New chicks have hatched!! . . . . . . #babychicks #americanbresse #sustainableflock #farmstead #chickenmath
A little “Throwback Thursday” photo of when we first started shipping American Bresse chicks. 🚨FYI, We’ve updated our minimum order requirements! MINIMUM ORDER IS NOW 5 INSTEAD OF 10🚨Link in bio to order. And as always - let us know if you have any questions! ☺️ #TBT #throwbackthursday #dayoldpoultry #dayoldchicks #sustainableflock #pastureraisedchicken #pastireraisedeggs #dualpurposechickens #dualpurposebreed #regenerativeagriculture #bresseisbest #bressechicken
🌅 Rise and shine with Wonky the Sheep! 🐑✨ Wonky is starting the day with a lovely big stretch this morning. Who knew mornings could be this woolly wonderful😂✨🐑 #morningstretch #wonkythesheep #sheepgoals #livingrug #sustainableflock #herdwick #countryliving
That's a wrap… Just put the finishing touches on my last rug of the season, and it's a real beauty courtesy of the fabulous Ian. After conjuring up a whopping 173 (nearly one a day) pieces of felt this year, including cosy rugs and seat/bench covers, I'm officially "rugged out." Not all of them were from my own flock—I've been rug-deep in work for my other business too. I got to try my hand at rug-making with sheep breeds I've never tangled with before like Cotswold, Swaledale, Lincoln Longwool and crossbreeds too. Fleeces sourced from all corners of the sheep kingdom—friends, sheep sanctuaries, pet sheep flocks—everywhere! It's been a been great giving those woolly wonders a purpose and supporting some worthy causes along the way. Now, it's time for a well-deserved break until April and more hours in the day to tackle my home renovations. As for Ian's marvelous rug, it's still soaking up the sun or rather, drying. It'll be up for grabs soon. If you've got your eyes on it, give me a shout! 🐑✨ **now sold** #ruglife #woollyadventures #livingrugs #rugmaker #smallbusiness #sustainableflock #herdwickrug #livingrug #ian #handmade #wool
Everyone meet Ed! He is our only remaining Delaware Broiler rooster from the flock of heritage meat chickens we received in April. We harvested the other guys for meat. Ed wasn’t the prettiest of the bunch, but his mild demeanor won me over. Ed officially joined the layer flock last week along with 4 of his Delaware hens. There were lots of growing pains with combining two established flocks. The older ladies picked on Ed a little, but everyone has found their place in the social structure now. Chickens have a complex social dynamic within their flock. I hope Ed and our Alpha roo, Bernard, can peacefully coexist. We loved raising our Cornish Cross chicks on pasture. They were a nice dress weight, and tasted delicious. But the thought has crossed my mind about the availability of Cornish cross chicks. Supply chains are just so fragile, and who knows when the chick industry will suffer another blow? Cornish cross chickens are a crossbreed. While they are tasty, they won’t reproduce true. Ed and his girls are a sort of security blanket. Being a heritage breed, they will reproduce true. We also have some breeds in our layer flock that are likely to set. Our little bantam Cochin, May, was a great mama recently. If times were tough, I’d love to naturally hatch a batch of Delawares to raise for meat. Or maybe we’ll even invest in an incubator? Raising a sustainable breed of chicken to feed our family is really a dream of mine. Either way, we’re excited to have Ed and his ladies in our flock! He’s a sweetie. #alabamagardener #littlefarm #littlegarden #gardening #alabamahomestead #backyardgarden #littleflock #plantsteading #sustainabilitygoals #Delawarebroiler #sustainableflock
Snow has melted and we are finishing chicken run #3! #busyhomestead #busyweekend #chickenrun #cattlepanelgreenhouse #cattlepanelchickenrun #portablestructure #homesteadersofinstagram #homesteaderslife #homesteadcouple #cuckoomalines #sustainableflock #meatflock #hardworkisworthit 👍👍🤩🤩
Old Beatrix saying she’s too busy to pose this morning for pictures…🪣😋 #livingrug #breakfast #oldgirl #foreverhome #wool #sheeplove #sustainableflock #herdwick
The weather is awful today mist and rain so a couple from yesterday of Ida and Saul.🐏🐏 Ida’s living rug is available to buy now on the website and is a lovely thick rug perfect for the cold days ahead😉 #sustainableflock #livingfleecerug #wool #woolrug #icelandicwool #kindwool #autumnalwoolcreations #cosywoolrug #naturalwool #noskin #rusticrug #sheeprug #feltedrug
Morning views… #onthefarm #woolflock #wool #sustainableflock #lovesheep #autumnlook #livingrugs #countryliving
