There are many grandparents, especially grandmothers, who spend a good deal of their time bringing up their grandchildren. Our darling Marie in Rhode Island is one such grandmother though she has Two toddlers. The Matriarch is another. However energetic she is The Matriarch is not a young grandmother and will often bring her grandson out to The Coupe now.
He swims or plays or rests in the hammock after working with me on the farm, while his Nanny takes a break with a book in her own little space before taking him back to her house in town for dinner.
It got hot yesterday, much to my delight (I think hot sweaty weather is very good for the skin) and I put a fan across the top of the chick trailer, and another running its breeze onto the piglets. I shifted all the big animals back into the field with trees and as an experiment I left the gate without its pig panel in place.
While I was inside playing with decorative accents for The Coupe I heard a piggie woop.
And out the window I could see that they had discovered that I had taken down a pig gate, and they were off!
They are trained to come when I call already, so it was fun to watch them roam the Dairy Mistress Field, have a good clean run and a big munch on the grass. And then I called them back in. Someone has his mothers ears!
After I have been to visit The Old Codger I am going to open their gate again.
Good morning. Yesterday evening we dragged the stock trailer with its cargo of growing chickens away from the barn where it was very exposed to the sun and popped it in under the big tree so it has shade at least some of the day. It was getting way too hot in there in the daytimes. And they are not quite enough for their Ark yet. Their heat lamp has only been going on late at night since they went out there. Many of them are almost fully feathered. I am amazed at how fast these meat chickens grow and how different they are from layers.
OK off I go to work. We are going to have another lovely hot clear day. So far anyway.
You all have a lovely day too.
your friends on the farmy, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
47 responses to “Controlled Break Out”
A controlled break out? I’ve got my doubts such a thing is possible, Celi. Those piglets will find a way out. It’s only a matter of time. I’d no idea that the Matriarch had a guest. I bet the arrangement is great for the both of them. And yes, “Everyone needs an old person.” 🙂
Well, I seem to be in the naughty corner ’cause did not get this post: got here belatedly anyway 🙂 ! I bet The Matriarch’s grandson has the bestest time whenever he can get to the farmy and she can take that well deserved break also – great! The piglets are delightful, but, oh, those chookies do need their feathers to look a wee bit more ‘dressed’!!!
The old adage: it takes a village to raise a child, is still true, even though not necassarily straightforward in execution in more modern times. It’s wonderful that your lives have the capacity.
Those piglets are a fine example for the rest of us in how to deal with opportunities 🙂
What well behaved piggies! I am so impressed. How special to see another generation coming in to enjoy the farmy. What you are doing has such far-reaching influence. You are giving something to a whole neighbourhood, a whole county, and a whole fellowship across the world. ‘Never doubt that one person’s small actions can change the world,’ said Margaret Mead (to paraphrase her).
I can just imagine that piggie woop, letting everyone know about the gate. My husband thinks the pigeons always leave a scout behind to notify the others as soon as seed is put out. Interesting how creatures communicate with each other.