So, we have a bumper harvest, what do we do? Whats the best way to cook and preserve?
Sweet Chestnuts 🌰
Category: Chilcotts Farm
Latest on what’s been happening on our smallholding at Chilcotts Farm.
It’s Cold Outside!
We have had the first real freezing night of the year.
Down to -2 degrees centigrade to -5, Izzy the emu was nestled down in the field (her choice as she never wants to come into the stable or shelter).
In the morning she still has frost on her back and frozen feathers! It’s quite amazing to see how well she is insulated!
Considering emus come from Australia, this time of year they should be basking in 19 to 27 degrees centigrade in the Southern Hemisphere.
Merry Christmas 2024!
We have cut this year’s Christmas Tree under the watchful eye of Izzy the Emu.
Hatched in April 2024, this is Izzy’s first Christmas.
The field with the Christmas trees is next to the field where Izzy is free to roam. With the chain saw roaring as we cut the tree, Izzy wondered over to observe. A nice sight, but not something I could have said I would have expected to see, this time last year.
A Grape Snack for an Emu
The Emus are loving grapes! Every afternoon I pop out and give them a little snack of freshly picked grapes. Fortunately, during September and October we have more grapes than we can eat, make wine or brandy from, Our excess would regularly go to the chickens, but now the emus too.
My only concern is what their little treat is going to be come the end of October, perhaps diced apple?
Good Morning!
Early on a September morning, I can honestly say I would never expect to open my curtains, look out and see emus roaming our fields.
Yet that is what we are so fortunate to see.
Here is Izzy walking around in the early morning sun. You can’t see Ozzy, but he is sitting just behind the hedge.
Emus at The Gate
For the past month Ozzy and Izzy the emus have had full access to the field.
Beautifully tame and inquisitive, they spend a lot of time at the gate being met by passers by.
The geese used to be the star attraction for passers by. The emus seem to now be taking font stage as the main attraction.
Having hatched them in April, it is still remarkable to think that they are only 5 months old! They are growing so quickly!
Next steps
Ozzy and Izzy have now moved from the back garden to their nursery paddock.
This weekend we herded the emus out of the garden across the road and into their new home.
While they are young, I have sectioned off part of the field. They have access to the stable, where they go to bed at night and are locked away for safety.
During the day, they have full access to run around in their own little sanctuary.
After 9 months the plan is to give them free access to the field which they will share with the geese.
Emus Hanging Out to Dry
The emus now coming up for three months old are like all little children, exploring, playing, experimenting and always inquisitive!
They seem to have a fascination with brightly coloured materials, especially my son’s underpants!
There are emus about!
They grow so fast it is quite incredible the speed of growth. Now outside, they are enjoying the sunshine running around on the lawn.
They currently live in the back of our shippon (which is our log store later on in the year) with access to the garden.
We are feeding them on special emu growers feed, which we have source on line. This is rather expensive when taking into account the delivery cost, but amazingly our local feed merchant can source feed for us.
Amazingly they are putting themselves to bed at night which makes things so much easier. I am hoping that this continues especially when they are still quite small.
Longer term, we are going to move them to where we have our stable. Half of this has been turned into emu accommodation in preparation for their move.
Emu Friends
Our first little emu hatched at 50 days incubation. This little one hatched on day 55.
So its name? The first was Ozzy, this is Izzy.
Normally to sex the little chicks you send off for DNA testing. This often involves using the membrane in the shell. However, the company I was going to use currently will only take blood or feather samples. I don’t feel it is humane to inflict either on the defensive little chicks.
As long as they have company that is what I feel is important.
