Sure Signs of Spring

It appears Farmer Pat and Farmer Bonnie aren't the only ones getting ready for our May 2nd opening. While walking through the farm today I was amazed by all the signs of spring. Thought I'd share a few...

Sure sign #1- BIG Bellies on our Ewes.

Lightening is famous. She has been on NBC26, WGBA twice this winter. Although you may not recognize her without her wooly coat on!

Sure sign #2 - BIG Bellies on our Nanny Goats

Half&Half has always had triplets and one time even quads! By looking at her belly bulge, I'd say this spring will be no different.

Sure sign #3 - BIG Udders. 

Once the udders start to fill with milk you know the nanny is getting ready to deliver.

 Sure sign #4 - BIG Belly on Sis

Sis is usually the first Queen (female cat) on the farm to have her litter. She's a wonderful momma cat.

Sure sign #5 - Hair in the Rabbit's Box

Right before the Doe (female rabbit) gives birth she pulls the hair from under her chin to line her nest. It makes a comfy warm place for her kits (baby bunnies) to live until their hair grows long enough to keep them warm.

Sure sign #6 - Harmony in the Barnyard

As they say "birds of a feather flock together."  But wait! A drake (male duck), a rooster (male chicken) and a tom (male turkey) all hanging out??!??

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Sheep Shearing on Bonnie's Barnyard

Today on Bonnie's Barnyard (NBC26 - WGBA) Farmer Pat shows us how he shears Mulberry Lane Petting Farm's sheep taking them from this...

 

to this...

 

 

(Not sure of the title selection by the station. The ewes were actually very, very well behaved! Not baaad at all.)

• Shearing is usually done in the spring, so sheep don't get overheated in the summer.

• Preferably, sheep are sheared prior to lambing (giving birth). It is easier for lambs (baby sheep) to nurse sheared ewes (adult female sheep).

• Before electric shears (up until about the 1880's), sheep were sheared with hand shears or blades. In some parts of the world where electricity is limited or not available, sheep are still blade sheared.

• Shearing is a specialized skill. Professional sheep shearers can shear sheep in under a minute. The world record is 38 seconds. However, the average time it takes to shear a sheep is 3 minutes.

• Electric shears have three basic parts: the handpiece, the comb and the cutters.

• At Mulberry Lane Farm we use a shear made by Andis, a Wisconsin based company in Racine County. (Andis Website) 

• One sheep produces anywhere from 2 to 30 pounds of wool annually. Mulberry’s Shetland sheep produce 2-4 lbs. of wool.

• The average price paid for wool sold in the United States is $1.15 per pound.

• Sheep are the only producers of lanolin. It is an oily/greasy by-product of their wool. Lanolin's waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats.

• Extraction of lanolin from the wool can be performed by squeezing the sheep's harvested wool between rollers or by a boiling process.

• Common use of lanolin is in shampoos, lotions, skin burns, and baby products.

• Mulberry Lane Petting Farm spring season begins May 2^nd. We’ll have baby chicks, baby ducklings, baby calves, baby bunnies, baby lambs, baby kid goats, baby kittens….baby, baby will we have babies! 
•  

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Spring Field Trip Days Filling Fast

Don't wait! Schedule your spring field trip now. Some days are full to new reservations but I'm sure we can still fit you in. One option is to arrive late morning and enjoy your picnic lunches before taking an afternoon tour. Arrive back in school just in time for dismissal.

Picnic in the Hay Mow - OR - Picnic Outside

 

But whatever you decide...you'll be sure to have FUN!

And you haven't even see all the baby animals yet!!

OH MY!

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Peafowl on TV26's Bonnie's Barnyard

Oops...they almost got away. Certainly brought excitement to the set!

Farmer Bonnie and Farmer Pat brought Mulberry Lane Farm's peafowl to the set of NBC TV26, Green Bay.

