Small holding

[warpig3]

For a number of years now I have been thinking of having some sort of small holding and now it is more of a dream and I would really like to look into it.

I have noticed that many of you have a great array of animals and was wondering how you all got started? Did you just stumble upon it or was it a planned thing?

My ideal would be to have some animals that would produce such as chickens and goats and to have some land to cultivate for vegetables. I don't have any land at the moment but was wondering what kind of area I would need. Basically if you think along the lines of Hugh Fearnleywhittingstall (Hugh Fairlylongname) and his River Cottage ventures, that would be something along the lines I am thinking about (minus the cows).

So any recommendations would be great or if you could point me in the direction of a website or some appropriate books I would be very grateful.

Please be assured, this is not something I ask lightly, I would like to start small and then progress gradually, I realise the amount of work involved and that there will be an initial (large) financial commitment for land, those two I can cover, but I really need to do my homework as much as possible.

Many thanks
warpig

[warpig3]

Have just found this site, which is exactly what I am looking for:

http://forum.rivercottage.net/

But I would still appreciate any personal comments on your experiences etc.

Thanks
warpig

[Thunderbird+]

I think my first concideration would be to make sure the land is Not on a flood plain.

An old book that I have found very useful is 'The Smallholder Encyclopedia' edited by john Hayhurst. You may be able to get hold of a second hand copy. it was first published in 1950 @ 42/- net.
Good Luck Tbird+

[warpig3]

LOL, thanks tbird, forgot about the flood plain, only good if I want to grow rice!

[fine,thanks]

can i feed the chickens ?

[warpig3]

Yes you can fine, thanks. any good at milking a goat?

[amonty1144]

the complete book of raising livestock and poultry by Katie Thear.

Also any book by John Seymour. especially the complete book of self sufficiency.

I think Paul Heiney did one called Home Farm, worth a look.

I did the smallholder bit but it grew and grew until I was running a small sheep enterprise. Gave it up 2 years ago, damned had work, now I have a few chickens and grow some veg but do miss the farm

[divegirl]

OO OO....Me and Lola want to come and live with you.....Can we breed Shetland ponies....Giant dogs and little ponies....my dream!!!! For you piggy......

<img src="http://i13.tinypic.com/65zw55k.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">

Lisa x

[divegirl]

That didn't work.....

<img src="http://i13.tinypic.com/65zw55k.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">

[divegirl]

....ARghhhhh...nor did that.....

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9087/img054 8ch5.jpg

Try that....lol

Lisa x

[RATTER15]

Can I eat the chickens?

[amonty1144]

you can eat mine, they've stoped laying and a family of rabbits have invaded the veg patch

[Kleiber]

Had to smile when I read some of the replies! I'm a smallholder & yes, it IS hard work, especially if you've got another job as well!.. I keep chickens & a few sheep & we also have pigs from time to time. Apart from reading all the recommended books (John Seymore's brilliant), there are a lot of good courses you can go on to learn about animal husbandry - if you buy a copy of "Smallholder" magazine or "Country Smallholding", they advertise in there. If you're going to keep livestock, you'll need to register with DEFRA & get a holding number. You'll need this if you're buying or selling stock, or taking them for slaughter & there's a shedload of paperwork to keep as well. Are you anywhere near west Wales? If so, pop in & see me. Perhaps I can help.