[cmorrell]

I started growing some herbs a couple of years ago and am in the process of taking over my mother's vegetable patch this year as she's no longer able to do much. Slowly trying to gain information and experience so I can make good use of the smallish space available and looking to keep a few chickens within the next couple of years and moving on to various other livestock in the future once I have more space available. As I'm approaching my mid-30s and have to be very careful of the amount and type of physical activity I do thanks to almost ten years recovering from a spinal injury, I'm feeling a bit late to the party and that I should already know far more than I do 

I'm based in Kirkintilloch, a little NE of Glasgow and have been watching my babies' (ahem, garlic) shoots come up recently, after discovering it was still a good time to plant them from this web site in mid-January. I already have lots of questions, so I'll be spending some time searching the forums and general googling. If I end up asking a question that's already been answered countless times, I have looked, just not very well!

Enough wittering, back to looking at chicken coops.

Calum

[doganjo]

Good luck, Calum, and welcome to the funny farm - it really is that sometimes!  You learn as you go - I'm late joining the party too - at 65!   I used to leave all this garden and animal stuff to my dear departed and went out to work in an office. The only problem I have is aI can't do the digging any more so i do raised beds instead - well one so far and a fruit section.

Enjoy!

[Hilarysmum]

Hi and welcome. 

[jameslindsay]

Morning Calum and welcome, I am outside St Andrews, Fife. I have ducks, geese, ponies and goats and they give me enormous pleasure although never as much fun cleaning them out on this freezing cold weather. You will enjoy your chickens I am sure. I started to incubate duck eggs last year and have great pleasure out of that. The goats are amazing as they are such little characters. I have 7 Pygmy's and 2 Dairies and hopefully will be adding another 2 Toggenburgs in the near future. Enjoy the site.

James

[carole h]

Welcome Calum!
This is a great place to get advice - enjoy the adventure.
Carole

[pigsatlesrues]

Great to have you on board - WELCOME!

Kate 

[Fluffywelshsheep]

Welcome aboard to the gang

Linz

[Rosemary]

Hi Calum and welcome.

If you need some morale support, check out Central Scotland Smallholders Association. You would be very welcome. We're a nice bunch (IMHO)and will be happy to help you along, if we can.

[minidax]

Hi Calum and welcome,

Its never too late! (I have a special birthday this year!!!! (Yes, ok 21 again!)) We are newbies too and are just starting out.  Everyone is really friendly here and we have learned so much already.   

[cmorrell]

Thank you all for the very warm welcome and advice I've already received (directly and by browsing existing threads).

doganjo: very nearly twice my age... does this mean you'll be twice as good as me with chickens?

Rosemary: thanks for the suggestion and I've had a quick look at the website. It's certainly cheap enough so no issue there, but I'd feel a complete fraud while I'm barely at the "learning to garden" stage! I do see a number of events I'd like to attend however, possibly get to speak to people at them (if I can convince myself to speak up and not scurry away when looked at as usual...).

[Andrew]

Calum, we are not that far away from you based in Blanefield you are more than welcome to pop over and see our set up for chickens anytime you want.

[cmorrell]

Thanks Andrew, I would very much like to take you up on that when I'm closer to getting some chickens.

[Womble]

Hi Calum,

We're only just up the road from you, and in much the same situation! (Isn't the internet wonderful?) 

Fancy a pint sometime?

Womble.

[cmorrell]

That could be good Womble

[Fluffywelshsheep]

even the 'profession' had to learn!!