visit baby Gooslings and Ducklings.

PYTHONS 1 BABIES 9