[loopylou]

Hi,

My name is Louise and joined the site a few months back.

I am looking to see if there is any others on this site in the same area as me. 

For me it has always been a love affair with horses and dogs.  I have had my Irish Draught ten years and my little working cocker for nearly 5 years.   5 years back I rented a field from and old man in the village where I live for my horse and over the years I have accumulated chickens and ducks.  I also had a veg plot at one point at the stables but the pesky rabbits saw the end of that,with some help from the chickens and ducks.

A few years back I met my older half and his parents had a small holding, it had been in the family for years and his grandfather had pigs a good 30 years back on the holdings.  So one day the other half said lets get some pigs, so we did.  Three to be exact OSB x Gloucester Old Spots.  So the plan was for these to be fattened up for freezer.  They did make it to the freezer but it made us want to get a few more so we have gotten a few rare breeds, OSB's and Saddlebacks.  I must say I never thought I would have pigs but they are so cleaver and great to be around. 

So we are now looking at the possibility of Dexter cattle as well but need to try get more land first.  I really enjoy having these animals and to be able to know exactly what you are eating as well. 

Plans for a veg plot this year is in full swing, all to help feed the pigs and keep the horse in carrots.

Would be nice hearing from like mined people and would be intersting to see who else is in the area doing the same sort of thing.

Louise

[sharnaloo]

welcome  new here too ........also called louise   dont have a small holding but transforming my garden to veggie plots  im in west lothian

[Rosemary]

Dexters are nice but have you considered Shetlands? Rarer, and in my opinion, better 

[downtoearth]

Hi Louise, nice to have you on board! from invernessshire!

[goosepimple]

Hi Louise, I'm nearish to Lauder, keep animal list as below, we're easy to find, you'd be welcome to pop over for a tea/coffee and animal chat anytime!  Just send me a PM (click on goosepimple for that). 

[darkbrowneggs]

Hi Louise - I am a long way from you , but welcome from Worcestershire anyway 

[loopylou]

Thanks for the messges guys!!

Rosemary we are still a but undecided about Dexters or Shetland.  Other half wants Shetland I want Dexters, I feel this debate going on for some time yet.  Good job as we are stuggling to find extra land round us to buy or rent. 

Lauder is not that far from me so will pop down some time.  Thought there would have been many more people in the East Lothian area on here.

Right suppose I best get on and do some work.

[HappyHippy]

Wouldn't be like you to be wasting time and not working mrs 
Sorry it's taken me so long to spot you here - welcome to the mad world of TAS forums 

Got to get Shetlands    If you want to see some up close and personal, you know you're both welcome here anytime.
Take care, Karen x

[goosepimple]

Actually there are quite a few in East Lothian, they've just not come on yet. 
 
 
Anyone know if there's a map where you can focus on an area and see who's near to you (those little red balloon things), I know you can go to a profile and find out where someone is but it would be handy to have a summary map, or is that not allowed on privacy issue?

[loopylou]

  Karen!!

I noticed you have your cows!! Will be popping up soon for a visit!!

What a good idea about the map thing!!  That would be handy.  Then you get a better chance to met others in the area and share stories. 

Everyone in my family keeps taking the micky out of me saying that I should have been in the good life!!  Tell you what it is better than sitting in front a computer all day working or playing games!!  Give me outside anytime.

Right back to work. lol

[Daisys Mum]

Hi and welcome I am not too far from you either I am in Reston just outside Eyemouth, we have hens, ducks, goats, sheep, my daughters horse which is part shire and granddaughters shetland, this years weaners should be arriving in about 7 weeks time. No cattle but have just bought an aberdeen angus from neighbouring farmer between 4 of us, it goes to the abattoir on Monday and will be hung for 21 days so really looking forward to some good beef.You are welcome to pop in any time you are in the area, what aprt of East Lothian are you in? I used to live in Dunbar

[happygolucky]

Hi,    currently only have a few chickens as we want to move but may end up around East Lothian, any way, Hello!

[loopylou]

  Sandy and Anne.

Good to see few people not too far away. 

My other halfs parents have a smallholding in Pencaitland thats where the pigs are kept but hoping to get a bit more land near there as we have all the sheds and tractors at the holdings already.

[happygolucky]

we have only been in Central Scotland 5 years so not too sure of areas, we are up for sale as we have a B&B but need to downsize, a lot of properties we look at are rural and some with land but not sure about keeping anything other than hens and ducks etc, oh and my dogs!!
AND, depending on where we move, I think I would love to keep the hens we have and add some fancy ones!! so easy and fun to keep, I notice you have some for sale, not ready for any more just yet 

[loopylou]

Hi Sandy,

Yeh I am selling my chickens as I keep them at the stables beside my horse and the person who owns the place got some chickens and my chickens are laying in his hen house so I am not getting any eggs!!  So thought i would just stick to the ducks at least they don't lay in his hen house.

I am telling you it is a slippery slope!!  I started with my horse, then a dog, then duck, chickens and now look what I have!!  I do love my pigs though and the pork is amazing and at least you have the satisfaction knowing your reared that animal and know exactly what you are eating.  We have a we customer base and they love the pork that we have, so hoping to expand on that