You can see the full segment of Bonnie's Barnyard here:

  

Interesting peafowl facts:

• Male peafowl are called peacocks. Female peafowl are called peahens. Offspring under the age of one year are called peachicks.
• The most common breed of peafowl is the Indian Blue.
• Besides their colorful tail feathers, peacocks are distinguished by their blue neck feathers. Peahens have green neck feathers and lack the decorative tail feathers.
• Males raise their feathers into a fan and quiver them as part of courtship display.
• The peacock will molt (shed) its tail in late summer at the end of the breeding season.
• The tail feathers grow back about an additional foot each year extending as long as 6 feet when fully grown around age six.
• An adult peacock has an average of 200 tail feathers. Of the 200 or so feathers, about 170 are "eye" feathers and 30 are '"T" feathers.
• Peafowl are very hardy birds and with proper care, can live forty to fifty years.

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Shetland Ewe Stops By the Morning Show on TV26

Today's segment of Bonnie's Barnyard brings Lightening to the studio.  Baaaahhh...

Click on link to watch.

Bonnie's Barnyard on TV 26

Wisconsin winters can be harsh. One farm animal we envy is the sheep.  They have a thick wool coat that is perfect for staying dry & warm in any climate.

• Lightening is a Shetland ewe (female). Male sheep are called rams.
• Shetlands are small and slow-growing. It can take two to three years to reach their adult weight.
• Rams usually weigh approximately 105 lbs and ewes about 85 lbs. Lambs (baby sheep) are born weighing around 5 lbs.
• Shetlands live 10 to 12 years. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, the oldest sheep lived to be 23.
• The breed is noted for its very fine, soft wool and the high quality of its meat.
• Wool is one of the best insulating fibers known to man. It is moisture wicking.
• Their wool repels water, but humidity is absorbed. That's why sheep do well in both winter and summer.
• Sheep have excellent peripheral vision and can see behind themselves without turning their heads.

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Up, Up & Away.

In the dead of winter it warms the soul to view the farm on warmer days.  This aerial was taken this past October. 

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"Bonnie's Barnyard" on TV26 Green Bay

Tips Before Gifting a Pet 

There's nothing more precious than the look on your child's face when they open that special gift at Christmas!  

Farmer Bonnie shared some things to keep in mind this morning while visiting the TV26 studio with her Barnyard friends, LadyBug, Sis and her kitten.

click on link to see video

Tips Before Gifting a Pet on Bonnie's Barnyard

• This is a lifetime commitment.

-    "Guinness Book of World Records" reports that the world's oldest cat lived to be 38.

-    Depending on size & breed, dogs on average live 12 years.

• How old are your children?  Are they old enough to understand the handling & care of their new pet?
• If gifting Grandparents or an elderly person consider an adult cat or dog that is already trained. A small lap dog or a gentle cuddly lap cat is ideal.
• Since puppies & kittens are very active consider an adult dog or cat for the elderly person on your list.  They still bring the same joy & companionship but will be easier for them to care for.
• Dogs take time. Puppies take more time.  Are you gone from home most of the day? 

-    Although cats love being with their master, cats are more adaptable to being left alone. 

• How big is your home and how big is your yard?

-    Keep this in mind when deciding on a larger breed of dog.

• Consider your finances. 

-    There are vet bills for shots, worming, neutering or spaying, registration & licensing, food, cat litter, toys, kennels, etc...they all add up.

• If you rent or live in a condo be sure to check your lease and/or condo association rules. Are pets allowed?
• Be a responsible pet owner. Be sure to have your new pet spayed or neutered!  

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Weddings at Mulberry Lane Farm

We were honored to be the photo shoot location for the 2012 Wedding Magazine - Green Bay.  Special thanks to Allison Kline of Sash&Bow (www.sashandbow.com) for her assistance in organizing the event. 

 To see the full issue visit
http://www.theweddingmagazine.net/green_bay

  
Here are the pics you'll find in the magazine taken at Mulberry Lane Farm.  Now, sit back, enjoy & picture yourself on your special day in these photos... 

