[Pigglewiggle]

 Hello all,

   We live in North Yorkshire, have a very big garden and have decided much to the amusement of our family to keep some pigs, and maybe chickens. they all think we are mad. Maybe we are 
 I have looked on here and found some good advise, so thought we should join up.

  Debbie + Mark

[doganjo]

Well if they think you are mad they'll think we are even madder - welcome to TAS - it's fun here! And multinational!  Still don't have Santa yet though.  Maybe he's not very green

[Rosemary]

Hi and welcome to TAS.

They're only saying you're mad 'cos they're a little bit jealous!

[carole]

Welcome to this forum, enjoy!!!!

Carole

[sandy]

Hello and welcome, life is short, do what you want, you only have one chance, I would go for it and try everything, I have a list and am working my way through it....done the dodgy stuff, now on the saine things, go for it 

[carole h]

Welcome!
Mad we may be ... but definitely happier!
Our families think we're mad too, but they're quick enough to take the free-range eggs off us - and go off with bags of organic veg!
Carole

[lordlonk]

Good Luck with the pigs -make sure the neighbours are happy - we were served with a council notice with the chickens - Everybody to our face said how nice it was to hear the cockral in the morning and then someone served a  enforcement notice on me.My ex found a home for them on a local farm where she vists every day and soon they will be on her land with the cows when its more secure. would love pigs

[juliag]

They wont think your mad when they are after some home grown pork will they??? Hi there from somerset. we started with chickens (no cockerel  necessary!) then went on to Geese for xmas, 6 , we sold 5 to friends and we had one. Delicious and easy. local poultry abattoir will do it all for you! £5 for geese and turkeys to be killed and plucked/dressed £2.50 chickens and ducks..how cheap is that!!! Then we moved onto pigs and now we have table chickens running free range as well. We have a great time.... Mad definitely but wouldn't have it any other way!!! Julia 

[lordlonk]

Thats a really good price from the abattoir. I'm sure its much more up here -I'm  going to find out how much it is. Good thing about geese too is that they are low maintenance and also I'm sure local restaurants wouldpay a goodprice at Xmas time -maybe take deposits in early autumn for December delivery - fabulous - geese will be on my list for certain.

[doganjo]

Don't you need a licence to sell meat and poultry whether to hotels/restaurants or even just the general public?

[lordlonk]

I dont think so - i can check this - i understand but will check this that as long as they are taken to the abby correctly-they willdo the jonb and the butchery if wished for there fees - or ifyou have a desired butcher they are transpoted in refregerated unit to that desrired choice - then its  dispatched  from that location or from your own premises - I will try and findout more today and write back-Im absolutly no expert soi stand to be corrected but i will ask the ex who has been looking into this very much recently

[juliag]

As far as I was aware they have to be slaughtered by a licenced slaughterman, and this is the only requirement that is needed. However I am no expert and would not like to comment on selling to the hotel 'restaurant trade, but you are right , geese are very selfsufficient and easy to deal with. Costs at gooseslade farm which is the place hugh fearnley whittingstall uses are £10 a goose, to kill pluck and dress, so shouldnt be costing any more than that anywhere.

[lordlonk]

Thanks very much = at ten pounds i think thats very good -i coudnt possibly do it myself and if thats there price asyousay it would be orshould be a good average to work on locally- im sure they would demand a high price  in december and easily built into the cost prior to sale . Thank you

[Hilarysmum]

Welcome