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Coffee Lounge / Re: Wanna be a steward at the Scottish Smallholder Festival?
« Last post by cans on Today at 11:23:03 am »Thanks for the info Rosemary
Recent Posts
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Coffee Lounge / Re: Wanna be a steward at the Scottish Smallholder Festival?
« Last post by Rosemary on Today at 08:54:55 am »Which one, and what's involved?There are a few "vacancies" but mine is a venue steward, so supervising one of the speaker venues - getting the audiences in and out whe speakers change, headcount, introducing the speaker, acting as time keeper. 9.15-12.30
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Marketplace / FS Heiniger shearing machine (Scottish Borders)
« Last post by shankendfarming on October 05, 2024, 09:02:55 pm »For sale
Heiniger hand held shearing machine. Runs off 240V power. Ideal for dagging or belly clipping. I was using it for alpaca clipping. Not had much use over the past few years. In good condition. For photos or more information please get in touch.
Price £180 including VAT
Located near Hawick in the Scottish Borders
Heiniger hand held shearing machine. Runs off 240V power. Ideal for dagging or belly clipping. I was using it for alpaca clipping. Not had much use over the past few years. In good condition. For photos or more information please get in touch.
Price £180 including VAT
Located near Hawick in the Scottish Borders
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Coffee Lounge / Re: Wanna be a steward at the Scottish Smallholder Festival?
« Last post by cans on October 05, 2024, 06:05:30 pm »Which one, and what's involved?
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Techniques and skills / Re: Septic tank- emptying by aeration?
« Last post by chrismahon on October 05, 2024, 10:51:37 am »We had a system inspection a few days ago. Seems everyone is being checked to make sure they have complied with the statutory requirements that they were informed of after the first inspection 8 years ago. Failure to comply means a complete replacement of your system, even if only part doesn't comply. At the moment that costs between €12,000 and €15,000. To say I was a bit worried was an understatement, because ours had failed on the lack of an above roof air vent. Fitting one would be a near impossible task because all waste pipes are glued together- there are no fittings with seals. The wall is made of soft stone with clay/mud binder, so fixing anything to it isn't going to last long. Turns out we don't need a vent because our system doesn't smell and as a result our system is fully compliant.
The very nice lad doing the inspection (who spoke perfect English having spent 3 years at Manchester Uni) went on to explain the maintenance requirements. Dip the first tank regularly with a stick and have it emptied when half full. Tried that and our solid sludge won't stick to the stick, so I can't tell where it is apart from a change in resistance as the stick is pushed in- bit less than half full I think? In the second chamber there is a tray full of volcanic rocks. These are there to attract any solids which then stick to the stones rather than going into the soak-aways and blocking them. The tray needs to be removed every year and the stones hosed clean. To my knowledge that has never been done, which is why the stones or tray can't be seen. He did recommend that I didn't put my bare hands into the fluid to pull out the tray which has rope handles- as if I needed telling. I have ordered some long gloves.
The purpose of posting on this subject again is because I asked him about emptying the tank by aeration and the answer is very important- DON'T!!! The reason is simple. The microbes in this type of tank live without oxygen whilst breaking down the waste. Adding oxygen will just kill them and nothing will be digested, the tank will then sludge up rapidly and will need emptying and re-starting. The tanks that use an air pump to aid digestion contain different enzymes and are more effective BUT without oxygen or anything to digest the enzymes will die, so leaving the property empty for extended periods or switching the pump off must be avoided. Mains drainage would be nice to have, but it does mean the cost of water doubles and the amount therefore saved pays for emptying every 10 years (I hope).
The very nice lad doing the inspection (who spoke perfect English having spent 3 years at Manchester Uni) went on to explain the maintenance requirements. Dip the first tank regularly with a stick and have it emptied when half full. Tried that and our solid sludge won't stick to the stick, so I can't tell where it is apart from a change in resistance as the stick is pushed in- bit less than half full I think? In the second chamber there is a tray full of volcanic rocks. These are there to attract any solids which then stick to the stones rather than going into the soak-aways and blocking them. The tray needs to be removed every year and the stones hosed clean. To my knowledge that has never been done, which is why the stones or tray can't be seen. He did recommend that I didn't put my bare hands into the fluid to pull out the tray which has rope handles- as if I needed telling. I have ordered some long gloves.
