Smallholding

Diary

School visit / SCF Gathering / Sheep moves

Monday 13 March, 2017

by Rosemary at 2:28pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 6^th March

Well, it was the weekly skip trip today, mainly stoorie hay. Thank goodness that’s coming to an end.

Mucked out the byre; good stuff coming out of it – a mix of chopped straw, soil and chicken poo, so I’ve made a separate pile for it.

In anticipation of tomorrow’s school visit, moved Nugget, our “feisty” cockerel into an area we won’t be entering.

Found a White Leghorn bloodied this morning; gave her a wash and put her back in the run. I’d guess it was a result of the reestablishment of the pecking order. Hopefully, she’ll be OK.

Hens out / Worming / Foot trimming / Diesel's gotcha day

Monday 6 March, 2017

by Rosemary at 11:06am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 27^th Feb

Packed day today; visit to Ravensby to have a look at the grazing. It looks pretty good – there are two good shed, one a hay barn and then a block of looseboxes. Need to have a better look at the fencing though.

The owners have a lovely golden Labrador pup – he’s one of Bryn’s buddies now.

Made my weekly pilgrimage to the skip. Linda preempted me and turned out the potting shed. Much evidence of mice – it’s built with sleepers so not even nearly mouseproof so everything edible has been removed and the cats given free access – Bertie is dining well.

Hens moving / Hay bell / Feed store clean / Escaped steer

Monday 27 February, 2017

by Rosemary at 12:29pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 20^th

What a beautiful spring day. Decided to check the electric fence in the ponies’ field – it was working.

Pressure washed the perches and ladders from the brown and green henhouses and sprayed both houses with disinfectant.

After dark, did paperwork and the conference clear down, writing up notes for next year.

Tuesday 21^st

Not so nice today – grey, colder and windy.

Don’t know what happened in Sheepfold last night but the electric tape protecting the wall was broken this morning and Smokey and Bug were dead spooky. Lucy was fine.

Vertigo / Pig pen fence / Conference / Poultry

Thursday 23 February, 2017

by Rosemary at 8:37pm in Smallholding 1 comment Comments closed

Saturday 11^th February

Not much of a blog this week as we’ve been away for a few days with our daughter. All seemed to go fine while we were away.

Paul started preparations for the “classroom” today. We need a better name for it. I call it the Man Cave but that’s no good either.

Dan moved the caravan hens this morning. The good news is that the Avian Flu “lock down” is being relaxed from 28^th February so the hens should get back out then.

Scotmoves / Vaccination prep / Boundaries / Grants

Monday 6 February, 2017

by Rosemary at 11:43am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 30^th January

Cold, cold this morning. Was up at four, wakened by the barking of foxes – and suddenly realized I hadn’t shut the pophole for the caravan hens. All well but there were three foxes – very noisy. Guess it must be the mating season.

Paperwork day today – got to use the new Scotmoves system for cattle.

Goodbye Meg / Winnie moved / Mucking out Rosie

Monday 30 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 6:30pm in Smallholding 2 comments Comments closed

Monday 23^rd January

Ooh, full sun today. Zaza came for her Monday morning play with Bryn.

Meg was much better this morning; she came out with me, had a big pee, supervised my morning tasks and ate all her breakfast. She even played in the hay. By 11am, she was shut in the dining room in her bed and sound asleep. We think she needs to rest more, which is why she’s good in the morning and poorly at night. But she’s such a sticky beak that she has to see what’s going on.

Planning / Clean polytunnel / Bird boxes / Patio

Friday 27 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 11:20am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 16th January

Cleaned out the hen byre today. It was easier than I expected, although there was more bedding than I thought. Still, it made a good base in the muck heap.

And I completed my quarterly VAT return. Always nice to get that off the desk.

Tuesday 17th January

My lovely Winnie has become a monster. She wouldn’t get her halter on today and kicked me on the leg – well, she did get it on eventually.

Looking at the way she’s flirting with Ace, I think she’s coming into season – so I’ll put it down to hormones and forgive her. She’ll be 7 months old on Monday, so I’m thinking that it’s nearly time for her to be weaned. This year, I’ll do that by taking her up to run with the steers at Astwood.

Meg / Bryn & Ceri / Snow / Straw / Weaners

Wednesday 18 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 5:01pm in Smallholding 1 comment Comments closed

Monday 9^th January

Took Meg to the vet and she’s been kept in overnight on fluids. Poor old girl. She’s in the best place. Hope to get her home tomorrow.

Tuesday 10^th January

Meg’s much better and is home. She’s on a diet of chicken and rice for the foreseeable.

Meg's dinner Meg tucking in.

Cattle move / Workshop plans / Avian flu / Meg / Knitting

Monday 16 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 9:35am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 2^nd January

Moved the steers to their winter paddock today, with access to the wood. It was half dark by the time we got round to it, but they were really good.

Although the weather had been good over winter so far, I’m happy with them having additional shelter, just in case. We’ll get the ring feeder in soon.

The sheep now have access to all the other paddocks, so they’ll be happy too.

Met my chum Carol for lunch – great to catch up at Balgove Larder. Brought home a few wee foodie treats for Dan.