Well… isn’t this just a baa-rilliant way to start the season!
For those who don’t know me yet, I’m Josh, the Farmyard Manager here at Vauxhall City Farm and I’ve officially been handed the reins (and the feed buckets) for the big return of the Farmyard Blog. Dangerous? Possibly. Exciting? Absolutely.
Spring is nudging at the gate, the sky is beginning to brighten, the grass is greening up nicely and around here that can only mean one thing…
Lambing and kidding season is nearly upon us!
And let me tell you… things are about to get udderly adorable.
But before the tiny hooves and heart-melting moments arrive, we’re in what I like to call…
The calm before the cuteness
Right now, the yard is in that funny in-between stage.
The mums are waddling a little slower, claiming the best patches of hay like queens of the pasture and giving us that look that says, “Something’s on the horizon.” If you know, you know.
There’s a different energy around the farm at this point in the year. A quiet anticipation. A sense that something special is just around the corner.
Behind the scenes, we’re busy making sure everything is shipshape:
- Fresh straw beds fluffed up just right
- Lambing and kidding pens prepped and ready for when the time comes
- Extra checks, extra care and probably a few extra cups of tea (for us, not the sheep)
- Feed carefully balanced to keep our mums healthy, happy and strong
- Lambing and kidding kit box stocked and within arm’s reach
- Cameras dusted off and ready for the all-important night watches
We’ve also recently started dagging some of our ewes.
Dagging is when we trim away the wool around a sheep’s back end and tail area. It might not sound like the most glamorous farm job, but it’s an important part of preparing our sheep for the weeks ahead.
By removing that wool, we help keep the ewes cleaner and more comfortable, especially as the weather begins to warm up. It also reduces the risk of flies being attracted to dirty wool and helps prevent issues like flystrike.
It’s also helpful when lambing begins, as it keeps the area cleaner for both mum and lamb and makes it easier for us to keep an eye on things when the big moment arrives.
Because when those little hooves start arriving, it all happens quickly. Sometimes in the middle of the night.
Lambing and kidding isn’t just “turn up and cuddle babies.” It’s preparation, observation, patience and being ready to step in if needed. Most of the time our sheep and goats handle things like absolute pros. But we’re always nearby, keeping a watchful eye and making sure everyone is safe, warm and thriving.
A bit about Lambing & Kidding
For anyone new to farm life, here’s a little peek behind the gate.
Lambing refers to our sheep giving birth, while kidding is the same for our goats.
You might notice some signs that a mum is getting close:
- She may separate herself from the flock
- Nesting behaviour, usually involving some enthusiastic straw rearranging
- Udder development
When the moment arrives, it can be surprisingly quick. One minute everything is calm. The next minute there’s a damp, wobbly-legged new arrival blinking at the world.
And then comes my favourite part. Those first steps.
They’re unsure. They’re wiggly. They look like they’re balancing on springs instead of legs. But within minutes, instinct kicks in. Up they get. First feed. First proper bleat. First little bounce.
And honestly, it never gets old.
Why this season is so special
There’s something magical about this time of year.
After the long winter months filled with mud, grey skies and endless waterproof layers, the farm quite literally bursts back into life. It feels hopeful. Fresh. Full of possibility.
First wobbly steps.
Tiny bleats.
Mums figuring it out.
Us hovering nearby trying not to fuss but absolutely fussing.
It’s exhausting.
It’s mucky.
It’s unpredictable.
And we absolutely love it.
Because this is what farms are all about. Life cycles. Care. Responsibility. And those moments that stop you in your tracks when you realise how lucky you are to witness it.
And being in the middle of London makes it even more special. Not everyone gets to experience this up close. For many of our visitors, this is the first time they’ve ever seen a lamb or a kid just hours old. The first time they’ve heard that tiny bleat in real life instead of through a screen.
Watching that connection happen is just as important as the farming itself.
What to expect from this blog
Now that I’ve officially got the blogging wellies on, here’s what you can expect from the return of the Farmyard Blog:
🐑 Lambing and kidding updates, both the fluffy kind and the real-life kind
🌱 A peek behind the farm gates, the giggles and the graft
🐓 Animals occasionally taking the reins. I’m looking at our pygmies
🌻 Seasonal farm happenings throughout the year
☕ And probably the odd “you couldn’t make this up” farm story
I want this blog to feel like you’ve stepped into the yard with us. The good days. The muddy days. The proud moments. The slightly chaotic ones.
Because farms aren’t picture-perfect all the time. They’re real. They’re hands-on. They’re early mornings, late nights, teamwork and a lot of heart.
And if you’re following along, you’re part of that story too.
A Little Heads Up…
If you’re planning to visit over the coming weeks, keep your eyes peeled.
You might see:
- A lamb doing zoomies for no apparent reason
- A goat kid attempting to climb something it absolutely shouldn’t
- Me and Zile, our Farmyard Assistant, moving slightly slower than usual due to lack of sleep
It’s all part of the season.
We’ll share updates as things unfold, without disturbing the mums of course, and celebrate each new arrival as they join the flock and the fan club.
Whether you’re a regular visitor, a fellow farmer or a local supporter, we’re glad you’re part of the flock.
So, stick with us.
It’s going to be a very special spring.
Watch this space. 👀🐐
