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Richyrich
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Posted: 17 December 2007 08:54 pm | 1st Post |
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What Livestock do you keep ? if any that is, or what would you like to keep ?
I'll start the ball rolling with 4 RIRx LS hens.
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Villageways
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| Joined: | 23 November 2007 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 269 |
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Posted: 19 December 2007 02:02 pm | 2nd Post |
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I'm putting out a newsletter later today, so hopefully more people will come and join us for a chat.
When we do get our smallholding, we're looking at having just a few chickens, a couple of llamas (apparently they are good at looking after livestock - protecting them from the foxes), and a couple of pigs...
Anita 
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Richyrich
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Posted: 19 December 2007 08:10 pm | 3rd Post |
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Villageways wrote: I'm putting out a newsletter later today, so hopefully more people will come and join us for a chat.
That will be good, I'm on another forum and it's always nice to see new people drop in for a chat I'll drop you a mention next time the subject comes up.
Did'nt know that about Llamas, cant see me having one in the back garden tho' cats are scared enough by the chickens lol
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Villageways
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| Joined: | 23 November 2007 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
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Posted: 19 December 2007 10:34 pm | 4th Post |
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Thanks for saying you'll give us a mention elsewhere - much appreciated.
We've got four cats - mum, dad and two kittens
mum and dad - aka Shaggy & Scoobie
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josie
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| Joined: | 19 December 2007 |
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Posted: 19 December 2007 11:05 pm | 5th Post |
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Haven't got a smallholding yet, but when we do we want to keep a few sheep.. need to learn how to look after them first though 
Cats are cute 
Last edited on 19 December 2007 11:06 pm by josie
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peter coates
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| Joined: | 27 November 2007 |
| Location: | Herefordshire |
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Posted: 21 December 2007 11:44 pm | 6th Post |
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| How many chickens do you reckon I need to be able to get a dozen or so eggs every week? Ta.
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fairbrook
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| Joined: | 22 December 2007 |
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Posted: 22 December 2007 02:32 pm | 7th Post |
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Hiya
It really depends on the time of year etc.
I have 30 hens who, in the summer can lay over 150 eggs per week but are currently laying 6 per day.
The best thing is to get about 4-6 now and possibly another 4-6 near the end of summer. This will (hopefully0 enable you to have a regular supply of eggs all year round.
Hope this makes sense.
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Richyrich
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Posted: 22 December 2007 08:14 pm | 8th Post |
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peter coates wrote: How many chickens do you reckon I need to be able to get a dozen or so eggs every week? Ta.
Like fairbrook says depend on the time of year, light levels dictate how your hens will lay decreasing day length usually triggere adiminish of egg production , whereas increasing levels promote egg production. also the age and when she came to POL will also play a factor, as will the breed some lay well in winter others don't.
Mine are RIRxLS I have 4 and they came to POL in October they are laying on average 3 eggs a day between them, some days we get 4, but it averages out. As the daylight increase's I expect to go back to 4 a day.
Don't forget it also depends on what you feed them ! feed 'em scraps from the kitchen and you will get less than if you feed them just a layers mix, also fat hens lay less eggs so it's iportant not to over feed fatty foods like corn.
So I'd go for 4 birds to start off with, depends as well on how much room you can give them.
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peter coates
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| Joined: | 27 November 2007 |
| Location: | Herefordshire |
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Posted: 27 December 2007 02:42 pm | 9th Post |
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| thanks guys for the advice
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piggybreeder
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Posted: 31 December 2007 03:51 pm | 10th Post |
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| Ive have a couple of acres and some outbuildings the livestock we have at the moment is 20 pigs , 50 chickens 45 of which are egg producers and 5 table birds and a cat. we make our own bacon, sausage, burgers, pork pies etc out of the pigs . Last edited on 31 December 2007 03:52 pm by piggybreeder
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Croftkeeper
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Posted: 22 January 2008 04:17 pm | 11th Post |
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Lucky Piggybreeder, you must be the envy of us all.
we had 4 chickens up until 3 months ago. We moved from our flood ridden rented house to a halfway up a mountain bungalow in West Wales, but were not allowed to take the chickens as the neighbours objected. Really miss our little girls as they were definately spoilt pets. Fortunately a close friend managed to fit them in with his small gang and they have settled well.
Would love a smallholding, (or croft in Scotland) but would like to go really diverse with alpacas, reindeer and wild boar, as well as the usual. We moved to West Wales from Kent about 7 years ago, to buy our dream smallholding, but were gazumped at the very last minute. Since then prices have gone sky high and wages haven't, so we have been stuck in rented accomodation ever since.
Must put up with the thought of only fruit and veg for now and not the livestock.
Mind you they do say, all good things come to those that wait!!!! Trouble is how long is the wait.
J
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Perfectponies
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Posted: 22 January 2008 08:57 pm | 12th Post |
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However long the wait is im sure it will be worth it!
We've got 4 hens - (2 marans & 2 normal browns ones) and 1 light sussex cockerel who is convinced that my 3 yr old son is trying to pinch his ladies !! - he has been very close to becoming sunday lunch on more than 1 occasion ! We keep them in the garden and they roam free in the winter but are fenced in when we have our veggies in. Luckily the neighbours are really good and i keep them sweet by giving them the odd half dozen eggs when the hens are in good laying form, and some veg from the garden. We also have 2 horses and 2 ponies. We are only renting a normal house in a village - although luckily we are surrounded by fields. Lost both our dogs last year so feel a bit lost without them at the mo - on the lookout for a border terrier puppy though if anyone can recommend anyone?
We are still waiting to find our dream smallholding and live in hope !! 
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shadowland
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Posted: 24 January 2008 11:33 am | 13th Post |
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Hi I live in Essex, also in rented accomodation but rent a 2 acre field about 20 minutes drive from me and keep and breed Coloured ryeland sheep with a Suffolk, a Portland and a Border leicester plus 2 angora goats thrown in. At home i have 2 dogs, a snake and 2 very elderly cockateils, Oh and the husband. Lambing starts on 19th February and i can't wait even if it is hard work and i move out to live in a anceint old caravan in the field for 2 weeks. its my escape.
I have never grown vegetables but want to give it ago this year as Hubby has been ill over the last 6 months and i want healthy stuff to eat. I will have to grow things in grow bags and pots so could do with advise and tips please.
I have planted some garlic bulbs in a seed pot indoors and some squash seeds i got from the inside of a squash to see what happens and they are all sprouting on my windowsill . It is really exciting. I want to grow Tomatoes, runner beans and some carrots also and i have been told i can grow strarwberries in hanging baskets.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Val
Last edited on 24 January 2008 11:34 am by shadowland
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Richyrich
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Posted: 24 January 2008 01:07 pm | 14th Post |
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Hi Val get them garlic outside asap they need a bit of a cold spell on them to make them split into cloves and not just end up with 1 large bulb, bit early yet for most other things. Let us know what you intend to grow and we'll see what we can do 
Tomatoes indoors from mid Feb, runners indoors mid april but only if you can keep them frost free.
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shadowland
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Posted: 24 January 2008 03:03 pm | 15th Post |
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Thanks Richyrich!
I will put the garlic outside, what happens if we get a cold snap will it be ok? Yes i know it is a bit early but trouble is when i make up my mind to do something i want to get on with it! Anyway lambing will keep me busy and make me wait!
As i say its Toms, beans and carrots maybe lettuces and cabbages later although i don't want to overdo it to start with as i do work full time as well.
Val
Last edited on 24 January 2008 03:04 pm by shadowland
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