The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: amieeajs on October 25, 2009, 06:18:34 pm

Title: new today
Post by: amieeajs on October 25, 2009, 06:18:34 pm
hi every one, just joined, im finind the topics very interesting and it nice to see other people advice,
 i currently have 10acres of land where we are a small livery yard, i have 6 horses my self lol (mad), we did have chickens and ducks, and loved the fresh eggs every morning, and since losing them to old age and some to mr fox i havent had the heart to replace them,
My new experiment is two saddle back pigs, i got them today and they are currently 2 months old, the breeder at first was very friendly and seemed ok to get advice, but now i feel like they dont want to know, so any advice will be truly greatfull lol, i have never kept pigs befor so its going to be interesting,
 My plan is too breed from the pigs and then keep a piglet or two for meat, well thats my plan ,
 i am going to get more chickens eventualy, and try and live of the land as much as possible,
 well thats me and its nice to meet every one
 Amiee :horse: :hshoe: :chook: :pig:
Title: Re: new today
Post by: jameslindsay on October 25, 2009, 06:24:41 pm
Hi Aimee, welcome. If you read old posts I am a great advocate for the "Fox Watch" gadget. I went through a spell many months ago of losing hens and ducks to the fox family but since installing these machines I have lost nothing. Fingers crossed this continues, but I think they are brilliant. Good luck if you choose to start again.
Title: Re: new today
Post by: HappyHippy on October 25, 2009, 07:22:06 pm
Hello & welcome from a very rainy south lanarkshire  ;D
Title: Re: new today
Post by: little blue on October 25, 2009, 07:31:22 pm
Hello from Derbyshire, been raining this afto but beautiful first thing!
Title: Re: new today
Post by: daniellestocks on October 25, 2009, 08:48:58 pm
Hello, from a wet yorkshire, im am also new to pigs and have 4 horses (also mad! ;) ), your at the right place for loads of great advice iv found it very interesing and informative, and the people are very warm and welcoming  :) ;D :pig:
Good luck with ur new venture
Danielle
Title: Re: new today
Post by: Hilarysmum on October 26, 2009, 07:11:12 am
If this is your first venture with pigs, it may be better to consider eating these first two, and gaining some experience before embarking on breeding.  Forgive me if this sounds harsh, however, would you recommend to someone that their first experience of horse keeping should be a brood mare in foal?

Its really best to wait a while, buy your breeding stock from a good breeder, even go the whole hog (no pun intended) and buy registered gilts, join the BPA produce pedigree piglets and meat.

Also it may not be the same in UK but here its very hard to find good homes for piglets in the current climate, and no one will pay the premium for the meat, leaving many out of pocket after feeding and butchering.

I apologise this probably sounds very harsh, especially if you have had previous experience with pigs.  If you are a novice for your own SAFETY you do need to be very aware that breeding is not a project to be undertaken without some experience.

Having said all that, wish you all the best with your pigs, and welcome to this very helpful and informative site
Title: Re: new today
Post by: Rosemary on October 26, 2009, 08:14:33 am
Hi and welcome.

I'd endorse everything HM says here for the same reasons.

What horses do you have?
Title: Re: new today
Post by: Snoopy on October 26, 2009, 09:00:14 am
Hello and Welcome - where are you from?

We are in West of Ireland and have lots of pigs - check out www.tullywoodfarm.com
there is some information on there about Saddlebacks, and if you want any advice
don't hesitate to PM me.

Julie
Title: Re: new today
Post by: sandy on October 26, 2009, 10:12:37 am
Hello and welcome from Clackmannan!!!
Title: Re: new today
Post by: mal on January 31, 2010, 12:37:57 am
 :horse:keep a irish draft mare.been in horses for many years.about forty.could not be without a horse.live at tyrone.nireland.a bit green on the computer  cheers mal
Title: Re: new today
Post by: JulieS on January 31, 2010, 07:48:26 am
Hello and welcome  :)
Title: Re: new today
Post by: Hardfeather on January 31, 2010, 09:40:40 am
Hi and welcome from another horsey bod. ;D
Title: Re: new today
Post by: dizzy1pig on January 31, 2010, 06:35:23 pm
Hi I just joined to. I had my first foray into pigs last year...

they are great so clever. mine used to sit and sing for their food taught by my neices..

They are great fun but still lot of work and they sure like to roam if they can.

wish i had found this site then :)
Title: Re: new today
Post by: ballingall on January 31, 2010, 06:52:15 pm
Hiya and welcome.


I'm hoping to get a couple of pigs to rear for meat this year too.


Beth
Title: Re: new today
Post by: Daisys Mum on January 31, 2010, 07:35:34 pm

Hi and welcome from the sunny Scottish Borders. I am just sending my 3rd pair of pigs off to the abattoir tomorrow and have found this site

invaluable. I have horses too 4 here at the moment and another pony out on loan, this will be her last year with her present jockey. I think we

will have to sell her then as she is too sharp for a beginner (my granddaughter). Would hate to be without horses even though I dont ride

anymore myself. Got hens, ducks and sheep too.The shetland sheep are great with the horses as they are not fussy grazers and get to the bits

 that the horses cant, amazing lamb too.
Title: Re: new today
Post by: Roxy on February 01, 2010, 11:30:06 pm
I have one Shetland sheep, who goes  in the stable with the small pony every night - he waits by the door to get in - not daft, is he, in this chilly weather!!