A Day in the Life of Amber Marshall: From Farm Chores to Heartland

Join Amber Marshall, star of the beloved TV show Heartland, as she invites you to spend a day on her bustling farm. From the early morning rooster’s crow to the peaceful evening sunset, Amber shares her daily routine, showcasing her passion for animals and her dedication to her craft.

Morning on the Farm: A Symphony of Animal Sounds

The day begins bright and early in the hen house, where Amber gathers fresh eggs and tends to her flock of chickens. She explains that the colour of an egg is determined by the breed of chicken, with her Morans laying rich brown eggs and her Olive Eggers laying unique green eggs.

Next, Marshall moves on to feeding the ducks, Butter and Popcorn. Butter is a Khaki Campbell duck, a breed known for laying a large number of eggs. Popcorn is a White Call duck. Marshall highlights the social nature of ducks and their playful personalities.

The farm is also home to Sweet Pea, a Sweet Grass turkey, who coexists peacefully with the other birds and animals. Amber emphasises that this harmony stems from the animals growing up together, fostering a sense of community.

The morning routine includes cleaning the duck pond, a task that, while messy, highlights the cleanliness of ducks.

One of the most time-consuming parts of filming is scenes at the dinner table, as there are often a large number of actors involved. Marshall explained that the crew has to film a master shot of everyone at the table, as well as close-ups of each individual actor.

Caring for the Larger Animals: Cows, Alpacas, and Hay

Moving on to the larger animals, Marshall introduces Ella, her eight-year-old Jersey cow. Ella provides milk, allowing Marshall to make a variety of dairy products. Rowdy, Ella’s son, is a purebred Jersey bull.

Betty, the alpaca, acts as a livestock guardian animal, protecting the other animals on the farm. Marshall recounts instances where Betty has alerted her to missing or escaped calves.

Marshall’s farm is self-sufficient in hay, providing winter feed for the animals. Square bales are used for the horses, while round bales are used for the cattle.

Marshall has a homemade milking parlour. While she was previously milking Ella twice a day, her return to work and the presence of two calves nursing on Ella have made milking unnecessary for the time being.
An orphan Highland cow calf has joined Ella and Rowdy, forming a surrogate family.

From Farm to Set

With the farm chores completed, Marshall prepares for her role on the television show Heartland. Her morning routine on set involves hair and makeup, where a team ensures she is ready for filming.

Evening Relaxation

After a long day on set, Marshall enjoys an evening ride with her horses: Cruise, a six-year-old quarter horse; Screech and Talon, miniature horses; and Nitro, her husband’s quarter horse. The rides help to keep the miniature horses in shape.

Finally, Marshall heads inside to review her material for the next day’s work on Heartland, concluding her busy day on the farm and on set.