Sheep dogs or sheep pigs

Pigs have been in big field due to their pen being flooded. Today I found one of my pigs rounding up the sheep. Not sure what her plans were when she rounded them up. 

Pigs back in a new dry pen happily making themselves comfy. Near miss for me the tripped in the mud. The title of the blog could have been a mud facial!  

Flooding

Pigs and chickens at risk. Pigs running big field as their pen too flooded and need to sort. The pigs fine running big field. On welfare check this evening they came to greet and stood in line for a stroke. Chickens floorboards used to cover the wet ground from latest storms and avoid foot rot. 

Willow weaving

Today I did a spot of willow weaving two rings for Xmas. 

And I attempted an angel only 6foot tall. 

Angel not finished but might make a good garden feature for peas to grow up. 

War against slugs

The war against slugs has began. I have sent in my army of Nemotodes let battle commence!!
My winter veg seedlings is growing nicely in the worm castings in the polytunnel. very little weeds thankfully. Hopefully after the army do there work very little slugs.

War against blackberries taking over veg patch continues on going saga but gets easier each year. Plans for more raised beds in my head. By next spring will all be in place. Fingers and toes crossed.

Lambs are all double tagged approx 3 months before they legally have to be so all good. Question is are the ewes pregnant from the weedyish looking ram you ever did see. He would need step ladders and scaffolding!! If not I think I may have a plan!

Sheep and lambs all doing well. Pigs are funny they can hear me feed the chickens in the morning and become very vocal. I think they are wondering why the chickens get fed before them. The baby chicks doing well still in the nursery as they are not big enough to go in main pen as they can get through the wire fence and that would be far too tempting for the kittens!

Raised beds - the beauty of recycling!

I have just created raised beds for next years growing. They cost me nothing as the wood came from kind neighbours.  Just got to put the corner posts in and all sorted. Next job black plastic down over winter and hopefully next year a delivery of compost and jobs a good one.

This years herb bed looking good will be able to expand it next year.

Strawberries doing well in their new home. Got to taste the wild strawberries in their today delicious.

The animals are all doing well.

wrong side of the fence

baby chicks and mum growing well

The truffle waiting for her grub no sign of brother ninja

Tagging sheep

spent today tagging sheep. my tame sheep ok with this only took an hour. the lambs not a chance however have help before their tagging due

Defra Visit - all very positive

Defra do a yearly random survey to prove the uk is Brucellosis free in sheep. Guess what they choose my smallholding. They came today with blood sample kits at the ready.

Got this sheep rounding up to a fine art with my lot! Well today anyway. They were very well behaved defra did the samples. Checked all the paperwork and sheep movement documents as accurate and legal.

A welcomed lesson in tagging sheep and an equally welcomed present of a holding register (which appears easy to use and I can use as a reminder of what I got when and where etc) later and job done

.

It really did feel good to be told by defra Animal health team I am doing a good job with my animals.
Its been hard work and a learning curve and still learning but that was great creditable confirmation.