Pigs, sheep... or what!?

[Tigerhair]

Well, once again the lease for the field near where we live is up for renewal and I am considering getting it (it's very cheap although the fields flood partially and the fencing is very bad). There's about 3-4 acres I guess and they belong to the factory that my hubby works at.

If the field doesn't cost much would it be worth our while renting it and getting some livestock on there? If so what?

I need ideas on costs and time needed to look after them. I work three days a week at the moment and I have a 4 year old son to look after so... Any advice would be helpful.

[red]

depends what you want.. meat? wool/fibre?

Sheep are a lot of work.. and on boggy ground you will have to think about things like fluke.. if it is in your area etc.. They need their feet trimmed, wool sheared, spray against flies, etc. but if you can visit them to check all is well every day, you should be able to fit husbandry into weekends and evenings. we do.
you will need a holding number CPH from DEFRA before getting any livestock.. just phone them up.

[Tigerhair]

Meat really - I spoke to someone with sheep yesterday and she said they are a lot of work and I might be better with cattle. However....

Perhaps I should start with chickens!!!??

[red]

well chickens are lots easier!!

cattle.. my parents keep cows - they are certainly a lot less work than sheep.. theymostly calve by themselves, dont need spraying or foot trimming.. but.. you do have to test them for TB.. which means you need to be able to crush them to do this, (not put them in a juicer! but put them in a cattle crush, or improvise somthing.) Cows are potentially dangerous.. particularly if they are protecting their young.. more people are killed by cows than bulls every year. I think they reckon 1 cow to every 2 acres. Personally, I think it is mean to keep them on their own.

[becks77]

Don't know much about them but llamas and goats could be an option perhaps, meat milk and wool(?)

[ina]

Goats need very, very , VERY good fencing... And then they still break out.

And I don't agree that cattle don't need so much work; they do need to get their feet seen to - and it's a lot more difficult to do that yourself, so you'd need to get somebody in to do it. If they need help at calving time, that also will be a lot more difficult; if you need shelter for them, that'll need to be more substantial than shelter for sheep; etc etc... They are just bigger, that's the main problem. Saying that, if you just buy a couple of calves and feed them up for a few months until they are ready for slaughter, you might get away without all the extras.

[Tigerhair]

Hmmm all food for thought. Thanks guys. I'd really like pigs, but I am not sure the factory would allow them - do they need good fencing too?

[theabsinthefairy]

Pigs are very easy to keep, and with a morning and evening water check and food delivery will basically keep themselves. They don't generally need a lot of ancillary care, their feet don't need trimming if you are not intending to keep them beyond 10 to 12 months old - which is usually ideal for butchery weights, and worming.
You would need someone in the UK to fill you in on the rules and regs of keeping them though as it is all a little different here in France.

I don't see why the factory would object to pigs - but would they allow you to put some sort of field shelter up - as most livestock would need something.

How about a flock of geese - trim their flight feathers and feed them and they will stick around quite happily, or turkeys? They will all live with chickens quite happily too.

Monika

[Tigerhair]

I've lived near turkeys before - noisy sausages! I would love to have pigs actually. I will really have to do some research.

I think pigs and chickens would suit me best.... now to work on hubby etc.

I work at a vets so getting the ins and outs of what is required legally will be pretty easy. Thanks for your help.