Fencing finished just in time for the flerd (yes, flock + herd really is a thing) to return from the Glebe.
Geronimo, our much loved Dexter: became an “inconclusive reactor” at latest TB test. Fingers crossed for January — this pint‑sized escape artist has forged a moo shaped space in our hearts.
Sheep: three black woollies got flystrike. Trimmed, treated, and looking slightly less glamorous.
Hens: flockdown struck with a little over a day’s notice. Forty girls have been closed into a trailer built for 90, while the smaller flock commandeered two hen hotels. Winter shed prep is currently on the work in progress list.
Goats: Flossie & Poppy staged a jailbreak into a neighbour’s patch. Our happy wanderers had their freedom curtailed while repairs were made to reduce their ability to leap the fence – much to their disgust and our increasing concerns for a limited winter hay store that they had to munch their way through some of.
Positives (there have been some among the doom and gloom!): beef reviews have been glowing — “melt in the mouth” was our favourite. Eggs too: from four hens last December to around 70 now, they’ve laid 14,537 eggs by 16th November. That’s 43.65 a day. Not bad for feathered chaos.
Thank you so much for your support. We will have lamb in January (pre‑orders open on website now), and we’ll take a breather from filling the Chronicle with our antics. If you need soya‑free eggs, grass‑fed beef, compost, or pet‑sitting, you know where to find us.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year, from the mad lot at Western Farm, Woodlands 
Bex, Paul & the chaos creators –
Cats: Remus, Febe, Prince, Lynx
Moos: Daisy, Geronimo, Bugle
Baas: Rambo and his harem of woolly ladies & Piper and the lambs
Maas: Flossie & Poppy
Neighs: Bramble, Bracken & Biscuit