Moving forward

Pigs leave on Sunday. 

I have Been stock fencing triangle field. Once pigs go, sheep can move back to their field  where the grass is lush. 

The pigs have weeded the field so can reseed with grass and create sheep a lush field. 

Chickens and ducks doing well in their fort! 

A tidy of my polytunnel where pigs devastation happened once they all gone. Start to grow for next year. 

Plans for the new geese coup are in my head ready for pallette delivery in October. 

All onwards and upwards down on its acres

Forgiveness do I give it pigs or not?

The boys broken into the polytunnel today ate all the tomatoes, left the cucumbers, peppers and chillies. 

They have also got rid of 1/2 ache of nettles and prepared soil for me that I just need to grass seed. 

Balance loss of tomatoes to how much expense hard work by hand tool it would have taken me to get rid of that many nettles! Still deciding if it was worth it. Perhaps bacon butty will help me decide! 

The boys only have two weeks left. 

Oh and thank god for polytunnel tape as polytunnel mended! 

All of a pickle

Sheep escaped one field and jumped into their original field with the pigs. No idea why but stock fencing sitting waiting to repair hole hopefully I can do this weekend. 

The pigs have stopped escaping. I get feeling now sheep in there they staying to claim it as their field. If not case that  means I won the pig escaping war! 

Means I have to feed the sheep when feeding pigs. Sheep don’t really need fed! They have hay, grass and nutrients. 

It’s amusing sheep trying to steal pig food! That’s not happening lol but they do try. Other than feeding time pigs and sheep cohabiting ok. 

Pigs going end of sept so sheep will be in field with best grass. 

Mr Fox

Walked into the field this am and found mr fox. Anxiety started rising. Checked fort chicken still completely intact against the wind. All poultry safe too. 

A plan

I do like a list or a plan. 

Next project in my head is a goose hut and run. Complete with guttering to collect rain. My rain water collection has got me to end of July so need more! 

Where the chicken run ends is space to extend and create goose run. 

The turfs that where dug up last year now heap of top soil. I can see some raised beds to make netting easier next year. Raised beds would also make my chicken coup stronger for winter. 

I think we going to need more Pallettes! 

Adventures of Mr Cockerel

How he escaped the chicken fortress I have no idea! It’s 9 foot! 

Yesterday - Neighbour reporting him being chased by a cat! The soft lad!

Found him in neighbour barn sheltering from rain. Yesterday am spent ages chasing him. He ran off and hid. Had to go off and earn some pennies. Came back late evening still no sign.

This morning he sat waiting at enclosure door waiting to go back in. Opened door in he walked. Straight up to his ladies! Let’s do polite he romanced them! Then had his food. 

The life of a spoilt cockerel! 

Kts fort

After a wildlife attack on my ducks and chickens. Project fort was launched. 

First 25 Pallettes delivered to field

Second job lugging Pallettes across field. Was planning to hire help but became an emergency to get the job done. 

Build an enclosure that nothing is getting in other than me! 

Pallettes put in place then secured. Old electric fence stapled to Pallettes to fill in the gaps! 

The current electric fence placed on top of Pallettes and tied in to make 9ft enclosure. 

Wooden supports placed where needed. A couple more needed to make it gale proof for winter. 

Fingers crossed nothing getting in there now. 

Place objects for chicken & duck play and what a fab pad. 

Also created a space I can create into a goose run! Next purchase geese! 

Think I better let the old back rest before lugging more Pallettes! 

Sheep shearing

Another successful sheep shearing thanks to Martin. All drenched too including the lambs. Them lambs are strong and fast. Proud of how they are doing. 

Ducklings are now in chicken coup. Mr drake has taken a shine to them. Thought his birthdays all came at once. Had to separate them from him as he has claimed them as his ladies. They not old enough mr drake! 

  

Hens not doing to bad either

Very productive day 

Boys will be boys

Enjoying chilling today. Sheep hopefully will be sheared later as long as it doesn’t rain! 

Pigs enjoying themselves 

Sheep are looking very healthy 

Cockerel is crowing sat on top of the hen house. 

Crops looking good shame bunnies like to eat veg! 

All good down at its acres

Down on the acres

Well the ducklings have moved into the nursery pen which is in the poly tunnel. 

The sheep and lambs looking healthy

The pigs well they called Houdini 

 

The ducks and chickens all well

Vegetables starting to be ready

And still time to relax!!

Tranquil moments

All very tranquil down on the acres

Pigs and ducks sunbathing, cockerel  enjoying his wood pile, hens mud bathing and sheep happy munching. Human sat with cuppa of tea relaxing after sowing seeds and digging beds. Here’s some latest pics 

Kts acres

Enjoyed the animals today down on the acres. I was weeding the veg plot. 

Pigs are less shy enjoying their feed

The sheep still loving their new gaff. So funny watching lambs bounding about. 

The chickens and Ducks getting on well.  The chicken below is so friendly. 

The ducklings are delinquents ! 

Project pigs

Well had flu but with help of friends project pig still went ahead. Delayed slightly. Friends helped again with sheep movement to new field.frustration that couldn’t do it. But glad it’s done..  Flu now gone Overwhelmed though with help I recived. So love my friends. 

Ducklings are breaking out

This am I have a few ducklings breaking out of their shells in the incubator. They a coming!! Don’t want to get involved just yet so no pics yet. 

Five lambs doing well with their mums. First time they been out in the rain not sure they impressed! Bless them they are curious little cuties! 

Project pig

Pigs are sauced. Equipment on order. If all runs smoothly (lol it’s farming it never does) sheep moving on 1st may to their lush pasture. Will sort my grassso full of nutrients. Pigs arrive 2nd may! Pigs always fun. Fingers crossed it all pans out!

Easter lambs

Last ewe has lambed successfully

RIP Gobby

Sad news Gobby the sheep didn’t  make it. She had been poorly for a while in her pregnancy. We fought to keep her going but I guess the heat just too much for her on top of illness in pregnancy. Sad as I hand raised her. As lead sheep she always came to welcome me with her baa. (Hence her name).she gave me excellent lambs and served me well.  Unfortunately this is a farming life and it happens. Official Fallen sheep guys (undertakers for sheep) collect as per defo rules. RIP Gobby rest in peace. 

On a better note signs of ducklings hatching. My lovely new lambs are doing well. One sheep left to lamb. Let’s hope it Easter lambs! 

Lambs at Kts acres

Today got to cuddle lambs whilst I did the deed of banding tail and castration ring on boy. Tagged at same time. Some cute pics

New arrivals - just born