New shoots and lamb antics

Frolicking lambs in the big field!! Moved the pallet so my lambs can get under the gate to the big field but the big sheep cant get in their shed and drink milk.

The big sheep did meet little lambs today the big sheep came for a noisy then soon disappeared to the other end of the big field. I cut the orphan lambs pen grass and they are now munching on the grass. we have progress. 

I dug my veg patch great for watching lambs but me being on a veg patch next to their pen they didnt half make a noise wanting to get to me!! 

Spuds now all in onions coming up. new shoots coming under the clotch. a few other jobs round the smallholding what a lovely sunday. 

Ducklings - at three days old I had a escapee duckling!! Trouble with a capital T. Now resolved with a higher box. For now anyway. Little chicks are turning out to be mainly cockerals. Oh dear no more egg layers but will be loads of chicken for the freezer. That is if I can do the deed! I havent been able to as yet. Too scared of hurting them!

3 little ducklings

3 little Ducklings last one hatched on saturday meant to be Aylesburys!!

look at me I am the wrong colour duckling for an aylesbury!!

So cute but looking nice and healthly. 50% hatch rate.

onwards and upwards

Little flock of Lambs running round getting into mischief and playing joyfully. A pleasure to watch. must get some pics tomorrow. Now up to head count of 5 orphans.

Ducklings have started hatching should be with us anytime soon.

Chicks have a new home in the shed so loads of space nearly fully feathered. Dilemma re broader

Sauces sold not too bad today at market the new bottles seem to be working.

New season new life

The two new lambs are doing well. They have a feeding bucket now makes feeding lambs alot easier!!

Chickens are laying well so much so I am now back to selling eggs at the doorstep for this season.

The two older lambs are coming on great.

New ducklings are due to hatch on the 18th and the young chicks are nearly fully feathered. 

Planting is slowly happening we have spuds in and onions in and a few seeds that are starting to show.

So appears to be all great down on the smallholding 

lamb jumping about the place

After the last few weeks of poorly lambs its been excellent today to see my new orphans running about the pen and playing and racing each other. Very loud specially when they see me and want my attention!

Once I know they are ok and are fed. I am not taking notice as that would be a problem if the lambs become dependent on me for more then food. I have to be harsh once there basic needs have been met.

Cockerel has gained his voice - He started with a teenage voice now he is matcho has a proper alley shuffle he is doing the buisness.

Things are on the up down on the smallholding

Had a lovely day in the field today. I intended to do digging but didnt quite manage it. Instead I decided to make use of some electric fencing that I was kindly given. The secret garden is now fenced down the side of the bank so more secure.

I then discovered a roll of fencing and made an animal pen around the sheds and leading to the big field & fenced off my bee hives with a posh gate. So now we have a fancy pen leading to main field.The plan is to use 2 sheds as animal houses at night for young animals until they are ready for the big field.

I have to healthy little orphan lambs, Bless them their mum died (which isnt great news as they should be with mum) But back in the bottle feeding. The new pen I have built is perfect for the lambs. It was lovely to see neighbours grand kids bottle feeding the lambs for me today they had so much fun.

As well as these babies. I then have 16 chicks and Ducks eggs in the incubator. All going on.

I did notice the new cockerel was doing the business and has mastered the cocker-do-da-do routine. New hens seem happy enough they are laying well. Soon have eggs for sale.

Two sheep left from last year doing well now. 

Bees - I am so pleased as I found the queen today and she is laying well. Not so many other bees around her but they are all working so they have been fed again. Heres hoping queen bee can build that hive back up. So might still have honey this year. Heres hoping.