The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: ben10 on February 03, 2008, 08:37:30 pm
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Hi everybody
Have spent ages reading all the comments and have now joined the site.
I hope I can share some things but will be asking lots of questions as well
I live in France- yes, yet another and have Ouessant sheep, horses and pigs, always looking to expand into more diverse animals- the misses keeps on about Llamas or Alpacas so I will need peoples help in stopping that happening.
I myself would like some more unusal animals- any suggestions please!!!
Thanks
Ben
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Hi Ben 10 - welcome to a lovely forum. Looking forward to reading your postings.
Unusual animals - um will need to think about that one - How about some peacocks? Colourful and difficult - you seem to have the difficult ones - piggies, horses and a moaning missus! Just joking!
Kate
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Every time I hear someone talking about wanting to raise llama or alpacas I remember I have never eaten llama burgers or alpaca steak medium rare. Like a sailboat, great if you love to sail. Slow and unique and very expensive.
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hey ill follow on from kates idea of peacocks, how about some phesants? you can get some very pretty ornamental ones:
http://www.allandoopheasantry.com/
peacocks: http://www.peacocks4u.co.uk/index.php?f=data_home&a=0
or maybe you could get involved in breeding for conservation? could be anything from an endangered pig breed to a rare species of bat or something!
or how about something like ostrich, prarie dogs or lemur's!
ill ask my OH for ideas as his head is full of animals he would love to keep! ive said no to everything so far but i do like the idea of giraffes and zebra! never going to happen tho hence why i said yes lol ;D
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Hi Ben 10,
Hello & welcome, I'm gonna have to go with Peacocks aswell, there were a pair at the market the other day 100e the pair, OH wouldn't let me have them - :(
Donna
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ptarmagens? otters, tapirs and lemmings would be unusual. but perhaps not so practical. for self supporting finance wise i would start with rare breed chickens, pigs, sheep etc. find a niche suitable to your experience, budget, environment and local market. as you already ars used to the stock you have maybe llamas and alpacas would fit in well. maybe you could also add some mangalizas pigs.
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;D
Mangalitsa pigs, rare, edible, not too expensive. Great fun, and very hardy. I have never seen anyone trecking with a mangalitsa but I imagine its possible.
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Hi
Thanks for the suggestions- the better half has read them all, looked up ideas on the internet and now wants everything. Kate you summed her up very well!!!
Mangalitza pigs sound very unusual, are there any in France? or would we have to look to exporting from UK
Please can someone help as I will get big earache if not,
Thanks
Ben
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Hi, have an interest in mangalitsa pigs myself, they are not very common anywhere. In UK they command maxi prices, there are a couple of breeders over here and someone on the forum has bought one I understand. I was priviliged to see him this weekend, oh wow, he is so gorgeous, I wanted to smuggle him into the car. Only the fear of Hilary's wrath (she hates ANYTHING with a woolly coat or bearing any resemblance to a sheep - very long story) that prevented me.
Ben10 if you can imagine a oessant lamb only grey and silver and black with white bits, and the cutest ever piggly face, and yet dog like in its friendliness, they are just fantastic.
If you get a chance to visit take your cheque book with you. HM
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Oh HM, I can't wait to see him for real & take him home.. he looks (I'm sure he is) adorable & I've been showing all my friends the picture of him ;D Just got to be patient, not my strong point :(
Donna
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Donna you must thank Hilary otherwise he would have been smuggled into my coat and gone. I honestly am not exagerating when I say he is possibly the most gorgeous animal I have ever seen. All piglets are gorgeous, cute and adorable but this is something else entirely. You are going to be so over the moon with him. Please send and post loads of photos when you collect him. Have you decided on a name yet?
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Hi HM,
Firstly a big Kiss to Hilary :-* but a shame for you. I think I'm going to call him Marley , a bit different I know but I like it ;D I do hope he likes his new home.
I will take my camera when we pick him up & send you some piccies, Now I just need to let Carole know what I'm calling him.
Ben10 - I'll send you some piccies too, his mum & dad are adorable too!
Donna
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Hi Donna sadly they dont have a green smiley on here or I would post it. Marley love the name. It is a bit different then so is he.
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aaw.....want one.
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Oh so do I, if it werent for HIlary ............
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Look forward to seeing the pictures thank you. Sounds a great name.
When are you collecting the Mangalitza? as from your postings you sound very excited.
Ben
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Hi Ben
I am so excited ;D ;D ;D approx 2-3 weeks :)
Donna
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Donna dont forget you promised us pictures
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No I will definately send you all some. HM do you know of anyone who has any GOS weaners (approx 8-12wks)for sale, I thought I could tie in picking up Marley & them on same journey. There seems to be more available where you guy's are. (Marley can go in back of the landrover & others in the trailer)
Donna
P.S My OH & Me would love to see the picture of Hilary sitting on the bed ;D
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Hi
If anyone knows of good Gossies then Hilarysmum is the one to ask. Maybe also send her a message in case she misses this posting.
Marley will love the landrover, let us know what happens
Carole
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Hilarysmum You're a star :-*
Came up trumps & I've now reserved myself two Gossies for fattening, company for Marley.
Thanks again HM
Donna
P.S. Sorry Ben for interrupting your posting, ;D
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Hi Donna so pleased thats really good news.
Ben 10 again sorry for using your posting :D