Lady Amherst Pheasant chicks!

Picked up a little treat from auction. We have been wanting to reintroduce pheasants into our aviaries for a few months now and I have had my peepers open for some Golden Pheasant. However, yesterday I picked up a Light Sussex broody hen with three Lady Amherst Pheasant chicks under!!!

Can't wait to see what they are - hoping there is at least one cock out of the three. Lovely strong chicks so here's hoping they adapt to our chick crumb and thrive with their little chicken foster mum :o)

oh and the price! £25 for the hen and chicks. Bargain!!!

Russian Orloff

We have been lucky enough to acquire a pair of very rare Mahogany coloured Russian Orloff
The mahogany Orloff is said to be the richest coloured breed of chicken in existence.
Will have to get some footage/photos when the weather is dry!

This breed is named after Count Orlov and were first introduced into Britain in 1920 - a bantam version was created by the Germans but the breed remains rare and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists the Orloff as critically endangered.

Very sad. Such a beautiful breed! They look like an eagle crossed with a Malay lol Can't get over the heavily feathered head and neck - this image doesn't do them justice so will add some footage when I can.

Unpredictable Weather of 2012

What a nightmare. All year the poor plants and animals have not known whether they are coming or going with the seasons!

Metal Detector Pig

Who needs a metal detector when you have a greedy kune kune pig?! One of the pigs was chewing on what sounded like a stone. On asking Jay if they eat stones.. he said he didnt know and went in to swap her for a carrot. It was not a stone but a 1967 one penny coin.

Maybe if she keeps rooting in the same spot she will unearth the whole treasure chest! lol

Goslings on Video

Piggy Video Clips

Hokey & Cokey +3

Well, here are the first shots of Hokey & Cokey's new goslings. Mum is keeping them nice and warm although they have been out for a little explore. Hokey is standing on guard and rarely leaves the opening of the house. He looks very proud, protecting his new brood.

As always when birds hatch - it is amazing to think that a few short hours ago, these little fluffballs were inside an egg!

NEWSFLASH!

The goslings are hatching! There are two out so far.. we think she was on 5 eggs but will hopefully find out soon and get some photos of the family.

Mummy Goose is still on the nest and being guarded closely by the gander.

Will update when we can :o)

Lucian and Fly at the field

a very sad loss: Goodbye Wilbur

This morning, after a week of looking past his best, little Wilbur has finally passed away.
Wilbur and Mabel the albino mini lops have been with us for such a long time, free ranging in our side garden. We have always dreaded the day that we lose them because they are such a big part of the smallholding. Some animals just become little icons of the place and Wilbur was one of them.
Our only saving grace was that he had already been separated from his mate about a month ago because Mabel has a tumour and we felt that although the pair had only ever produced a stillborn litter once, it wasn't worth the risk of pregnancy when Mabel is not in perfect health.
So, we are feeling very sad but at least little Mabel has been spared the grief.

Mabel, left and Wilbur, right.

Goodbye Cornelius

Cornelius the billy goat has been rehomed to make way for us to keep little Hugo as a future stud.
Corny is very sadly missed but he is living locally so we will be able to stay in touch with him.

He is being used to clear some land which he will very much enjoy and will also be used for breeding which he would not have had the opportunity of with us as he was a surplus male. So we feel quite sure he will be enjoying his new home and girls!