Hi, I’m Bella, the creator of Bella’s Birds. I am a 12 year old talented craftswoman who is wildly in love with Jesus. He has blessed the works of my hands and is the reason I am able to do what I do. I love to sew plush chickens and work with fabrics. I also published my first book last year, Copper the Totally Magnificent Rooster King (under the pen name Miriam Belle). Chickens and quail are my passion and my pets. Every purchase on my Bellas Birds Etsy store helps me to build my shop and to further the kingdom of God. My family believes in a blessed and spoiled quality of life for all our pets and livestock. Those raised for meat enjoy the same benefits, care, spoiling, treats, and cuddling as those kept for pets. All have large areas to roam in the sunshine and we let them out to supervised pasture when we can to keep them safe from predators. In fact, I teach my chickens tricks from jump, to come, to sit! They know my voice and follow me around. I have leashes and like to take them to visit people who come to our homestead. People who don't like chickens really like my gentle and curious chickens. My Coturnix (and now button quail!) are handled from chicks onward and many are gentle and come seeking treats when they see people. They have bright flowers and bushes to hide and play in around their pen and I am working on breeding more colors into the flock. All of my birds could not live more happy lives and my family treats them with dignity at all stages of their life, from hatching to culling. #bellasbirds #sustainableflock #sustainableliving #quail #chickens #childentrepreneur #femaleentrepreneur #ilovechickens #ilovequail #coturnixquail #homesteading
Yesterday was chicken harvest day. It's quite possibly my least favorite day of the year. It's a day we work towards all spring and summer. From the day they hatch we know that for 15 to 20 weeks it is our job to feed them quality food, make sure they breath fresh air, feel the sunshine every day and that they always have grass beneath their feet. We do all that and then harvest them. And I'm okay with that. It means every bite of dinner is cherished. That no piece goes wasted. After a roast dinner there is bone broth to be made. There is no detachment from your food. Real food doesn't arrive on a styrofoam plate wrapped in plastic. . . . #raisinganimals #meatchickens #meatbirds #proteinfordays #meatiswhatsfordinner #roasterchicken #killcone #harvestday #nofarmersnofoodnofuture #nofarmersnofood #nowastelife #useeverylastscrap #pasturedpoultry #growingfoodisaculturalact #growingfoodisrebellion #thisiswhywehomestead #humanelyharvested #humanelyraised #rebellingfromthenorm #lunaticfarmer @butterfueled #freerangefarming #freedomrangerchickens #thisisthegoodlife #dualpurposechickens #omnivore #meatismedicine #meatisfuel #sustainableflock #sustainablefarming #regenerativefarming
The broodies hatched a chick! Such a fun surprise as I was collecting eggs. I didn't expect any babies until early next week. . . . #BroodyHen #BabyChicks #SisterHens #Welsummer #WhitingTrueBlue #MamaHen #BarnyardMix #SustainableFlock #IHopeItsAPullet #WaymakerAcres #Homestead #HomesteadLife #CountryLife #ILoveThisLife #AllGloryToGodAlone #SimplyDivine
Joy and Jill enjoying the cool before the sun comes up. Another hot one today🥵🐑 #livingrug #jacob #woolflock #sustainableflock #coolbeforetheheat #lovesheep #wool #rugmaker #countryliving #countryside #maker #summertime #farmtorug
IT'S WEDNESDAY! We made it halfway through the week! But I'm gonna tell you, I feel like this chick. Just plum tuckered out! Hopefully I get a second wind. #chicks #chickstagram #chickensofig #sleepychicken #sleepychick #sustainableflock #chickennugget
From our first hatch, meet Gordito and Pequeno. Gordito is an Ameraucana mix. He is by far the fluffiest one of the bunch. By contrast, Pequeno is the smallest unfluffiest chick we hatched. It's hard to tell in the picture but he is much smaller. Can't wait to see these guys grow up! #chickstagram #chicks #chickensofig #chickensofinstagram #crazychickenlady #sustainableliving #sustainableflock
No metal cages stacked to the roof, no cement floors, no beaks trimmed, no ammonia burns. Yes to a constant supply of fresh water, green grass and healthy feed. . . . #howyourfoodisgrown #humanelyraised #humanelyharvested #pasturedchicken #pasturedpoultry #pastureraised #factoryfarmingsucks #factoryfarmingiscruel #bugsnotdrugs #freerangefarming #freedomrangerchickens #sustainablefarming #sustainablepractices #sustainableflock #meatchickens #meatbirds #cagefreelife #freshairandfreedom
Starting the day with Sara & Co 🐑🐑🐑🌅 #countryside #livingrug #sheeplove #wool #sunrise #countryliving #lifeinthecountry #countrybusiness #bankholiday #crueltyfree #noskinjustwoolandlove #sustainableflock #sheeprugs
Spring is certainly a season of change, of young things and old things changing places. Yesterday one of our old roosters passed. He had served his flock so very well. Being a rooster taking care of a flock that free ranges is hard work. It takes its toll through stress, being on constant alert and fending off predators. I saw the signs the last week or so. He would roost up early leaving the flock in T-Rex's care, he didn't go out into the field with the hens but stayed back in the woods and didn't rush to eat. Rhode Soda was a great rooster and he absolutely deserved to pass away quietly in his sleep. The flock is too big for T-Rex to care for on his own but I know that there are some great roosters in the brooder and incubator that will step into that role. Little fuzzy ginger reminders of Rhode Soda and his legacy. . . . #ranaculus #pinkranaculas #shedantlers #brickbacksplash #naturephotography #homesteadwayoflife #thecircleoflife #lifeisaboutmoments #rhodeislandred #roosterskeepthehenshappy #rethinktherooster #roosteronduty #roosterovertown #sustainablepractices #sustainableflock #roostershavefeelingstoo #goodrooster #springhassprung #newlife #newreplacingold #farmlikeagirl #humanelyraised #animalhusbandry #animalsneedlove #roostersarethebest #noroosternobabies #roosteronduty #roosterscanbefriends #flowersandfood #flowersarelikepeople #hudsonvalleyflowergrowers
