Spring is almost here! At the moment, it’s very cold again but with the promise of warmer days ahead. It’s such a lovely time of year with the hope of the growing season ahead, giving us a much-needed boost after a very wet winter. Seeing all the blossom and spring flowers blooming gives everyone a lift. Fingers crossed for a normal summer, not too hot, wet or dry! We’ve been busy on the farm, getting ready to turn the cows out in the fields again. The recent drier weather means the mud is firming up and we’re hoping to get the whole herd out just after Easter. In the meantime, fences need repairing, especially where trees have come down over the winter and water troughs need checking to make sure they work.
The new season for our pasture-raised chicken has started too, with our first batch of chicks growing in our brooder. The brooder is where they are kept warm until they get their feathers and adjust to outdoor temperatures. We have to change things gradually as too many changes at once can result in shock which can kill! They will be going out in the pastures once it warms up, especially at night. They will be kept safe from predators by these 3 special dogs, Bella, Fusco and their son Bruno, our Maremma livestock guardian dogs – Bruno is 10 months old and still in training but he is starting to get the idea. Our soy-free fed, pasture-raised chicken will be available again from late May.
Coffee With The Cows( & Pigs) Easter Saturday, 4th April, we will have one last chance this year for Coffee with the cows and pigs in the barn. This will be from 10am to 3pm. This is simply a few picnic tables in the barn where you can sit and watch the cows and pigs. Purchase your drink in the farm shop and wander out to the barn to hang out with the animals. What’s not to like?
Farm Shop & Farmers Market News A new product and the return of a favourite – for the first time, we have asked our butcher to make brisket burgers – these are super tasty with minimal seasoning. We are planning to have these available throughout the summer, so don’t worry if we’ve sold out; there will be more next week.
The returning favourite is wild garlic sausages – yes, it’s that season again. Last year, there was a very short wild garlic season due to it being very cold and dry but we’re hoping to have the sausages available for a few weeks. Grab them while they are in stock!
This week, we have a lot on offer, as well as the above, we have fresh beef, wild venison(shot in Outwood), lamb from Butterbox Farm and chicken from Fosse Meadows plus fresh pies made for us by Ralph and Ruchita curries.
We will have all of the above available for Easter weekend too – if there is anything that you would like to reserve for Easter, please email orders@brightleighfarm.co.uk as soon as possible. Please get your orders in by Sunday, 29th March so we can tell the butcher how to cut the lamb, venison and beef or if you would like a whole chicken from Fosse Meadows.
Great news! Our hens are laying many more eggs now as the days are drawing out. We’ve been through the coldest, shortest days when they slow down but now we have plenty of eggs for everyone now. Our new young hens are laying smaller, pullet eggs which are super tasty and are available for a limited time at £10 a tray. If you are planning to collect more than 1 tray, please let us know ahead so we can put them aside for you.
Dates For Your Diary
- 28th March – Teddington Farmers’ Market
- 29th March – Earlswood Farmers’ Market
- 4th April – Coffee With The Cows
- 11th April – Ripley & Wallington Farmers’ Markets
- 12th April – Lingfield Farmers’ Market
Hope to see you soon,
Penny