The first view when you leave ‘Volksdorf’ by bike reaching the property of ‘Wulfsdorf’ from Ahrensburg, falls on the pigs. Content grunting they slouch in the straw. They come to the fence to keep their noses to the wind and sniff interestedly in your direction. These little animals are just as curious as the reporters of the sun. Next to it are the calves. Each in its own ‘ plastic garage ‘ , padded quite small, but with straw. The first looks strange, but makes sense. It protects them from the elements. They can still keep in touch with their counterparts, but are in single cells, because they would otherwise nibble each other. Also, they are very trusting. This is due to the hand-rearing , I was told. Therefore, they can also caress you. They feel fluffy and soft and they smell good.
This cow children are ready to cuddle.
Wulfsdorf , is one of Hamburg’s city propertys; it is aligned with milk production. Thus both mother cow and child do not get used to each other, the calves are deprived of their mother cow on the fourth day. The first milk ( colostrum ) to nurse from the mother, is important for their health. A common practice in dairy farms. In Demeter farms the calf is however still supplied to the first three months with cow’s milk. This is healthier for the calf. Meanwhile, there are already enterprises mother and calf let stand for 10 weeks along and then wean slowly. After three months they are completely separated. The Thünen Institute conducts extensive research to oak because it has been found that a growing faster by his mother grown calf is very healthy and can socialize much easier when it comes new in a herd .
A little further across the yard one gets to the adult cows. It’s Saturday and they are comfortable in the barn, where they can run around freely even on straw. To the left is the farm shop with the café; a lush herb garden right next to it was created. Behind this, in the middle of a green field, is a brown wooden pavilion. Bit by bit, get more and more beautiful reddish brown chicken hopped out of the hatch. Their plumage shining in the sun. They are in good shape. It’s hot; one of the last beautiful summer days and the splendor of chicken feast on the small automatic beverage reservoir..
It’s nice on the farm and you feel good because the animals feel comfortable and it is so idyllic. The other farm buildings fit very well into the system. The main house was just completed renovation. Since 1989, George and Elizabeth Lutz managed the yard Demeter. In the summer they celebrated their 25th anniversary. George Lutz and his team have sown crops, grassland farming and vegetable growing on 360 acres. Cows, calves, pigs, porkers, piglets and geese revive the Farm-living. On the premises are located as independent companies the butcher and a wood-burning oven bakery. The farm is a demonstration farm for organic farming. Well worth a visit, if only because of the delicious homemade yogurts and now, of course, because of the geese. 15.12 . You can order it at the butcher of the farm, Dreymann. Dreymann can also be found on the Hamburg markets.
Wulksdorf is open from Monday – open 19.00 clock – Sat 8.00 . Sunday the whole company needs to rest and rejuvenate, please note this day it’s not open for visitors!
Tags: organic farming Wulksdorf