G’Day from the Gang @ Gracemere Farmstead
Many of you would have received an email outlining the membership offering we are introducing for our delicious pasture raised chickens. Some of you, however, are receiving this because you have indicated you would like to be kept up to date with the news ( a long time coming to be sure…). If you haven’t received the membership email and would like to know about it so you can get involved reply and I can send you one.
Hopefully by now you would have had a chance to sit down and peruse the exciting opportunity to become a member and partner with us in producing delicious pasture raised chicken on a monthly basis.
For those of you who don’t know us so well, I thought I’d introduce some of the hairy, furry and feathered friends who call Gracemere home.
(This introduction to our hairy, furry and feathered friends was initially written in December…a bit of a time lag)
Farmyard Foibles and Fables…..tales and trials of farm life!
Well, finally some rain and isn’t it good to see some green grass… the cows are happily munching away. Our newest addition is Maple and Sugar (her sweet calf). From near Kempsey, she came, transported in a hired horse float. She is a joy to milk as she stands still in the paddock. Not the best of friends with Bethany though, as she refused to be milked by her when we went away overnight recently.
150 meat chicks transported from Gatton 2 weeks ago are enjoying the delights of a warm insulated space filled with wood shavings and a cozy gas brooder to keep them warm. And of course, the piece de resistance, Tahlia, who cares for their every need (food, water, heat + new bedding) multiple times a day. The meat chicks stay in the brooder for 3 weeks until they are transported to greener pastures. Moved daily on grass, they eat grass, bugs and the like (as well as organic feed from SOFT Mallanganee). They delight in this delicious diet till their one bad day at 10-12 weeks.
Now it’s time to meet the rogue crowd of goats; Flopsy (the buck), Rebekah and Lily (the mums; Saneen does) and their offspring Frankie, Dawn, and Amy + Ruby (twins). They keep us all on our toes as they delight in finding new seedlings to devour. Currently they are demolishing some of our weedy areas during the day, returning to their yard for nighttime.
Our shedding dorper ewes (currently 10) and their faithful ram (Roger) plus their offspring spend their days grazing the pasture in their portable electric netting. Roger is quite protective of his growing flock, often giving the two girls a quick bump to the backside for invading his space. The sheep also enjoy minerals in a mobile mineral shaw to keep them healthy and strong along with some additional feed from SOFT. The extra pellets make it easier to move when their fence gets shifted (normally every 2nd day). They are trained to the call of “sheep, sheep” which is a bonus.
To be continued…
Gracemere Membership
So crunch time….who wants to partner with us on a monthly basis?
Fresh chickens will be available the first week of February, from Wednesday 7 February to Saturday 10 February.
We need to know:
1. How many chickens you want?
2. How many chickens you want cut up?
Can you please respond by return email? I have (and will continue to) talk to some of you on the phone but would appreciate an email to confirm your commitment.
Hope to see you soon,
Love from the Gang @ Gracemere Farmstead xo
PS. Remember a free farm tour is available for those who pick up their order from the farm early
morning and late afternoon (when we are feeding the animals).