Chickens and Hill Farming

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0:00:02 > 0:00:06# Come join us down on the farm today

0:00:06 > 0:00:10# Learn about nature along the way

0:00:10 > 0:00:13# From seeds to crops and field to barn

0:00:13 > 0:00:15# So much to do down on the farm

0:00:15 > 0:00:17# Summer autumn winter spring

0:00:17 > 0:00:19# Ploughing planting harvesting

0:00:19 > 0:00:24# With JB and Storm to lead the way

0:00:24 > 0:00:29# Come join us down on the farm today. #

0:00:29 > 0:00:32Hi, I'm JB welcome to Down On The Farm.

0:00:32 > 0:00:35It's summer, and on hot days, farmers need to make sure

0:00:35 > 0:00:38their animals keep cool and have plenty of water.

0:00:38 > 0:00:42While I look after things here, let's see what Storm is up to.

0:00:51 > 0:00:55I've come to a farm in the southwest of England

0:00:55 > 0:00:57that has over 8,000 chickens.

0:00:57 > 0:01:01But... Where are they?

0:01:03 > 0:01:06- Hi Farmer Becky. Hi Holly, hi Daniel.- ALL: Hi, Storm!

0:01:06 > 0:01:10So I've come here to ask you where all the chickens are -

0:01:10 > 0:01:12but I think I can hear them.

0:01:12 > 0:01:16- They're in the barn. - They sleep indoors overnight,

0:01:16 > 0:01:19and we let them out to roam in the field during the day.

0:01:19 > 0:01:22We're about to let them out - would you like to join us?

0:01:22 > 0:01:26- Absolutely, I can't wait to meet the chickens!- Come on, then.

0:01:28 > 0:01:31Time to let the chickens out.

0:01:36 > 0:01:38Good morning, chickens!

0:01:38 > 0:01:39CLUCK! CLUCK!

0:01:39 > 0:01:42I've never seen so many chickens.

0:01:42 > 0:01:45So, this many hens must mean a lot of eggs.

0:01:45 > 0:01:48It does - and we collect them mechanically.

0:01:48 > 0:01:51Oh, so you do it by machine. How does that work?

0:01:51 > 0:01:54We've got nest boxes for the chickens inside the shed

0:01:54 > 0:01:56and the eggs roll out the back of the nest box

0:01:56 > 0:01:58onto a conveyer belt,

0:01:58 > 0:02:01which carries our eggs into our packing room.

0:02:01 > 0:02:02They get their stamps

0:02:02 > 0:02:05and then they get packed onto trays of 30 eggs each time.

0:02:05 > 0:02:08So, if the machine collects the eggs,

0:02:08 > 0:02:10what is there for the people to do?

0:02:10 > 0:02:12We walk the chickens.

0:02:12 > 0:02:14Now THAT sounds like fun.

0:02:15 > 0:02:18These chickens are free-range,

0:02:18 > 0:02:22which means they spend most of their time roaming around the fields.

0:02:22 > 0:02:25We walk them to check that they are healthy.

0:02:25 > 0:02:26So, what are we looking for?

0:02:26 > 0:02:29We need to make sure the chickens are walking well

0:02:29 > 0:02:31and have lots of energy.

0:02:31 > 0:02:34All these guys are walking really well.

0:02:40 > 0:02:42What are we looking for, Daniel?

0:02:42 > 0:02:45Their combs need to be bright and red.

0:02:45 > 0:02:49- So the combs need to be bright and red. Like this one.- Yeah.

0:02:52 > 0:02:55Well I've had a lovely day helping out with the chickens -

0:02:55 > 0:02:58but I do have one more question for you.

0:02:58 > 0:03:02How do you get ALL of these chickens back in that barn?

0:03:02 > 0:03:04We train them.

0:03:04 > 0:03:08- When it gets dark we walk back to the barn.- Trained chickens?!

0:03:08 > 0:03:10That's brilliant!

0:03:11 > 0:03:14When it gets dark, the chickens head to the barn.

