- 2 days ago
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00:00Come on Fletchers! We've reached our fourth year in farming and we've fallen
00:09for this way of life hook line and sinker. Can you keep this? Right Milo let's get
00:17some jobs done. Farming's a breeze compared to having four kids. We're
00:24surrounded by the spectacular Peak District. As far as an office goals it's
00:29it's pretty good isn't it? With ancient woodlands and rolling hills as their
00:38playground. This year we've big plans to increase our flock and herd.
00:53Oh you can't ride on him, no. Whilst continuing to diversify. What about if
00:59we've created some sort of farm musical? Kevin we've got enough to do without creating a farm
01:04phantom. And we're excited about what our next chapter might hold. I can't think of
01:10something that would beat this for me. This is my version of a happy full life.
01:14Right let's get some cup of tea then.
01:23This week on our farm I'm forced to call in the vet as one of our expecting ewes takes a bad turn.
01:34Yeah she's quite unwell so it's a good job that I kind of found her when I did really. It's amazing how
01:39it can become quite serious quite quickly. I give our pregnant cow Cherry a bit of TLC.
01:46Kelvin's a very attentive man so yeah he's been good to me during my pregnancies.
01:51He's learnt a lot that's why he knows how to treat the cow. And our feathered family welcomes its newest member.
01:59I'm very impressed by the cockerel choice. He looks the part, he sounds the part. The next thing to see is whether he can deliver.
02:06Whether he can deliver.
02:19We're still a while away from living back on the farm following the fire in the farmhouse.
02:24Until then our days start in a rented house down the road.
02:29Right who wants some jam and toast?
02:31Me!
02:32Good answer.
02:33And as soon as the kids are fed and watered.
02:36Hey!
02:37Who's going in the front?
02:39We all head straight to the farm to do the rounds.
02:42The first job of the day is enticing our Lincoln Reds back to the barn ahead of a visit from the vet.
02:52Hey!
02:53Hey!
02:54Hey!
02:55Hey!
02:56Hey!
02:57Liz!
02:58Do you want to get some feed?
02:59And just put it in the trough?
03:00It's a big day for the herd.
03:02Especially our new bull, Crowther.
03:05We've got the cows in, we're going to pregnancy test them.
03:08A little bit nerve wracking whether it's worked, whether he's done his job or whether he's just been roaming around the field having a nice time.
03:15I hope he's been busy.
03:18Arriving to see if Crowther has performed is our vet, Hugo.
03:23Good evening, Calvin.
03:24How's it going?
03:25I'm very good, thanks mate.
03:26How are you?
03:27Alright.
03:28Here for scanning day.
03:30Yes.
03:31Hopefully you'll be bringing some good news to us.
03:33I hope so.
03:35What are you trying to do?
03:36Well, they're all in.
03:37Get them in the crush and then we get started.
03:39Come on then.
03:40Who's coming first?
03:42Come on.
03:43Cherry is first up to be scanned by Hugo.
03:48It's a bit nerve wracking, yeah.
03:50So, I'm just scanning around both sides of a uterus and there is a calf in there.
03:55Oh!
03:56Yes!
03:57So you've got one pregnancy there.
04:00Very good!
04:02All looking healthy, but yeah, lots of healthy calf there.
04:07My lord, guess what?
04:08She's having a baby.
04:09She's having a baby.
04:10There's a baby in there.
04:11Sonic's going to have a brother or a sister.
04:14This calf, I would say, is just not quite seven weeks.
04:19It's about three centimetres.
04:22Babe, have you heard that, guys?
04:24You know this baby calf inside this cow?
04:26Guess how big it is at the minute.
04:28How?
04:29It's only that big.
04:30What then?
04:31Is it a boy or a girl?
04:33We don't know yet.
04:34Can we tell if it's a boy or a girl?
04:35Not just yet.
04:36Not just yet.
04:37And then what happens is, as it's in its mummy's tummy, the calf probably gets to about
04:42that big in mummy's tummy and then it comes out.
04:45But at the minute, it's just that big.
04:47I'm glad I'm not a cow.
04:48Oh.
04:49You have a quick look there, guys.
04:51And what a special moment to share with the kids.
04:54Can you see a black circle with something?
04:57It's like, yeah.
04:58I have to have a look.
04:59What can you see?
05:00You can see, like, a water.
05:02Ruby's up next.
05:03What do we think?
05:04Ruby!
05:05Come on, let's do it.
05:07Right, let's have a look, Ruby.
05:09OK, not quite so good news now, girl, I'm afraid.
05:15Strangely, she actually seems to have a uterus infection.
05:20Oh, no.
05:22Which is most likely that she has been pregnant and she's resolved that car.
05:30She's had a miscarriage.
05:31Oh, no.
05:32Oh.
05:33So we're going to have to give her an injection to clear that out.
05:36So the longer you leave these untreated, the, you know, increases the chance of them not getting in car, basically.
05:45So I'll go and get the injection for her now.
05:47Oh, right.
05:48OK.
05:49Cool.
05:50I just feel that's, I mean, it's disappointing.
05:53So, yeah, it's, um, it's a shame.
05:56The main, the priority is we want to get her, you know, sorted, treated.
05:59So we're going to give her an injection now that'll treat her.
06:02There is some good news.
06:04The miscarriage does prove that Ruby is fertile and once recovered, we'll be able to run her with a bull again.
