Tuesday 17 March 2015

Of Things Springlike on the Smallholding

Hello Hello Hello
Welcome to Myshabbychicvintagefrugallife on the follower bar and Joanne and Kate Greenhalgh on Blog Lovin.
It's been a while since my last post but I really have been busy.
Spring has started to spring here on our Derbyshire Smallholding. - The pond in the orchard (posh word for an enclosure with fruit tress in it that also serves as the chicken run) is full of frog spawn, hens have started to go broody all over the place, three little piggies are ensconced in the barn and have been joined by three lambs - so it's bottle time again! Sucker for punishment aren't I ?- I was suppose to be taking it easier this year.
 The pigs are a cross between a Large English White and an Oxfordshire Sand and Black (or is it sandy-black?) anyway these boys look just like large whites as their sisters seem to have inherited the colours of the Oxford. They look exactly like each other so it is difficult to say who is who. I have noticed, however, that they have different voices, so I guess I will be able to tell soon as I get usd to them, plus the numbers in their ears help!
Here they are demolishing a Sprouting broccoli plant straight from the garden. So Bloggy friends meet - Pickle, Gregory and Mr Grey (Christian for short)

When I last posted about the pigs I discussed the strict rules re. what you can feed pigs nowadays, with nothing from a food room (kitchen) and nothing that has been near any meat products. "It's not that strict surely?" friends say and I reply that it certainly is. HOWEVER  Did anyone see the Countryfile programme that made a complete lie of this?! A woman, who kept pigs was going to make a cawl (welsh soup/stew) She stood next to the pig pen with her basket on her arm, in this basket were two chunks of fresh pork. Matt asked her if it was okay to be there with the meat and she replied that they didn't know what it was.  I guess that Matt meant the proximity of the meat with the pigs. However the programme then moved on to her kitchen where Matt was helping her to prepare the stew. He cut the tops off the carrots and asked where he should put them and she offered him her pig bucket, which was under the table. On this table was the makings of the stew including the two joints of pork. Now which bit of that is okay? and why wasn't there some sort of disclaimer from the BBC? or shall we all break all these rules (and goodness knows life would be easier) so that people can enjoy looking at this idyllic county life world that Countryfile is feeding the viewers
. I was minded of when we were taking a lamb to the  butchers for a given slot of time ( he is a very kind guy that only works with a few animals at a time) and the trailer broke down. We hurriedly put the lamb in the back of the Berlingo and raced to the butchers. He was VERY angry with us and said that the movement wasn't legal, but wouldn't stress the animal further, so accepted him. His parting shot was that Adam Henson had a lot to answer for! ( if you don't watch Countryfile, Adam Henson is a farmer on the programme, He throws sundry animals into the back of his Landrover and drives all over the place)

We picked up the three lambs yesterday. I love looking around other holdings and this one was deep into a wood in the middle of nowhere. The singleton is three days old and called biscuit, the twins are two days old and are called Baaaabarara and Biffy (boy) yet again, the grandchildren named them and obviously it is the letter "B" this year for lambs.
  Here they are, snug as bugs in rugs, under a heat lamp just for a couple of nights to get them off to a good start. They are feeding from their bottles really well and we are hopeful for them. It is likely that we will get two more yet if they are available.

I seem to be spending a lot of my time mucking out and moving things around this week. I'm hoping to get time to do some Civic Society work tomorrow as it is the AGM next week and there is much to do.
As always, at this time of year I am happy to see the back of Mother's Day, which I dislike more and more. When we were young we used to be given a little card at Sunday School, this we gave to our mothers, who would use it to mark their place in their bible or hymn book. We might also give them a little posy of primroses or violets  if we could find them, It was called Mothering Sunday then and was for young children and their mummies, not for grown ups to spend large amounts of money on goodness knows what on their mothers. I don't need a card or anything else from my children, they came for tea on Sunday, but then they come for tea EVERY Sunday.
 I'm not doing too well with my seeds this year. I keep looking at blogs where there are rows and rows of seedlings, looking strong and almost ready for the ground. I have a few up but most are still in the packet!
All for now, off to wash the smell of pig away.
Gillx
PS Does anyone know why I suddenly have a lot of views from Russia!?


