Dorren has calved at last

Better late than never so they say, Doreen decided to have her calves on Sunday, the furthest area away from the farm as possible (just as awkward as Doreen in the tea room)
She started about 6 in the morning and the first calf poked his head out about 2.30 in the afternoon, then the second one - yes TWINS - appeared by 3 o'clock.
Approximately 7% of cows have twins, these two were 1 male and 1 female, unfortunately it is rare to be able to breed from a female if it's twin to a boy, these are called 'free martins'

Our latest addition of four Highland calves have been a great attraction, especially for those visitors who witnessed me being dragged around the yard by this hairy little monster, determined to get a bottle of milk down it, eventually I gave up after being drenched by the flying bottle, however after a few days of coaxing and swearing, our little friends enjoy their bottles.

Please note that I have borrowed the pictures of the calves as I have not mastered our new camera as yet.


Hope to see you soon.

Pigs galore

Who said all pigs are pink?
We have just taken on 43 pigs of all colours, some black and white others orange and a few with dots on, what a mixture, these are 'store pigs' our job is to feed them until they weigh about 40 kilograms then other farmers purchase them from us, your job is to feed them for us each day about 12-30,the mucking out is left to Farmer Bryan!

Also today we have had 4 Highland calves delivered in, unfortunately their mothers do not have enough milk to feed them (a common trait with Highland cattle) so our job is to get them used to people and a change from real milk to a milk substitute, not an easy task as they are pretty wild to say the least,patience is a virtue, so they say.
See you soon.
Farmer Bryan