06:11So it's just an injection into her rump now.
06:14Straight in.
06:16That's it.
06:21Yeah, it's going to set her back a bit, but, um, all we can do is try and get that right.
06:31Good comes with the bad sometimes and one good result and one that we'll just take care of and we'll re-look at it in a few more weeks.
06:41It's not the news we were hoping for, but we'll give Ruby time to recover and all being well, she'll fall pregnant again, joining her partner in crime, Cherry, as an expectant mum.
06:52She's in car. Cherry, you're in car. Again.
06:58Oh, that's amazing. That is, that is brilliant. So proud of her.
07:05Should we have a gender reveal party?
07:07Little reward, you preggers. How do you feel? You're pregnant.
07:13Oh.
07:15Dad, what are we doing for gold?
07:30We're going to build something.
07:32Because you're pretty good at building things, aren't you?
07:34Yeah.
07:36Life on the farm keeps me constantly busy. So I really appreciate the jobs that the kids can help with. And when it comes to building, fixing or mending, Milo's my man.
07:47That's a tractor. But it needs building. So I need an apprentice. I need a helper. So to build this, we need some tools. So I'm going to show you a very special toolbox. Not my toolbox.
08:03Guess who's toolbox? Grandad's. Grandad's toolbox. Come and have a look. It's a very, very old toolbox. Is it a big one?
08:13It's massive. It's bigger than you. There it is. You see what it says there? W. P. P. Fletcher's.
08:23So what does that stand for? Grandad Fletcher. Yeah, Warren Fletcher. This was Grandad's first ever, because you know Grandad used to fix trucks? That was his job. He used to fix big trucks. And this was his toolbox. And he had this since he was 16 years old.
08:44So you've got all different, it's all a bit rusty, but you've got tools there. And then, all these little cabinets. You pull these out, and in each one, is a different type of tool.
08:54Look at those little tiny ones. That'd be good for you, that one. I want to see a really tiny one. Yeah, that's a small one.
09:02Aww, that could be for Maxim's hair. Yeah.
09:06I learned just about everything I know by helping my dad out. Now, I'm hoping Milo picks up a thing or two, helping me out around the farm.
09:15We're starting small today, nothing too complicated, and one job that hopefully will put a smile on the twins' faces.
09:21Right, shall we get making this then, mate? Yeah. Yeah?
09:26Don't put the wheel there. Let's start with the seed.
09:30So these are the... everything that we need. OK?
09:36Now, we've not got a manual, so we're just going to have to figure this out ourselves, aren't we?
09:40Dad, I know how to do it.
09:43You ready? Watch. I know, mate.
09:47Need... Let's take these gloves off, then. Let's take one off.
09:52Need this.
09:55Put it there.
09:57Yeah, I think the washer needs to go on the inside.
10:00Clop.
10:01And...
10:03Learn.
10:04OK?
10:05OK.
10:06Now that, get the hat on.
10:10And then, you have to put it on.
10:14Oh, wait, let me throw another hat off.
10:17Pick a hat.
10:20Well, it does say there.
10:22Look.
10:23Shall we go and get one that's already made?
10:26Yeah, so then we can see.
10:28Here's one that's already made.
10:31This sits on like that.
10:36This comes on.
10:37There.
10:38And then turns around like that.
10:40Yeah?
10:41Yeah.
10:42And then we know the axle.
10:43This is called the axle.
10:45It's going to go through.
10:47So that goes through that side, like that.
10:49And now we just need to put the wheels on.
10:51So it is this way.
10:54Oops.
10:55This is turning out to be a little trickier than I thought.
11:00And I've officially reached the end of my winging it abilities.
11:03Time to admit defeat and go find some instructions.
11:06I've found a manual.
11:09Oh, yes, instructions.
11:12Here we go.
11:13No child's allowed, only parents are allowed to sit.
11:19Yeah, but we'll be alright, won't we?
11:21Yeah, we'll be alright.
11:22Get your steering wheel then.
11:24Steering wheel.
11:25So we've got a plastic washer at the bottom.
11:28So that's in.
11:29The wheel's on.
11:30That's good.
11:31And then get your screw.
11:32You've got two screws here.
11:33Nice and steady.
11:34That was a good one.
11:35That was a good one.
11:36Now the twins each have their own mini tractor to keep them busy.
11:50As for Milo the mechanic, I don't think it'll be too long before he's using more of the tools
11:55from his grandad's toolbox.
11:58That was a hard one, but never mind.
12:01That'll do.
12:02Good lad.
12:03Now we're finished.
12:04High five.
12:05You know what we need to do now?
12:07What?
12:08Test drive.
12:09Test drive.
12:10For Max and Matthias.
12:11Make sure it's safe and it's working.
12:13Yeah.
12:14Give it a little drive down there.
12:16I might pretend I'm going to fall.
12:18Give it a little go.
12:19Okay, wait.
12:25Right, let's get some cup of tea then.
12:41Our farm sits on the edge of the Peak District National Park at around 900 feet.
12:46This year, we're learning that farming at altitude comes with a whole host of problems
12:52that affect the soil quality.
12:54But that's not putting us off having a go at growing our first crop.
12:58The scarecrow's still standing.
13:00I mean, his pants have fallen down a little bit.
13:03But more than that, it's looking alright.
