The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: funkyfish on November 21, 2014, 12:45:42 pm
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We have decided to give our smallholding up for various reasons like distance and my health. We have both changed jobs and my husband no longer gets any time up there (he doesn't drive and its over half an hour away), its down to me. We share a friends land and its all got a bit much as I'm no good in the wind or cold or bending down.. I feel bad like I'd be letting my friend down as I cover whilst they go away etc and it means we don't have 5am starts everyday!
And as the NHS seems to have no interest in sorting my face pain in a hurry, I can't see us managing another busy summer with fencing and shearing our few sheep, moving the chicken pens is a huge task for me (its not really a problem its just I'm broken!lol). Also they have a lot more animals than us and doing the hay and water in the summer does me in for the rest of the day due to the pain meds I'm on making me very tired all the time.
I've put our sheep up for sale as I can't send them off (can't tow and no £ due to car needing almost a grand spent on it). Other bits like the chickens and ducks will have to go after xmas well.
Will see how my face gets sorted next year and look for a small bit of land closer to home to put a few hens on.
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That's such a shame :(
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Yes but also a bit of a relief that I can take things bit easier next year. We WILL set up again at some point over the next couple of years, but somewhere where we both can get to to enjoy it and put the effort in needed to do it properly.
At the moment I'm doing the minimal with them and in bad weather they are not having the time spent that they need. I spend most of my energy on my friends animals as they have more and its our 'rent' that we help with theirs so it did suit both of us until work patterns changed and I got ill. I'm hoping my dad or my inlaws will let us keep our three favourite hens in their big garden until we can set up again.
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I know just how you feel my dear :hug: It's a relentless job tending animals, every morning and evening, rain, shine, snow and poorliness.
I sometimes wish I had nothing reliant on me, not as much as a goldfish in a bowl and could stay in bed as long as I please!!
But, I have promised my 10 year old grandson that I will tend his few sheep and I have my dear old sows to think of. Also, I have willed my land to Charlie when I die (though I have had to promise not to die before he is 35!!)
Any problems with your hens, I can care for them until you're ready to start again. Sylvia X
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Hi Sylvia! that's so kind of you. we bought a lovely Indian game cockerel from you a few years ago. Unfortunately his heart gave out a couple of weeks ago, I had decided to start meds for him, but it was too late. A bit silly medication for a boy I know, but he was a particular favourite. we have his off spring and their off spring still!
We will still have the 3 dogs, cat and pony (have found lovely grass livery near home for him), so will still be busy!
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Look upon the next couple of years as a "consolidation" period, where you can get properly better, make careful plans for future livestock (which includes "fun" type things like going to agricultural shows and reading relevant books) and be well prepared for your smallholding relaunch. It's not giving up, it's strategic forward planning!
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I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope you get better soon. :)
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Sounds like you've made the right decision for you, now. We have always said that if we no longer enjoy what we do, then we'll stop.
Constant pain is so debilitating, and because no-one else can see it, they perhaps don't understand. Is it neuralgia? Have you tried Amitryptaline, or a pain clinic yet?
Here's hoping you can find a smaller piece of land just for you and your OH, close to home. Life without hens lacks something :chook: :chook: :chook:
Good luck.
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Hi yes its trigeminal neuralgia. Its taken over a year but have pain clinc next month as Gp says only they can refer for an mri and to see a neuro. On gabapentin but having bad break thru pain this week.
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hope things turn out well FF :fc:
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its the best bet .iv had 2014 out whith dad parkinsons and doin part time fixing building and welding .so back next spring . You have to put youre self first all the best.
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sometimes we need to down-size and have a break. if its a relief then its the right thing to do. :hug:
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Well done for making what must have been a very hard decision. :hug:
I hope they get your pain and other problems sorted out, and you can keep your hens :hug:
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:hug: enjoy your break and get yourself well. You'll be back before you know it, fully refreshed.
Hope you manage to keep your hens to help tide you over. :chook:
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So sorry you've had to make this hard decision but, as others have said, you have to put yourself and your health first. I do know, however, how hard it is to part with animals that you've reared. When I first became disabled and thought I was going to have to part with my goats, I was distraught. It's only due to very good friends who took over while I was really bad, and my OH who does most of the feeding and all the heavy work, not to mention the student who works for me at weekends, who keeps the shed and yard clean, that I still have them. At least I can still manage the milking and can sit and watch them.
I hope that you manage to find your own little patch of land when you are well again, and can get more sheep. :hug:
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Thanks so much for all the replies! ???? they reinforce that it is the right thing to do.
We will definitely get some land at some point. Our dream is a couple acres to put a log cabin style house with a living roof and be as self sustainable as poss re heating and electricity etc. We tried for planning at my dads place a few years ago but the council wouldn't have it.
I think waiting until we have our own land is the best thing. We will keep hold of some bits like the electric fencing and energisers as you never know when you want them!
Thanks again!
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Sorry meant to put a happy smiling face not a confused one! Sorry! :)
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What a wrench for you, but it sounds like you know it is the right decision. It's miserable feeling completely worn out all the time and worrying if you can manage to get everything needed done. Definitely a good idea to keep useful bits too, so you'll not be starting from scratch when you're ready again. Everyone here will be wishing you the best and still appreciate your input here too. :fc: for the pain clinic and hopefully they'll get you sorted out !
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Look on this not as giving up but regrouping. Let us hope you get your facial pain sorted quickly and that you can then start looking for somewhere new. As well as the equipment you are planning to keep, you also have experience and will know what you are looking for when you feel ready for more land and animals. :fc: For a speedy recovery.
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You have made the right decision,. Much better to do it now, than carry on and things get really hard. I know the feeling of struggling when you are not in full health. I am fine in summer, but come winter my joints are not good, and doing everything on my own is hard work. I really should take a leaf out of your book and be sensible and give up.
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Ditto Roxy.
I remember last winter I barely survived but didn't want to give up while the prospect of physio etc might restore enough to carry on. This year I have more mobility, manageable pain, half the pony numbers and I can't see things the way I used to. So I reckon perhaps it's time to be realistic and find another way of living. Just two issues, one, having older ponies and a stallion that wouldn't be particularly saleable and might go on another 15 years, and 2 I don't know what else to do. And no I won't dump them or pts a healthy animal, I have been over that ground a lot.
So here I am facing another winter of twice daily animal rounds alone with weather and mud, arthritic fingers and feet making more problem than the rest of the usual joints, no income to speak of, fuel poverty, old car even older, house a state, a wall in the garage now cracked and falling out, lots more plans and ideas come to nothing..
I'm not sure why I'm here or where else I'd go. But if I were in your position, I'd take at least a year out, and then look at it all again when you have options rather than just hard slog without pleasure. Pain does that, takes the joy out and leaves work without end or reward in sight.
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Were it not for my good neighbour who, I know, will look out for my creatures if I am unable I would think of giving up often. But, as Ellied says it's the animals who depend on you that keep you going.
I have resolved not to get any more sheep or breeding sows but just turn some of my land over to growing fruit, veg and flowers, selling veg boxes to family and a few friends at cost price providing they do a few hours a week in exchange :fc: