51

Coffee Lounge / Re: Homemade washing powder/liquid?

« Last post by JamQwert12 on April 24, 2026, 03:06:20 am »

Hi all, does anyone make their own laundry powder/liquid that wouldn't mind sharing a recipe please? I used to make it years ago with soap flakes, soda crystals and borax. Borax seems to be impossible these days and I can only find borax substitute. I have got liquid soap flakes, washing soda and green bleach, but am unsure of quantities to mix together to keep in a bottle, any help and Ill be most grateful, thank you

I’ve made similar before, nothing too precise:
1 cup liquid soap
1 cup washing soda
about half a cup borax substitute
then a few litres of hot water
Dissolve the soda first in hot water, then add the soap. It might thicken when it cools, just give it a shake before using.

52

Coffee Lounge / Re: Relocating to Scotland / Orkney

« Last post by JamQwert12 on April 24, 2026, 03:04:48 am »

Farming-wise, it’s shorter growing seasons, more wind, and you’ve got to be a lot more flexible with timing. Grass can be great quality, but you don’t get the same window as you would down in Wales. Stock-wise it’s doable, but breeds that handle rougher weather tend to do better.
On the moving side — most people we spoke to said the same thing: unless you’ve got something really specific or high value, it’s often easier to sell up and start again. The cost and hassle of transporting machinery and stock that distance (especially to Orkney with ferries) can add up fast. That said, if you’ve got kit you know inside out and rely on, it might be worth bringing a few key pieces.

53

Marketplace / Wanted - Training Sheep (Beaworthy, Devon)

« Last post by Citrine on April 19, 2026, 07:41:16 am »

I’m looking for a 4-5 lightly dogged training sheep. Based in Beaworthy, Devon.

Thank you.

54

Sheep / Re: Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Eeyore-77 on April 16, 2026, 09:59:18 am »

All sorted. I watched her for a while on Monday evening. She was straining to try to pee, and there was a little bloody discharge coming out, and when I checked over her she was hot to the touch.
I discussed with my vet and got her some antibiotics and anti inflammatory jags, and she is now all fine after a few days of treatment. It was likely the big first lamb she had caused a tear that had become infected and was making her delicate uncomfortable.
Outside with her lambs in the sunshine now.

55

Sheep / Re: Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Eeyore-77 on April 13, 2026, 06:36:11 pm »

Thanks Rosemary
I’ve never used a halter, so that’s great advice and I’ll steer clear of it.
She’s still skittish and pulls away when they try to feed. She seems to have a more favoured one, but even he doesn’t seem to get to suck for very long before she realises he’s on her, then she’s off.
Will persevere with her as that’s been just 3 and a bit days and she seems to be getting a bit better. Both lambs are bright alert, bouncing around and seem happy. She’ll get there.

56

Wildlife / Re: Swallows 2026

« Last post by Penninehillbilly on April 13, 2026, 05:06:24 pm »

Came on to say we had a swallow (or 2?) in the barn this morning.
Heard it before I saw it. I think they are the advance scouting party, we seem to get them then they disappear for a few days,
Lifts the heart and puts a smile on my face to see them again. 
At least there are flies and midges for them this year.

57

Sheep / Re: Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Rosemary on April 13, 2026, 08:55:57 am »

I think you are wise to avoid the halter. You would come back to a dead ewe or dead lambs - never underestimate the capability of a sheep to kill itself. I would never leave ANY animal tied up for any length of time unsupervised. It's a recipe for disaster.
Glad to hear that lambs and their mum seem to be working things out 

58

Sheep / Re: Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Eeyore-77 on April 12, 2026, 08:27:26 pm »

I didn’t go for a halter, as she seems alright to feed them if I put hard feed in a bucket and put a hand on her shoulder, without even getting into the pen, then when she’s distracted, she seems relaxed enough to let them feed, the ewe lamb also stopped feeding and did a huge pee after I’d not been across for about 6 hours, so they might be able to grab a feed when she is distracted.
I put numbers on them with red spray though and the ewe had some red on her head making me think she has knocked them away.
I think she might have been a bit stressed yesterday too as there were three other ewes giving birth around her yesterday and there was lots of smells and lambs bleating.
Thanks.

59

Land Management / Sheep breed suggestions

« Last post by Pallyando on April 12, 2026, 11:51:56 am »

I'm looking for advice on store lambs, and potential breed suggestions as I'm looking for something fairly specific from a timing and land management point of view.

Based West Devon, and I manage my land in a wildlife first fashion...a small scale wilding project if you will, where any stock I keep is to help in habitat creation and management, diversifying the sward/meadow creation etc, but will end up in the freezer (don't want to breed). Have used weaners to good effect in past years, but  this year am looking for some lambs to graze the late summer meadow growth and aftermath.

They would have access to about 3 acres of grazing, about half of which will have been cut over the summer, and the rest will be a summers growth (quite long) plus field fringes of woodland and scrub/Bramble/Gorse etc.

From a timing point of view would be looking to get 2-3 store lambs from no earlier than August, to finish/slaugher
from anywhere between December and February (no later) so a breed with a slaughter age of 8-10 months.

looking for hardy breed suggestions that will be mostly self sufficient and ok with minimal supplemental haylage. We tend to get a good flush of grass growth in the autumn and the land can be quite wet through winter but always good dry areas.

 Hope this makes sense and thanks for any advice suggestions.

60

Sheep / Re: Gimmer not standing for lambs to feed by themselves.

« Last post by Eeyore-77 on April 12, 2026, 06:58:37 am »

Thanks Rosemary
I was thinking to get a halter this morning and tie her the pen so she can eat, drink and lie down but not knock the lambs away.
I’ll be away at work tomorrow so not able to hold her each time they need a feed.
Have you tried that?
Thank you.