13:05And our scarecrow's Esmeralda and Simon Cowell are a great new addition to the farm.
13:10I must add, doing a cracking job because I cannot see a single crow.
13:16We're growing oats.
13:18These fields haven't been used for arable farming in over 20 years.
13:22So we're learning as we go.
13:24But the prospect of growing an edible crop here is incredibly exciting.
13:29The difference a week makes.
13:31I mean, we're not quite at a sea of green yet, but now you can kind of, you can see the shoots.
13:37They're quite well established.
13:38We've had some amazing weather.
13:40It's been really warm.
13:41A lot of sunshine.
13:42We haven't had any rain.
13:44But at the minute, the transformation visually is just incredible, really.
13:51I guess we'll see what Ben says.
13:55I'm happy.
13:56We'll see what Ben says.
13:57He's the expert.
13:58Ben is the agronomist, or soil expert, advising me on how to nurture our first crop.
14:05Hiya Ben.
14:06How you doing?
14:07What's the difference, eh?
14:08There's a crop.
14:09There is a crop.
14:10There is a crop.
14:11Is that the official?
14:12There is a crop.
14:13Yeah, there is a crop.
14:14It is established.
14:15It's here and we can see it.
14:16It looks a little bit patchy up on the top.
14:18Yeah, it does look a little bit patchy in areas, but it's still, it's still there.
14:22It's 99% there, really.
14:24It's Ben's job to cast his expert eye over our oak crop, and spot any threats that might
14:29affect its growth.
14:31We call this, like, growth stage 12.
14:35Growth stage 10 and up is how many leaves it's got.
14:38So if it's a growth stage 12, it's got two leaves.
14:40It's got two leaves.
14:41Right, okay.
14:42I can't see any slug damage either at all.
14:44I would imagine it will be slightly capped by the lack of moisture.
14:48At the moment.
14:49Right.
14:50Because it needs it just to, well, it just needs it to move around the nutrients.
14:53Yeah.
14:54It's like human.
14:55Yeah, yeah, yeah.
14:56So once we have a bit of rain, then that will transform things again.
14:59It'll really take it up.
15:00Good.
15:01Now, before we move on, my scarecrow.
15:05Yeah.
15:06That's Liz and Marnie's.
15:08Yeah.
15:09And me and Milo did that one up there.
15:13I think that was winning.
15:15That's definitely winning, isn't it?
15:17Yeah, yeah.
15:18It's like a work of art.
15:19It's, er...
15:20But they seem, joking aside, they actually seem to be doing a job,
15:23because I can't see a single crow.
15:25I've been astonished by the impact that it's had,
15:28and I absolutely really, really enjoyed making them with the kids.
15:32Yes.
15:33I found it quite therapeutic, you know.
15:34They'll be entering competitions soon.
15:36It's a big thing.
15:37Is it?
15:38Oh, yeah.
15:39A lot of scarecrow competitions.
15:40Scarecrow competitions, yeah.
15:41Maybe that's one for the future.
15:43With Esmeralda and Simon Cowell potential prize winners.
15:47Anyway, shall we have a look?
15:49Shall we have a wonder?
15:50We'll look at some good bits, and then we'll look at some bad bits.
15:52Now, this...
16:06This is grassweed.
16:08I reckon probably the biggest risk this field has got
16:13is if this grass that you ploughed in comes back,
16:19because if it does, there's absolutely nothing we can do about it.
16:23Yeah, this grassweed is the...
16:25Could be a problem.
16:27Could be an issue, but what normally happens is the...
16:32is the oats, especially in spring corn, they will...
16:35they'll get beyond it.
16:37So our oats need to outgrow the grass that's currently competing
16:41for nutrients in the soil.
16:43On his last visit, Ben also found a bug called a leather jacket,
16:47which could have devastating effects
16:49if they've decided to call this field their home.
16:52This is the problem with the leather jackets,
16:55is that this is underneath.
16:57It's not necessarily...
16:58It could also be a good thing,
16:59because they might just eat this instead.
17:00Right, OK.
17:01But this is going to be attracting them.
17:02Right.
17:03This is, you know, you've effectively left their food source for them.
17:06They will 100% still be here.
17:07If they were here last time, they won't...
17:09they won't go anywhere.
17:10Yeah.
17:11But once the crop gets established to a point,
17:12it will out-compete them anyway?
17:13Absolutely, yeah.
17:14OK.
17:15Oh, yeah, totally, yeah.
17:16This doesn't look like it's going to be a massive...
17:19The leather jackets, I'm not thinking,
17:20are going to become a problem.
17:21This is good, this is...
17:24Yeah, but there's no...
17:25Again, this is toast.
17:26You're optimistic.
17:27Thankfully, it seems that natural predators
17:29have kept the bugs at bay.
17:31And the early signs are good for our crops.
17:34All being well,
17:35we'll be harvesting our oats before the summer's out.
17:38So this field could literally yield a crop.
17:42Yeah.
17:43Oats.
17:44Yeah, yeah.
17:45And then the latter end of the year, the season...
17:46You could do sweets or stubble turnips, probably stubble turnips.
17:48That would actually support livestock.
17:50Absolutely.
17:51Yeah.
17:52Wow.
17:53I could fill my belly with porridge oats.
17:54Yeah, yeah.
17:55And then we could fatten lambs.
