The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: SheepishSophie on August 14, 2012, 01:54:38 pm

Title: Hello!
Post by: SheepishSophie on August 14, 2012, 01:54:38 pm
Hello!

After being a lurker/stalker for a few months, I've decided to finally join so I can ask a multitude of questions!

To introduce myself, I'm Sophie, 20, in Derbyshire. As you can tell by my username, I'm one of 'those'! I get a few funny looks from my friends when I go into 'Sheep' mode. They all think I'm mental.

I've just acquired a plot of land, currently with wheat on so it'll be a while 'till it's up and running.. but there'll be more questions on that else where. I've also got birds.. lots of birds! It's addictive...

More about myself? Hmmm. I'm not your standard 20 year old.. A good late night out for me is in the lambing sheds rather than a club! I still live with my parents but they're all up for supporting me in my dream so you've gotta love 'em. They told me to quit my job so I could lamb up in Cumbria this Easter and they're paying for the field/sheep/etc whilst I pay for my college and degree fees.

I start Agricultural college in September and a business degree (Environment pathway) in February. I like being a busy busy bee!

Oh and I ramble alot!



Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: smallisbeautiful on August 14, 2012, 01:59:10 pm
Hi, I'm a fellow newbie to posting here.  You certainly accomplished more than I had at 20, well done - I admire you determination to get into farming.
What sort of birds have you got?
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: chrismahon on August 14, 2012, 02:11:46 pm
Welcome to the forum SheepishSophie. We're from near Ashbourne originally. Had a few Jacobs in the past, just 'pets' for fattening. When I was your age I was just buying my first house, which needed rennovating to make it habitable -I couldn't afford to eat let alone drink because the mortgage interest rates soared to 15%! Hope it all goes well for you. Helps a lot with parents to assist I'm sure.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: SheepishSophie on August 14, 2012, 02:35:50 pm
Hello to both of you!

We have..
10 black rocks (2 with names, Houdeni and Sunshine)
2 ex-batterys (Margery and Margery!)
1 cuckoo Pekin Bantam cock (Elvis)
1 partridge wyandottes (Priscilla, her and Elvis love eachther! )
6 chicks: 1 Silver laced bantam hen, 1 sussex bantam cock, 3 partrige wyandottes hens and 1 cock
4 indian-runners (Olive, Blondie, Debbie, Sergei) who came with Harry, a little brown hybrid
8 quails

I think all my breeds are right! The sussex cock is going soon, though. He's getting too big for his boots and needs some hens of his own! They all earn their names... We have a soft spot for Elvis!

Chris, I couldn't do any of this without them! My Dad ideally wants a rural-tourism business on the side of my 'future farm' so he's helping me get there so he can achieve his dream!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: smallisbeautiful on August 14, 2012, 02:55:54 pm
We have a soft spot for chicken too and normally have enough chickens for all our baking needs, but due to two batches of day light robbery by a rogue fox in the spring we've taken a bit of break. 
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: SheepishSophie on August 14, 2012, 03:13:35 pm
Well, with all those, you'd think we'd get a lot of eggs, right?! We get about 3 a day XD Admittedly, 7 are chicks (Harry's still young) of which 2 are cocks, and Elvis. Our ex batterys arent up to much, and 4 of our blacks are old. The quails are young-ish, too. The ducks could still be classed as chicks too, I suppose. Most are new chicks as we just moved and the people that bought our house wanted the chicks leaving.

Ohh I forgot 3 in the list too! I don't know the name of the breed... we call 'em Wiggys.. they look like they're wearing a wig! Small, light coloured things with a pheasant-y tail?
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: luckylady on August 14, 2012, 03:58:51 pm
 :wave: Hello from a very sunny  :sunshine: Yorkshire.  Good for you starting on your dream at such a tender age.  I think most of us start later and wish we had started much sooner.  Good luck with all your ventures and all the best to your lovely parents for supporting you (albeit with your Dad's hidden agenda!!) lol.  ;D
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: SheepishSophie on August 14, 2012, 04:55:00 pm
Thanks :) It was only... 3 years ago? that I realized my dream. So it's very nice for it to all be starting up, finally!

And Dad's hidden agenda is accepted if it means I get what I want!!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Rosemary on August 14, 2012, 08:22:56 pm
 :wave: from :sunshine: Carnoustie!
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 14, 2012, 10:14:15 pm
 :wave:   Hi and welcome from  :sunshine:  Shropshire.  well done for knowing what you want and such a young age.  Farming is much healthier than club going.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Mammyshaz on August 15, 2012, 07:46:10 am
Hello and welcome from Durham  :wave:
Good luck with your studying. It's hard work but worth it to achieve your goal  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: lill on August 15, 2012, 09:49:18 am
H and welcome to the forum, from Bathgate   :wave:
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: Roxy on August 15, 2012, 03:25:11 pm
Hello and welcome!!  We are in the Peak District, so cannot be too far from you.  Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy.
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: SheepishSophie on August 15, 2012, 07:30:05 pm
Hello to everyone that's said hello! And thank you :)
Title: Re: Hello!
Post by: The Mobile Butcher on August 15, 2012, 07:36:48 pm
Hi from a rainy Whitby- North Yorkshire :wave:
 
Going off tomorrow to make some sausages for a outwards bound center near to  where i live....... 80lbs - 100Lbs to make  :o