4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[redfrock]

Following Janty's thread about the Farm Open Days (thanks again Janty), we went to our local one, Monks Hill Farm, this morning. It is just 15 minutes up the road and co-owned by the local Royal School for the Deaf. Students from the school go to the farm to learn new skills etc. We had a great morning, bumped into some friends we haven't seen in ages, and brought back some lovely fresh meat. There were chickens free-ranging everywhere - literally! Whichever pen you looked in, you could guarantee there would be a hen or six in there. There was a very good turn-out, despite the miserable weather.

 

Here are some of the photos (I'm no David Bailey I'm afraid!) (just going to re-size them - I did use message board sizing hmmmm, and now they have come out small - I give up! )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Egluntyne]

Lovely pictures.

[chelsea]

love the spotted pig he would have gone home with me in my handbag If I was visiting!

 

looks like a nice day out.

[redbug]

why don't you enter the countryfile photo competition. like the one of the goat.

[redfrock]

why don't you enter the countryfile photo competition. like the one of the goat.

 

thank you - what a lovely thing to say . The photo of the goat is my favourite too, although I don't know if it would qualify for the competition as it doesn't allow 'animals in captivity' - not sure if that includes a farm as well

[Guest]

it looks like that little chook has gone for a piggy back ride!

[Jules.]

glad you had a wonderful time

[Ain't Nobody Here]

What fab photos .

[hillfamily]

Looks like a wonderful day out

[Goosey Lucy]

Lovely photos

 

We also went to a farm, but it wasn't that local, we had to drive for 40 minutes but it was well worth it.

 

We went to Little Meadows farm in Pebworth near Stratford.

 

They had a nice selection of animals in a barn for the children to gaze at lovingly (and me longingly)

 

ES has fallen for ferrets (not a chance!)

 

YS was curled up on the floor with his arm around a lamb (bit more of a chance but I'm not sure after reading Leslie's experiences)

 

I spent as much time as possible admiring the hens and scratching the piglets' backs. (Looking more likely)

 

A lovely day out, friendly farmers and helpers, fabulous food and most of it was also for sale in the shop.

 

Thanks again Janty for posting the site, I'd never have known about it otherwise.

[Janty]

Glad everybody enjoyed themselves. We went to Shotford Farm in Harleston, Suffolk. The farmers were really friendly and son loved the tractor/trailer rides. As the trailer travelled around the fields, the farmer talked about the sugar beat harvest, environmental farming methods and the differences between the wheat grown for bread and that grown for feed. it was really interesting - must have been if it kept a 12 year old amused.

 

There was also the opportunity to feed the calves, see the cows being milked, stroke the ever so cute and cuddly lambs, see how a cow is scanned for pregnancy, see eggs being sized, etc. A good day out and by completing the evaluation form you get a £5 voucher for Wiggly Wigglers, the company where we buy our layers mash from anyway.

 

The hen man was really patient as he tried to explain the differences between his hi-lines and our Isa Browns to son who was convinced that they were the same.

 

Favourite had to be the hog roast - I do love a good hog roast.

Mmmmmmmmmmm!

[ubereglu]

We went to two farms today.

 

The first one was Longburton Farm, which was lovely and had a large flock of hens, several roaming bantams, a gorgeous shirey-type horse and several varieties of pigs-Iron age boars, sandy blacks and tamworths.

 

Then we went on to a farm in Hardington Mandeville which had lots of sheep waiting to be shaun. some more lovely pigs and piglets, goslings, ducklings and various young chickens, (about 6 weeks). My favourites were the gorgeously fluffy chicks you were allowed to handle...it's just a shame I'm not allowed anymore chickens at the moment.

[Janty]

My favourites were the gorgeously fluffy chicks you were allowed to handle...it's just a shame I'm not allowed anymore chickens at the moment.

 

Can't you report parents for that sort of cruel behaviour?

Don't tell Kop Boy though.

 

[The Dogmother]

That's lovely Claire, I especially love the little pink piglets.

 

We were busy, so missed out on it, spent the early afternoon cleaning out the animals on my own farm though then went to see Phil's folks on their farm. Rosie got to see some pheasant eggs in an abandoned nest

[ubereglu]

My favourites were the gorgeously fluffy chicks you were allowed to handle...it's just a shame I'm not allowed anymore chickens at the moment.

 

Can't you report parents for that sort of cruel behaviour?

 

Fraid I can't. Wish I could though, but after all they do own the house and garden, it's just I own the eglu and care for the chickens!

 

BTW what is Rosie going to do with the pheasant eggs?

[The Dogmother]

BTW what is Rosie going to do with the pheasant eggs?

 

Oh, we didn't bring them back Liz - they will have addled so Derek is going to dispose of them Mummy pheasant will have gone off and laid another clutch - such a shame though.