17:56Yeah.
17:57Yeah, yeah.
17:58This is a bit where arable farming gets interesting, isn't it?
18:00That sounds great.
18:01Yeah.
18:02That sounds amazing.
18:03It's amazing.
18:04It's amazing to think this one field could produce two crops in one year.
18:18And by rotating the crop, the soil improves and the weeds are kept at bay.
18:23Good, good.
18:24Excellent.
18:25Brilliant.
18:26Yeah.
18:27Happy.
18:28Perfect.
18:29Now we just need a bit of rain, you say.
18:30Now it just needs to rain, sadly.
18:33Ben will be back in a couple of weeks to take samples to check the nutrient levels.
18:37This will determine the quality of the crop.
18:42That was really interesting.
18:43I mean, first and foremost, it's established.
18:46Ben's happy.
18:47We could do with a little bit of rain, can't believe I'm saying that.
18:50And that will really kind of transform things again.
18:53As well, can't forget, there's a chance to put some turnips.
18:58So it feels like that one field can really serve us as a family.
19:03That's just music, isn't it?
19:15Here on the farm, we treat every animal with the same love and care
19:19we'd give our own family.
19:21And yes, that sometimes means an extra little pampering too.
19:25I'm going to give her a brush down.
19:27She loves this.
19:28She's losing her winter coat.
19:30It makes me just want to get her shampooed.
19:33I know, it would be nice to wash her.
19:34Should we give her a spruce up before she casts?
19:36Should we give her a nice spruce up?
19:37A nice clean, that would be nice, wouldn't it?
19:39Well, we could clean her, you know, give the pens a good clean out.
19:43We'll give her a final pamper before she casts.
19:47Oh, that's nice, like...
19:49And it'll be quite relaxing for her as well.
19:55Yeah, Kelvin really compliments the cows,
19:57really talks about how beautiful and majestic they are.
20:02I've not heard him talk about me like that for a long time.
20:07Do you think I'm beautiful and majestic, Kelvin?
20:10Yeah, you are.
20:12Oh, my God!
20:16I've got to ask for it these days.
20:17He used to just tell me, now I've got to ask.
20:19Liz being slightly envious of the attention I give the cows is a new one.
20:23But to be fair to Cherry, after the news of a positive pregnancy test,
20:27she deserves a little extra attention.
20:30There is something calming about a cow, though.
20:33Oh, she has enjoyed that.
20:35Don't stop, it'd be nice on her belly, Kelvin.
20:37Like, when you're carrying and you're all stretched...
20:41All tight.
20:42Tight and, oh, he's aching, everything's aching.
20:45Kelvin's a very attentive man.
20:47So, yeah, he's been good to me during my pregnancies.
20:50He's learnt a lot, that's why he knows how to treat the cow.
20:53You're regretting those shoes now, aren't you?
20:57See, footwear, that is just...
21:00That was like day one of being on the farm.
21:02What are you thinking?
21:03I'd have to wear wellies every day.
21:05Or boots.
21:06Get your wellies.
21:07You're a farmer.
21:09I'm an actor-stroke farmer.
21:11I'm always going to be a little unorthodox.
21:13You don't realise what state you're in until you do the school run
21:15and you think, oh, my God, I've got poo down my jeans,
21:18I've got the wrong shoes on,
21:20and some of the mums and dads are, you know,
21:22suited and booted and looking glamorous.
21:24I just think, I'm just going to do this as quick as possible
21:26and hope nobody sees me.
21:27That does not bother me.
21:28My appearance on the school run does not bother me one little bit.
21:31I remember going to a harvest show once,
21:34celebrating harvest, watching the kids do a little show,
21:37and I sat down, I'd just been with the pigs.
21:39And I remember sitting there and the parents next to me
21:43and I could have this smell, this overwhelming smell.
21:46And I'm thinking, what is that? That's horrible.
21:49And I'm watching little Milo, tears in my eyes, so proud.
21:54And then it dawned on me, it's me.
21:56You are the smell.
21:58I don't mind being a bit scruffy.
22:00Can't change that you are what you are.
22:02Although our sheep and cows aren't always the easiest to handle,
22:21I like to think we are getting a grip on these animals.
22:25But there's one cheeky little group that plays by their own rules.
22:30Our four unruly chickens.
22:32So now, Liz and Marnie are on a mission
22:35to find a true ruler of the roost.
22:38Why are we yelling?
22:40Well, you know we've got the four hens,
22:45but we've never had a cockerel, have we?
22:49And if we have a cockerel, when the hens lay their eggs,
22:53then they would be fertilised into chicks.
22:58And every morning it will be like, cock-a-doodle-doo!
23:01Let's go find a cockerel for our hens, then.
23:04Exactly.
23:06Today's adventure takes Liz and Marnie
23:09to a farm on the other side of Cheshire.
23:11Hi!
23:12Hello, you OK?
23:14I'm Liz.
23:15Hi, I'm Emily.
23:16Nice to meet you.
23:19We've been told that Emily is a great local breeder
23:22of a whole variety of feathered friends.
23:25So I've been breeding chickens for over ten years now.
23:31I specialise in the rare and traditional breeds.
23:33Because I love them.
23:36They're hardy and they're robust and they're very pretty as well.
23:40They are pretty! Look at these! What are these?
23:43These are silkies.
23:44So, yeah, they make a great pet, actually.
