[JulieS]

Sorry to hear that plumseverywhere.  It really does go to show that it is a lifestyle change that both partners, and any children, have to be behind 100%.  It is 'living the dream' ...I love it.  But I can understand that it is a huge change and tie to someone who wasn't fully committed.

I really do hope that it is just a 'wobble' for your hubby and that things settle well and everything is good for you.  

[plumseverywhere]

Thank you Julie    It probably is a temporary thing and I have found SO many people willing to come and stay here to live 'the life' while we have a break so its not really as desperate as he has made out! I think he's worn out because he's made a perfect goat shed whilst trying to do a full days work too!

My children are so happy with everything here - fresh air daily, collecting eggs, milking goat (3 year old did it yesterday  ) so what's not to love 

forum's like this are brilliant though so that you can get an idea of what you are letting yoruself in for or as you have done, chriso, ask those who are already doing it!

[Roxy]

Plumseverywhere, you are not alone, having a partner who may not be as committed as you are.  Its surprising how many partners go along with the smallholding idea, then when the animals (and associated problems and costs!) arrive, they realise just what it all means.  The country cottage and roses round the door image is somewhere everyone strives for.  The reality is very different.  The trouble is, if this lifestyle is resented by one half, it can bubble under the surface, and then cause all sorts of problems - such as holiday cover, etc.  For example, if you go out for the day, you may have been used to staying out for dinner, and coming back late.  When you have livestock, its always on your mind that they will be wating!!

Back to the making a living!!  I have always had a dream of being self sufficient. My problem is I have a passion for native ponies, and my herd has grown over the years, and they are not cheap to maintain.  I bought some land many years ago, and are not in a farm needing complete renovation.  We are also in a TB hotspot now, so I cannot keep my cows on the land where the house is, nor the goat

My OH works full time, and has a part time job as well. He also does dry stone walling in his spare time (not that he has any!)  I work part time at two jobs, but struggle to get there after sorting all my livestock.

There is no way we could make a living off the land we have, much as we would like to.  We have 22 acres, including the land I had before coming here.  If you take into account buying, feeding, etc. the animals, all the fencing, and assoiated things on a farm, the costs are very high.
We would need to keep a high ratio of animals on the land, but would end up buying in hay  to supplement the grass ....which is pointless.

I do have a large free range flock of hens, and do well selling the eggs, but its definitely not a big profit out of them, the amount of hen feed I buy.  I do make a bit, but I am not rolling in money.

I would definitely advise anyone buying a smallholding to have a full time job as well, at least until you see how things work out.  If you find you can make it work, then yes, give it a go, but you need to tread carefully, or you could end up with a big debt, and have to sell the smallholding to live.

[Dangermouse]

Keep your chin up Plums....Im sure its just a little glitch......me and wifey have them all the time

[Roxy]

My OH has been grumbling at me this morning because we are having to buy yet another big bale of hay ......with no rain, the grass is not  through in some  fields, and animals are still demanding hay. Usually, at this time of year they are not bothered as they have grass.  He has also grumbled at the cost of having lasts years colt foal gelded (£200)  but as I pointed out, he has already tried to mount our big Irish Draught mare, who is miles bigger than him.....she kindly stood lower down the hill field for him ......and I do not want any more near misses.

I have also said we need a lot more fencing for the goats, and that will cost hundreds of pounds.  We are definitely paying out a lot more than the animals are bringing in, thats for sure!!

[WinslowPorker]

Plums - you may recall last week i posted 'Is it time to give up the rat race' and as tempting as it was my wife & I over the weekend had some quite open and honest chats and to be honest i am with you, but my wife is with your OH and we decided that we did not want to be totally tied at the moment, as there is still a whole world we want to see (wildly optimistic i know) and my OH point was that once we have animals thats it we are tied etc, so i can sympathise with you but send you many nice thoughts as i am sure you will find a resolve. keep positive you will always work though it 

Interestingly here is another thought, much like house-sitting/pet-sitting etc is there now not a place for a farm-sitting/smallholding sitting service or perhaps as part of this large and well spread forum of people with similar interests perhaps some kind of holiday share etc, i may be speaking out of term but it was one of the things we were speaking about over the weekend.

