The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: brigadier on February 19, 2014, 01:02:15 pm

Title: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: brigadier on February 19, 2014, 01:02:15 pm

Hi,
We have just registered our minuscule four acres as a SH so will be looking for the best advice to maximise what we have- hope Ive come to the right place.

We have had chickens and four ducks for sometime as well as other animals (Im a horse rider, dog lover etc) but keeping animals for profit is new to me.
I would like to look beekeeping, duck eggs and sheep for wool (rare breed for craft use) so any advice and tips appreciated. We do veggies and eggs for ourselves and having struggled to kill several unwanted cockerels which were raised from chicks I do not think we will venture down the meat production route as it was too stressful.

Any tips really welcome thnx in advance

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: Rosemary on February 19, 2014, 01:07:58 pm

Hello and welcome from Carnoustie  :wave:

We have 12 acres plus about 10 rented; Coloured Ryeland sheep, Shetland cattle, two pigs in summer for the freezer, 100 odd laying hens, two dogs, three cats, two ponies, two bee hives. Veggies and soft fruit for ourselves and 70 apple trees with another 50 going in this year.

Still trying to work out how to make money  ;D

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: benandjerry on February 19, 2014, 04:14:09 pm

Hello and welcome  :wave:  I'm a wannabee, and making very very small steps to doing something with our garden (more veggie plot than small holding) but small holding is the dream.  Got several smaller fires going in the hope of making the leap from wage slave.  When I say small steps, I do mean small....  :roflanim:  I will soon be meeting my very first TAS person, who I have met through this site.... so excited :excited:  (Which I wouldn't have done if I hadn't of joined).  :) (And it's not my sister, although I will be seeing her in May  ;D )

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: Backinwellies on February 19, 2014, 04:58:41 pm

 :wave: Hi and welcome.   

When you make a profit please let us all into the secret  :innocent:

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: Lesley Silvester on February 19, 2014, 09:19:14 pm

 :wave: and welcome from a back garden smallholder in Shropshire. I grow fruit and veg and have two goats.

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: kelly58 on February 21, 2014, 08:22:19 pm

Hi from Caithness :wave:

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: darkbrowneggs on February 23, 2014, 04:15:11 pm

HI and welcome,  :wave:  you may not make much of a profit, but if you can break even and get some good food as well that is what I always tried to do   :fc:

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: benandjerry on February 23, 2014, 08:58:52 pm

Quote from: darkbrowneggs on February 23, 2014, 04:15:11 pm

you may not make much of a profit, but if you can break even and get some good food as well that is what I always tried to do   

I like that. :)

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: MikeM on February 23, 2014, 09:12:01 pm

hello and welcome. Your miniscule holding is still 4 times bigger than ours, so enjoy. There's some wise heads here, so you're in good company.

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: brigadier on March 05, 2014, 12:13:19 pm

Thanks so much for your welcome and replies, look forward to chatting.

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: Hamish Crofter on March 05, 2014, 05:38:25 pm

Hi and welcome from the Isle of Skye...........

Title: Re: Hello- new to smallholding and the forum
Post by: lilfeeb on March 06, 2014, 08:14:39 am

Welcome from Kinross-shire. your 4 acres sounds like a lot of ground to me. I have just under an acre and a half #fieldenvy  :D