The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: stuandjem on March 06, 2011, 05:10:30 pm

Title: Hello from suffolk
Post by: stuandjem on March 06, 2011, 05:10:30 pm

Hello, my wife and I have just acquired some waste land that we are planning to keep sheep, pigs and turkeys!  We are complete novices at this kind of thing and we would like advice.  We have nothing and the land is essentially wasteland with an abundance of brambles that we are in the process of clearing. 

First question to you all is what sort of grass is best for keeping sheep?

 One further thing what is the best type of fencing for sheep?

Thanks

Stuart

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: Rosemary on March 06, 2011, 05:31:39 pm

Hi and welcome from Carnoustie  :wave:

My advice would be start with the pigs as they will help to clear the land. Buy weaners and fatten them - it's quick and relatively easy. You will need very good boundary fences but you'll need that for any stock, but you'd be able to use electric to divide the area up, if it's not a disaster if they escape to another bit of the land.

Once the pigs have cleared the land, you will be able to cultivate and reseed it with grass.

How much land do you have? Is it waste land or just overgrown pasture?

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: deepinthewoods on March 06, 2011, 06:38:12 pm

hi from cornwall. we're in a similar situation so will be watching this thread, im aiming at pigs first for their clearing attributes. good luck.d

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: robate55 on March 06, 2011, 07:30:58 pm

Hi - we are in Suffolk too. We have a few battery hens & stray cockerels. Mainly we have sheep. Ours are Hebrideans which are good on marginal land. Lambing should be starting soon. Good luck with your land

Rose

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: manian on March 06, 2011, 07:45:41 pm

hi
welcome from derbyshire
we have pigs; chickens and turkeys
Mx

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: NorthEssexsmallholding on March 06, 2011, 07:55:52 pm

Hi and welcome,

you need to stock fence it well to keep the pigs in, the pigs can clear the brambles and plough up the land.  If you want grass for grazing then choose a grazing mixture, there are lots of website with info.  www.cotswoldseeds.com (http://www.cotswoldseeds.com) has grass ley mixtures.

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: stuandjem on March 06, 2011, 08:17:18 pm

Hello :wave:,

that was quick, thanks to all who've replied.  The land is wasteland and mostly brambles was used to grow wicker trees in a previous life although you wouldn't know it because of the brambles!!  We toyed with the idea of putting pigs on there to clear it however are away on holiday in June so didn't to burden anyone else with looking after them.  So thought it would be quicker to clear the land now and get it ready for when we get back.

I'm sure we'll be coming back for more advice as we go on through the process of keeping livestock!!

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: faith0504 on March 06, 2011, 08:46:46 pm

hi and welcome from moray  :wave:

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: piggy on March 06, 2011, 10:06:26 pm

Hi and welcome too from Suffolk, :wave:
I am also in Suffolk,where abouts are you?might be able to help you with pig sitting whilst you are away.

Karen

Title: Re: Hello from suffolk
Post by: chrispy4949 on March 07, 2011, 09:50:29 am

Hi and welcome to TAS from Bulgaria.  Good luck.    Chrispy   :wave: