Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

At most times of day on the smallholding one of more birds can be found preening - this is essentially their way of keeping their feathers in tip-top condition! At the base of their tails is the preen gland, from which the bird will collect a small amount of oil and then spread it over their feathers both to clean them and keep them moist and flexible. In addition, if the feathers have become pulled apart/untidy they will use their beaks to 'zip' them back up!! Clever eh??