23:47They're very sweet.
23:50We need our new lad on the farm to produce chicks.
23:54And Emily has a special bit of kit to help Mother Nature along.
23:58Would you like to see some chicks?
24:00Yeah.
24:01We've got some chicks and they came out of the incubator on Tuesday.
24:04Who's Tuesday?
24:05Yeah, so...
24:06So they're two days old?
24:07Yeah, so...
24:08Oh!
24:09Yeah, so do you want to come in?
24:10This is my incubator room and chick brooder.
24:14That just imitates...
24:15Oh!
24:16Imitates a brooder.
24:17Oh!
24:18Look at that one, man!
24:20Oh, look at the little grey one!
24:21I know!
24:22And then...
24:23I don't know if you want that.
24:24Like the yellow one.
24:26That's a Weetamaran, actually.
24:28Oh!
24:29Oh!
24:30Oh!
24:31That is so cute!
24:33Can I hold?
24:35What?
24:36Oh!
24:37Oh!
24:38Oh!
24:39Oh!
24:40Look!
24:41I know!
24:42These are so cute.
24:45Really cute.
24:46Oh, is this your incubator?
24:49Oh, wow.
24:50This is so real.
24:51Are they on a slant on purpose?
24:54Yeah, so they turn every 45 minutes, which...
24:57Cos that's what a broody hen would do.
24:59They turn them to make sure they're incubated evenly
25:03all around the egg.
25:05And if our hens aren't broody,
25:07so that means they won't sit on the egg to help it grow,
25:10we'll incubate them so the children can look after it.
25:13And I think that's just a fascinating thing for them to do.
25:16And they're very clever when they hatch out.
25:19They know to go to the food and they're already eating
25:22and drinking themselves, so...
25:23They're so clever.
25:24Yeah, they're really clever.
25:25Oh!
25:26Oh!
25:27Listen to that!
25:32But as cute as these little chicks are,
25:34we're after something a little more grown up.
25:37Shall we take a look at what you think might be good for us, then?
25:40Yeah, definitely.
25:42We now need to choose the perfect match
25:44for our lovely leg horns.
25:46Marnie, what do you think of this guy?
25:47Yeah.
25:48I love him!
25:49When I take the cockerel home to the hens,
25:52how will they work out their relationship?
25:56Like, will he just instantly know to be the boss of them?
25:59Yeah, they'll just...
26:00They'll chat amongst themselves about who...
26:03Yeah, who's this new guy?
26:05Erm...
26:06And what is his intentions?
26:07Erm...
26:08Yeah, so I guess they might go through a bit of a dating phase.
26:12So they're quite romantic cockerels, then?
26:16Yeah, I think so, yeah.
26:17I think some more than others.
26:20If we take him home tonight, what do we do with him?
26:23Do we put him in the pen and let him warm his way up in the day?
26:27I'll be worried about him at night otherwise, or...?
26:30Erm...
26:31What would you suggest?
26:32I would put him in the coop where you would ideally like all of your hens to sleep.
26:36Right, OK.
26:37Shall we take him home?
26:39Yeah.
26:40Do you think Dad will like him?
26:41Yeah.
26:42I think you've got yourself a deal!
26:44All right, great!
26:45All right, great!
26:46Yeah!
26:47He's certainly a handsome chap.
26:50Do you cut his nails?
26:52No, usually when they're free-ranging, they wear their nails down themselves.
26:57And they're feathers.
26:59What?
27:00So this breed, the French Wheaton Moran, he's got feathery feet.
27:03Wait, is this the French?
27:05He's French.
27:06Bonjour!
27:07Erm...
27:08Yep, definitely wink to them.
27:09Yep, he understands you.
27:11Come on then little fella, in your new bed.
27:13Whee!
27:14There you go fella!
27:15Right, well let's get you home to the hens then!
27:18You're gonna love it!
27:19Thank you for that!
27:20Take care, see you later!
27:22Bye!
27:24Today's been amazing.
27:26We wanted that traditional cockerel look.
27:29You know, it looks like it's got something about him.
27:32And it feels like it's something that...
27:35The farm was missing.
27:37I think Kelvin, you know, two alphas look at each other.
27:39He might square up to the cockerel and be like,
27:41who's the boss of this farm?
27:42And he'll know it's the cockerel!
27:44So, this is the next teeny little bit of expansion at the farm.
27:48Just the next little addition.
27:50That's exciting, fun and very good looking.
27:53I mean, look at him.
27:54He's a handsome chap.
28:11With our new cockerel safely back home, it's time to introduce him to the rest of the family.
28:16Right, come on, let's go and meet him.
28:18So, it's a boy chicken.
28:20It's not a chicken actually, it's a cockerel.
28:24If you were in America, then you'd call it rooster.
28:27I don't know why, but for some reason I call it rooster.
28:30And I've also got a name for it.
28:32So, the name is Albie Fletcher.
28:35Oh!
28:36Albie!
28:37Yeah.
28:38That's a great name.
28:39Albie's a nice name.
28:40Why Albie?
28:42Well, I thought that maybe like a fierce name, like maybe like...
28:47He's got some gorgeous colours.
28:49So, we're going to leave him in here for a little while, just so he can get used to it.
28:54The hen's roosted up here, so they have been looking at him, but they're not too impressed so far.
