We had the immense good fortune to float the Smith River with a great group of friends last week. It was the first time we got away together in many years, and was made possible thanks to help from friends who took care of the animals while we were gone. It was relaxing, beautiful, and so much fun.
The little chickens have grown their feathers! Here they are lining up at the door of the coop on the first day I let them out into the run. They took their sweet time going out after the hens, who kept clucking and calling them. Now every morning they fly out the door as soon as it opens! They’ll stay in the fenced-in run until they are a bit bigger and able to fend for themselves. Then they’ll join our other free-ranging hens who have the run of the whole place.
June has been a month of moisture and the swollen Musselshell River barely stayed in its banks. It’s the last day of June and the skies are dark so perhaps it’s early for a total, but we are at 8.5 inches already!
No matter your size, teamwork makes the dreamwork. These dung beetles work together to roll a carefully crafted ball of manure across the prairie. I’m thrilled to see these little decomposers at work!
**Mark your calendars** The Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market starts on Saturday July 15th in downtown Billings! We’ve restocked our freezers with assorted cuts of grassfed beef and lamb – as well as customer favorites like brats, summer sausage and snack sticks. We look forward to seeing you there!
Coulee Creek Ranch 
Fun Photos!!! What exactly do the Dung beetles do with the manure?
Back a few years Dad and I built the bridge into Camp Baker a popular starting point for floating the Smith River. I like to see the Musselshell running high.
What type of boat did you use?
Bob Mackin
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The beetles eat the dung!
Neat to know you built that bridge. Camp Baker is where we put in our boats. We had a ten foot long inflatable rubber raft that we borrowed from a friend. It worked wonderfully! Great trip. Hope you are well!
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