Here is that cheeky chap Ian. The George Clooney of sheep. Ian is a particularly good mood yesterday and so much so he came over to say hello. But don’t be fooled by this show of affection. It’s only cupboard love as I call it. At this time of year Ian gets extra food and so whenever he sees me he thinks I have food. So it’s not that he finds me irresistible. It’s more the thought of the corn in my pocket! . . . #ian #livingrug #wool #lovesheep #homeforlife #countryliving #herdwick #peakdistrict #sustainableflock #sheeplove #friendsnotfood #worthmorealive
Smiling Henry… 💙🐑 And a few pictures and video from yesterday🐑🐑💨🌧🌨❄️ . . . #smilingsheep #herdwicksheep #sheep #livingrug #livingrugs #livingrugflock #wool #sustainableflock #peakdistrict #woolfarm #woolflock #maker #ruralbusiness #countryliving #countrylife #lovesheep
Lots of hungry mouths to feed this morning… At the farm we got off pretty lightly with the storms as no damage done. It was quite a cold night last night with a bit of snow so I'm just putting out some hay as grass is getting very low now. As you can see everyone is very happy to see me and all in good spirits despite the terrible winds yesterday. #livingrug #livingrugs #livingrugflock #woolfarmer #woolfarm #woolonlyflock #sunrise #woolartist #afterthestorm #peakdistrict #moorlandfarm #sustainableflock #cold #sheep #raw_country
Beautiful Kalina who has not had her fleece made into a rug for a while. As the Valais Blacknose gets older the fleeces are not as good as a young Valais. But if they are I do tend to make seat covers or bench covers as they are so hard wearing. The fleeces I don’t use for rugs are great for carded wool (used on the rugs to make a new skin) or made into roving and yarn which I can then use in throws, wool art etc. The two finished pictures are made with some natural Valais wool and dyed plus some of my other breeds as well. . . . #livingrug #woolart #woolpicture #wool #maker #sustainableliving #sustainableflock #woolfarming #crueltyfree #ecofriendly
#throwbackthursday of Ernie taken 7th of Feb 2018. Second picture taken the other day😉🐑 . . . #livingrug #livingrugflock #inthepast #homeforlife #sustainableliving #sustainableflock #wool #woolflock #friendsnotfood #woolfarm #handmadewoolrugs #noskin #ruralbusiness #onewomanandhersheep
Living Rugs in the making, keeping the flock warm from the biting wind today. When warmer weather returns, I will make them into rugs using only water and soap. From the sale of their rugs, it will keep them for another year as a sustainable flock paying their way with wool. This group of ordinary sheep have no special breeding except for what they might have put on the table. All of them are proving to be an exceptional wool flock helping me make high quality felted Living Rugs and showing there is more to sheep than just meat… . . . #livingrugs #livingrugflock #sustainableflock #lovethemdonteatthem #wool #woolflock #noskin #ecofriendly #crueltyfree #handmadeonthefarm #countryliving #rurallife #vegetarianfriendly #moretosheepthanmeat
Strike a pose… Well-trained sheep😉 . . . #maggie #noddy #tumble #livingrugs #livingrugflock #homeforlife #crueltyfree #wool #sustainableflock #lovelyday #woolfarm #woolshepherd
Well, in typical fashion, we can’t end 2021 without adding just one more animal to the homestead. Today, we picked up 15 quail and a cage to bring back to the homestead. Slightly unexpected, as we were only supposed to be picking up the cage. But, what’s 15 more mouths to feed?! 🤷🏼♀️ Happy New Year everyone! 🎉 #sproutinghomestead #quail #quailsofinstagram #nofacelessmeat #sustainablefarming #simplehappycountrylife #sustainablefood #homesteadmama #raiseyourownfood #sustainablemeat #mamaprovides #growbuildraise #urbanhomesteading #oneacrehomestead #suburbanhomestead #homesteadlife #homesteaducation #homesteadhomeschool #simplelife #selfreliant #wearethehomemakers #homemakingmama #permaculture #cutenessoverload #knowfoodknowfarmers #nofoodnofarmers #sustainableflock
Thinking you'd be ready for Easter... Although you are pretty majestic. #sustainableflock #capon
#throwbackthursday to 2016 and a young Harold💙🥶 . . #herdwickinthesnow #livingrugflock #sustainableflock #christmasvibes #peakdistrict #winter #wool #livingrug
Might as well play while they’re little. Did you know ducks grow much faster than chickens? They will be about the same size as their parents in just 8 weeks! These babies are only a week old, but time flies when you’re having fun. #sproutinghomestead #simplehappycountrylife #ducksofinstagram #duckling #quackquack #sustainablefarming #sustainablefood #nofacelessmeat #duckstagram #homesteadmama #raiseyourownfood #sustainablemeat #mamaprovides #growbuildraise #urbanhomesteading #oneacrehomestead #suburbanhomestead #farmraisedkids #homesteadlife #homesteaducation #homesteadhomeschool #simplelife #selfreliant #wearethehomemakers #homemakingmama #permaculture #cutenessoverload #knowfoodknowfarmers #nofoodnofarmers #sustainableflock