28:59But when he's kind of worked out that this is where he gets his water, this is where he'll get his food,
29:04then we can let him out for a little bit and hopefully he'll come back knowing this is where his food goes.
29:10Do you want to go and get a little bit of feed and we'll chuck it in and see if he comes to it?
29:13But just to know that you also feed him, do you want me to go and get you some?
29:17Hold my purse.
29:19I'll be back in five.
29:21Bit of a tough crowd with them hens.
29:24I feel like they're giving him evil looks at the minute.
29:27They're like, who is this?
29:29So, we'll see what happens.
29:31He's got to win them over.
29:33It might take about two weeks for him to officially do his job.
29:39So, we can still have scrambled eggs, fried eggs for breakfast.
29:43Good.
29:44Yeah.
29:45But on the other side, we might even get some baby chicks.
29:48We might get some baby chicks.
29:49How long do baby chicks take to?
29:51About 21 days.
29:52What do you think, Milo?
29:53Good.
29:54The thought of having some baby chicks around.
29:56Yeah.
29:57Would you like that?
29:58Yeah.
29:59You better start thinking of some names because if we have loads of chicks running around,
30:02we'll need lots of names.
30:04Right, be very gentle.
30:05Let him know you're his mate.
30:06And then say, come on, chuk-chuk, like we do to the others.
30:09Chuk-chuk.
30:10And then throw some food down.
30:11Chuk-chuk.
30:12Come on, chuk-chuk.
30:13Say, come on, chuk-chuk.
30:14Come on.
30:16Aw.
30:17I made a love heart, Danny.
30:18I know.
30:19It looks good.
30:20Where is he?
30:21There's my prince.
30:24Come here.
30:25Chuk-chuk.
30:26He's big, isn't he?
30:27Yeah, he's massive.
30:28Yeah, he's massive.
30:29I think he's handsome.
30:31I think he's very, very handsome, in fact.
30:35And he's a great addition to the farm.
30:37And I cannot wait to have some chicks.
30:39He's lovely.
30:40You've picked a very good-looking one there, babe.
30:43Step one is get him to know that this is home.
30:46Step two, let him out.
30:47That's the next step.
30:48Yeah, a couple more days.
30:49And then step three, hopefully, get some eggs that have been fertilised.
30:55I'm very impressed by their cockerel choice.
30:57They've picked a very handsome chappie.
30:59He looks the part.
31:01He sounds the part.
31:02The next thing to see is whether he can deliver.
31:05Has he got the minerals?
31:06Think he can fill a pram?
31:08Can he fill a pram?
31:09Filling a pram won't be his only job, though.
31:14He'll also serve as the farm's very own alarm clock.
31:17Morning's going to be different now, aren't they?
31:19Yeah, maybe.
31:21You know how you set your alarm for six every morning
31:24and it wakes everybody up but you?
31:26Well, maybe this cockerel will wake you up and you'll finally get out of bed.
31:32Right then, Albie.
31:34We'll listen out for you in the morning.
31:37What time are you waking us up, Albie?
31:41Half all right, thank you.
31:43Maybe the reviews of the cottage are going to go downhill now from five stars.
31:47Yeah, people will be saying.
31:48It was five stars but that cockerel was just a nightmare.
31:50The cottage is amazing.
31:51I had the most relaxing weekend.
31:53Unfortunately, every morning I was waking up at 4.30.
31:55They're like, oh, my gosh, guys, we were going to have a great time.
31:58They're chilling in the backyard and...
32:01But then again, like Liz says, you're at a farm.
32:04This is part of it.
32:05You're at a farm, exactly.
32:06It's the farm experience.
32:07It's the farm experience.
32:08You didn't get any sleep because it's the farm experience.
32:11You'll be right, Albie.
32:14Come on, don't let us down.
32:16Give you some space.
32:31So far, this year's lambing season is off to a great start.
32:35But on today's rounds, I spotted one of our ewes expecting twins
32:39had taken a turn, so I brought her down to the barn
32:42and called Angelica, our vet, to take a look.
32:45I just checked the sheep this morning
32:47and she was laying on the floor, slouched on her own,
32:50didn't come over.
32:51So when I went over, she just couldn't stand up.
32:54And what happens, you know, probably six weeks pre-laming
32:59and up to three weeks post-laming,
33:00they can get what they call twin lamb disease.
33:04I think they're just...
33:06Energy levels are kind of sapped and they've just...
33:09She's looking a little bit red there, isn't she?
33:13So they go in a negative energy balance
33:16and in order to get, like, still some energy,
33:20they will start burning fats
33:22and the burning of the fats will create what is called ketones' body,
33:26and these ketones' body are toxic, so they are intoxicated.
33:31We're all right.
33:32So that's why she looked a little bit disorientated
33:33when I'm trying to get in the trailer?
33:34Yeah, she is.
33:35Yeah, yeah, yeah.
33:36She's really, really weak but also intoxicated.
33:39It's exactly the same that happens in humans with diabetes.
33:44The ewe is exhausted and has no energy.
33:47Angelica needs to treat her quickly and hope she responds.
33:50So she's going to have calcium both under the skin and orally,
34:04and that will help her the levels stay constant,
34:07like rise steady and reach a plateau and stay there.
34:10She also has a bit of pneumonia starting,
34:13so she's going to have a shot of alamycin as well.
