Lesley Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) I've lost the previous Good Life thread so I've started again! All the little - well, not so little really! - ram lambs went off to the abattoir in early September followed by all 7 of the pigs We're still not very good at making those trips and find it so hard to say goodbye to them. All the pigs had names as we had pre-sold them as half pigs and each owner named their half - we had some very odd, double-barrelled names The bees have all been put to bed for the winter - but they still come back out and forage if the weather is nice! We trimmed the sheeps feet last week and found the imposter.......so he will be off next Wednesday. He's in a paddock with the old ewes at the moment as we have just collected a ram to come and stay with the younger ewes for the next 6 weeks. We really wanted a Shetland ram again but couldn't find one locally. This one is a Suffolk...... In the trailer...... and he's off........ We're hoping for April lambs next year - we have had May lambs the last two years. The weather the last two aprils has been lovely and May has been terrible...........watch out for a really awful April 2009 The smaller barn is being refurbished ready for lambing so we won't have to use the field shelter any more We still have some fencing left to do but hopefully that will be done soon and then almost all of the farm will be as tidy as a farm gets. We have been collecting seedling ash trees and have an area put aside for coppicing. It already has the willows in.....they are ready for cutting back so that they will grow many stems. We should be self sufficient in wood for heating in about 5-7 years. The hens are all moulting or nearly finished moulting. We have 28 layers and 5 cockerels - we're collecting 2 eggs a day at the moment The chicks which hatched in June turned out to be 3 hens and 2 cockerels. The little hens are almost POL so we're hoping for more eggs soon. The ducks moult earlier than the hens and are laying again. We collect 2 duck eggs every day. We had a problem with magpies taking the eggs so we hung a windsock scarecrow by the duck shed - it scared off the magpies.......but also scared off the ducks The ducks soon recovered and started laying in the duck house again. We were due to collect two young calves in September but the farm we were buying from had a positive TB test and so were on a standstill - no cattle could be moved. Since then, they have had a clear test but we've decided to have calves in early Spring and have a bit of a rest over winter. We still haven't laid water pipes to the various paddocks and rely on a series of hosepipes - a bit of a bind during freezing weather I'm sure I've forgotten something......... Edited July 7, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I am fairly new to the forum so please forgive me for asking but how long have you had your farm for and what made you decide to take one on? I thought I was adventurous getting three chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 We started with two hens and an Eglu 4 years ago - in an ordinary garden. Then we bought two more hens..........in the early days before the forum was up and running. We thought we needed another Eglu and had nowhere to ask so we bought a recon. one. ........then we realised that we could fit more hens in We ended up with 8 hens and two Eglus in a large walk-in run and a separate bit of the run for a few table birds. We thought it would be good to find a field to rent and have a couple of pigs.........we asked around and found that this smallholding nearby was for sale........ We hit the ground running just over two years ago.....bought more hens........Eglus off Ebay...... some sheep...... a couple of calves..........ducks.......... It's been a very steep learning curve and we've enjoyed every minute of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Thank you for the update I love reading what you have been up to, I think it's the closest I shall get to a smallholding for some time I can't wait to see the pictures of the lambs Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 That's sooooo what a lovely outcome for you We have just moved to a house with a 200ft garden and I just know we will end up with more animals but at least we are restricted by the size of the garden, my OH wouldn't let me anywhere near a smallholding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 The ram is a handsome chap!! Hope you get lots of beautiful lambs in the spring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam1 Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 This has been so interesting to read please keep us updated it is something we would love to do if only finances would stretch! Cam mya velma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Lesley he is a stunning little fella, such a lovely face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 He took one look at Buffie and tried to escape over the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Thanks for the update Lesley. You haven't told us what is going on in the poly tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Looks really good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I love how you can see the gleam in his eye before he's even out of the trailer . I bet he's having a great time now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 I think you should start some 'good life' omlet parties so we can gain from your experiences. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 He certainly did have a gleam in his eye! - unfortunately for Buffie, it seemed to be for her at first and he was scrambling to get over the trailer door! When he was let loose he thought he was in heaven...........but the girlies were having nothing to do with him He chased them round the field for ages......and ended up shattered from all the running but nothing else He's young.....he has to learn that the moment has to be right All was pretty quiet this morning The polygreenhouse? - we picked the last of the tomatoes and courgettes a week ago and now it needs a good clear out - I'd totally forgotten the polygreenhouse I need to make sure that the length of wood is still across the doorway or the cats will creep under and use the whole area as a lovely big, dry, litter tray I sowed some winter salad leaves............I don't recall seeing anything ....and , for the cat lovers, I forgot to mention the cats. We seem to have a core of 6.....out of the 9...... That has made it easier for me to worm them. I have no idea what they weigh as you can't pick them up so I've had a good guess and mixed worming granules in some canned food which they think is a treat - they usually have dried kibble Tom is the oldest cat and the only one who would come in the house.....as long as the door was open He has gone rapidly downhill since Summer and especially so in the last few days. He has a bed in the porch and is fed extra (sloppy) food in the porch as well. He's unsteady on his legs, goes round in circles and falls over quite a bit. He lost weight in the Summer and is half the size he once was I've got an appointment at the vets with him tomorrow evening.......... I spoke to the nurse on Friday because I don't want to start treatment for an outdoor cat - he's only ever known freedom and open spaces. I don't feel that it is fair to start mauling him around and subjecting him to any treatments. I've been made to feel guilty but I would rather just take him to be 'pts' as I held him........I think that is what he deserves. He hasn't been in any pain and up until Friday was still running down the drive to be fed with the others and jumping up to sit on top of the beehives. I feel his time has come and I just want him to go with dignity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Lesley, that ram is SUCH a handsome chappie! Lucky Buffie eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I know how to pull em Annie, if anyone needs Ram attraction tips just PM me He was lovely, we looked into each others eyes and that was it. It was a little bit when he suddenly looked as if he's haul himself over the top of the trailer door We had a great time and Lesley and Carl have done so much. Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 He is lovley Lesley. I am a little bit We went on a small holding course a few weeks ago and learnt how to make a sheep pen, round up sheep, turn them over, check their teeth and clip their hooves. I ached for days after from turning them over!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Loved reading all the updates Lesley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Glad to see this thread up and running again Lesley. The ram looks handsome - is that a tupping harness I see on him... any marks on the ewes? How is old Tom today - Rosie is very sad to hear that he's going downhill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Yes, the ram has his harness on - and blue chalk......... but no blue bottoms so far Tom is still hanging on He picked up a bit over the weekend and I cancelled the appt. I had at the Vets on Monday night. I did have a chat with the Vet though and he was much more helpful than the nurse. He understands farm 'pets' more than she did. The nurse had said that i could take him in but the Vet wouldn't just put him to sleep and would want to take a blood test etc. ................ he said the opposite. He would take a look at him and make a decision on that alone if that was what I wanted. He knows that we will keep him if it is something that can be helped easily but as an outdoor cat that has only known freedom then it wouldn't be beneficial to try to treat him and keep him inside. Tom is desperate to come in the house and I've put a bed in the utility room - but he doesn't want any of the doors to be closed It's just a bit cold to be leaving the doors open. He crept in yesterday when I was cleaning the kitchen windows and went to sleep in Jazz's bed in the kitchen - she was asleep in the hall. It was a bit of a when i found him. The back door had not closed properly and he was quite happy I will just watch and wait - as soon as he shows any signs of distress I know that I can take him to see Russell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 That's good news (sort of) about old Tom. He will need a bit of comfort and warmth now that he's lost all that weight and the weather is turning. Did Jazz chase him off her bed, or was she OK about it? Give him a hug from me. xx It's not easy when the end comes for any animal, whether they are a much loved pet, or an 'outside animal'. I'm around this weekend, so give me a ring if you need any help with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks Clare...... Jazz was 'behind bars' in her bed in the hall - she just looks down her nose at him anyway. She recognises that he's not well and has stopped Tiggering all over him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 That's good that she's giving him a break. Our two cats are having fun trying to get through the 'puppy jail' (aka the kitchen) to get to their food/outside; Georgie sneaks past when the dog is asleep, but Biscuit waits for me to carry him over the stairgates and past the pup. The thing is that Ruby isn't too bothered until the cat sees her looking at it and bolts. As soon as it starts to run, Ruby's chase instinct kicks in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Oh dear! Will they get used to each other? We have a sheep with a blue bottom! - the black one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Oh dear! Will they get used to each other? We have a sheep with a blue bottom! - the black one. I hope you have some good news in 150 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
