All Change

The Summer Season having ended, we travelled up to Elsham last week to see how Adolph and Andy had fared at their Stately Home over the summer. We learned that they had continued the tradition of breaking out of their pen to explore the wider Estate! A sturdier fence was duly erected! They also exploited their JCB characteristics and unearthed everything under the grass in their paddock....

"We had no idea all that stuff was under there!" exclaimed the young lady who's been looking after them. "I cleared it all away whilst they were in the stables when the new fence was being put up, but it just came back again...."

They also proved to be true Curly Coats in the matter of thriving on the attentions of, and treats from, all their visitors - so much so that when the 'Season' ended, they went into decline and quite went off their food! Unheard of in pigs..... They will now go on to the great Woodlands in the Sky but their spirits remain at Elsham in the shape of some delightful Wire Curly Coats, commissioned in their honour, who last week took over the old pig-pen in the Walled Garden.

Meanwhile, back at Rectory Reserve it's been all change too. Young Lily, who's been jumping up on her back legs these past months really has been saying "Look, no piglets!". The Boss consulted the diary and, sure enough, she's well past her 'deliver-by' date.

So, nothing for it but to send her across the Reserve to that debonair young boar, Mangal! Well, she's led a pretty sheltered life so far, in the woods and all that. So meeting Mangal was an absolute delight! We thought to introduce them slowly so put them in separate pens. Within a couple of hours she'd leapt the first fence and clearly continued to treat the others with equal contempt; by morning they were happily grunting along together! If she gets fed up with him I've no doubt she'll simply leg it over the fence and away!

As for Ginger, she's moved over to the woods to take Lily's place alongside Precious and seems to be enjoying the peace and quiet - not to mention the extra treats of apples! Hopefully, we now have two pregnant ladies in the woods. But Precious doesn't look all that convincing ........ so fingers crossed.

Last Thursday also saw the arrival of a rather splendid new Bantam cockerel - who's been christened Louis (after the Sun King of France) for his glorious golden plumage. He arrived late in the afternoon. We were just finishing supper - around roosting time - when our eyes were caught by the sight of our splendid new bird landing on the garage roof! Since the surroundings were all strange to him, he was bound to be fox fodder by morning if we didn't get him back in the pen.

Summoning my Trusty Poultry Hound (Lancer) I went off in pursuit. The TPH managed to quietly round Louis up to a little bush near the pen, where he landed on a low enough branch for me to reach him - Lancer guarding the ground! Much to my relief (and his by now) Louis was back in his pen in no time at all. And this afternoon for the first time I saw him having a dust bath with some of his hens...... so he must be feeling at home.

"And what news of the Bestest Gundog in all the World?" I hear you cry. Well, he had his second day out last Friday. He continues to grow in confidence and 'was allowed' to do some real work. Definitely the BGiatW!