On the road I met something to crow about

I was driving down on State Highway 16 to Auckland yesterday when I decided I needed to just stop for a short while and have a break. I pulled in at the Kaukapakapa rest stop and met up with this little guy. Naturally all he wanted was a free meal and all I wanted was to sit down get some fresh air and get a photo. He posed nicely. I do miss my chooks but not the feathered psychos and their 3 am crowing competitions I used to put up with. Quiet here since the cows have left the farm, I've got over their going and feel relieved I don't have to put up with their garden wrecking any more. Hope everyone has been having a great week,

A season of change has come to the Mad Bush Farm

I've had to make some very difficult decisions over the last few weeks. One of them involved rehoming some of the animals here on the farm. Three summers of drought, followed by a very difficult winter led me down the path to considering just where I wanted to go with things here on the farm. It came down to what I could afford to keep and what I couldn't afford to keep. Animals are expensive and sometimes budgets can't stretch enough to pay for the proper care they need. Ours was at the point where it just wasn't logical anymore to have animals we couldn't really afford to keep. So I made some decisions. After looking at the impact the cattle have made on the land, as well as the problems I've had keeping them contained I decided it was time to send them on. Fortunately they have found a lovely new home where they will be loved and taken care of. Going into the freezer wasn't an option. The old man has also found a new home along the road where he is enjoying being spoilt by a family who just adore him and will take good care of him in his twilight years. He has got very old and very slow. Still bright eyed but the day will come when he will have a final sleep. I'm keeping two of the little horses because my small budget will allow that small pleasure. The other two will be going to another lovely family who have the time to give them attention they deserve. I'll get some calves later this year and raise them until they are weaned then send them on. The farm has to pay for itself even if it's in just a small way. I'll consider keeping one beef animal for our freezer. It will not have name otherwise I'll get attached. It has been a very sad few days for me. I almost caved into keeping the Terrorist but common sense has prevailed. She is leaving tonight. I'll cry.