Dorren our large 'fat cow' (yes I am allowed to call her that) is still waiting to have her calf, she is so large that everyone seems to think that she will burst soon!
Most days this week we have hatched lots of ducklings, and to my surprise on Sunday morning 2 goslings popped out of the eggs in the incubator, normally goose eggs take 31 days to hatch but these hatched in 27 days.
The lambs are out in the feilds now with the Highland calves and at last a sign of spring grass coming through, so it will not be long before we turn the cows out as well.
The school parties having been flocking in, St. Deny's Primary school and Copnor's infants certainaly had some real budding farmers with them, these schools were lucky enough to see some ducklings and goslings which had just been hatched, and it's a real picture to see the children's faces as they get close to these little creatures.
Well better get back to work, thanks to all of you who have dropped me a message, hope to see you soon.
Farmer Bryan
Thursday 29 April 2010
Thursday 8 April 2010
Tractor Rides Back on
The field has dried out enough to allow us to start the tractor rides again, my first trip around the track was a little scary because I had forgotten where the potholes were, pleased to say no one fell off their seats.
All the ewes have had there lambs now and we a gradually getting them out into the field.
The chickens and ducks have suddenly started to lay again, after the cold spell, at least our visitors are able to find lots of eggs in the nest boxes.
Unfortunately 'Mr.Fox' found his way into the goose house and killed one of our female geese, who was sitting on a batch of eggs, I don't mind telling you that I was not very happy, it has also upset the other geese in the pen, so they have come off their eggs as well, as there is not much green food in the woods behind us, the foxes are calling in at the farm after anything that they can find.The goose eggs in the farm shop are selling very well at the moment, as more and more people like to try them.
Hannah our large White sow has produced 8 very cute piglets, and we are including them in the animal handling sessions (subject to how they accept it) we bring them out for short sessions as we do not want to stress them or mum too much.
All the ewes have had there lambs now and we a gradually getting them out into the field.
The chickens and ducks have suddenly started to lay again, after the cold spell, at least our visitors are able to find lots of eggs in the nest boxes.
Unfortunately 'Mr.Fox' found his way into the goose house and killed one of our female geese, who was sitting on a batch of eggs, I don't mind telling you that I was not very happy, it has also upset the other geese in the pen, so they have come off their eggs as well, as there is not much green food in the woods behind us, the foxes are calling in at the farm after anything that they can find.The goose eggs in the farm shop are selling very well at the moment, as more and more people like to try them.
Hannah our large White sow has produced 8 very cute piglets, and we are including them in the animal handling sessions (subject to how they accept it) we bring them out for short sessions as we do not want to stress them or mum too much.
Sunday 4 April 2010
Doris has calved!
During the past few weeks our visitors have been amazed of the size of Doris our large Simmental cow, as she is quite a large cow and carrying a 47kg calf inside her, she seemed just too large to move, well at last she has produced a good strong calf, she did need some assistance, so Tim and I gave a little tug with the calving ropes.
There were about 50 visitors watching, all pleased to witness the birth of a strong boy, one lad who stood there watching the whole process very patiently was Mason, so we named the calf after him.
The calf had quite a lot of fluid on it's lungs so we put a piece of straw up it's nose to make it sneeze, which is the quickest way to clear the lungs, then within 30 seconds it's head raised up, and he was breathing naturally.
Mum stimulated him by licking him all over, and within 20 minutes he was up on his feet, a little bit wobbly ( a bit like Farmer Tim on a Saturday night) but soon he was drinking from his mum.
The first milk that the cow produces after calving is called Colostrum, which is vital for the calf to drink in the first few hours after birth, as it's natures way of protecting it from illnesses.
Only 2 cows left to have their calves now, for this season any way.
There were about 50 visitors watching, all pleased to witness the birth of a strong boy, one lad who stood there watching the whole process very patiently was Mason, so we named the calf after him.
The calf had quite a lot of fluid on it's lungs so we put a piece of straw up it's nose to make it sneeze, which is the quickest way to clear the lungs, then within 30 seconds it's head raised up, and he was breathing naturally.
Mum stimulated him by licking him all over, and within 20 minutes he was up on his feet, a little bit wobbly ( a bit like Farmer Tim on a Saturday night) but soon he was drinking from his mum.
The first milk that the cow produces after calving is called Colostrum, which is vital for the calf to drink in the first few hours after birth, as it's natures way of protecting it from illnesses.
Only 2 cows left to have their calves now, for this season any way.
Friday 2 April 2010
Easter activities at Longdown Activity Farm
Easter is normally a busy time for us at the farm, so to ensure that everyone gets a turn, we have stocked up our animal barns.
20 new calves mostly black and white friesians and just a few Belgian Blues, all really keen to drink from the bottles, bearing in mind that each of these calves drink between 5 and 6 litres a day, it means there is plenty to go around for all our visitors, yes that means mums and dads as well.
The goat shed is well stocked with over 100 goat kids eager to be fed, these little fellas drink a litre of milk each day, however on busy days we feed them half bottles and the older goats are allowed extra, so that gives everybody a chance to join in the fun,this activity is still one of the favourites.
Due to the strange weather conditions that we are experiencing, some of the animals are finding it hard to adjust, the ewes are still housed after having their lambs as it is still too wet and cold to put them out into the fields, the chicken stay in their houses during the day as they hate the rain more than the goats, who only venture outside in the sunshine.
Billy our Shire looks quite a state when he comes in from the paddocks in the mornings it looks a s though he has had a mud bath, once back in his stable he is happy to tuck into his breakfast and wait for the first visitor to give him a mint.
Kerry cow is producing so much milk that we have given her another calf to feed, now she is not particularly happy about looking after another one but at least it saves me having to milk her twice a day to remove the surplus milk.
Our pony rides we start again during the holidays. subject to ground conditions, as it would be extremely dangerous to attempt rides if the ponies slip and slide causing the young riders to fall off.
Well lets hope that the sun shines and the old tractor can start jogging around the field again soon.
20 new calves mostly black and white friesians and just a few Belgian Blues, all really keen to drink from the bottles, bearing in mind that each of these calves drink between 5 and 6 litres a day, it means there is plenty to go around for all our visitors, yes that means mums and dads as well.
The goat shed is well stocked with over 100 goat kids eager to be fed, these little fellas drink a litre of milk each day, however on busy days we feed them half bottles and the older goats are allowed extra, so that gives everybody a chance to join in the fun,this activity is still one of the favourites.
Due to the strange weather conditions that we are experiencing, some of the animals are finding it hard to adjust, the ewes are still housed after having their lambs as it is still too wet and cold to put them out into the fields, the chicken stay in their houses during the day as they hate the rain more than the goats, who only venture outside in the sunshine.
Billy our Shire looks quite a state when he comes in from the paddocks in the mornings it looks a s though he has had a mud bath, once back in his stable he is happy to tuck into his breakfast and wait for the first visitor to give him a mint.
Kerry cow is producing so much milk that we have given her another calf to feed, now she is not particularly happy about looking after another one but at least it saves me having to milk her twice a day to remove the surplus milk.
Our pony rides we start again during the holidays. subject to ground conditions, as it would be extremely dangerous to attempt rides if the ponies slip and slide causing the young riders to fall off.
Well lets hope that the sun shines and the old tractor can start jogging around the field again soon.
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