[Tiny Tim]

please get intouch

[daddymatty82]

I'd personally have all them animals if I has that much land  you would need to set the land up right though make hay to cut a bit of cost and have a system in place that works  the set up cost will be most for kit. 

[Rosemary]

What do you like best? You'll make a better job of it if you actually like the animal.

Honestly, it's not as straighforward as ticking a box. It depends on the type of land, what buildings there are, how much capital you have to invest, how close are you to markets for your goods. Do you want to work full-time on it? Part-time? How much cash do you need to generate?

Give us a clue and we'll all put in our tuppence worth. There are a lot of similar threads on here already that would be worth you looking at.

[Hilarysmum]

First research your markets what would sell who would you sell to?  Free range chicken sells well here.

[Tiny Tim]

the smallholding has buildings three in all,The land is already diveded into three but the largest field is quite damp .I'd like to make a living from this smallholding I thought about sheep but from what I have read and having spoken to friends there seems very little money in sheep I'm hopeing to have around £20.000 to invest .Transport may be an issue as it is an island location (scottish croft) any more ideas???

[doganjo]

There's a thread on here somewhere about whether you can make a living on a smallholding or not - as far as I recall the cumulative answer was no, but good luck anyway, you'll have fun trying!

[Hilarysmum]

Living on an Island - first transport costs so you need to add value to anything you sell, and hopefully sell by post.  If you are on an island what animal feed is most easily available at a reasonable cost.

[Leri]

I've voted pigs cos i love them!
What about highland cattle though? We have both and sheep and chickens - mind you making money?? What's that?! Spending money - yup we can do that!! Vets, feed, straw, hay, etc etc etc Lol
good luck xx

[Tiny Tim]

ok not so much making money just enough to get by is what im looking for and somthing that myself and the whole family can get envolved in maybe convert one of the out buildings for self catering accomadation (if planning permits)!!! Its just that i dont want to be stuck in a dead end jod until I'm 67 or 70 .I know it going to be hard work but if I dont do it now I'll never do it

[Fleecewife]

How about setting up a smokery? Pigs are obvious for smoking, but you can also smoke lamb (an acquired taste but they love it in Shetland) and chicken - fish too if you have fishing rights.   That way you could add value to your animals and postal costs off the island would not be too high. You should also find local outlets - usually to the tourist industry such as hotels and restaurants, plus direct to visitors.  You could experiment with local additions to the smoke - heather and seaweed spring to mind.  I'm getting hungry already  

[HappyHippy]

I'd like to make a living from this smallholding I thought about sheep but from what I have read and having spoken to friends there seems very little money in sheep

Unfortunately there's very little money in any livestock - unless you're keeping them on a HUGE scale, but with 25 acres you've not got enough space for that 
We break even with our pigs (on a good day, with a following wind - as they say) but we suppliment that with part time work and I do arty crafty things to help bring in a wee bit more. A home based business to run alongside your holding is usually the best idea as it gives you the freedom of choosing when you work and provides a back up source of funding.
If you're moving to an island, you'll possibly find problems selling stock. As many people won't want to pay the extra costs associated with moving an animal when they could get the same on the mainland. It's a tricky one - but if you're determined and do a bit of carefull planning who know's what you can achieve  Just think about what you can do, what resources are plentifull on your land and what you can make from what's already there and keep hold of your savings for as long as possible 
Good luck and keep us posted with what you decide.
Karen

[violet]

Which island? Skye, for example has a thriving local food industry. Lewis maybe more difficult, but like where I am there are a few people determined to change things.
DO acquaint yourself with the CAAGS grants system. You get 50% for alot, but you need to plan in advance & be really organised. You also need to be able to pay out 100% of the costs & once the work is completed you get your 50% back, but it takes time. For some things I have found it easier to do it off my own back.
I agree with most that has been said. Try to aim for the local market & mail order ( It is much cheaper to send things from the Highlands & Islands). Think outside the box, using one of the buildings as a bothy is a good idea.
I got my croft nearly 3 years ago, not as big as yours, but some of it was very wet, so I focused on draining this area & established a pond in the wettest bit. A heron uses it & this year the wild ducks came in. Yesterday I was able to start ploughing  .
My first income was from pigs, who turned & manured the land & hens ( eggs), who also turn over alot of ground & eat bugs. The croft currently feeds us & we probably break even at the moment if you don't include costs of machinery, pig arcs & the other larger fixture & fittings & major works. There are still longer term projects that I hope will bring in an income, my husband still works.
So I would look at short, medium & long term, so that you get some return early on, while working towards something a little different that may need time & experience to establish.
Good Luck, whatever you decide, you should love it   

[Tiny Tim]

thanks violet we are looking at the other side ( orkney) Love to here from anyone why has had or currantly has a smallholding on any of the orkney isles

[doganjo]

Friends of ours are hoping to move to Orkney soon and have a croft.

[Beewyched]

Hiya Tim 

Sounds like you've had loads of great advice already.  As you've mentioned the wet in the big field, what about planting a Willow wind-break - the withy's are cheap to purchase, easy to plant - just stick'em in the ground, grows quickly, will give your stock shelter, help to dry out the field & you can coppice it for fuel - just a thought ...  Happy crofting