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Coffee Lounge / Re: Cordless vacuum cleaners

« Last post by pgkevet on Today at 12:11:00 am »

If you're up to doing a quick whiz round when visitors arrive unexpectedly (while they are getting out of the car and making their way to the door, having sensed them coming along the road  ) then the Morphy Richards £59 jobbie is for you.

Worked perfectly this morning for my sister and husband arriving - expected, but I got distracted.  Did all the necessary areas in the required time 

A little more training of guests and they'll bring their own vacuum.....

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Crofting / Re: Flooding in the Yorkshire dales, a cautionary tale

« Last post by SallyintNorth on October 14, 2019, 10:45:16 pm »

Oh Chris, I am distraught to hear this.  I won’t be the only one made a donation at the time, expecting that everyone affected in the area would be helped by the money raised and the efforts of the volunteers. 

Is it worth making a Change.org petition about it?  Sometimes these are very good vehicles to bring iniquities to the attention of those who can make a difference.  If you can word and create a petition seeking to get smaller holdings included in the remedial works, I for one will promote and share it widely through all my networks.

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Pigs / Re: Pigs: cut on foot

« Last post by alang on October 14, 2019, 10:39:05 pm »

Hi Bethan

I've never been successful in picking up a pigs leg/foot lol. So i find the best option is to go and have a look when they are dozing but know you are there. Giving them a belly rub if they are used to that is also a good time to inspect their feet.

The other alternative is to use a crush if you have one, clean the wound, spray it and if need be, give some Pen & Strep

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Sheep / Re: Rams & companions

« Last post by SallyintNorth on October 14, 2019, 10:34:37 pm »

I think we currently have hundreds of cycling females completely surrounding us! Not much I can do there, but I do think that’s the explanation for his gate bashing.... Do you think serving a few of his own even in poor condition would be better than keeping him completely away from the ewes? Is the frustration likely to run him down more than if we just let him get on with it?

If there are ewes around about and he can smell them, he’s much less likely to settle and eat.  Personally I’d put him with the ten ewes as soon as he’s got the all-clear on any health checks and is okay from a lambing date perspective.  Ten ewes will give him an average of a little more than one every other day, so not much work at all really, and he will be much more settled in with his own harem, and hopefully will eat better in between working.  Once he’s served all ten, you might find he reverts to bashing gates and demanding his next batch, but some tups will stay settled in with their ladies.

He’s lucky to have found a home with people who take as much care as you to meet their stock’s psychological needs  

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Pigs / Re: Poorly Pig

« Last post by alang on October 14, 2019, 10:34:34 pm »

We see quite a few boar piglets with ruptured/blown/hernia testicles on our farm. I would ask your vet what to do with him. I couldn't possibly tell you if it effects growth rates but, if he's in pain then you need to do something about it from a welfare point of view.

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Sheep / Re: Rams & companions

« Last post by Anvia on October 14, 2019, 09:52:38 pm »

Thanks twizzel,
I hadn’t got as far as thinking about the following year!

In good news I think I’ve got to the bottom of the gate bashing, despite my best efforts to quarantine these two boys as far away as possible from our ewes - he can’t be all that bad looking! one of the neighbours sheep clearly fancies him enough to get past a couple of fences.... she’s been sent home & he seems to have calmed down.

Anke / Sally - We sourced our rams together to be companions (I thought I’d cracked the companion thing there!) from owners who bred them and have never worked them with dogs, they are already “trained”.... well, they know no different! They have only ever known a dog-less handling system, yes we have to learn to work with them and our understanding of that how they will respond to what cue. So far it’s been fine - so far they’ve moved easily to where we wanted them to go & we’ve been able to handle them & administer wormers ect.  We are bucket training our ewes though, it’s new to some of them, and I’d like that to be better established before we tup. Our ewes are well away from the rams and various fields whilst we work on that. At the moment handling them isn’t my issue - it’s what to do in the best interests of this particular rams health.

Scarlett dragon - thanks for your reassurance - I think we currently have hundreds of cycling females completely surrounding us! Not much I can do there, but I do think that’s the explanation for his gate bashing.... Do you think serving a few of his own even in poor condition would be better than keeping him completely away from the ewes? Is the frustration likely to run him down more than if we just let him get on with it?

Again thanks to all - I appreciate you all taking the time to answer all my questions & share your wisdom & experience.

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Pigs / Poorly Pig

« Last post by marty5787 on October 14, 2019, 07:22:34 pm »

HI All,

Just after a bit of advice, I have 4 growers (6 month old) which are growing nicely. On the Sunday morning feed I noticed one them did not come for food and still in his sty although he did get out to vomit. This was the same on Sunday night,(no vomit) I went to the vets this morning and got an antibiotic and vitamin jab which have now been administered. I did notice tonight that the pig has very swollen testicles compared to his brothers he was still of his food but did go for a drink.

Any ideas what could be the problem? I will monitor over the next day and if not better then call the vet.

Thanks in advance

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Coffee Lounge / Re: Cordless vacuum cleaners

« Last post by sabrina on October 14, 2019, 06:56:17 pm »

I have a Bosch Athlet 25v. Runs for 60 mins Cost £136. This is my 2nd cordless Bosch and I think it is great. We have 3 dogs in the house. I do have a Henry but I only use that now and again. Such a hassle to get it out of the cupboard and put together.I also have joint problems in my hands , hips, and back so find the cordless easier to use.

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Marketplace / FS Hill breed draft ewes (Scottish Borders)

« Last post by shankendfarming on October 14, 2019, 06:55:42 pm »

4 herdwick ewes for sale. They are 4 years old. All have reared lambs this year. They are on the heptavac p vaccination system. They are sound of the udder and are full mouthed. Price £60 a head

2 pedigree registered whitefaced woodland ewes for sale. Both are 2015 born. They are on the heptavac p vaccination system. They are sound of the udder and are full mouthed. They are Beckermond ewes so have good fleeces. Price £75 a head.

5 Scottish blackface ewes for sale. 4 of them are 5 years old and 1 is 4 year old. They are on the heptavac p vaccination system. They are sound of the udder and are full mouthed. All are homebred ewes. Price £50 a head.

For more information or photos please get in touch.

Thanks :-)

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Introduce yourself / Re: Doesn't really matter BUT nice to know where new members are from at 1st post !

« Last post by arobwk on October 14, 2019, 06:46:45 pm »

You're right SiN; would apply at any stage of membership if posting member has not already offered rough (say County) location details on the forum. 

Of course, some members might not wish to offer their location details for various reason:  I can't/wouldn't argue with that, but there are so many posts that really could do with a reference to the poster's location (roughly).