31 comments:

  1. You have been busy! It seems I'm behind with my seeds as well looking at other peoples blogs. I like my children giving me chocolates and flowers on Mothering Sunday, well anytime really :) I refuse to go out to lunch for an overpriced meal that I could probably do better in a packed restaurant just because it's Mothering Sunday. I cooked lunch for us all while the boys took up the floorboards. Interesting about your Russian readers!

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    1. I quite like receiving chocolates at ANY time of year and for no particular reason! We cut out dress patterns while the "boys" sorted wood.
      It serves me right for looking at the stats, but they fascinate me.

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  2. I think my girls would love to be at your place now! I really need to finish the fencing so we can get some pigs - Peppa pig has a lot to answer for! As for animal movement I do think they take it all a bit too far, I can remember having animals in a the back of the landrover with me and it never did them any harm.
    I never feel like I'm up on seed planting but things all level out and I don't think you gain much by rushing ahead.

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    1. The trouble with pigs and little ones is that unless you have those micro pigs (why?) they are strong and quite dangerous for little ones. we make sure that the children - and yes we do get a lot of visitors to see them - are never unaccompanied near the pigs and we are ready to stand in if the pigs get "bolshy".
      You are right about planting too soon.

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  3. Could it be one or two people who are reading through?
    J x

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    1. I suppose so, though they are now my third highest viewing country after the UK and the US.
      Gillx

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  4. No doubt if the carrot tops were cut off OUTSIDE the kitchen, they would make perfectly good Pig food?

    I briefly lived in Wales (after college) and was surprised to see how many farmers kept their dogs in car boots; especially at dog trials.

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    1. Yes, though our pigs aren't too fond of carrots or parsnips (Kev was right) All my outside stores are fine for them. They LOVE jerusalem artichokes, which I am still digging up, pumpkins jonagold apples and potatoes from store and any weeds from the garden. it's just when you bring them into a "food room" that you break the law. It's a very strict law that is a result of some so-called farmer feeding untreated meat scraps to pigs and starting the last Foot and Mouth outbreak.
      You mean closed boots don't you and not just the back of the car?!

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  5. Pigs and lambs, both, are so cute! But they always are at that age and it's amazing how much appeal is lost as they get older. I had to go back to read your post about feeding pigs in the UK. Wow! I was somewhat dumbstruck at the strictness and cannot help but wonder at the rationale. Our pigs are a very huge part of our food waste recycling as pre-composters. Very useful during garden and canning season.

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    1. See my reply to Cro re. the reason. If you plan it right much of the excess at harvest time can be used. If the weather is good we we peel, chop, pod etc outside and if the weather is bad I use my "utility room" - the outside wash house. for this part, just taking in bowls of veg/ fruit when ready cooking/ bottling etc.

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  6. Great post, Gill. I did see that Country file programme too and can remember the item. It does all seem a bit much with too many rules and regulations now. Adam and his father have been farming for many years and I have been to his visitor centre. The animals all looked well and happy there. I don't eat meat so I probably am not really qualified to comment though. I must say that your animals look so sweet and I know I would never be able to send them to 'market' especially after naming them :-\

    Strangely, I have suddenly got visitors from Russia too.....

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    1. I have great respect for non-meat eaters and hope never to offend them too much. What I struggle with is meat-eaters who say "How could you?" to which I reply that at least I eat meat that had lived and died with dignity and not suffered as many animals do to provide cheap meat. We tried not to name them many years back, but think numbers are just too harsh, but we still need to identify them to ensure we are meeting their individual needs. I guess when you say "market" you know that we take them directly to a small butcher. We could NEVER send them to market (though we have rescued the occasional animal from a market)
      mmm In wonder what's with the Russia thing?

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  7. You know you wouldn't have it any other way, re-piggies and lambs!
    I hate having to buy eggs when 1 or more of the hens go broody, and I've only had these 3 for 9months, 2 lots of broodiness in the autumn!
    I bought 3 pots of seedlings from Hawgrips nursery not far from me. 6-p a pot, I got Golden acre cabbage, Welsh onions and something new to me, Cinnamon Basil. I love Cinnamon and Basil , so hope they thrive.