0:03:14 > 0:03:18They need to be inside at night to keep them safe from predators -

0:03:18 > 0:03:20like foxes.

0:03:20 > 0:03:22While they all get tucked up for the night,

0:03:22 > 0:03:25let's find out what else happens in summer.

0:03:27 > 0:03:31Lots of different fruits grow in summer.

0:03:31 > 0:03:34Plants grow fruit in order to spread their seeds.

0:03:35 > 0:03:40When fruit is eaten by birds or animals, the seeds pass through them

0:03:40 > 0:03:44and are dropped on the ground, where they can grow into a new plant...

0:03:46 > 0:03:50..but it takes a lot of energy for a plant to grow fruit,

0:03:50 > 0:03:52and all that hard work will be wasted

0:03:52 > 0:03:56if the fruit is eaten before the seeds are fully grown.

0:03:58 > 0:04:00To stop this happening,

0:04:00 > 0:04:03plants make their fruit taste sour or bitter at first.

0:04:05 > 0:04:09The young fruit is often hard and pale green in colour.

0:04:09 > 0:04:12So that animals won't see it amongst the leaves.

0:04:15 > 0:04:18Later, when the seeds are ready, the fruit starts to ripen.

0:04:18 > 0:04:21Some become much sweeter and tastier,

0:04:21 > 0:04:23and many also change colour,

0:04:23 > 0:04:26growing darker or brighter to catch the eye.

0:04:30 > 0:04:33As it ripens, the fruit usually becomes softer

0:04:33 > 0:04:35and easier to pick, too.

0:04:37 > 0:04:40All of these changes encourage animals to eat the fruit

0:04:40 > 0:04:43and spread the plant's seeds -

0:04:43 > 0:04:47and they make it perfect for us to eat, too!

0:04:50 > 0:04:52Today, I've come to a city farm in Leeds.

0:04:52 > 0:04:55I've been asked to bring this plastic basin along -

0:04:55 > 0:04:57but I'm not sure why.

0:04:57 > 0:04:59Let's go and find out.

0:05:02 > 0:05:04- Hi, everyone! ALL:- Hi, JB!

0:05:05 > 0:05:08- Well, this is a beautiful pond. - Thanks, JB.

0:05:08 > 0:05:11Ponds are good for all sorts of creatures,

0:05:11 > 0:05:13from the small ones that live in them

0:05:13 > 0:05:15to the big ones that cool down in them.

0:05:15 > 0:05:18Today we're building smaller ponds around the farm -

0:05:18 > 0:05:22- and that's why you need your basin. - ALL:- Let's go!- Come on, then.

0:05:27 > 0:05:30We're looking for a good place to build our new ponds.

0:05:30 > 0:05:33What do you think? Down here?

0:05:33 > 0:05:38- What about here?- There's loads of space.- Yeah, this is a great spot.

0:05:38 > 0:05:40There's plenty of wildlife around -

0:05:40 > 0:05:43bit of shade from the trees, but also we've got a bit of sun.

0:05:43 > 0:05:49- Why do you think that's important? - Because it helps the plants to grow.

0:05:49 > 0:05:55- Good.- It keeps the water warm.- Yeah. - The insects would like warm water.

0:05:55 > 0:05:58That's right. Now, let's get digging.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04The first thing we do is dig a hole for the basin.

0:06:09 > 0:06:10Good job, guys!

0:06:12 > 0:06:13Well done.

0:06:15 > 0:06:18You can use other things to line your pond, too.

0:06:20 > 0:06:22We're using clay for this one.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28We also put some sticks and stones at the side,

0:06:28 > 0:06:31to help small creatures get in and out.

0:06:38 > 0:06:42Right, then, I think there's one thing missing from this pond.

0:06:42 > 0:06:44- Do you know what it might be? BOTH:- Water!

0:06:44 > 0:06:46JB LAUGHS

0:06:58 > 0:07:01Well, you guys have made some great ponds.

