The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: hog feast on April 04, 2012, 08:28:44 pm

Title: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: hog feast on April 04, 2012, 08:28:44 pm: just introducing myself to you all. hellooooo :wave:
im a 23 yr old based in wigan lancashire and wanting to get into breeding livestock with a small holding. Chickens :chook: and pigs :pig: to start and hopefully moving onwards and upwards from there.
i have had an allotment and i am used to working outdoors as my gf family workoutside all the time. and i am often helping them out.
what im basically asking you all is for some advice with starting. i know and understand that getting what i can for as little as possible to start is the way forward, i,e land fencing feed shelter etc. i want to breed rare breed and local breeds. i understand i need to start small.
i am planning on going around to local farms and asking if i can rent land from them. waste land is an option as i have access to plant machines and can operate them myself so it would only be my time that is the cost. also woodland would be possible for pigs and chickens unless there is any problems that could accur from that. im open to ALL suggestions you may have, possitive and constructive criticism is welcome.
What kind of land would you suggest to let? how much would you suggest paying for it? and how much land would you suggest i needed.
again any suggetions with anything would be appreciated.
thanks all jay (hog feast)
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: Bangbang on April 04, 2012, 08:35:48 pm: Hi Hog Feast :wave

Big welcome from sunny Aberdeenshire :thumbsup:
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: deepinthewoods on April 04, 2012, 08:50:31 pm: hi from cornwall :wave:

''i know and understand that getting what i can for as little as possible to start is the way forward, i,e land fencing feed shelter''

you might get started that way, but to have any chance of being profitable in the future i would reccomend that you invest in your idea, cheap land will be cheap for a reason. fencing and shelter need to be quality to last, or you will be spending all your money replacing them, its a false economy. feed for any animal has to be the priority, look at the nutritional needs of your stock, and make sure your feed provides it, cheap feed often doesnt.dont forget to budget for medications and vets bills.and do a buisness plan!
good luck. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on April 04, 2012, 11:23:22 pm: :wave: Hi and welcome from windy and chilly Shropshire.
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: in the hills on April 05, 2012, 08:13:27 am: :wave: hello from a snowy Mid Wales.
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: suziequeue on April 05, 2012, 08:13:39 am: Hi hog feast.

Welcome to the forum. I think your plans are grand - especially restoring waste land - what a great idea. I'm sure you could get assistance /grant money for that....

Deep in the Woods is right. Anything less than good/great quality feed, shelter and fencing is a false economy.

I would also add - take your time and don't rush into anything. If you want to breed - start by keeping a few hens without a cockerel - just for eggs and then move into it once you get to know the logistics of keeping chickens in your area. Same with any livestock I would say.

We have had chickens for two years and have only just got round to starting with a few fertilised eggs under a broody hen and it has been quite a scale-up when considering chicks on top of what we already had for the hens.

Best of luck. Great ideas
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: Rosemary on April 05, 2012, 08:47:51 am: Hello and welcome from sunny Carnoustie :wave:

Good luck with your plans - I agree that an honest and realistic business plan is a must.
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: Mel on April 05, 2012, 09:26:08 pm: Hi and welcome from Northants,we wish you good luck ;D :wave: :wave:
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: robert waddell on April 05, 2012, 09:50:51 pm: o to be young and full of enthusiasm but i see a major flaw in your plan plant/machines don't run on fresh air some can use about 100 gallons a day without trying hard that is a lot at 80pence a litre now if you have a source of plant that will cost nothing they will transport for nothing and supply fuel for nothing just pm me so as everybody is not jumping on the badwagon other than that just go for it :farmer:
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: hog feast on April 07, 2012, 07:05:10 am: Thankyou all for the advice! I look forward to letting you all know how i gt on and im sure ill be asking u all for more advice.i feel a little more clear on wt kind of plan i will be going on to.
thankyou all
hog feast
Title: Re: newbie to it all! hello!!!!!! whats my best option?
Post by: Wigan Pixie on April 08, 2012, 08:29:37 pm: Hello Jay, nice to see another Wigginer on here. The only advice I can offer is getting a good business plan. We're in the process of starting up a housing/workers co-operative and we're asked for our business plan regularly. Can't wait to hear how you get on :)