[Rosemary]

If you have post and rail fencing, you might not need stock netting - a few additional rows of plain wire between the rails will be enough to contain sheep - well, it's enough to contain Ryelands anyway. I wouldn't use it as my boundary fence to my property but for internal fences it should be fine and cheaper than Rylock.

If you are going to keep rare(ish) breeds like Shetlands or Hebs, can I make a plea for you to buy registered stock from the outset? Pure but unregistered stock may well be that but there's no retrospective registration (to my knowledge) and unregistered animals are effectively "lost" to the breed.

And the only daft question is the one you don't ask 

[pikilily]

We're all completely daft here so your questions will make us all feel very at home 

i like the fact that you are not rushing into anything, apart from your herbs, LOL!!! In saying that, dont procrastinate for too long, there is a lot to be said for learning on the hoof and with hands on!  Besides, its the excitment of 'virtually' sharing someones first egg, or lamb, or first crop of peas that makes this forum fantastic.

you will meet some lovely folk who have so much knowledge and experience to share!! Make the most of it....
Emma T   

[lachlanandmarcus]

You might want to have a look at the rare breeds sales, theres a twice yearly one at Thainstone mart in Inverurie, usually April and Sept/Oct. Even if not to buy it might give you some idea of prices and contacts.

http://www.goanm.co.uk/anmarts/livestockauctions/index.html

Have to admit my Shetlands arent registered but thats partly cos I couldnt find any registered ones nearby when I was looking. As they are for meat it is less of an issue; but I intend to get a registered tup when I next buy one (even tho I know the offspring still wont be registerable).

[doganjo]

Thank you to everyone for the friendly welcomes and useful information.  We are in between Insch and Huntly, so quite close to some of the other members.

Pop over Old Rayne way and up the hill to Bonnyton sometime  - that was mine and John's place.  22 acres was wasted on us at the time, wish I had that now - I was working, John was retired and went hill walking, so we rented the fields out to local farmers (Dons of Freefield) 

[squeasy]

Hello from another newbie in North Yorkshire :-)

[Bert]

Hi from Isle of Mull

[Beewyched]

Definately chickens, Kune Kunes, rare breed native sheep & grow your own veg etc.  But as previous replies, PLAN FIRST - get the land, fencing/hedging & water sorted out first.  have a look around to see who's doing what locally & stay on TAS - there's some amazing folks on here.  Good luck with it all