Introducing one of the newest members of @theseedthatsprouted homestead! This sweet thing is the smallest of the 4 that we brought home last night as an early Christmas gift. Our plan for our first round of ducks on the homestead: - If there are any drakes, we would like to keep 1 (if the female:drake ratio stays safe for them), the remaining will fill the freezer - The female ducks will stay for egg production - Once egg laying starts, we will hopefully hatch the next round right here for a larger flock that will serve the same purpose = sustainability! Has Christmas come early for anyone? Does this mean I get to return all the other gifts? Only slightly kidding. #sproutinghomestead #simplehappycountrylife #ducksofinstagram #duckling #quackquack #sustainablefarming #sustainablefood #nofacelessmeat #duckstagram #homesteadmama #raiseyourownfood #sustainablemeat #mamaprovides #growbuildraise #urbanhomesteading #oneacrehomestead #suburbanhomestead #farmraisedkids #homesteadlife #homesteaducation #homesteadhomeschool #simplelife #selfreliant #wearethehomemakers #homemakingmama #permaculture #cutenessoverload #knowfoodknowfarmers #nofoodnofarmers #sustainableflock
We did the weekly weighing of the chicks today. The crosses are doing really well and have over doubled in size in the first week. They are super healthy and active. The New Hampshire’s are doing well, but there are more chicks outside my goal weights then I would like which might be from setting some eggs that were from hens that were a little too young, but I am not sure. We may do another hatch this winter to see if we get the same results. If there are still a lot of small birds, then we will do another year of selective breeding before re-evaluating if the birds are ready to be released to the public. #pasturedpoultry #chickenbreeding #sustainableflock
Tropic my sweet little lamb ❤ #sustainableflock #therapet #wooliewonder #awalkinmyworld #friendswiththeflock #baadgirls
It's almost time! I let some broody hens sit on some eggs because let's face it...I love helping babies enter the world. #OnceADoulaAlwaysADoula #DoulaLife. . Stay tuned for more pics! 🐣 . . . #Hatching #BabyChicks #SustainableFlock #LayingHens #BroodyHen #MamaHen #WaymakerAcres #Homestead #HomesteadLife #CountryLife #ILoveThisLife #BackyardChickens #PasturedEggs #EggLayers #HappyHens #eggs #PrettyEggs #RainbowEggs #BarnyardMix
I just had to make a brief post about this boy, Ted! As you know, we recently got 2 roosters. Both are blue laced red Wyandottes and Ted is the larger, maybe slightly older of the 2. We've never had roosters and didn't know what to expect. I LOVE THIS ROOSTER!! 😍😍😍 Last night we had to go out for a late errand. Got back and went to put everyone up for the night. We found Ted on top of Bill and 2 girls, tucked in a safe corner. Ted was clearly protecting them all and keeping everyone warm. ❤️❤️ He didn't resist at all when I picked him up and delivered him to the shelter of the chicken tractor. He wanted to go back to protect the others, though! We moved all 4 and they snuggled all night. I've seen similar caring and protecting action from him, too. SO HAPPY WITH HIM!!!👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️ #rethinktherooster #billandted #theroosters #tedtheodorelogan #billsprestonesquire #protectiverooster #goodboy #sohandsome #bluelacedredwyandotte #slowintegration #sofarsogood #happycamper #sustainableflock #justwhatwewanted #lovethem #cantwaittohatchchicksfromthem #enoughhashtagsalready #gottacook #happyhomesteader #happycrazychickenlady 🤪🤪🐔🐔🥰🥰
Meet our new roosters, Bill and Ted!! (Actually, Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan❤️ .) They are about a year and a half-ish old. Blue laced red Wyandottes. Bill is a splash and Ted is a medium or a dark (I don't know for sure.) We've kept them quarantined from the rest of the flock until today. Bill had a bit of a cold, but the vet fixed him up! She said they were both really well behaved, in good overall health, and they let her handle them, no problem!👍👍😊😊 Our flock needs the discipline of a rooster and these 2 handsome boys were FREE!! AND they were living relatively peacefully in confinement with only 6 hens!! We have 24 hens and huge pasture, sooooo 2 PROVEN boys that get along already are a rare find!! Now we're praying the girls approve of their new beaus. We have a feather picking issue and the pecking order is never stable. Pray for us!! Our girls look like 💩💩💩 from all the feather picking!!🙏🙏❤️❤️👍👍😎😎😎 #rethinktherooster #billandted #flocklife #flockintegration #flockdiscipline #bluelacedredwyandotte #splashwyandotte #darkwyandotte #ithink #hugerooster #neverhadonebefore #sometimesyoujustneedaman #flockprotector #sustainableflock #crowingmachines #handsomeboys #ilovethemalready #homesteadadventures #homesteadchickens #homesteadlifebestlife #homesteadersofinstagram #hardtotakegoodpixofroosters #lol #homesteadersofamerica #homesteadersofcanada #tangela #Pokemon #angelaisnotmyname #organicliving #trysomethingnew