34:18All right, all right.
34:19Yeah, usually when they get to this point
34:21that they don't have energy to walk,
34:23they don't have energy to keep their immune system going.
34:27Yeah, she's quite unwell,
34:28so it's a good job that I kind of found her when I did, really.
34:31It's amazing how it can become quite serious quite quickly.
34:37I really need to get this ewe back on her feet
34:41if she's going to be strong enough to deliver her lambs a life.
34:45To help, I am also giving her a much-needed energy boost.
34:51Yeah, this is a bit like Luca's aid for sheep, yeah.
34:54Hopefully, fingers crossed, that's...
34:56We've managed to catch it in time and she can make a speedy recover.
34:59We'll keep her in the shed now.
35:00I've made a little pen up for her, so...
35:03We'll get her in the shed and keep an eye on her overnight.
35:06Let's see how she's doing tomorrow morning.
35:09My gut feeling is that she will probably need to stay in
35:13for, like, another couple of days.
35:15Right, OK. OK.
35:16All right, thank you, Angelica. No worries.
35:21We'll keep her in the barn
35:22until she's finished her course of treatment.
35:27Come on, girl.
35:31There we go. There we go.
35:33That's an improvement.
35:36I mean, she's back on her feet, but she's a big improvement.
35:46I didn't actually realise how serious it can be.
35:48I just thought it was the you that was depleted of energy, basically, you know.
35:53I didn't realise that it can lead to...
35:56...heumonia and...
35:58...and further complications.
35:59So, er...
36:00And I certainly didn't know the fact that she'd be kind of somewhat delirious and...
36:04...almost intoxicated.
36:06I've got to give her some...
36:07...some calcium and some, er...
36:09...some more medication this evening.
36:11Erm...
36:12...and then see you again tomorrow, see what she'd like.
36:15But before I let Angelica go, there's one more little guy I'd like her to give the once-over.
36:24We'll just quickly check this...
36:27Yeah, that one.
36:28Because we might have to, erm, spleen that one.
36:32It's that old job, isn't it?
36:33Whilst you're here, pay for your car.
36:35Also, come on, you can have a right good look around.
36:38So, we've got, er, this little lamb here.
36:40We've got its front, er, front left foot.
36:43Can't have plenty of pressure on it, so I don't know if it's broken or anything.
36:45Can you see how you walk?
36:52It's very, very stiff here.
36:57I'm gonna put a splint on that, on that limb over there.
37:02No, it's not broken.
37:07The last time we had a suspected case for a, for a splint, the vet...
37:14..the vet told us it was irreparable, really, and the little lamb had to be put down.
37:20Thankfully, this time, it's a bit more of an optimistic diagnosis.
37:25Can you hold that one for me, please?
37:27Yeah.
37:31Am I a good assistant?
37:34Let's see if you've not started yet.
37:38I'm so happy this lamb has got a fighting chance of survival,
37:41with help from a short splint.
37:43Once wrapped up, it will give the lamb more stability and help strengthen his leg.
37:49This is just so...
37:51The splint doesn't get too tight on the skin and it goes down.
37:58We've never had a lamb with a splint before.
38:00So this is a first for us.
38:04I mean, you can't get a cuter than a lamb with a...
38:06No.
38:07Can you?
38:09So is he done?
38:11Moment of truth now, let's see if it can...
38:14Too much pressure.
38:16You need to get used to it first.
38:18Yes.
38:19There you go, mate.
38:20As his leg isn't broken, just a week or two with a splint should sort him right out.
38:24Oh!
38:25Oh!
38:26Oh!
38:27Oh!
38:28Oh!
38:29Oh!
38:30Oh!
38:31Oh!
38:32Oh!
38:33Oh!
38:34Oh!
38:35Oh!
38:36Oh!
38:37Oh!
38:38Oh!
38:39Oh!
38:40Oh!
38:41Oh!
38:42With the farming jobs done for today, we're finding time to have fun with our own pack of animals.
38:47Oh!
38:48Oh!
38:49Oh!
38:50Oh!
38:51Oh!
38:52Oh!
38:53Oh!
38:54Oh!
38:55Oh!
38:56Oh!
38:57Go on!
38:58Oh!
38:59Oh!
39:00Oh!
39:01Yeah!
39:02The kids love being wild and free.
39:05Dad, I found a ladybird!
39:07Wow!
39:08Our farm means we don't have to travel far to find adventure.
39:13Who wants to go look for some bones?
39:15Me.
39:16Me.
39:17And then we'll have to guess what animal they are from.
39:19Yeah?
39:20You've got my shoulders.
39:21Turn around.
39:22After a recent adventure, Milo found what he suspects to be dinosaur bones in the woods.
39:28So we've got the whole family together to investigate more.
39:32So, who's ready to go and find some bones?
39:34Me!
39:35Right.
39:37We've got you on my shoulders.
39:41We've got our baskets for bones.
39:43Yeah.
39:44Yeah.
39:45Milo's the park ranger.
39:46We've got to follow Milo.
39:47Come on, Fletchers.
39:50Come on, this way!
39:52Stretching over 20 acres of our land is an ancient woodland with trees that have stood
39:57longer than any farm and a home to many species.
40:00I've found a nice flower already.
40:02Oh, yeah.
40:03I'm looking at this one.
40:05Manny, come here.
40:07Put this in your hair.
