Farming Friends

When preparing for farrowing you need to;

• Separate the pigs about two weeks before farrowing.
• Give a dose of wormer to the gilt or sow about a week before farrowing.
• Disinfect the farrowing area and give the gilt or sow straw and other nesting materials such as dry leaves and twigs so that she can build a nest.
• Wash the gilt or sows teats and tummy area.  
• Set up an area for the piglets slightly away from the gilt or sow, with straw and a pig lamp.

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The incubation period for turkey eggs is 28 days.

Incubation Temperature

The temperature in the incubator for turkey eggs is 99-99.5 degrees fahrenheit.

Humidity Levels

The humidity level (wet bulb thermometer) for turkey eggs is 83-86 degrees fahrenheit.

Final Day Of Egg Rotation

The final day of egg rotation for turkey eggs is day 25.

Please note that all of this information is only a guide and that this information may differ according to the incubator manufacturer’s guide.

Always consult the manufacturer’s guide when using an incubator and automatic egg turner.

Click on the image below to visit Amazon.co.uk to find out more about this book or visit one of the Farming Friends Bookshops.

My husband’s family have lived in our village for many years and his grandparents were often seen at key events, so as the new farmer’s wife I felt it was my duty to continue with the family tradition of attending the village functions. The harvest festival service at the church was to be my first public appearance, however one of the farm animals had other ideas about how I would spend the evening. The farming story I am about to share with you is a true story that occurred in October 2004 so read on the find out exactly what happened….

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I love this Autumnal photograph of the acorn.

An acorn is the fruit of an oak tree.

The oak tree is one of my favourite trees. What is your favourite tree?

Join

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As The Garden Grows for more information.

Yesterday I made apple jelly for the first time. I have only made jam once and that was not successful!

I am pleased to say that the apple jelly was very successful and Steve said it is, “Wonderful.” Praise indeed!

Apple Jelly Recipe

Ingredients

• 4lb cooking apples - diced but not peeled or cored.
• 2 pints of water.
• 1 lb of sugar per 1 pint of juice.

Method

1. Do not peel or core the apple, just dice them up.
2. Put the apples into a pan with the water.
3. Cover the pan and simmer gently until the apples have broken down to a smooth puree.
4. Sieve the puree through a jelly bag.
5. Measure the juice and add 1 lb of sugar per 1 pint of juice.
6. Heat the juice and then add the sugar stirring so that the sugar can dissolve without forming lumps.
7. Bring the juice to the boil rapidly until setting point is reached.
8. Pour into sterilised jars.

This recipe made the equivalent of about 5 ordinary jars of jelly.

On Wednesday the cattle that have spent the Summer at the Ings were moved back to our farm.

The day was spent moving the cattle in the livestock trailer into our back field. The grass has grown in the back field since the calves from last season were brought in for the Winter so the cows and this years calves have some grass to graze on.

The injured calf is now limping about the field and sucking from his mother which is great news.