The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: SeamusOReilly on August 17, 2011, 11:27:40 am

Title: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: SeamusOReilly on August 17, 2011, 11:27:40 am

Hallo Everyone,
We live in West Yorkshire and have as others bought some land, set up veg plots, got chickens and ducks and we are now left with a pony due to the death of my old horse last year.  As we have just short of 10 acres, we needed something to eat the grass and so this year bought 16 sheep and are in the throes of learning all about them.
I really thought it was about time that we joined this forum and started to learn from you all and in turn, share our experiences.

 :) 

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: country soul on August 17, 2011, 12:23:49 pm

hello and welcome
we are from west yorkshire too,near Huddersfield.We have the same stuff as you minus the pony.

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: Rosemary on August 17, 2011, 12:47:08 pm

Hello and welcome from Costa Carnoustie!  :wave:

Shetland cows - I recommend them  :cow: :cow:

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: lill on August 17, 2011, 09:20:22 pm

welcome to the forum from sunny west lothian  :wave: :wave:  look forward to your posts

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: Fowgill Farm on August 18, 2011, 12:03:09 pm

Hi from North Yorkshire not too far up the A1 from you!
Mandy  :pig:

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: faith0504 on August 18, 2011, 08:41:26 pm

hi and welcome from moray  :wave:

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: melodrama on August 18, 2011, 09:21:12 pm

Hello from Forfar  :wave:

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 18, 2011, 10:52:53 pm

Hello and welcome from northwest Cumbria  :wave:

What sort of sheep did you get?

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: SeamusOReilly on August 19, 2011, 09:14:31 am

Hi and thank you for your welcome.

We have bought Hampshire Downs.  We really liked the look of them and they were recommended for the smallholder bearing in mind their calm nature (that said, they can't half move fast when you want to catch them!).

We have been training them to come to a bucket and have adapted our stables as our sheep management system.  The bucket has been used to get them on to the stable block and from there we can hold them together and separate for treatment where necessary.  All but the youngsters have had their feet trimmed, they have been wormed and treated for fly strike.  We have also had a mild case of mastitis, scald and sticky eye to deal with.  So a rapid induction, but really good hands on experience.

All that in 7 weeks, plus a visit from the Animal Welfare Officer from our Local Council!

We have 12 ewes, 2 gimmers, 1 wether and 1 tup lamb so a really interesting next 12 months. 

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: Rich/Jan on August 19, 2011, 06:02:30 pm

Hi - we are in France and also have a few Hampshires + other breeds - amounting to about 100 sheep in all - including the miniature ouessants.  Would like to gradually build up our Hampshires if possible.

Title: Re: New from West Yorkshire
Post by: little blue on August 19, 2011, 06:06:56 pm

hello and welcome :)