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Checking for worms
Rather than treating every animal as routine, we send dung samples to be checked for worm eggs and only treat when it’s needed. That keeps the medicines working for longer.
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The rams go in with the ewes
This is called tupping. Ewes carry their lambs for about five months, so autumn tupping means lambs in spring, when the grass is growing.
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Body condition checks
We feel along each animal’s back and ribs to check it’s not too thin or too fat: a quick way to see the feeding is right.
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The billy goat goes in
Goats carry their kids for about five months, so autumn mating means kids in spring.
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The hens are moulting
In autumn hens drop their old feathers and grow new ones. They lay fewer eggs while they do: it’s perfectly natural.
🍎 In season now
- Apples
- Pears
- Pumpkins
- Squash
- Beetroot
- Leeks
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Celeriac
🌱 In the garden this month
- Plant garlic
Each clove, pointy end up, just below the surface. It needs the winter cold to form bulbs. - Make leaf mould
Pile fallen leaves in a bag or cage; in a year or two they make lovely compost. - Sow overwintering broad beans
For an early crop next year.