If you are looking for a wedding venue that's unique, truly country, & unlike any other, then Mulberry Lane Farm may be just for you. Call or email for available dates.  
920-989-3130 or mulberrylanefarm@yahoo.com

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Christmas Gift They'll LOVE!

Know a child who LOVES animals!  Tired of seeing them play with their new Christmas toys for a day, two at best and then tossed in the closet for the rest of the year?  

Give a gift that keeps on giving.  An annual pass to visit Mulberry Lane Farm.  $25.00 per person. Unlimited visits.

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Talking Turkey

We are "talking turkey" on Bonnie's Barnyard.  Pegged as the least intellegient farm animal, I think the turkey got a bum rap.  They are acutally very fasinating!

Also had some discussion on the difference between a turken and a turkey.  Check it out...



http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/133952763.html

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Open July 2 & 3 - Closed the 4th

What's more American than Time with Family - Hot Dogs, Lemonade & Apple Pie - Milking a Cow while at the Farm?!?!

You bring the family.  Let the store supply the food.  We have the milking cow & tons of acres of farm to enjoy.  This 4th of July weekend take the time to reflect on whats important. 

See you at the farm!

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A Window in Time

No, it isn't a photo lifted from a magazine cover. It's actually a scene you'd see while peering through one of the farm house windows. Allow me to explain...

Being at the farm daily, we often don't see, or we take for granted, what our guest see. What looks to us as an eye sore...a broken barn door hanging off it's hinges in need of repair, may look to our guest as a beautiful red barn door laid as a backdrop as an entry of nostalgia. A yearning for the past when life was simpler.

Recently I've been bragging about all the photos our guest send us after their visit to the farm. It's a blessing to see the farm through their eyes.

We just received photos from a guest who visited last fall. It was a full CD of photos so I've taken the liberty to share some of our favorites. Are you ready to have your breath taken away?!?

These photos are courtesy of Robert Resnick of Revelations of Design.

Need a photographer...let me get you in touch with Robert.

Kisses Anyone?!?!

Ladybug kissing Cinnamon









Ladybug kissing Lightening.

Ladybug trying to get close enough to kiss Boots.

Trying to get a little closer for more kisses from the cattle.

And those who wanted NO kisses!!

Spring Baby Farm Animals

Looking around the farm I can see many expecting farm animals. One that has really peaked my interest is our nanny goat, Half&Half. Could it be three years in a row she has quads?!?! She is getting awfully big. (I'll try and get a picture posted soon.)

Of the three pregnant ponies, Blondie is the biggest and I'm guessing will deliver first.

But the ones that really keep you guessing are the ewes. It isn't until they are sheared that we can really tell how big they are. Opsie Daisy here doesn't look pregnant at all! But just wait and see...(to be continued.)

Ladybug at 3 mos.

Like my Dad always said, "all bad weeds grow fast." It's hard to believe how much Ladybug has grown in three months! But, her weight and height aren't the only thing growing...SHE'S GROWING SPOTS!

Take a look at the February 15th post. No spots (other than a few around her nose). Now look...

P.S. She's really not "bad" but she is ALL puppy!!

To watch video of Ladybug play catch with Farmer Pat, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLEAK4kElVE

The Conclusion of Otis & The Principal

On Friday Feb 18th Otis visited Menasha High School where Principal Dr. Larry Haase kissed Otis in agreement with the students for raising over $3000 for the Heifer Foundation. Here is the conclusion to the event...

Otis being guided to the center of the gym.

Dr. Haase making his grand entry.

Otis not eager to be kissed by the Doctor.

Otis much happier to be kissed by event organizer and teacher Erin Culligan.

With lipstick on his snout and a smirk on his face, I'd say he enjoyed himself!

It's a Girl!

CLOUD

(Short for Thunder Cloud)

Born on Saturday April 10, 2010
Thunder, Cloud's protective mom.

Cloud at Play
It's amazing how lively a filly can be at just 1 day old!