mikey2341 0 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 There is a fair chance of me moving to a cottage with 6 acres later in the year. With 6 acres what would be good to grow / keep? Was thinking a few hens and ducks for eggs. Then maybe some sheep & goats for food and alpaca's for the fun of it. Also planning on growing a few veg. Is all this do able on 6 acres? Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
COSH 14 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 There is a fair chance of me moving to a cottage with 6 acres later in the year. With 6 acres what would be good to grow / keep? Was thinking a few hens and ducks for eggs. Then maybe some sheep & goats for food and alpaca's for the fun of it. Also planning on growing a few veg. Is all this do able on 6 acres? Cheers You havnt even scratched the surface for a 6 acre holding. I have 4 acres and have 4 breeding sows, a jersey cow which I breed every year, 1.5 acres of fodder crops, beet, swedes, carrots, kale, tic beans, oats and barley. Wheat. 2 acres of quality grassland and a half acre veggie plot and orchard with bees and poultry. I also keep goats for milk and meat. Alpaca's for wool and selling stock at extortionate prices. I rear lambs at times just for meat. If you want a hand with planning or just a bit craic give me a shout Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikey2341 0 Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 That sounds great, cheers! I didn't realise I would be able to do so much! The Alpaca's seam to be fetching silly money, is there much money to be made from selling the wool? How long did it take you to get it all up and running? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GrCh 856 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 boarding kennels mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Carraghs Gem 1,675 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 get john seymours book on self sufficiency or borrow it from the library 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
COSH 14 Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 That sounds great, cheers! I didn't realise I would be able to do so much! The Alpaca's seam to be fetching silly money, is there much money to be made from selling the wool? How long did it take you to get it all up and running? Yes wool is very good quality from the alpaca, very soft. I spin my own wool, to sell, my partner also knits and crochets various items. I wouldnt expect to make too much just selling the fleeces but its better than nothing. It took me 3 years to establish a good breeding stock of animals. I rotate my grassland with my arable, so that the productive quality remains peak. I grow green manures on fallow overwintering land and turn it in in the spring. I also keep gypsy cobs that pull trailers, and timber etc Ive got a small business on the side that keeps me above water, and also selling stock that is surplus to my requirements. If I didnt have the business, I would have thought about boarding kennels, maybe a small campsite, or selling more craft works like chairs, wicker baskets, fish traps, traditional animals and bird traps, wooden toys etc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikey2341 0 Posted January 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I hadn't really thought of boarding kennels. I worked on a plant nursery for 6 years when younger and considered growing some plants to sell at car boot sales / farmers markets etc. Whilst making money isn't the priority, I would like to cover my costs of feeds etc for animals when everything is set up and running. How many hours a week do you spend working on the smallholding? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wxm 1,638 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 all i can say is "YOU JAMMY FCUKER" lol all the best mate and make sure you make it work for you and yours :thumbs: :thumbs: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomburras 2,730 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 your living my dream you lucky swinebox keep us posted what you do! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sorley Boys clan Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 grow an acre of cannibis an retire 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slips 114 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 grow an acre of cannibis an retire thats the best pound per acre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattydski 560 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 leeks are a good grow, but can be a little labour intensive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foxdigger13 114 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 grow an acre of cannibis an retire thats the best pound per acre Need abit of knowledge to grow that stuff outside in this country, Cheers fd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikey2341 0 Posted January 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 grow an acre of cannibis an retire thats the best pound per acre Need abit of knowledge to grow that stuff outside in this country, Cheers fd. Not really for me that - I want to be able to relax whilst I'm at home, not fearing for a knock on the door off the old bill! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kile 21 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 pigs mate ... not sheep there are a waste of time.. veg, hens, ducks, goats, and a lurcher pen atb kile Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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