0:07:02 > 0:07:05Whilst we wait to see which creatures come to explore them,

0:07:05 > 0:07:09why don't you enjoy a poem about the summer sun?

0:07:12 > 0:07:18Hello sun, so bright, so warm, so early to rise,

0:07:18 > 0:07:20Climbing so high.

0:07:22 > 0:07:26Your sunbeaming smile makes me linger awhile,

0:07:26 > 0:07:31You make the world gleam, with your shimmering sheen -

0:07:31 > 0:07:35But before long your heat, makes me want to sleep,

0:07:35 > 0:07:38So I seek out some shade, from your powerful rays.

0:07:40 > 0:07:44Many hours will pass by, before you dip from the sky,

0:07:44 > 0:07:47When you do, I will sigh

0:07:47 > 0:07:49At your gorgeous goodbye.

0:08:00 > 0:08:05Today, I'm in Yorkshire. I've come to a farm which is very different.

0:08:05 > 0:08:09Let's go and meet Farmer Neil, who can tell us some more.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Hi, Farmer Neil!- Hi, JB, welcome to the farm.- Thank you.

0:08:17 > 0:08:20Now I've heard you've got lots of sheep and cows,

0:08:20 > 0:08:24- but I can't see them. Where are they?- Well, this is a hill farm,

0:08:24 > 0:08:26so all the stock are out on the hills.

0:08:26 > 0:08:29Some are lower down, but some are up on the tops.

0:08:29 > 0:08:31Is there a way that I can help?

0:08:31 > 0:08:34- If you could help bring cattle down. - Absolutely.

0:08:34 > 0:08:36Great, there's your stick.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42Farmer Neil has 30 cows and 20 calves on his farm.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46These calves are one week old.

0:08:46 > 0:08:48Here are the cows you've been looking for.

0:08:48 > 0:08:51I don't think I've seen cows like this before.

0:08:51 > 0:08:54- What breed are they? - Belted Galloways.

0:08:54 > 0:08:56They've got a white stripe

0:08:56 > 0:08:59and that's the bit that's known as the belt.

0:08:59 > 0:09:00They're great cattle for me,

0:09:00 > 0:09:03cos they live outside all year.

0:09:03 > 0:09:06Unlike cows that come into the barn for winter?

0:09:06 > 0:09:07- Right. - What do they eat?

0:09:07 > 0:09:11They eat the grass that's growing on the hill behind you.

0:09:11 > 0:09:14At this time of year we move them to a different field

0:09:14 > 0:09:16as there's more grass elsewhere.

0:09:16 > 0:09:20We'll bring them off that hill and move them to a different field.

0:09:20 > 0:09:22Why do we have to move them?

0:09:22 > 0:09:24It allows the flowers and grass to recover -

0:09:24 > 0:09:28that's great for insects, bees and other creatures.

0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Can I help you move them on? - That'd be great -

0:09:30 > 0:09:33- thanks very much.- Brilliant.

0:09:38 > 0:09:41First we have to group all the cows together.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46Then it's time to take them to a new field.

0:09:49 > 0:09:53Walking with the cows like this is called Droving.

0:09:53 > 0:09:57Neil uses the long stick to help show the cows which way to go.

0:09:57 > 0:09:59This is a really long walk.

0:09:59 > 0:10:02It is, and we have to do this whether it's sunny like today,

0:10:02 > 0:10:05or rainy or windy, or even if it's snowy.

0:10:05 > 0:10:09- Come on, we haven't much further to go now.- OK.

0:10:14 > 0:10:16Well, this looks like a great field,

0:10:16 > 0:10:19and the cows have got lots of lovely grass to eat.

0:10:19 > 0:10:22There's lots of grass, so we'll leave them here

0:10:22 > 0:10:25until we're ready to move them on again -

0:10:25 > 0:10:28but for now we'll just let them explore the new field.

0:10:30 > 0:10:34Hill farming is hard work, but I've had a fantastic time today.

0:10:34 > 0:10:35Thanks very much, JB.

0:10:35 > 0:10:39Maybe you could come and help us move the cattle when it's snowing.