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    1. Wow! those seedlings were cheap! I wish I lived near to you, I would deffo buy some and save myself some work.
      I am trying to discourage the broodiness, but it's a losing battle really.

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    1. and I meant to also add that I also wondered about the pigs and lady on TV and that I cringe everytime I see Adam Henson with animals in the back of his car but someone told us that if it is completely separate from the driver area and can be washed down like a trailer then it is OK. No idea if that is right?
      Looks like you are in for a busy spring.
      Mmmmmm Sausages! Mmmmmm roast lamb!

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    2. Big Brother could turn up at any time to see what we are doing!
      The only vehicle that you could wash down well enough would be a van I suspect as it's not just a quick wipe down., more a jet wash and then a disinfect, which would make a right mess of a Landrover ( or our Berlingo)
      I was bought a sausage making attachment for my Kenwood Chef a couple of years ago, so I'm looking forward to using it!

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    3. Sorry PP hope you are no too offended!
      Gillx

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  9. Awww, pigs and lambs, so cute. Mother's Day is a huge money making racket but my two do buy cards and gifts for me so I accept them with the grace they're given. There's even Grandparent's Day now, not something which was around when I was young, but it seems that anything where a card and gifts can be pushed is fair game.

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    1. I think it the huge commercial pressure that bothers me most. My children will tell you that I have been so UN-gracious for so many years that they have given up!
      The lambs are really cute and will stay so for some time yet. The pigs are growing before our eyes and won't be cute much longer I fear!

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  10. Love those lambs under the heat lamp - they look pretty good to me and off to a good start so good luck with them, they are a lot of work but well worth it I am sure.

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    1. They are looking pretty good and drinking well. I love the smell of lambs and sheep - not so pigs! Fortunately they (pigs) use a particular corner for their toilet, so I am poo picking for a few minutes each day and it is keeping that job down.

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  11. I think I'm might stick to growing my own veg and keeping chucks! It all sounds a bit over the top to me. They look wonderful though!

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    1. I was going to reduce my workload this year, but it doesn't really make sense not to use the land we have as productively as possible. Sitting in the paddock watching the lambs "boinging" around gives me a lot of pleasure too.
      I am enjoying your blog.

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  12. Your new additions are all looking great, I watched the program as well think its a load of nonsense that you can feed pigs kitchen scraps, you can prepare you veg outdoors and feed the scraps but take it into the kitchen and you cant the world has gone mad

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    1. The problem is that you can't regulate against stupidity or bad farmers, which is what they have tried to do. What they HAVE succeeded in doing is adding to the food waste mountain.
      That said, it IS the law and we try to adhere to it, it P****d me off when Countryfile let her get away with it !

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  13. Haha i LOVE your pigs names! adorable :) my uncle used to feed his pigs scraps and the skim from the milk of his dairy herd and i tell you they were the most well fed fat pigs i'd ever met! what a load of tosh and nonsense :) xx

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    1. I really like your handle, it would suit me too!.
      We used to feed pigs goats milk, old bread from a bakers and potato peelings etc. We no longer keep goats, but we could feed them milk if we did, straight from the bucket and if the baker didn't cook any meat products (sausage rolls, pork pies etc) These three are thriving on flour form a flour mill and maltings from a micro brewer as well as their pig nuts and veggies from the garden. We have to be careful that we don't break the law. I don't fancy a min £2,000 fine!

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    2. That's partly why i chose it, so i could convince myself that it isn't just me who is hopeless at most domestic things!haha :)So the pigs eat a form of beer? Awesome!
      Would thew law be the same if you didn't intend on selling the pigs but rearing for your own meat? Not that i intend to keep any, our place is semi rural but i don't think the council would let us! lol, i do intend on keeping a few chickens once we get the garden sorted.
      Ah, i see, i don't blame you! I wouldn't fancy a fine either lol

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  14. SO true about Mothers Day ! Lunches out, presents like Christmas.....my guys call me at sometime during the day - if they all boughts cards it would be almost twenty quid.....such a total waste of money.....our children made a card at school and my husband took them out into the garden and they picked a few daffs and gave them to me with kiss......those were the days.....

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