When I first started keeping chickens, I felt like I had to learn a whole new language. Well, if not quite a language then definitely a glossary of terms. As with most past times, there are certain phrases reserved for the people who take part in whatever activity it is. There was a lot of … [Read more…]
I’ve been wanting new animals for ages. My petting area resembles Noah’s Ark with two of everything. Well, four goats actually but who is counting? I was hoping for alpacas or donkeys so obviously I went out one day and got two piglets. I didn’t really think about it (always the best way if you … [Read more…]
Recently, I wrote a piece about loneliness on the farm in the summerloneliness on the farm in the summer. What is the reason for this loneliness? Silly season. When I worked at the newspaper, most of the summer was traditionally known as silly season-when news is thin on the ground. Mainly because of the break … [Read more…]
We have just returned from our annual trip to the Royal Cheshire Show. As usual, it didn’t disappoint. I visited last year on my own with the two boys because the farmer was hay making but this year, he was able to join us which was lovely. It felt weird being just four of us. … [Read more…]
The penultimate post in my chicken keeping series is raising chicks. There are two ways to do it. With a cockerel in your flock, if a hen goes broody and wants to sit on eggs, you can let her and let nature take its course. In three weeks, fertility dependant, you could have a clutch … [Read more…]
Wow what a month is has been. The weather has been glorious and, for once, my house has been exceptionally tidy because the children have hardly been inside. We have been to the beach twice, enjoyed dinosaur crazy golf at our local garden centre and generally had a lot of fun outside. Despite lathering them … [Read more…]
Summer is here and the weather seems to be playing ball so far. What better excuse do you need for getting out in the big outdoors and experience the countryside? I have come up with ten things you can do in the countryside this year. I don’t want the ideas to be used solely for … [Read more…]
I don’t know whether I should have written this post first. I feel like I’ve sucked you in with the desire to keep hens but not I am going to tell you all the bad points. Sorry. I feel I have to tell you though, it would be silly of me not to tell you … [Read more…]
I can’t remember the first time I came across Lorna Sixsmith. It was a long time ago though and, while we are unfortunately yet to meet in person, through the beauty of social media, we have been friends ever since. Lorna is a farmer, farmer’s wife, blogger, author and social media consultant. She is the … [Read more…]
This month’s Women in Farming is a lady with big ambition and a quirky style. Abbie Dixon, 26, is the creative mind behind the independent Manchester based fashion label Bee Sting. Inspired by her horse Makalu’s shoes, Abbie started the brand from her bedroom on the family farm in Bolton, where she grew up. The … [Read more…]
