Thursday 8th September 2016
A not so subtle request!!
They aren’t subtle, our cows… yesterday morning (whilst we were sorting chicks) Parsley stood at the gate of the 4-acre and bellowed. Sage joined in and Thyme looked as though she might. And why... because THEY had decided that it was time for their electric fence to be moved and for them to be given access to fresh grass.
Kate had warned us this would be so: 'they will let you know when they want fresh grass,' she had said, 'and it will probably be 'before' you think they do.'
In point of fact, now their lovely pole barn is finished, we had decided we would move the fence and so give them access to their shelter (should they need it).
Once we had sorted the chicks therefore, we 'doffed our caps' and did their bidding. It was instant: the noise stopped, the heads went down and the munching began. There is of course lots of grass left from the first strip of field we gave them but as it is a big field and we need the grass trimming down before winter, it is fine for them to be given access to fresh grass every few days at the moment. We do have slightly sloppier poo because of this mind you, but as with the Dartmoor sheep, we know things will settle...
In the afternoon we were greeted with slightly quieter sounds: those of five contented cows chewing the cud!!
In point of fact, now their lovely pole barn is finished, we had decided we would move the fence and so give them access to their shelter (should they need it).
Once we had sorted the chicks therefore, we 'doffed our caps' and did their bidding. It was instant: the noise stopped, the heads went down and the munching began. There is of course lots of grass left from the first strip of field we gave them but as it is a big field and we need the grass trimming down before winter, it is fine for them to be given access to fresh grass every few days at the moment. We do have slightly sloppier poo because of this mind you, but as with the Dartmoor sheep, we know things will settle...