The Year Round: Homegrown hedge repairs that prove wildlife-friendly

Although we had several inches of snow, the main problems came from ice on this Northallerton area, intensive livestock holding.

Hatching eggs for broiler chickens are produced here from 30,000 head of poultry.

We have no connection with any form of batteries for chickens for all our laying birds are passed on to units with ample scope for rearing and with ample room.

The more modern the buildings, the better the ventilation as a rule.

Our flocks took no harm from the temperature, the main difficulties were in moving around between buildings and helping loads of feed as they arrived.

Large articulated transporters tend to spin at one end, and we had to be ready with grit and salt.

All was well in the end.

Our small acreage of autumn-sown cereals look well enough, as do others in the neighbourhood. The birds are also doing as well as expected.

During this late stage in their laying cycle hatchability is satisfactory which indicates that our cockerels are being managed correctly.

Progeny from 2010 breeding sows continue to leave the farm regularly. Two lorry loads of baconers go every three weeks.

A regular winter job continues when conditions allow.

Hedges are repaired by planting gaps or weak places with saplings grown in our garden. Native species include hawthorn, ash and sycamore.

These are cost-free, being grown from seedlings in the farm garden, whereas post and rails would be a regular expense.

Our method enhances the appearance of the place, whereas in producing bits of wire always looks scrappy and is never very satisfactory in short lengths.

Replacement trees and shrubs fit into regular hedge maintenance and provide winter berries and cover for a whole range of wilder birds.

Farmers tend to be criticised for untidiness if their hedges grow long, but also when they trim them regularly.