NEWS FROM THE FARM
The last few days have been extremely cold on the farm with harsh over-night frosts. At this time of year farm work is very quiet; predictably, the tractors are in shed. But we have been busy doing other things - like improvements and repairs!
This shed is destined to be our new pallet store. As our business grows, space continues to be a major challenge for us. This shed used to house grain storage bins, but we have removed them to create a useable and much-needed pallet store.
A cold January day isn't really the best time to be laying concrete, but a new forklift ramp will allow easy access to the new store. It's just going to take longer to set!
As for the repairs... well this poor fence has taken a pulverising over the last few years. As the size of the lorries that come in to us get ever larger and the ability of some of the drivers to use their wing mirrors can be very hit-and-miss (literally as well as metaphorically), we have modified the angle to give a more spacious reversing arc - and installed a 'heavy-duty deterrent' on point. Wonder how long it will last?
TOP TIPS FOR FEEDING BIRDS DURING COLD WINTER MONTHS
In last month's newsletter, I suggested some simple switches you can make to your bird feeding to really give your garden birds the energy boost they need at this time of year. You can find that information in my blog on the website. Here is a short summary of key points.
"Those of us who sadly have to watch our weight, will know only too well the expression 'make simple switches to healthier options' - which invariably means less tasty options! However just as you can switch to reduce calories, you can also switch to increase calorie content and food quality, which is so important when the weather turns cold, wet and miserable for out garden birds. Here are a few top tips to switch food choices for your birds:"
- Offer Peanuts with the highest oil content = more calories = more heat
- Offer Fatballs with the highest fat content = more calories = more heat
- Offer softer suet during hard frosts = easier digestibility
- Offer water in more locations = less competition = better thermo-regulation
- Offer high energy food in more locations and especially at dawn and dusk = better survival
- offer shelter - nest pouches and pockets are a great way to offer warmth
HIGH ENERGY BLEND - save 10% in January 2019!
Our High Energy Blend is a free flowing husk-free premium bird seed mix, packed full of the most nutritious and energy rich seeds. No husks means more calories per kilo, and no residual hate, offering much better value.
HIGHEST QUALITY JAVA PEANUTS
The Java Peanuts (Spanish type) are the highest grade peanuts available for your garden birds. Highest grade in terms of oil quantity and quality, which makes them seriously nutritious.
Countryside Stewardship 
