The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Caroline1 on January 27, 2015, 08:41:05 pm
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Just thought I would pop my Hello and introduce myself. 2 months ago I moved into my new house which we bought with 3.5 acres as we wanted to build on our dream of being as self sufficient as possible and had outgrown our garden.
We brought with us 2 dogs, 1 rabbit, 1 parrot, 8 chickens, 4 ducks and 2 bee hives.
And in 2 months have taken on an extra 2 rescue dogs (well we have the space for them to run around), 10 extra rescue chickens, having 2 saddleback weaners delivered next week and waiting for some Anglo-Nubian goats to be born by a local goat breeder that we have arranged to buy. Also planning to plant an orchard and a wild flower meadow for the honey bees.
I think I might have jumped in the deep end, but very excited to have the space to take the next step. Can't wait for the warmer weather to make progress on my new Veg patch! I am sure this forum is going to be invaluable this year. :excited:
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Morning Caroline. We did something very similar three years ago although we only have 2 acres. It's a steep learning curve but incredibly enjoyable and satisfying. This website is invaluable. :) What are you planning to do with your goat milk?
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Welcome :wave: from Dorset. The deep end is best! How lovely for your rescue dogs to have a country home. Good luck :thumbsup:
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Hi :wave: I have Anglo Nubian and British Alpine goats, they are lovely you will love them :thumbsup:
All hard work this 'self sufficient ' but such a buzz when all goes well ! Enjoy :excited:
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Hello and welcome from :sunshine: Carnoustie :wave: . Sounds like a great project - glad you could join us :)
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Hiya Caroline!
Sounds like a suspiciously similar situation to some old members of our community farm who just moved up that way with a similar collection of animals - perhaps you know them?
Enjoy the goats when you get them - I might have to chase you to join Cambridgeshire Goat Keepers Society then....
Ben
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Thanks all. Yes I feel it is going to be hard work but am sure very rewarding and I am fortunate to have my very own brilliant handyman to take on all the building and maintenance projects for me (he loves it really) ;D
Am hoping to do cheesemaking with the goats milk as well as being our main milk source and yes it helped being involved at the community farm (Hi Ben :wave:) and made us feel we were ready for the challenge.
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:wave:Hello from just up the road. we keep some of our pigs at my parents holding just outside of ramsey, they have kept and shown goats for over 40 years so if you need any advise shout.
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:wave: from Shropshire. I have Saanens.
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:wave: From Ely, just about finished our house build. I have too many ponies and three sheep.
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Hi from Ely as well.
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Great to see a few more peeps from the local area :wave:
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nice to know there are small holders in the area im moving to in a few weeks, little staughton, just 20 miles away, hopi9ng to get a plot up and running soon, good luck with your new venture in the deep end
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Does anyone fancy sharing wormers vaccinations for this year and trying to tie in shearing, transport and trips to the abattoir?
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At the moment i only have chucks and bee's HoneyEnd. Next on my plans will be some porkers so will be looking at local abattoirs research.
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Happy for some of us that are local to each other to club together (especially as I may be asking around to rent a trailer for the abattoir run in a couple of months) :innocent:
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@caroline1, where are you taking them? I took my pigs to Leechs at Melbourne and was very happy, but they have a very small yard and its a bit of a trek.
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Found hj hellet in kimbolton just other side of Huntington. They were really helpful on the phone. They also have some good online reviews so thought I would try them this time.
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Hello and welcome from Durham :wave:
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We use Gagens nr. Wisbech for our slaughter - never had them butcher it for us so can't report on that (apart from making a sausage mountain from the cull sows). They are always helpful enough and decent with the unloading. Actually, thinking about it, I almost go past your place on the way, might be possible to sort something out if dates align favourably?
Re: wormers etc. our farm animals are with Isle Vets at Ely and they have helped organise sharing bottles amongst a few of their smaller clients. I'd be interested in this though if others are? As a starter, I need to heptvac our sheep (12) and will do the nanny goats (4) aswell in a couple of weeks, so if anyone wants the other half of the bottle?