0:10:39 > 0:10:42Thanks, Neil. While we enjoy this beautiful view,

0:10:42 > 0:10:46why don't you find out about being outdoors in the summer?

0:10:49 > 0:10:51In summer when it's nice and hot,

0:10:51 > 0:10:56there are three important things to remember.

0:10:56 > 0:10:59Put on sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

0:11:01 > 0:11:04Always make sure you drink lots of water.

0:11:06 > 0:11:08Wearing the right clothes, like a hat

0:11:08 > 0:11:12and sunglasses will keep you cool.

0:11:12 > 0:11:15Enjoy being out and about.

0:11:18 > 0:11:21Today we're at this farm in the Scottish Borders

0:11:21 > 0:11:23to meet Arthur, Oscar and Harriet.

0:11:23 > 0:11:27In the summer the fields are full of fruit to be picked, like...

0:11:27 > 0:11:29Gooseberries!

0:11:29 > 0:11:34- Blackcurrants! - ALL: And lots of raspberries!

0:11:34 > 0:11:36Raspberries grow on tall plants -

0:11:36 > 0:11:40but first the plant makes a small, white flower.

0:11:40 > 0:11:42Then it grows a tiny green fruit,

0:11:42 > 0:11:45which takes six weeks to turn big and pink.

0:11:45 > 0:11:46Ready to be picked.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49OK, we're going to go and pick some raspberries.

0:11:49 > 0:11:52We don't want to pick ones that are green, or hard,

0:11:52 > 0:11:54because they aren't ready yet.

0:11:54 > 0:11:57We want to pick ones that are nice and red and juicy.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Let's go fill our punnets! BOTH:- Yeah!

0:12:00 > 0:12:04A punnet is the small container we collect the raspberries in.

0:12:06 > 0:12:10- Which raspberries do you think we want to pick?- These ones.

0:12:10 > 0:12:12Cos they're red, juicy and pink.

0:12:14 > 0:12:18Sometimes the tastiest ones are hiding down low.

0:12:18 > 0:12:20Look how many I have!

0:12:20 > 0:12:24- Who would like raspberry ice lollies? BOTH:- Me!

0:12:25 > 0:12:28After we wash our hands, we wash the raspberries.

0:12:28 > 0:12:30Now that everything is clean,

0:12:30 > 0:12:33lets mash up these raspberries on our plates.

0:12:36 > 0:12:41Good mashing, Oscar. We've got two other ingredients in our lollies.

0:12:41 > 0:12:45- The first is honey. Which is made by...? BOTH:- Bees!

0:12:46 > 0:12:49And the other ingredient is yoghurt.

0:12:49 > 0:12:52We put the mixture into lolly moulds.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57Then we add some wooden sticks.

0:12:59 > 0:13:04They're put into the freezer to turn into delicious frozen ice lollies.

0:13:06 > 0:13:09After a busy day of picking fruit and working hard,

0:13:09 > 0:13:11who's ready for an ice lolly?

0:13:11 > 0:13:12- BOTH:- Me!

0:13:14 > 0:13:16They're really yummy!

0:13:17 > 0:13:19Why don't you make some, too?

0:13:21 > 0:13:23Can I have another one?

0:13:28 > 0:13:31Storm and I have had a great time today.

0:13:31 > 0:13:33If you want to have fun with your own farm,

0:13:33 > 0:13:37go to the CBeebies website to play the down on the farm game.

0:13:37 > 0:13:39See you next time. Bye!

0:13:41 > 0:13:44# Come join us down on the farm today

0:13:46 > 0:13:48# Learn about nature along the way

0:13:48 > 0:13:51# From seeds to crops and field to barn

0:13:51 > 0:13:53# So much to do down on the farm

0:13:53 > 0:13:55# Summer autumn winter spring

0:13:55 > 0:13:58# ploughing planting harvesting

0:13:59 > 0:14:01# With JB and Storm to lead the way

0:14:01 > 0:14:06# Come join us down on the farm today. #