[bryntevans01]

Hello,

Iv recently moved to Northern Ireland to live on our inherited (not working) farm. We have approximately 100 acres although the land is managed by my wife's father (corn and potato) we still have about 2 acres with 15 barns and a couple of large cow sheds that mainly house old junk and face posts! Never worked on a farm before but we are trying to slowly start a smallholding.
I do have a big interest in rare breed pigs/livestock as I have been a chef for 20 years. 

First job is chickens! That's as far as we've got, the rest seems a little overwhelming as to where to go from there or at least what to do first.

any advice much appreciated.     

[mojocafa]

  welcome, from arbroath

[Lesley Silvester]

  and welcome from Shropshire. Chickens are a good start. I wouldn't advise rushing into livestock although rare breeds are a good idea, particularly for a chef. Talk to lots of people, read up as much as you can about animals you are interested in (lots of info at the top of this page) and enjoy your land.

[william_wt]

Hi from Ballymena.
I haven't got any further than a few chickens either (yet....).
William

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Hi and welcome from Ceredigion! 
I would recommend extensive reading about livestock/animal welfare, Tim tynes smallholding book is  excellent. I would also recommend rare breed sales and talking to the breeders, maybe arrange farm visits and such, get to know the animals and see them in their working clothes. This will not only help you decide on what breed you want but will also give an insight into how they're kept/managed and you will be able to make friends with the breeders who, hopefully, will be able to give advice in the future. Most societies have open days and such. You could also go on Rosemary's and Dan's smallholding courses, I hear they're excellent all the best and please don't be afraid of asking anything you need to know, asking is learning! All the best
WBF