What's New
Well Autumn is approaching, and with it comes a new season in our farming calendar. We have had some fun filled events throughout the summer and a record number of newly hatched chicks and ducklings! The last few chicks have hatched out now as the colder weather approaches but we are enjoying watching the 'teenage' chicks take over the farmyard! Many of them will be sold at the rare breeds poultry sale at Chelford and will go on to make pets/breeding birds for other enthusiasts.
It is an exciting time for our cows as they are now being put in-calf again for next year and Violet and Tulip, the Champion and reserve champion from this year's Cheshire Show will be making their debut at the National Rare Breeds Show which is held in September at the NEC in Birmingham. Hooves crossed they will do as well there as they did at Cheshire!
Tatton Grey Friar is changing every day, we can hardly recognise him from his earlier photos. He really is growing up to be an extraordinarily handsome gentleman who absolutely craves human attention! Sadly Blossom was scanned not in foal for next year but she was obviously letting us know she wanted a year off in 2011!
Our pigs have had a blissful summer, lazy days wallowing in their mud bath in the sun. Tallulah's four piglets have stolen the show through July and August and have created mischief wherever they lay their trotters! Betty, our five year old Berkshire sow is looking like she is going to pop any minute with her belly full of piglets. She is due to farrow her purebred litter on September 20th. Our Harvest Festival will soon follow the new arrivals on the weekend of 25th and 26th September which will involve a traditional celebration of this year's harvest. It's a fun event for all the family, young and old so please come and join in the fun!
The Farm will also be a hive of activity throughout the summer, with plenty of fun things to be a part of! Here is a timetable of events from July 27th to August 29th (Farm closed Mondays).
- Have a go at our farmyard quiz!
- Paint a picture 12-1pm
- Get creative and help us create a farmyard collage in the schoolroom 1-1.45pm
- Meet our adorable newly hatched chicks and ducklings in the Hatchery 12.30pm and 2pm
- Pamper our donkeys and help us groom them 2.30-3pm
- Make a friendly scarecrow for our cottage garden at 3pm.
Throughout the week we will also be having themed days where you can have the opportunity to take part in activities with a difference...
TUESDAYS: Meet our beautiful foal and our gentle giants of the horse world
WEDNESDAYS: Make a model out of some clay (small charge applies)
THURSDAYS: Meet our adorable mischevious piglets
FRIDAYS: Have an adventure in the woods building dens!
STOP PRESS!
We're all very much looking forward to the Harvest Festival now on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September - this is a lovely time of year for us! Find out more on our What's On listing.
Tallulah is now `oinking' on twitter
Find out what Tallulah - one of our favourite farmyard animals - is doing by following this independent 3 year old Tamworth sow on Twitter. Mother of 46, she loves the great outdoors almost as much as the attention she gets from visitors to the piggery
Adopted Animal Updates
Blossom the Clydesdale
Loving bringing up her special Grey Friar and keeping him in check when he's getting a bit cheeky. She has decided to have a bit of time to herself next year and give motherhood a rest. We certainly think she deserves it after all her hard work this year.
Tallulah the Tamworth
Kept staff and visitors highly amused throughout July and August with her four cheeky piglets! We weren't sure if it was the little ones leading her astray or the other way round! She is hoping to become a mum again in Jaunary 2011.
Rosie the Red Poll
We are hoping she is in calf for next year. Willow has certainly grown up into a beautiful heifer and is very close to her mum. She is great friends with all the other calves and loves nothing more than having a game of 'calf grand national' around the field!
If you adopt any of these animals you will be making a worthwhile contribution to the conservation of these rare breeds. You will be sent regular 6 month updates about your chosen friend and will be able to have a free visit to the Farm to meet them.