Stormy Chaos
When I started my farm, I knew there would be many firsts. Challenges are an essential part of any business growth and many hurdles actually serve to accelerate the learning curve; though it might not feel like that at the time. However, I wasn’t quite prepared for the triple threat of storms we had this week.
Dudley came first, whipping leaves into a frenzy, shaking trees of their few dead limbs and, in an unexpected surprise, tipping one of the pheasant aviaries over. Luckily, Saad had taken the time to pin netting to the bottom of the run so despite my initial concerns, Mr Silver and the two Lady Amhurst pheasants were still sat inside. With Eunice impending, we waited until dark and move the birds in that coop into crates safely stowed inside the shed. I did the same with the Ixworth flock, and just as well because when the strongest storm in three decades hit British shores, the Ixworth coop was obliterated.
Mr Silver’s aviary tipped over
The calm before Eunice arrived.
Eunice also took down a tree that grew through the Reeves pheasant aviary; though again, luckily it fell in a way to cause little damage. The ferrets - Duke and Stumpy - also escaped when their cage was blown over but as Saad left the cabin to check on the wind damage, two noses appeared. The ferrets were sitting on the steps to our office waiting to come in! Meanwhile, all the hutches were blown over. I was on site, so rescued Tali and Thane (two of our meat colony rabbits) when the side of their hutch blew off. My modern game hen was almost crushed by her feeder but, yet again, luck was on my side and I was present to save her.
The storm narrowly missed causing aviary damage
Now, as I type, Franklin has arrived. Though with less expected force, I’m confident that any potential farm damage has already occurred and tomorrow will be another clean-up day.
It hasn’t all been doom and gloom. The daffodils are beginning to flow, albeit a little earlier than my liking. Their stems are short and there aren’t enough to make flower bouquets but as they’re perennial, they’ll be back next year. Meanwhile, all the ewes have been brought into the barn ahead of lambing. We spent a happy hour vaccinating them (and all the goats) with Heptivac P and in three to four weeks time I hope we’ll be hearing the tiny bleats of newborn lambs.
The first daffodils appear
The ewes are in the barn for vaccinating and lambing
I have to admit, I’m glad this week is over. Despite getting a lot done with the livestock and rearranging the barn (as you can see here) I’m fed up of the driving wind and cold. I am thankful for the rain, however. We’ve been desperately dry so having the IBC’s and waterbutts full, in addition to the pond levels finally increasing, is a major bonus.
With any luck, after Franklin passes, we’ll move towards some better weather. March is, after all, not far away!
Bo awaiting the arrival of Storm Eunice