The purpose of posting on this subject again is because I asked him about emptying the tank by aeration and the answer is very important- DON'T!!! The reason is simple. The microbes in this type of tank live without oxygen whilst breaking down the waste. Adding oxygen will just kill them and nothing will be digested, the tank will then sludge up rapidly and will need emptying and re-starting. The tanks that use an air pump to aid digestion contain different enzymes and are more effective BUT without oxygen or anything to digest the enzymes will die, so leaving the property empty for extended periods or switching the pump off must be avoided. Mains drainage would be nice to have, but it does mean the cost of water doubles and the amount therefore saved pays for emptying every 10 years (I hope).
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Sheep / Re: Pre lambing mastitis?!
« Last post by Richmond on October 05, 2024, 08:55:58 am »One or other of our Wiltshire Horns seem to go temporarily lame each year when heavily in lamb with nothing obviously wrong with the feet. It always resolves close to or just after lambing.
Years ago I had dreadful sciatica when pregnant with my first child and could do no more than shuffle about like an old woman for about 3 weeks. Then the baby changed position a few days prior to my due date and I could suddenly walk freely again. Maybe sheep get sciatica too?
Years ago I had dreadful sciatica when pregnant with my first child and could do no more than shuffle about like an old woman for about 3 weeks. Then the baby changed position a few days prior to my due date and I could suddenly walk freely again. Maybe sheep get sciatica too?
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Coffee Lounge / Re: Wanna be a steward at the Scottish Smallholder Festival?
« Last post by Rosemary on October 05, 2024, 07:12:01 am »8
Sheep / Re: Sheep Feed that’s safe for an Adult Wether?
« Last post by Fleecewife on October 05, 2024, 02:00:33 am »Carr's Champion Tup but really you would be best with something without feed value such as willow branches, cow parsley, carrots and apples if they like them or even very small bits of digestive biscuits, a piece each. Soays in particular and wethers in particular again, don't need an actual feed treat. Both Soays and Shetlands can get too fat quickly and can become pushy and rough with you from hand feeding. It's very cute when they eat out of your pocket but the shoving and jumping can be too much. Just because they're actually wethers doesn't mean they don't think they're tups.
I agree too that treats a couple of times a week is enough to keep them friendly. We give our males a very small amount of Tup&Lamb coarse mix when it's snowing or frozen solid, otherwise they graze and browse the hedgerows, with ad lib hay in winter and willow branches.
I agree too that treats a couple of times a week is enough to keep them friendly. We give our males a very small amount of Tup&Lamb coarse mix when it's snowing or frozen solid, otherwise they graze and browse the hedgerows, with ad lib hay in winter and willow branches.
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Sheep / Re: Pre lambing mastitis?!
« Last post by SallyintNorth on October 04, 2024, 10:42:42 pm »Cows can certainly get mastitis pre-calving but I'm not used to thinking of it in sheep.
However, being footsore when heavily pregnant affects every species...
And yes, tipping over close to lambing not advised if not essential.
99.9% of apparently sore feet peri-lambing are better, with no attention, once lambed. Maybe subclinical with the extra weight off, but often you can't see any problem if you look, so I'd probably keep a watching brief unless she's struggling so much she is in danger of not eating enough (in which case, give her cake and hay so she doesn't have to move about all the time grazing - but do make her do some exercise because being stationary isn't good for them either.) If you do decide you need to take a look, it can be better to lift one foot at a time, like a horse, if you've got a helper can steady her for you.
However, being footsore when heavily pregnant affects every species...
And yes, tipping over close to lambing not advised if not essential.
99.9% of apparently sore feet peri-lambing are better, with no attention, once lambed. Maybe subclinical with the extra weight off, but often you can't see any problem if you look, so I'd probably keep a watching brief unless she's struggling so much she is in danger of not eating enough (in which case, give her cake and hay so she doesn't have to move about all the time grazing - but do make her do some exercise because being stationary isn't good for them either.) If you do decide you need to take a look, it can be better to lift one foot at a time, like a horse, if you've got a helper can steady her for you.
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Coffee Lounge / Re: Wanna be a steward at the Scottish Smallholder Festival?
« Last post by cans on October 04, 2024, 06:41:10 pm »Have you got anyone yet Rosemary?
