Hi there, Gertie and Grace the turkeys here. So much happening out on the farm at the moment we're out and about all day now. Sometimes I think the children have trouble finding us when it's bedtime since we've become roving reporters. While the sun is shining and there's so much going on we have been trusted to wander the farm and keep an eye on events as they happen.
Obviously a favourite spot is the feed barn, some of these children are a little clumsy and manage to drop some feed while weighing out the rations, we're only too happy to help clean up.
We noticed a lot of activity around the tractor and after a closer look discovered a a pair of robins have built a nest in the toolbox and despite the noise and the fact their home regularly moves off around the farm, they've hatched a brood of chicks.
Other birds seemingly immune to noise are a pair of collared doves who've chosen a spot in the courtyard for their nest. we can only assume they're basketball fans as they're right by the hoop and with this lovely weather it's been in use almost non-stop.
However out in the garden it seems we birds are not so welcome, 3 scary figures have appeared guarding the new seedbeds. Obviously we're not worried - we saw them being made, but some of the small, wild birds seem too scared to get close.
Down at the pond Sid and Lucy are still attacking anything that moves, Lucy has started to sit at last so you never know, we might here the patter of tiny webbed feet yet.....
And the first hen has gone broody. They tried to get her to sit on goose eggs but they were just too big and she kept wobbling off, so now she has a nice clutch of hens' eggs and a lovely quiet shed to sit in.
Out in the meadows the wildflowers are changing almost daily. Anyone walking through comes back with yellow feet or wellies from the buttercups. To be honest it's getting so long now we have to be careful we don't get lost out there. But from our eye level it's amazing how many different plants are out there, in some places you're hard pressed to find any actual grass.
The sheep are very happy out among the flowers. The lambs are all in training for the next Olympics, racing round and round while their mothers grab the chance of a little snooze in the sun. And of course it's the only time of year when you can use the word "gambolling" and get away with it. Only a couple of weeks and the shearers will be in to remove those woolly coats. Well it is getting very hot during the day now, you should try black and bronze feathers, they just soak up the heat.
We've been watching the trees and this year it was definitely "oak before ash" so if all goes to plan we should be in for "a splash", after the past few summers being a complete "soak", that would be very welcome indeed.
And after their extended holiday, the horses are back at work again. With the sun and the flies they're quite glad of a shady stable during the day then a stroll back to the field in the evenings.
And, we can't avoid mentioning those pigs, here in piglet city where everywhere you look there are gangs of small, pink creatures running, sleeping, digging, trying to get in the garden and sampling everyone's food. After a busy morning getting up to mischief they flop down in piles to sleep before waking up to start again. Wherever you go there's a piglet or two to trip over.
And after a hard day's reporting maybe we can try for a lift home tonight....
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Thursday, 6 May 2010
A Vote for Ducks
Well that's enough of the porcine view of the farm for a while, to be honest this was turning into Pig Breeders' Weekly. As this week's school travelled all the way from Aylesbury to see us, we have been feeling very special so it must be our turn to blog....yes, hello, Aylesbury ducks here.
It's been quite a week, first we were moved in next to those geese - they never stopped, every time someone or something moved anywhere near them they were off hissing and honking - so who's great idea was to put them right by the main entrance of the farm? After a couple of days to get used to our new quarters we were allowed through to the moat - after the initial shock (it was cold) well we loved it, we never came off the water for 3 days we were having such fun. Then Sid and Lucy discovered a new game - sneaking up behind us (quietly for once) and trying to drown us. Well, we love the water but that was no fun at all.
Fortunately for us someone was watching and before they could hiss or honk the geese were quick marched up the track to the solitary confinement pond. To be honest I think they're very happy up there, we've heard word they've managed two eggs in a week which must be a record.
So now we find we're living in "Duck Heaven", just us and the Khaki Campbells, and they're as good as gold, never hear a peep out of them. It's given us a chance to explore, well it's like living in Venice, hidden waterways that stretch in all directions, and yet all within easy reach of the duck house. In fact wherever you are, if you hear the feed bin lid go you can be back by the trough before the children get there with their buckets.
