bubbanoble: Family Farm Day

At the Spring Fair there was a silent auction. James and I decided to bid on a family pass to Calmsley Hill City Farm. I hadn't been there before but was chatting with Jill at preschool and she mentioned it and said that it was a great place to go so we decided to do an adventure there. Sunday morning we bundled into the car and headed out to the farm.

When we arrived the lady suggested that we head to the nursery first up so it wasn't too busy there. We decided to take her advice. We bought 3 bags of food to feed the different animals while we were there. Along the way we saw a beautiful peacock. Such stunning birds.

When we entered the nursery we looked at the cute baby lambs in their winter coats, the little ducklings, and then walked past the goats to the petting section.

What did we learn from the petting section?
1. Daniel can overcome his fears when encouraged to and told how to approach a situation
2. Eliza does not like animals jumping up on her but is happy to feed animals behind a fence.
3. Alexander does not like animals coming up to him but is also happy to feed baby animals behind a fence. But still not the big animals.
4. James is a good distraction for goats.

Basically in this section, the goats just wanted the food. If you went up to the lambs and sheep, the goats would come up to you. The goats were much more confident and would jump up on you to try and get to the food. It was a bit nerve wracking so I understand why the kids were not too keen to keep feeding the animals unless being held by Mummy or Daddy. We did manage to get some very cute photos though.

Patting before we got food out

Daniel was keen to feed the animals

Alexander was hesitant...

But happy with no goats around

Eliza was happy to feed them while in Daddy's arms

Daniel loved feeding the animals. He didn't want to stop but Eliza and Alexander were not enjoying it so we moved out from the petting section to where the animals were behind fences. Much more comfortable with Alexander and Eliza.

Much happier

We then went out to see the camel, the donkey and llamas and to get ready to go on our tractor ride. While we waited one of the farmers came out with milk bottles and come lambs. We asked Daniel if he wanted to feed the lambs and he was keen to. We loved listening to his giggles as he held the bottle.

Eliza and Alexander also had a turn at feeding the lambs and Daddy did too. James was amazed at the natural reflex the lambs have to pull back and jolt their head as they drink which stops mastitis in the mum. There you go.

We then got to pat a couple of little ducklings and chickens. I was hoping the kids could hold one but they didn't get a chance to but that was ok.

We then got to go on our tractor ride. It was very bumpy and amazing to hear about how large the farm land is. The kids were keen to sit at the front and it was a good choice.

After the tractor ride there was a demonstration of milking a cow. We watched the demonstration and then asked the kids if they were keen to have a go. Daniel was keen, the other 2 weren't so keen.

We then went up the tower to look at the farm from up high. The kids liked watching a horse gallop around the paddock as well as spotting cows, the camel, the donkey and other animals. The kids also enjoyed waving bye to the tractor as it headed on another tractor trip.

When we came back down the tower they were finishing up milking the cow. We asked the kids if they wanted to milk the cow - last chance. Daniel was keen again and as there wasn't anyone else lined up we decided that he could. Eliza then wanted to have a go too. Alexander wasn't as keen but was a bit willing to have a go with James. But he still wasn't very keen.

We then went and saw a whip cracking show. Daniel was quite nervous about the loud sound it might make but after a couple of cracks he was ok with it.

We then got to have a chance to crack the whip (with help). Each of the kids were keen to have a go. James had a go too but couldn't quite get the technique right to get the cracking sound but he still had a good go.

Next up was the dog show. It was cool to watch the dogs round up the sheep, listen to instructions and do their work. It was also cool to listen to the lady talk so passionately about her dogs.

Then we went to watch the sheering show. It was amazing to hear that sheep won't move if their legs are off the ground. That's how you can sheer them without them running away.

The kids were keen to collect some wool after the sheer.

The kids were then keen to give the goats and sheep some more food. Daniel was excited to see that the baby goat had woken up and was keen to have some food. It was so very cute and little!