The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: JMB on April 11, 2014, 08:38:35 pm
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Hi.
We are going to open a holiday cottage next to our own home. We have 3 pigs, 5 sheep and 10 hens. While we obviously want to welcome guests, I am concerned about balancing this with the welfare of my animals. Our pigs love people, but the sheep and chickens are very nervous creatures. We leave them alone as much as possible, but I don't think we can expect people on holiday to be quite so considerate. We have friends to stay with us, and children especially like to try and pet them all.
I just wondered if anyone else had a holiday home and how they balanced this with their animals?
I don't want guests arriving to a list of rules and regulations but I don't want my animals unhappy either.
Any advice welcome and much appreciated
Thank you
Joanne xxxxxx
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Hello Joanne,
I have a holiday cottage here with 33 pigs, 25 chickens, 5 sheep, 5 lambs, miniature shetland pony....oh the list is endless!
I find that people are very considerate of the animals. I tend to offer to show the guests around and introduce them to the animals that I know are the friendliest and don't mind a bit of a fuss and explain to the guests the ones that are a little nervous.
In 5 years I've not had any problems, in fact most people are interested to find out more and enjoy helping.
Hope everything goes well with the holiday cottage.
Julie.
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Thank you Julie.
Do you allow guests to wander where they want? E.g through the fields , when they want etc?
I'm torn between letting them have free rein, and my sheep being on red alert all day., or restricting them?
Thank you
Joanne xxx
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we don't have a holiday home but we do have a rental house literally next door to us which is surrounded by our land. we don't let anyone on our land as a rule but some tenants just walk around anyway and never shut gates behind them. they often cant see the danger that animals pose either so keeping them out is much safer for everyone. one neighbours kid wanted to see our hens and crouched down to look at them and got pecked in the eye, there was blood and screams so its really put me off letting anyone get too close. they all want to get close though (and they all want to buy a pony whatever its age size breed ) but its easier to say no.
stroking over the fence is fine. remember animals get to know there owner and can be more unpredictable with strangers. you have to point out the obvious that - no little johnny cant possibly go and stroke the newborn calf as the mother is very likely to trample him on purpose, the fact that me and my kids can do that is because the cow knows us, but she wont tolerate a stranger near her baby. when a farmer came to visit, he wouldn't go near the calf as he knew what new mothers could be like, but in general people don't realise. pigs are the same.
saying you don't have insurance or they have ringworm is a good excuse. ::)
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Are your sheep really THAT nervous around people?
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I let them go wherever they want to as long as they keep their dogs (and children!) under control. I have signs on the gates they are 'allowed' to go through and I make sure they know to shut them afterwards (written on the signs too).
I'm lucky that my kitchen and garden looks out over all the land so I can 'keep an eye' on what is going on.
No problems so far.
I'm very much in a very rural location, so people know that when the book the cottage. So the type of couples and families I have staying are very interested in life on a smallholding and have always been very respectful of the animals.
My sheep and horse have the run of the place, so can disappear away if they don't want to see people and equally they approach people if they fancy and bit of a fuss and stroke.
Julie.
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Following this with interest as I too will have this dilemma soon ( assuming we get bookings!)
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You do need to have some rules, for the well being of the animals and the tourists.
Most people who stay on a smallholding rental like animals and are usually respectful.
You do get some who are the exception so l just give them some ' ground rules' on arrival.
The biggest problem has been them feeding the animals, you would be surprised what they think :pig: :chook: :dog: :goat: :horse: :sheep: :&> eat !
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I would say talk to them personally on arrival and don't assume any knowledge of what you or your animals need. Some guests will have, or have had, experience with pets or farms or other livestock, many won't know any more than they see on TV, if that. So be polite, clear, helpful and explain what is safe for them and their kids, frame it positively and offer them a scheduled opportunity to walk around with you on a guided tour, or pet the ... whatever you can offer, and don't leave it to them to work out what they can do cos they will inevitably guess and likely get it wrong. If you're lucky you will find some repeat business and those folk will know, can perhaps have more leeway, feeling special in the process. But starting out remember you are offering them a lovely place to stay and they're paying for a good holiday base, not a list of rules and regs and stayout signs that make them feel unwelcome, but not a dangerous jungle of unknown minefields like animals and your expectations ;) Imagine you're inviting an in-law or the boss and his wife and want to make a good impression without coming over too pally or too pushy, that's usually a good place to start with guests ;)
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Thank you.
And yes, our sheep really are THAT nervous. They are a mix of hebs and Shetlands and are scared of themselves.
Maybe I need friendlier sheep too?!
J xxxx
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Ahhhhh ok.
What I was meaning was more, in general, a nervous sheep will remove itself from the situation that is making it nervous and as long as they are not pursued. . . . will generally get on with life.
Maybe a couple of friendly sheep, would take the visitors attention ands give the others some respite ?
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we had a holiday let on the farm but we have closed it.As we have stallions we had rules about do not go through any gate marked private.I explained it on arrival but a lot of people didn't listen, it was a nightmare. We had to put self closing electric gates on the property as they didn't like getting out of the car to shut them.people seem to think they have rented the whole farm and have a right to go everywhere.
ps we did have some nice people too.