40:08You ready?
40:09Okay.
40:10Along with an abundance of wildflowers are the insects, birds and animals that live off
40:14the land.
40:15And maybe, just maybe, a dinosaur once walked here too.
40:21Come on.
40:22Let's follow Milo.
40:24Guys, I think the dinosaur bones are too similar down here.
40:29Look at this.
40:31It's a bit frittily.
40:39Molly, have you found any?
40:41No.
40:42These are called fern plants.
40:49Yeah.
40:50They were in the dinosaur camera.
40:53They were.
40:54They've been around on Earth for so many years.
40:58And that will be older than all the trees, all the plants.
41:04They are so old.
41:06So they've seen everything.
41:12This is kind of the bit of untouched part of the farm, really.
41:29It's like nature's just been left to its own devices.
41:32It's like another world.
41:35It's the way it sounds, the way it smells.
41:37There's something about the woods, I don't know what it is, it's different to any other landscape.
41:45The beach, the open countryside, however beautiful those places are,
41:51there's something about the woods that's just, that's just magical, really.
41:56When we came to view here, Kelvin asked to view the whole 120 acres and we had flip-flops on.
42:10And it was like muddy, in fact it was a bit muddier, wasn't it?
42:13I remember walking up this section in flip-flops and shorts.
42:17And the estate agent was in a suit and really nice clean shoes and by the end of it were all just filthy.
42:23I could live in the woods.
42:31Honestly, I could.
42:33Can you imagine just having a little cabin, a little hut here, making your own fires and there's a little stream at the bottom,
42:41catching the fish and cooking them on a rock.
42:44Honestly, I just, I think that life would just be amazing.
42:47Maybe once we're back in the farmhouse, I can find some time to build us a cabin in the woods.
42:53But for now, we've got an important task in hand.
42:56Oh wow!
42:57Look daddy!
42:58Little nuts!
42:59Oh my goodness!
43:00That looks like a massive one!
43:01The thing is, if you find one bone, you're going to find more.
43:02If that means they're round.
43:03The skeleton is round.
43:04I mean, look at the size of that!
43:05Yeah, I found that one.
43:06Morning!
43:07I found one!
43:08Morning!
43:09I've just found this one.
43:10Whoa!
43:11I think that's a rat-to-bone.
43:12He's old.
43:13Can't we just think of the size here?
43:15Because that's the same as daddy's arm, so it could be an arm bone, no?
43:18Or a leg.
43:19And as soon as we found one, the kids find more.
43:20And their imaginations run wild.
43:21Daddy found a boar.
43:22Tell that's one.
43:24No, for a fact.
43:25Tell that.
43:26What's that?
43:27For a fact?
43:28Tell that tone.
43:29Really?
43:30I found a boar.
43:31No, for a fact.
43:32Tell that tone.
43:33For a fact.
43:34Tell that tone.
43:35Really?
43:36I found a boar.
43:40I found a boar!
43:42Tell that tone.
43:44Tell that tone.
43:47Really?
43:48Really? I bet. Oh, I know what that could be.
43:52That might be close.
43:54Definitely a pterodactyl, apparently.
43:56I mean, I didn't know this, so on this farm, there's been...
44:00..sheep, deer, pterodactyls...
44:04Oh!
44:06Look at that! Put it in! Put it in, though!
44:10What do you think that is? I don't know, but...
44:12A bumble! A bumble! It looks like the kidney.
44:15A bumble.
44:17Oh, look, I found another. Another one?
44:20Mummy's like David Attenborough.
44:22Yeah!
44:23She's brilliant at finding these bones.
44:26So, guys, we've done well there.
44:29Some good finds.
44:31Who's hungry? Yeah!
44:33Shall we go and have a picnic? Yeah!
44:35Let's go, then. Woo! Woo!
44:38Picnic! I've made a hot pot in my lap!
44:41Who knows the way back? Who knows the way back?
44:43I do! I do! No, I do! I do!
44:46OK, which way?
44:47I don't know, this way!
44:49That way. Come on, then. Let's go.
44:51Next time on our farm, nerves are shredded as we await some big results.
45:09Big day today. TB results day.
45:11So, naturally, this is where the nerves kick in.
45:14It's a day where you've got everything possible, crossed, and you're just hoping for a good
45:19outcome because, you know, it can be devastating.
45:23Matthias helps me do some heavy lifting.
45:26It's quite heavy. It's heavy, isn't it?
45:29I'm stronger.
45:30You are stronger.
45:32Because I eat my dinner.
45:34Yes.
45:35All of it.
45:36And I come up with a potentially award-winning idea for the farm's very first West End production.
45:42What about if we created some sort of farm musical and we showcased it on the farm?
45:49That's a good idea, actually.
45:51It could almost be our story.
45:53Two actors.
45:55What?
45:56What?
45:57Kevin, we've got enough to do.
45:59We're not creating a farm, Panto.
46:25We're not creating a farm, Panto.
46:26And we'll see you next time.
46:27We'll see you next time.
46:28My butt is a dream.
46:29We'll see, guys.
46:29We'll see you next time.
46:30We'll see you next time.
46:31Bye bye!
46:32Bye bye!
46:32Bye bye!
46:33Bye bye!
46:35Bye bye.
46:38Bye bye!
46:39Bye bye!
46:52Bye bye!
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