I’m back 

I'm Back

I’m sorry I haven’t posted any blogs recently.  It’s been a busy time in our house the past few weeks. Getting the kids ready for school after a fab six week summer holiday,  baby girl had turned 6 and it was George’s first birthday.

The kids seem to have settled back into a routine better than I have! All this while living with no kitchen, collecting cows,  hatching chicks and looking after a poorly dog has left very little time to blog.

Im slowly getting back into the swing of things though so Modern Mum will be back on track.

I need my omelette makers back!  

​Since we last all our chickens,  ducks and geese to Mr Fox last year I decided to take a break from farm animals (with the exception of our sheep).
I have been thinking lately that now George is a bit bigger and the summer holidays are on their way, it’s time to build our stock back up.
I can’t wait to start having my own constant supply of eggs again.

I’m going to pick up some point of lay hens next week along with a nice big Cockerell….  I love my Cockerells big and noisy 😉
Chickens make great pets, they are usually really friendly and apart from cleaning them regularly they are pretty minimal work. 
I would stay clear of Cockerells if you have neighbours close by though.

There is a fantastic poultry and farm shop called near Hickstead Show ground in Sussex where I usually buy my birds.  They have a great selection and are so knowledgeable on everything. 
http://www.wishingwellsgreenfieldfarm.co.uk/Find_Us___Contact_Page.html
My preference are Orpington buff hens,  they are a large breed, super friendly and great with the kids. 

I am also on the list for ex battery hens which I have picked up in the past. 
I wouldn’t suggest this if you are new to chicken keeping though.  They arrive in pretty bad condition and are very precious.  
I have lost many ex bats because it’s been a little too cold for them (it is common for them to arrive with little or no feathers 😞).
If you have kept chickens before or have the time to spend with them however it is really worthwhile and gratifying. 
If you saw the state these chickens are in you would NEVER eat caged hen eggs. 

Because of Mr Fox I’m not going to risk free ranging them anymore so I will be buying (or making)  a big run for them. 
I have also ordered some fertile eggs to hatch some of our own chicks and ducklings.   
We have done this in the past and the kids love it. 

Ducks are my favourite,  they are full of character.   
Ducks imprint on their mothers (or whoever they bond with first after hatching) so my Indian runner ducklings would follow me all around the house!  
The only problem with keeping ducks is the mess….. They can turn a beautiful lawn into a bog in no time. 

As for my geese, I think i will wait a little longer before I replace them. 
They were great guard animals but unfortunately they couldnt always tell the difference between welcome and unwelcome guests! 

I’ll stick with Bullmastiffs for now!  
I’ll update you once we have our new arrivals. 

Country Kids

Country Kids

When we moved to the farm two and a half years ago I really didn’t think about what amazing experiences it would provide for the kids. Although they all embrace the country life,  Harrison is certainly our most natural countryboy. Part of our life here includes raising and caring for animals,  some as pets, some as food. Both are cared for and respected during their time with us regardless. IMG-20160213-WA0003 It is completely natural to Harri to handle all sorts of animals,  dead or alive and when we have lost a chicken to a fox or illness I’m often calling for him to help me (I’m not such a natural!) When we dispatched our pigs last year, Harri was on hand to help Mike with the grollocking. I had explained to all the children what was happening and that if they would rather stay indoors that might be for the best but Harri was determined to help. However, I totally respect that Mikey (Harri’s twin brother) is happy to care for them and eat the end product but doesnt feel comfortable with the killing (like his mum) Lately Harri he has really taken to joining Mike on the shoots. He helps with the Dogs and collecting the birds. Last time he went with his cousin Brook and they came back at the end of the day like they had been to Disneyworld! After bringing the birds back it was over to Mikey,Charlie and Libby to help prep them for diner. DSC_3369 It can be controversial and some friends do not like the idea of eating animals we raised ourselves. Other friends can’t wait till their next ‘Thompson Pork fix ‘.  The pork Belly I made from our saddleback was amazing. I would rather eat something that I know the history of and the taste is so different. Whatever your opinion is,  the kids are learning some invaluable lessons that I could never imagine them learning before we moved here . IMG-20160125-WA0004