Roosters Pt3 A rooster can be your right hand man in the flock yard. They will hold balance, teach good behaviour and correct the bad, protect with his life, and offer you new life on the farm. New life brings new roosters, for many this becomes a burden, a stress. This was me last year. I tried to save them all, but in the end that delicate balancing act of Mother Nature played out. This year my perspective has shifted. I have learned so much and I am slowly starting to put down the footings for a new purpose with our roosters. We will always keep roosters. An intentional choice for both a sustainable flock and a guardian to hold the balance. But there will be a surplus every year, there always is. Banking on a 50/50 hen to roo ratio with every hatch, I started to look deeper at the purpose of a rooster, not only within the flock yard, but in the bigger circle of life picture. Something I needed to see and sink into. Life sustains life. We see this from the tiniest micro organisms in our soil, to the wild animals of predators and prey. It is a circle of life that has gone on since the beginning. So what if, instead of seeing the rooster as a by product of the hen, we see their whole purpose. What if, instead of thousands upon thousands of tiny one day old rooster chicks that are tossed as waste to a horrible death, we instead give them purpose. What if we rethink that purpose. If we see their life as not only a position within our flocks, but as a nourishment to our own lives and not a wasted by product of the egg industry. Instead let’s #rethinktherooster This is a big step, shifting perspective is huge. It took me a full year to get to this space. Farming looks different here, and I’m ok with that. The depths of connection are important to me. It’s connection to another life, whatever the purpose of that life may be, it should be respected and honoured. Please join Vanessa @may_blooms_acreage and Bella @the_olive_egg in this very important discussion. Let’s shift perspective. Let’s #rethinktherooster #rooster #roosters #rethinktherooster #flockkeeper #sustainableflock #sustainablefarming #ethicalfarming #farmingwithpurpose #intentional
She did it! #Glenise faithfully sat her adopted #eggs and is now a #MommaHen! It took me a while to realize she was broody and get her safely set up with some eggs, but here we are! She has four little chickies and one egg still unhatched.🐣🐣🐣🐣🥚. I imagine it will hatch in the next day or so. Three look like baby #WhitingTrueGreen and #WhitingTrueBlue chicks and the fourth looks like a baby #BarredRock. Daddy is a #WelsummerRooster. What a fun surprise to find this morning! . . . #BackyardChickens #FreeRangeChickens #BabyChicks #BroodyHen #MamaHen #SustainableFlock #HomeGrown #BarnyardMix #ChickenMom #ChickensMakeMeHappy #SilverPolishHen #Hen #Chicks #Chicken #ChickensOfInstagram #CutenessOverload #WaymakerAcres #Homestead #HomesteadLife #CountryLife #Farmstead #AllGloryToGodAlone #ILoveThisLife
Raven She’s a first time mamma and she’s doing amazing. We can’t wait to show you all the cuteness she hatched out. Stay tuned ! #rainboweggs #rainbowflock #layingflock #sustainableflock #eggfarm #raisingchickens #broodyhen #localfarm #okanaganfarm #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfarmerknowyourfood #farmtotable #farmfresheggs
••••••• Chicken Math Is Real ••••••• Penny was given 11 eggs 1 was removed due to a poop explosion 10 eggs left to hatch Hatch day arrives and one lonely blue egg is left in the nest that does not hatch. How many chicks hatched ? #hinterlandacres #chickenmath #chickenmathisreal #raisingchickens #raisingchickensforeggs #sustainableflock #organicflock #localfarmers #localfarm #localeggs #localeggfarm #okanaganeggs #okanaganfarm #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfarmerknowyourfood #knowyourfarmers #rainboweggs #rainbowflock #broody #broodyhen #farm #farmsteadmagic #farmstead
My kitchen currently looks like a laboratory with all of the fermentation projects happening. It’s like an addiction. What can I ferment next?! The chickens don’t miss out either. Everyone’s gut on the farmstead is happy and healthy! #homestead #homesteading #homesteadinglife #homesteadersofinstagram #homesteadlife #gardening #organicgardening #gardenlove #gardeningismytherapy #plantingseeds #springiscoming #farmlife #farmtotablefood #farmiswheretheheartis #farmsteadmagic #farmstead #womenwhofarm #raisinggardeners #sustainable #sustainableliving #sustainability #cultivatingahomestead #backyardchickens #backyardchicken #chickensofinstagram #chickens #sustainableflock #guthealth #guthealthy #fermentation
🥚Speckled Egg Saturday🌈 My Spring splurge of 25 pullets is really rounding out the egg rainbow nicely. These sweet hens and the handful of roosters are bringing us such joy as we collect eggs each afternoon. It seems like every day we are getting new colors or speckle patterns. Their genetics will bring us the color and diversity we need to build a beautiful and sustainable egg rainbow. The light blue in the top left of the ring is from Skuttle, one of the first hatches from within our own flock. She is the perfect gal for providing eggs for future hatching, sweet and affectionate with great color genes. The speckled olive eggs on the bottom of the ring are from our aptly named Olive Eggers and the other gorgeous greens are from our Cream Legbars. . . . #sustainablesaturday #speckledeggsaturday #speckledeggs #oliveeggereggs #creamlegbareggs #eastereggereggs #greeneggs #blueeggs #tealeggs #eggrainbow #eggbasket #chasingtheeggrainbow #sustainableflock #growbuildraise #buildingourfarm #buildingourflock #crazychickenlady #chickenmathisreal #eggsintheincubator #eggsinwinter #farmfresheggs
Social media challenges aren't usually my thing, but I had the idea to do this awhile ago and finally had time to take photos of almost everyone last week. So I'm going to try to make it a thing and start the #flauntyourflockchallenge. 🐓 Use the hashtag and show us all of the members of your flock. Tag their breeds too. I have a lot of friends with chickens and I'd love to see more photos of them 😊 Pictured are all of my current adult birds. They free-range on 2 acres of pasture and watching them has made the pandemic so much more bearable for me. I really enjoy caring for them and treating them to lots of veggies and bugs. 🥬 I'll post all of the youngsters tomorrow! #flauntyourflockchallenge #chickens #urbanchickens #cityyolks #fresheggs #backyardchickens #flockraiser #hobbyfarming #rhodeislandred #blackaustralorp #easteregger #bufforpington #swedishflowerchickens #skånskblommehöna #barnyardmix #bluelacedredwyandotte #petchickens #crestedcreamlegbar #sustainableflock
The wee chicks have names and I'm calling them the Fruit and Berry Bunch. Percy, Aubrey, Mully, June and Marion :) I was a little scared this morning when I heard their mothers' alarm calls. I went out to check on them and couldn't see a single chick (even when I was standing in their pen). Once moms stopped calling, all five chicks came flying out of their hiding spots. I don't know what spooked them, but they sure know how to hide! . . . #chickens #backyardchickens #cityyolks #urbanchickens #growbabygrow #gardenhoe #chooklins #mosaicchicken #goldenphoenix #oliveegger #marans #bufforpingtons #chicks #sustainableflock
Reuben is a really good dad. He brings them food and prevents any other flock members from picking on them. This makes transitioning this group of youngins to the adult flock a lot easier. . . . . #farmgirl #chooklins #chickens #backyardchickens #cityyolks #urbanchickens #rooster #swedishflowerchickens #easteregger #dominique #sustainableflock #fresheggs
In classic Orpington style, Quiche-a and her sister became broody THREE times this summer! Each time I "broke" them of their broodiness, until the 12 mosaic eggs came in the mail. For 3 weeks, both hens sat on six eggs. When only 2 hatched, Frita claimed both as her own. Quiche was left sitting on a lone egg that never hatched. When a hen goes "broody" she experiences some massive horomonal and behavioral changes. You can "break" a broody hen by crating them with good airflow under the bird. It can take up to two weeks of crating for her to go back to her normal behaviors. If eggs don't hatch (and you don't "break" her) a broody hen will eventually wither away and die on the nest. A broody hen barely eats, drinks, or moves, and it can take a deadly toll. There -is- one other option. If you can find someone local with day-old chicks, you can put them underneath your broody hen at night. The chicks will cling to her warmth (which they need to survive) and she will tune in to their little peeps. After 24 hours, she should fully bond with her new chicks. Thanks to a local friend, Quiche's broody dreams came true. We gave her three chicks last night, and this morning she is happily feeding them in the rearing pen. New babies are: Olive-Egger (dark, bearded, fuzzy feet) A mystery Marans (grayish poof) And a Golden Phoenix (tan, stripey) Feel free to suggest names :) #farmgirl #chooklins #chickens #backyardchickens #cityyolks #urbanchickens #sustainableflock #fresheggs
A flock of sheep happily wandering through the moorlands... . . . #livingrug #livingrugs #sustainableflock #countryliving #ruralbusiness #onewomanandherflock
Another baby chick - momma hen is happy 😊 * * * * * #life #birth #hatch #nextgen #chick #newchick #babychick #yellowchick #momhen #mommahen #backyardchicken #sustainableflock #aw #cute #suburbanhomestead #suburbanhomesteading
Good morning from the gang...🐑 . . . #livingrug #livingrugs #noskinjustwoolandlove #sustainableflock #peakdistrict #goodmorning #countryliving
The peaceful serenity of this face 😍🐏 Happy Sheep - Happy Sheep Sunday.⠀ ⠀ 📸 Meet 'Cheeky Tumble' from @thelivingrugcompany, who produce Living Rugs & Home Accessories made from a sustainable flock in the Peak District. ⠀ A Living Rug is made from a sheep with a name and a home for life, using its unwanted fleece, and is a sheep friendly and environmentally friendly product.
