The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Poppy625 on October 12, 2018, 08:09:13 pm

Title: Hello all
Post by: Poppy625 on October 12, 2018, 08:09:13 pm: Hi everyone :wave: I've been looking at this site for a wee while now and found it so interesting and useful. My husband and I have a small Croft on the West coast of Scotland. We have 4 cows, 20 sheep, 6 (and counting) chickens and recently got our first couple of weeners which are doing really well. I'm hoping to get a few pure Suffolk sheep next year to produce good Rams for our local area. In general I just love animals and although it's hard work at times especially with our long rough winters I couldn't be happier (well maybe if the sun shone a bit more!!) Does anyone keep Embden geese as I always wanted some but wonder about their temperament? :fc:
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: arobwk on October 16, 2018, 10:18:46 am: Hello Poppy. Just to say welcome to the forum. I'm sure someone who can answer your question will come along shortly.
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: Rosemary on October 16, 2018, 11:04:18 am: Hello and welcome from Carnoustie :wave:
What kind of cattle do you keep? We have Shetlands :hugcow: :hugcow: :hugcow:
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: Poppy625 on October 16, 2018, 12:09:06 pm: We have Aberdeen Angus X cows which seem to do well as they are hardy girls. We cross them with a neighbours Limousine Bull. We tried A.I for a couple of years but it was too unreliable. Our croft is beside the sea so is very open to the eliments. One of the crofts not far from us has a few Shetland cows. They seem to thrive here as well
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: Rosemary on October 16, 2018, 01:01:06 pm: Quote from: Poppy625 on October 16, 2018, 12:09:06 pm
One of the crofts not far from us has a few Shetland cows. They seem to thrive here as well
New herdsnow in Australia, Texas and Slovakia ;D
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: alang on October 16, 2018, 04:12:06 pm: Hello Poppy. Welcome to the forum
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 16, 2018, 11:18:57 pm: :wave: Poppy and welcome to TAS forum.
Title: Re: Hello all
Post by: Possum on October 17, 2018, 09:18:45 pm: We raised Embden geese for several years. We used to get them as two week old goslings and then raise them until Christmas. We spent a lot of time with them when they were very young so they got used to us. They were always very friendly with a good temperament and would follow us anywhere.

I know geese have a reputation for being aggressive but much of that is because they can be very noisy when they are excited. If you don't know them it can sound aggressive. The exception to this is a gander who is protecting a broody goose. They can do a lot of hissing if you get too close to the nest. The best thing to do is leave well alone and they usually calm down.