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Interested too as we're just starting the building work on a holiday cottage adjacent to our house. I need to speak again to the rental people but I think we're going to have a no dogs rule for a start - both to maintain the holiday cottage and to make sure we don't lose poultry. Then beyond having a chat, I was going to put in their information pack something about if they want to get in with the animals (we don't have big ones like sheep or horses - just various poultry, rabbits and cats), then ask and we'll go with them. Part of it is because I'd be worried about them being attacked too - we have one cockerel who'll peck feet quite happily and the geese are not to be messed with at this time of year. I might put a padlock on the rabbit run because those are son's pets and he'd be devastated if they got let out accidentally.
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Sent a couple of pm's
Here's the funny side
Items missing in 2013
11 towels
1 pillow case
1 duvet cover
1 cushion
1 bedside lamp
1 dvd player
Lots of books, torches, games
Left behind
A chair :thinking:
A full 3 piece suit
A dress
A Gameboy from German guests
1 shoe
Plus loads of little bits of stuff
Just to add the weather has picked up here, we got a last minute booking yesterday £400 plus another one today arriving today £750 :excited:, we are full next weekend & full the entire of May :excited:
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Thanks for your replies. We've had a good laugh at some of them!
I had thought about supervised trips to see the pigs, but we are out at work, so we won't be around all the time when guests might want to wander around.
I guess all you can do is to have a few sensible rules and not too many regulations and hope all will be well.
J xxxxx
P.s glad to see you got some bookings Andynj, even with no towels....
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If you are not there most of the day then I think you may have to put some padlocks about.. at least then if they climb into any pens and get hurt you cannot be blamed.
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If you are not there most of the day then I think you may have to put some padlocks about..
We tried that but all we got was complaints :roflanim: oops padlocks on animal enclosures not the guests front doors :thinking: oops :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim:
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:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
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That reminds me, I must sort out the insurance.....
J xxxxx
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Been letting our cottage for 10 years. Don't get white or ivory towels - they disappear! Turquoise, purple and mustard don't. Don't get nice toothmugs - they disappear! Cheap plastic ones don't. I put a clause in the Terms & Conditions they have to sign when booking, stating that we have the right to terminate the holiday let immediately should we have any concerns regarding the welfare of farm livestock. Not had to use it so far but I don't let any guests around the sheds or pigsties. Even then, I once found a Mum watching her toddler attempting to stroke a boar - at mouth level! I have a map of the farm on a noticeboard above the kitchen sink showing exactly where they may go, along with a list of rules "which we hope will help to make your holiday enjoyable". These include Shutting Gates (although all the gates leading on to the lane are padlocked, just in case) and anyone who is or may be pregnant not approaching pregnant sheep. I always offer to show guests around the farm. Just like most folks, some are very pleasant and some you're very glad to see the back of. And never, ever, underestimate the amount of time it can take to clear up the mess left by 4 people who've been out for most of the week - our pigsties are a lot, LOT, cleaner than some people's houses, I'd guess.
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Towels seem to be a real issue (and yes just bought Ivory ones!) ... Anyone tried Writing Name on them to deter theft? If it is the white / ivory ones which go it obviously isn't accidental!
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If towels are such an issue then stop providing them! Most people who book a self catering holiday expect to take their own towels, or make an extra charge for a towel pack.
As for the nervous sheep, they will take themselves off if disturbed, if you want a couple of petting sheep then get a couple of Ryeland wethers, they love attention. The chickens will cope, if they don't then get some that do. If you are charging several hundred pounds for a week in the country then certain compromises have to be considered if you want the income. And don't forget that the more you charge the more people expect for their money.
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Hi
We are opening 2 holiday cottages this July (builders allowing), we have a fenced dog walk area round the outside of a field, which also protects the trees around the border from been eaten and we have animals specifically bought for petting, miniature sheep, pygmy goat and chickens (others to follow), and a corner of the field for them to go in among the ones i select to be fed with food i will sell them. The field with the animals in can be seen easily from the house and access is via 2 gates. Im hoping that will be sufficient.
Its annoying that people pinch things, do you think people would mind hiring the towels or maybe a returnable deposit and i think ill get those lamps hard wired in.
Soo hoping its going to be a pleasant experience on a whole.
K
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If you go with one of the big letting companies you'll have to supply towels, customers are happy to pay a deposit, though that means you need to be there to check them out.
We recently heard of a cottage taking a damage deposit then when the guests where due to leave said they will check the cottage after they have gone then send them a cheque within 7 days. :thinking:
Personal opinion only 'that's unacceptable, I would expect confirmation as we are leaving that it was ok, otherwise no come back for the guests'
anyways the guests took the tv and left a note saying when we get our deposit back we will send you the receipt for your TV so that you can retrieve your TV from cash generator.
Slight problem in that the cottage was rented out same day
I think the guests did the right thing, there was no mention prior to holiday that you wouldn't get your deposit back for more than a week, we got this first hand as the cottage owners asked if they could borrow a TV
:roflanim: :roflanim:
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we were going to rent a holiday cottage last year but they wanted £150 damage deposit. with 4 kids I thought the risk was too high so we didn't book it.
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We have had a few holidays where we have paid house keepers deposit, normally £25 per person. Refundable within 7 days of holiday end. Never had a problem with it. We also do £50 house keepers deposit for our caravan and have never had a problem with it. We have always found the caravan to be clean and tidy after guest departure. I think it is one of those personal preference things. It works for me and my caravan and I have always been happy to pay it. Most of these are done on a scale of damage. As shygirl says if you don't want to pay you don't pay and go there, but if folk want to pay the housekeepers deposit they will. :)