Our wool based products come with a story which is hard to match…the sheep in the field still growing wool for next year’s ideas. . . . #livingrug #woolinthehome #handmadeonthefarm #homedecor #unique #oneoffpieces #sustainableflock #woolwithanewfleeceoflife
One of the Living Rugs I was making yesterday was Marley. Marley is a beautiful Herdwick/BFl sheep and one of my favourite breeds to felt😉 . . . #livingrug #livingrugs #noskinjustwoolandlove #sustainableflock #woolwithanewfleeceoflife #woolrug
Cheeky Tumble...❤️ . . . #livingrug #originallivingrug #sustainableflock #noskinjustwoolandlove #woolwithanewfleeceoflife #interiorwoolbusiness #ruralbusiness #herdwick
No words just No chops❤️🐑 . . . #livingrug #originallivingrug #sustainableflock #noskinjustwoolandlove #woolwithanewfleeceoflife #interiorwoolbusiness #ruralbusiness
So time for another Sheep of the Week… Som Sheep of the week is available on stories as well so you can read on there. If you miss it you can catch up by reading on the website blog as well... . . . #sheepoftheweekblog #livingrug #sustainableflock #woolwithanewfleeceoflife
So time for another Sheep of the Week… Odina Sheep of the week is available on stories as well so you can read on there. If you miss it you can catch up by reading on the website blog as well... . . . #sheepoftheweek #sustainableflock #livingrug #knowyourrug #interiorwoolbusiness #sheepwithahomeforlife #onewomanbusiness
In between all the other routine sheep work , I've been busy in the fleece shed , sorting and grading the fleeces for sale. The fleece sales are an important part of our annual income, helping us to be a sustainable flock. Here's Alia's lovely fleece, which sold within minutes of me listing it 💕 www.facebook.com/pantcyfyng #sheep365 #sheepofinstagram🐑 #animalsanctuary #sustainableflock #fleece #wool #bluefacedleicester #shearing #woolclip
Giving wool a New Fleece of Life... . . . #woolwithanewfleeceoflife #feltedfleece #livingrug #choosewool #woolinthehome #livingroomrug #livingrug #homedecor #simplecollection #woolrug #sustainablebusiness #nonprofit #sustainableflock #livingrugs #woolfarm #wool #moorlandfarm #staffordshiremoorlands
Herdy on Thursday….Tumble . . . #woolinthehome #sustainableflock #crueltyfreerugs #choosewool #livingfeltedrug #woolrug #livingrug #sustainabletextiles
Here's lovely old Billy who’s copying the 'through the fence' look like Ian and Beatrix last week. Does anyone else think his nose looks like Mickey Mouse?🐭 . . . #herdwicksheep #livingrugflock #homeforlife #sustainableflock #woolinthehome #knowyourrug #livingrug #livingrugs
The Shetland Gang (and a couple of Icelandics) look very smart now after having their fleeces sheared the other week. . . #thelivingrugcompany #shetlandsheep #icelandicsheep #livingwoolrugs #livingfleecerug #livingsheepskin #choosewool #sustainableflock #homeforlifeflock #knowyoursheep #followtheflock #livingrug #livingrugs
Here he is that cheeky old boy Ian to start your day. . . . #ian #knowyourrug #herdwick #herdwicksheep #sustainableflock #herdwickwool #fortheloveofmysheep #thelivingrugcompany #woolinthehome #choosewool #cuteboy #livingrug #livingrugs
A small Gotland seat-pad which was made from leftover bits from Giles' fleece. This is only a small piece of felted wool but what a fabulous piece with so many uses. This type of fleece has got to be the most stylish piece to have in your home. The colours of the Gotland sheep are amazing; they catch the light wonderfully and it's so soft to the touch. Best of all, Giles is growing 2021’s version for felting next year! . . . . . #homesweethome #decor #homeinspo #interior #homedecor #interior123 #interior_and_home #interiordesign #interior_delux #interiors #home #homedesign #interior4all #instahome #homedecoration #homestyle #homeadore #myinteriorstyle #design #decoration #interiorstyling #homeinterior #interiordesigner #livingroominspiration #livingrug #livingfeltedrug #knowyourrug #sustainablefashion #sustainableflock #livingrugs
Good morning! Time for Sheep of the Week at www.thelivingrugcompany.com/blog😉This week is Marilyn ❤️🐑 . . . #sheepoftheweek #blog #livingrugcompany #woolhomedecoration #woolinthehome #sustainableliving #sustainableflock #feltedlivingrug #fortheloveofmysheep #woolhomeinterior #madeinthepeakdistrict #handmade #notforprofit #onewomanbusiness #livingrugs #livingrug
A sheep a day in May ❤ Poppett ❤ Poppett is one of the Welsh Mountain ewes here at the Sanctuary. She's 7 years old. She's a darling but I often think our tubby little popkin is a sandwich short of a picnic 😂 #sheep365 #animalsanctuary #sheepofinstagram🐑 #sheeplovers #sheepwithaname #welshmountainsheep #sustainableflock #nonprofit #sheepoftheday🐑 #thursdaygirl
Cool and happy #shearing2020 #wool #fleece #sheep365 #animalsanctuary #sheepofinstagram🐑 #sustainableflock
