First we need a lesson in topping. I hate topping. Topping is when you mow the tops off the pasture in the fields. We have more grass than stock this year which is good. And was in the sustainable plan. We are not at full strength as far as stock goes. Not yet. I still hate mowing pasture, it just feels all wrong. But sometimes the grass gets too long because the animals only choose their favourite forage, the weeds get out of hand, the grass goes to seed losing its protein richness and the clover underneath gets shadowed. Even with the electric fences to help with the rotation sometimes we have to top. 
Last year we kept Daisy’s field well controlled so there are really almost no weeds in here this year. So yesterday we only topped four big swathes in Daisy’s Paddock. About a quarter this time, so she still has grazing while we wait for the trimmed plants to grow back a bit then cut some more. This field is heaving with bees, the clover is flowering beautifully for them. That honey is going to be good. 
Daisy thought that maybe this was a yellow brick road and she and Hairy walked the walk. The she had to lie down and have a wee sleep for the rest of the afternoon!
10 days to go until the Northern Cardinal chicks are hatched and 11 after that until they leave the nest, well maybe a few more. This Cardinal is bonkers building a nest and laying her eggs on a busy thoroughfare, and so low to the ground. 
But we will do the best we can to keep her safe. 
We finished the small outside pen for Sheila and Charlotte. The Shush Sisters. Much better for them to be outside. They think so too, though Diane will remind me that this pen will probably last a week, they grow so fast! Once the Pig Palace is built we will shift the Plonkers outside, easier said than done and The Shush Sisters will take over the old barn pig sty until they are a bit bigger, after it has a spring clean.
And who is that caught on camera with her head in the pig trough? Pania! You are a pea hen! Beautiful and delicate and sweet, what are you doing in there with the pigs? And Kupa! Where is Tui? Probably in the pig run eating their old vegetables, maybe wallowing with the other Plonker! sigh . Everyone is into sustainable diversification!
Good morning.
We have a sprinkling of rain again this morning. Which is not good for the cut hay but fantastic for everything else. This was opportunist grass hay anyway. So once it is turned again and is dry and baled, if the baler works, it will go in the bedding stack. Straw costs as much as hay to buy anyway.
The pig palace is almost done, I will show you tomorrow.
Lots to do today, I will be sticking close to home. Daisy is leaking milk from her poor overfilled udder. You know when you blow up a plastic glove and the fingers get really short, her udder looks like that. Her teats sticking out at odd angles, getting shorter by the hour as the udder swells. Not long now.
Have an excellent day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
64 responses to “Caught on film with her head in a Pig Trough!”
Hope you get the Palace finished before Daisy pops!
We had better hurry then! c
Good morning to the farmie, and to you, C! Glad to read that you are all still standing and that weather hasn’t caused any grief for the farm. Arrived back home from hols yday, garden looks like a jungle, clothes need washing, all those post-hols chores that need doing, fridge restocked with food … I’m jet lagged beyond reason, and need a nap. All that seems minimal compared to life on the farmie! 🙂
Oh No! Jet lag is like sea sickness, it cannot be ignored! Sleep! We missed you.. I am glad to see you back.. c
You should remind Pania that pigs will eat almost anything!
It’s very nice to see Daisy out grazing with Hairy – I can’t help thinking that one of them was born the wrong species 😉
They are the best of mates those two, I bring Daisy in by the barn at night, in case she calves, and Hairy waits patiently for morning, just outside the gate.
Cats can read … but will they choose to obey? Daisy knows how much internet time Mama got for her lambies and looks like she may be trying for the same. Isn’t she only due onThursday? Seems to me if you want rain all you have to do is cut hay:) Laura
true about the rain, there will be real fear when we start the alfalfa, yup her actual date is the 6th.. though her breeder said when they start leaking milk you are about 24 hours away.. c
Palace – I love it! Your farmy is every evolving Celi, so fun to be along for the ride.
🙂 Mandy
They will think it is a palace because there will be mud!! morning mandy! c
It’s too bad that the rest of the world can’t get along as well as all your farmy animals…..
Have a great day!
True, we have some unusual friendships! morning GMom.. c
It’s fascinating to watch your farmy become more natural and sustainable with every post. Thank you for sharing!
Morning, i am going to pop over and see what you are up to! c
that looks like one content pig! i can’t wait to see the pig palace. and of course, the new calf!
That calf is taking her/his time though technically she is not due until the 6th! I don’t mind if it comes earlier.. c
That pig (Sheila or Charlotte?) looks most content. He’s not going anywhere! I do hope the birth goes well. It does seem like it’s been a very long pregnancy xx
Oops that is Sheila, you can tell by the “this is MY bed” expression! morning charlie.. c
Pig Palaces, animals that can read notices, pea hens in troughs….it´s like a happy version of Animal Farm!
much happier i hope!! morning tanya! c
It looks as though Kupa is saying, ” Quick Pania! The Plonker’s spotted you eating his lunch, get outta there girl or you might be dessert!”
Christine
Yes! He is looking back with a ;run for it’ look on his face.. You know that Jaws signature sound for the shark.. i was thinking about that as i saw the big pig slowly appear at the door!! funny! c
Good morning!
I’m so excited for Daisy’s big day!
~ April
Morning April! c
I’m trying to imagine what a pig palace would look like – a bit Buckingham palace maybe? Or perhaps a bit more bling like?
maybe a cross between the bling and good old honest mud! c
It’s almost time…………………….YEA!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
yes .. as the old times say, every day is a day closer! c
Hi C I must admit that our Daisy is my first thought as I open my eyes each morning !
Off to the computer I run to be ever so grateful for farmy tales…and sigh when there
is “still waiting” to be done !! She must know she is famous…she is waiting to be wisked
away under the cover of darkness to a private bovine birthing center in the south of France !!
ahhhh
Nanster
I long for that private birthing center at the moment.. the waiting is terrible.. I am a shocker at waiting.. morning nanster.. c