Just keep moving

Despite some signs of spring we are still waking up to frost most mornings, and many pipes and taps are frozen until the sun gets to them. The children find the early mornings cold, if they only moved a bit faster or filled my feed bucket fuller I'm sure it would keep their circulation going. The clue is in my name, surely anyone can work out that if a "Large White" is to keep his figure he needs a Large portion.





They're definitely thinking of spring in the vegetable field, the tractor came and rotavated it and the soil is now ready for planting. I don't know why they didn't ask us pigs, our noses can do the same job as any tractor and we manure the soil as we go. Last year there was a delicious row of fodder beet grown just for us, looking at the field I reckon they could grow at least 10 rows this year...









The sheep are on the move again, I believe they're not meant to hear the church bells twice from the same field, but these ones move around faster than a gang of contract mowers. They have now been given the drive field, this is the prime location on the farm, not only does it produce the sweetest grass, but you're on show for all the world to see as they walk or drive past. Needless to say we pigs are banned from this field...





There are some new residents amongst the poultry. Two Aylesbury ducklings arrived last week, the hope is that once they mature they will move in with the Khaki Campbells and teach them some sense. Personally I think that's a big ask. The Campbells have been confined to barracks after it was discovered they were laying their eggs in the moat and one had an unfortunate encounter with a fox. Suddenly the egg count is massively increased, which means of course lots of delicious cake smells coming out of the kitchen.. The Aylesburys are growing fast, now I thought I could put away food but they must consume almost their own body weight each day.







George the turkey has two new companions, Gertie and Grace, two young Bronze poults arrived and soon made themselves at home. There were hopes for breeding but on closer inspection we think George may turn out to be a Georgina.....









And finally on March 8th Hissing Sid was beside himself almost tieing himself in knots to scare off anyone thoughtless enough to get too close. And then we found out why, Lucy finally laid her first egg of the season, she hasn't managed any more yet but at least we know she hasn't forgotten how to do it.















The Hereford calves have also moved, again into the show home, the front yard where everyone can see them as soon as they walk through the gates.








However, this does mean that finally we have pigs in the corner shed, recently refurbished for pig housing - hurrah! Valentine has been resting quietly but Spot (yes they really have named her that, "Nameless" was a better option I reckon), spent a whole day nesting, every bit of straw was banked up and placed just so. Then early on Monday morning six little Borislets entered the world,and as ever they have my spotless good looks.






So here are some first pictures for you, I think we could do a programme called "Farrowing Live", let's face it when you've seen one lamb being born .... It's time people sat up and took notice of the pig.













At 2 days old they were already out and about exploring the yard, even trying some of their mother's food. I don't like to boast but my offspring do seem to be very forward in their development....



Boris (Superdad)