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