Pumpkin Blossom Festival

Pumpkin Blossom Festival

^at Mulberry Lane Petting Farm 

Second Annual Festival
Sat Sept 15 & Sun Sept 16, 2012

FREE SliCe of Amish Made

PuMpKiN PiE 

                                                  w/Paid General Admission

General Admission Includes:

• FREE SliCe of PuMpKin PiE
• Guided Tour of the Farm:

- Milk a Cow - Catch a Chicken - Ride a Pony

- Kiss a Pig - Cuddle a Kitten - Enjoy a Hayride & More!

• FREE SliCe of PuMpKin PiE
• Cornbox Play Station
• Photo opps w/Rover the Dog & Patty Pumpkin 
• Caramel Apples, Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Muffins, Farmer Barb's Homemade Soups & Sandwiches available to purchase.

Oh, and did we mention…

• FREE SliCe of PuMpKin PiE

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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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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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Sheep Shears by Andis

It's that time of year...spring is just around the corner. The bellies of our nannie goats and ewe sheep are getting bigger and bigger as they draw closer to kidding and lambing. (giving birth)  That means we need to start planning to shear our sheep soon. Farmer Pat is tickled pink about trying out his brand new Andis Sheep Shear. We have had the privilege of acquiring the heavy duty Model LGS.

Note: It is best to do the shearing before the mother ewe lambs, but not to close to lambing as to risk the stress of the "wool cut" causing premature labor. That is why plans are in the making to get the job done right.

Although the shears themselves are made in Switzerland ("Shearing Capital of the World" From Wikipedia), the Andis Corporation is based right here in WI! (Racine County)

 

Before we use the shears we wanted to share how similar the sheep shear is to the shears used by professional barbers and stylist. (Although theirs is on a much smaller scale.)

This shears is heavy!  Perhaps that's why they call it heavy-duty.  Good thing Farmer Pat has muscles. :)

But, in all seriousness, sheep shears have to be of good quality to do a clean accurate job.  Have you seen the wool on an unshorn ewe or ram?

On Wednesday, March 21st, watch WGBA NBC26 at 6:50 AM to see a short sheep shearing demo on Bonnie's Barnyard.  Don't worry if you don't get Green Bay stations in your area or you're not an early riser. I'll be sure to post a link to the program here.  Stay tuned...

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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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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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PuMpKiN Harvest Celebration!

Join Mulberry Lane Farm as we celebrate 

The PuMpKiN Harvest!

September 23 through October 31, 2011 each guest receives a FREE PuMpKiN that you pick yourself from over 6 acres of pumpkins!

It's like being lost in the candy store.  Each pumpkin looks better than the next.  Allow yourself plenty of time to find just the right one.

But first enjoy your guided tour of the farm. 

• Ride a Pony
• Milk a Cow
• Catch a Chicken
• Kiss a Pig
• Cuddle a Kitten
• Enjoy a Hayride
• Pick your own FREE Pumpkin
• and More!

 

Also available at the farm; Farmer Barb's homemade sloppy joes, Farmer Barb's homemade chicken noodle soup, Farmer Felicia's caramel apples and more.  You'll have a yummy good time!

Farm opens 10 AM Daily.

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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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Piglets

It's hard to count how many piglets our gilt had. They love to pile on top of each other.

The ones on the bottom don't seem to mind in the least.

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.

It's a Bull

We had a first at Mulberry Lane Farm during the night. A calf was born! Cinnamon had a very healthy, handsome looking bull. Now, for the name??!?

Guest Photos from Memorial Weekend

Although we were closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day many guest enjoyed Saturday and Sunday at the farm. It was definitely a relaxing weekend as families lingered into the day just enjoying the nice weather, the peacefulness of the country and the joy of spending quality family time together.

Here are some photos forwarded to me from a few of our guest...





Some photos done with iphones and some done by professionals. Need a photographer? I can put you in touch. Thank you all for sharing!

Farming Thru the Eyes of a Child

Okay, off to do chores. Let's see...I have animals to feed, cows to milk, hay to bale, manure to spread, hoofs to trim, equipment to repair...ee-gads, a farmer's job is NEVER done.

Now to figure out how to get in there to feed these rascals!!?!

Ah-ha...caught-ya. I'm working up an appetite wrestling these critters. This ain't no job for the faint hearted.

Gotta get to the fields before the sun goes down. Now how do I get this contraption into gear?

to be continued....

Twin Lambs Born 4.29.11

Farmer Pat found these two little cuties this morning when he went out to do chores. The spotted is a ram lamb (boy). The coal colored is a ewe lamb (girl).

I think this little guy is going to get a lot of attention. He's a cutie pie.

Butterscotch Has Two!

We are so proud of our first time mother, Butterscotch.

She successfully delivered twins during a very cold rainy day Tuesday April 26th. Butterscotch had a shelter in the pasture but being a first time mother she wasn't sure what was happening.

Farmer Pat found the girls just in time to bring them in, dry them off and place them under a heat lamp. Today they are happy, healthy and playing in barn waiting for your visit. Spring season begins May 4th!