[plumseverywhere]

  thanks to all of you who have been so supportive to me re:minor dispute with OH and sorry to original poster for diverting your thread off topic with my woes!!
Plums xx (who will be much more cheerful tomorrow I promise!!)

[WinslowPorker]

Back on topic.
Chriso - i thikn its quite apparent that you not only have to look at the financial impact on your lifetstyle and whether this is achieveable but also the emotional & physical demands you will face. I am not speaking from a position of experience because having asked a very similar question to you last week, we have decided that the time is not right for us not just financially although it was a big part, but also because there are other things we want to achive before emabrking on what will be our forever dream.
I am not saying that a wont do it because i am sure at some point i will and my wife is totally on side but brings me back to planet earth when i get itchy feet by saying - 'dont you want to take Jess to disney etc, because we wont eb able to afford it and also we wont be able to leave animals etc' Not being a defeatist or a doom & gloom merchant, more just trying to throw some considerations that you will need to discuss.
i suppose i am fortunate because my friend has a large piece of land like a smallhold and we have just started to keep some pigs, so i get all the benefir of rearing animals but it is as a hobby and has no impact on my everyday life, except a couple of hours to pop down and say hello and feed them. however this experience has confirmed that it is something i could do full time, although may change my mind when winter comes 

[doganjo]

Im not sure if I can class myself as a smallholder or not to be honest...I have some odd plans for my land

I am going to be keeping some sheep....goats and hopefully some Alpaca is funds allow

I'm a pretty large scale reptile and rodent keeper which will be a major part of my income but not your standard farmy type animules I guess

I think in the current market the secret must be to diversify (not sure how to spell that?)

As a matter of interest who looks after all your fearsome beasties when you are abroad?

[Dangermouse]

Im not sure if I can class myself as a smallholder or not to be honest...I have some odd plans for my land

I am going to be keeping some sheep....goats and hopefully some Alpaca is funds allow

I'm a pretty large scale reptile and rodent keeper which will be a major part of my income but not your standard farmy type animules I guess

I think in the current market the secret must be to diversify (not sure how to spell that?)

As a matter of interest who looks after all your fearsome beasties when you are abroad?

My poor long suffering wifey bless her 

[doganjo]

Im not sure if I can class myself as a smallholder or not to be honest...I have some odd plans for my land

I am going to be keeping some sheep....goats and hopefully some Alpaca is funds allow

I'm a pretty large scale reptile and rodent keeper which will be a major part of my income but not your standard farmy type animules I guess

I think in the current market the secret must be to diversify (not sure how to spell that?)

As a matter of interest who looks after all your fearsome beasties when you are abroad?

My poor long suffering wifey bless her 

Well I wouldn't have married you - I hate snakes,rats, anything like that!"  yuk

[Dangermouse]

Im not sure if I can class myself as a smallholder or not to be honest...I have some odd plans for my land

I am going to be keeping some sheep....goats and hopefully some Alpaca is funds allow

I'm a pretty large scale reptile and rodent keeper which will be a major part of my income but not your standard farmy type animules I guess

I think in the current market the secret must be to diversify (not sure how to spell that?)

As a matter of interest who looks after all your fearsome beasties when you are abroad?

My poor long suffering wifey bless her 

Well I wouldn't have married you - I hate snakes,rats, anything like that!"  yuk

 

[HappyHippy]

Don't take it personally Dangermouse - Annie doesn't like pigs either 
Luv ya Annie xxx

[WinslowPorker]

2 legged or 4 legged ones? 

[doganjo]

Neither!   Actually I do like pigs really - just not in my garden .  I do eat pork, love bacon and sausages but prefer lamb for roasts.  I've never tasdted snake though...