Shearing day 24th May 2020 #sheepofinstagram🐑 #sheep365 #shearing2020 #animalsanctuary #fleece #wool #sustainableflock #nonprofit
Here he is that handsome old devil Ian… Ian got himself into a little trouble the other day. He got stuck in the field. I was walking the dogs in the afternoon (this is when I do the last check on the sheep for the day) and all the sheep where lying down as it was a hot day. Didn't really think much of it at the time but Ian was lying flat out and looked like he was sun bathing. He looked really cute and I was thinking I wished I had my phone on me. I called over to him (always talking to the sheep mad sheep lady) and he let out this really loud long Baaa which is so unlike him as he is more of the silent type of sheep. He then proceeded to do it again. Knowing this was so unlike him I went into the field and the silly old bugger had got cast in a rut in the ground and could not get up. He had not been there that long maybe a couple of hours but I was so pleased he Baa'ed at me because he would have been like that all night which would have been bad. So maybe talking to your sheep is not that bad after all🤪😁🐑 . . . #talkingtothesheep #herdwick #herdwicksheep #sustainableflock #thelivingrugcompany #notfotprofit #sheepcomefirst #homeforlife #rugwithaname #myfirstsheep #worthmorealive #sheepwithattitude #followtheflock
Just finshed some updates to my website. The first one has taken me months to sort out. It is a range of pictures which includes every sheep that lives at the farm. I have updated the section ‘How it all started’ and ‘Reviews' as well. Also couple of people have asked why I don’t do the 'Sheep of the Week' on social media instead of the blog. If I posted them on social media it's not really building a profile of the sheep while if I do it on the website eventually every sheep will have its own profile which customers can view either before or after purchasing. It also gives me the flexibility to add extra information at any time too. This is going to take time to build up because I have 73 sheep and I have only done 8 so far😉It’s going to be a long project but it will definitely be worth it. So if you have bought a rug or wish to know more about a particular sheep please take a look at www.thelivingrugcompany.com. One last thing we are on Pinterest so any of your favourite pictures of the flock from Instagram are available for you to pin📍🐑 . . . #sheepoftheweek #livingrugflock #blog #pinthatsheep #sustainableflock #ruralbusiness #thelivingrugcompany #crueltyfreerug #homeforlife #worthmorealivethandead #sheepwithaname #sheepwithattitude #sheepwithpersonality #noskinjustwoolandlove #updatedwebsite #livingrug #livingrugs
Not all my sheep have come from commercial flocks. Some I have because I love the particular breed. With the Valais my intention was to breed and sell the offspring as a way of sustaining the farm. But that never happened as I got too close to them and could not sell them on. I could have make a lot of money from them as there was not many in the country at the time but I just could not do it🙄The other sheep, the commercial breeds, have been the ones that are the most rewarding to own. I have no idea where they were heading but as most are boys and the ewes are barren probably into the food chain or for dog meat. I have stop using the term ‘rescued' now as I didn’t actually rescue them from a slaughter house. I bought them from local farmers before they went to market. And in return they have provided the most wonderful fleeces that I use to make and sell to make money to keep them sustainable in their home for life, not far from where they were born😁 . . . #odina #bert #thelivingrugcompany #livingrug #wool #workingwithwool #sustainableliving #sustainablebusiness #sustainableflock #sustainableinteriordecoration #valaisblacknosesheep #sheepwithattitude #sheepwithpersonality #sheepwithaname #homeforlife #livingrug #livingrugs
Good morning from lovely old Billy... Have a lovely day😉 . . . #billy #herdwicksheep #herdwick #sustainableflock #thelivingrugcompany #notforprofit #sustainablebusiness #sheepcomefirst #homeforlife #rugwithaname #sheepwithaname #noskinjustwoolandlove #myfirstsheep #worthmorealivethandead #choosewool #sheepwithpersonality #followtheflock #livingrug #livingrugs
Woolly hat weather today. What a change from yesterday! All the sheep including Mr Big Ears were sunbathing. Now they’re all in the barn escaping the cold wind. Because of the good weather (see video) ➡️I made part of Mr Big Ear's fleece into a small rug with loads left over for another rug or maybe a temporary coat for Mr Big Ears if this cold spell continues🥶 . . . #mrbigears #thelivingrugcompany #wetfelting #feltedlivingrug #woolrug #choosewool #sustainableflock #ruralbusiness #livingrugs #livingrug