While exploring this week we met our first mallard ducklings, the adults are a right pain, always trying to steal our food then flying off to help themselves to the pig's food for afters, in fact they eat so much I'm surprised they can still get off the ground. But you can't fail to love the brown and yellow ducklings, and then we met the first moorhen chicks of the season, small balls of black fluff following their mothers around the moat. We tried to get some photos but we weren't allowed to take the camera into the water!
Away from the water signs of spring contrinue. Gertie and Grace are getting very brave, even venturing in with the cows.
The bottlefed lambs are growing fast, they have the most amazing bodyclocks and go off on the dot three times a day. A good drink of warm milk and they're quiet for the next few hours.
After the white perry pear blossom the apple trees are catching up with their pink flowers. Which will it be this year - a good one for apples or a good one for pears? Looking at the healthy state of the trees, who knows it might be a bumper year for both.
And behind the old cowshed there has been much activity, Jacob Sutton who has been on and off Artist in Residence here since before Christmas, is putting together an art exhibition to raise some funds. We love to go past and see what he's working on next, Frampton Village Hall is going to look amazing once the exhibition is hung.
Anyway, sun has appeared so it's time to get back to the bank for a snooze.
The Aylesburys
PS Ok for those of you who were hoping for pig news, here it is, Doris has produced 10 piglets, she farrowed mid-afternoon and an audience of children didn't seem to put her off. Everyone was amazed, last time she farrowed she managed 2, and this time it was well known that a similar performance could end in sausages. Fair play to her, she's pulled out all the stops this time, 10 healthy piglets and no-one's using the "s" word now. She has literally saved her own bacon.
It's been quite a week, first we were moved in next to those geese - they never stopped, every time someone or something moved anywhere near them they were off hissing and honking - so who's great idea was to put them right by the main entrance of the farm? After a couple of days to get used to our new quarters we were allowed through to the moat - after the initial shock (it was cold) well we loved it, we never came off the water for 3 days we were having such fun. Then Sid and Lucy discovered a new game - sneaking up behind us (quietly for once) and trying to drown us. Well, we love the water but that was no fun at all.
Fortunately for us someone was watching and before they could hiss or honk the geese were quick marched up the track to the solitary confinement pond. To be honest I think they're very happy up there, we've heard word they've managed two eggs in a week which must be a record.
So now we find we're living in "Duck Heaven", just us and the Khaki Campbells, and they're as good as gold, never hear a peep out of them. It's given us a chance to explore, well it's like living in Venice, hidden waterways that stretch in all directions, and yet all within easy reach of the duck house. In fact wherever you are, if you hear the feed bin lid go you can be back by the trough before the children get there with their buckets.
While exploring this week we met our first mallard ducklings, the adults are a right pain, always trying to steal our food then flying off to help themselves to the pig's food for afters, in fact they eat so much I'm surprised they can still get off the ground. But you can't fail to love the brown and yellow ducklings, and then we met the first moorhen chicks of the season, small balls of black fluff following their mothers around the moat. We tried to get some photos but we weren't allowed to take the camera into the water!
Away from the water signs of spring contrinue. Gertie and Grace are getting very brave, even venturing in with the cows.
The bottlefed lambs are growing fast, they have the most amazing bodyclocks and go off on the dot three times a day. A good drink of warm milk and they're quiet for the next few hours.
After the white perry pear blossom the apple trees are catching up with their pink flowers. Which will it be this year - a good one for apples or a good one for pears? Looking at the healthy state of the trees, who knows it might be a bumper year for both.
And behind the old cowshed there has been much activity, Jacob Sutton who has been on and off Artist in Residence here since before Christmas, is putting together an art exhibition to raise some funds. We love to go past and see what he's working on next, Frampton Village Hall is going to look amazing once the exhibition is hung.
Anyway, sun has appeared so it's time to get back to the bank for a snooze.
The Aylesburys
PS Ok for those of you who were hoping for pig news, here it is, Doris has produced 10 piglets, she farrowed mid-afternoon and an audience of children didn't seem to put her off. Everyone was amazed, last time she farrowed she managed 2, and this time it was well known that a similar performance could end in sausages. Fair play to her, she's pulled out all the stops this time, 10 healthy piglets and no-one's using the "s" word now. She has literally saved her own bacon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
