A Frozen Farm

Boy, did it get cold here. Today, with wind chill, it was around -12ºc here. And man, there was A LOT of wind.

As many of you know, I recently scored a new job working at a farm park. Looking for a job was initially driven by the need to fund our future farm and get some more income coming in. However, I've been extremely fortunate in that not only has the new job fulfilled that demand but I'm learning on the job too AND loving it.

I mean, yes...it was FREEZING today. I was wrapped in 7 layers and was still cold. My feet were numb. I couldn't feel my fingers at points. I stuck the livestock feed buggy in a snowdrift and spent 20 minutes digging it out. And ALL the automatic drinkers in the animal barn were frozen solid, adding massively to my workload. But...was I having fun? Hell yes!

There's something about being outside with animals in your care, and knowing you have to get round to feed everyone and care for them, that is very rewarding. To make it that extra bit special, I opened the animal barn door this morning to a new pair of kids! They're the sweetest little things.

Being short staffed was, in hindsight, an advantage today because it meant that I, single-handedly, had to run the farm park in terms of animals. And that meant I had to ask questions and learn all the feed requirements of everything. Little things like knowing what to feed a sow in pig, and how to differ the feed for expectant nannies and ones who've just had their babies. And getting more interaction with the animals is important too so that they know who I am and we can gain a mutual respect for one another.

Take Damian, for example. Damian is a Gotland and no one likes him because he headbutts. BUT...I think Damian is actually just a young, boisterous and misunderstood ram who needs a few boundaries. He's never headbutted me because I haven't allowed it...and in just a couple of weeks he no longer even tries, but comes for a cuddle instead.

Polly the pig, meanwhile, tried to snap at me when we first met. But I coaxed out her gentleness by scratching her down in fresh bedding when I straw down her pen and now she almost smiles hello and then waits for her rub.

Finally, the Highlands are also gaining a little trust in me. I love cattle, but these are big animals and they're both fairly wary. I can gently stroke this girl's nose now, and they understand that I'm to be left alone to hay up their racks.

I'm absolutely loving this job - even on days like this when I'm trudging through vertically flying snow, my car's half buried and I'm left to deal with all the animals myself. Maybe this feeling will wear off one day, but for now I'm going to revel in it!

Thanks for reading!
Geoff

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