Popular Post Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 As I've mentioned before, I've been keeping pigs on a bit of land near me for a couple of years, it's about three acres or so in size, and for the most part is a jungle of bramble, with a few trees and other undiscovered treasures, with the only clear bits, being where i've had the pigs. The pigs are currently running in a couple of paddocks, one with a sow and her seven young in it (about to be separated) and another with a pair of growers in, destined for the freezer. Anyway, recently I got the chance to buy the field, and as it was too good a price to refuse, and the land is a couple of mins from my front door (and borders the shoot I work on, one side), I couldn't not buy it . . . . So I now find myself the owner of three and a bit acres of ground, which i've decided to attempt to turn into a bit of a model small scale, eco small holding, both for fun and also with a longer term plan in mind I've often mused upon what I would do with the scrap of land, if I owned it, and well. . . . now I do. So i've got a fair few plans, and a lot of work, but thought I might stick a bit of an on going thread on here, to chart the progress of the project, and also to glean any tips and advice. So far I have ten pigs on the land. . . . and that's it. But over the last couple of days I have made a start on fencing the boundary, and clearing a space for a shed / barn. At the moment, the plan is that with the help of my good mate Johnnyboy68, I'm going to build a 30 foot by 20 foot pole barn, with a roof up to about ten/twelve foot, hopefully within the next month or so. I've also cleared a space for some fruit trees to go in, and am trying to choose where to stick a run for some poultry. Exciting times ahead hopefully 24 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
R.A.W 1,987 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 The good life.................... I like the sound of that pole barn . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Aye i've got a few experiments I want to try, it's just a bit of a project really, as I don't intend to be round here forever . . . . but who knows. You know you're welcome to come down whenever mate, come have a mooch about the estate with the mutts, and meet the pigs. I'll pick your brains. Eventually hope to have some goats/sheep as well, couple of bee hives, pond, veg garden, poly tunnel etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 What is going to be kept in the pole barn mate ..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 What is going to be kept in the pole barn mate ..... Poles. No, I basically need a place I can store feed, hay, straw, and also a place where I can get the breeding sows in if we have a bad winter, and also to farrow. Also if I get a couple of sheep etc, I might need a place to lamb inside, or in the past i've taken orphan lambs from local farms and reared them on in pens, with bucket feeders. And hey, might be a good place for a kettle, hammock and radio 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 If it's going to be used for animals the surely you are going to need walls mate and move away from the traditional pole barn ... Also ten foot tall is going to limit the amount of hay you can store ... Make it as big as you can ... Better to have to much space than not enough mate ......... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 (edited) If it's going to be used for animals the surely you are going to need walls mate and move away from the traditional pole barn ... Also ten foot tall is going to limit the amount of hay you can store ... Make it as big as you can ... Better to have to much space than not enough mate ......... Aye, the pole barn will be an adapted version, with walls, it has to be to keep the wind / rain out. Most likely either box profile, or tin sheeting, painted green. The height being considered at the moment is a roof that slopes from about 9 foot at the front, back to about 12 foot at the back. I'd ideally like taller, but there are limiting factors . . . . So i'm making it 30 feet (possibly more) long, and 20 foot (again, maybe more wide), with the ability to add more poles, and re wall it, to increase the size. It will pretty much be all hand done, using a petrol mixer, a chain saw, hand saw, shovel and some big feck off bolts, and a few nails. Amish style I can also get electricity to it ( I think) and have running water on the ground . . . . I also found a spring today Edited to add - I have a facility to store much larger amounts of hay / straw elsewhere, but not onsite, so as long as i could keep enough to last a while, and just restock it as needed, I should be ok Edited April 1, 2014 by Ideation Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tiercel 6,986 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Good luck with the project, it will be hard work of that there is no doubt, but your young enough and bright enough to see it through. I would have loved to do the same but circumstances did not allow. I honestly wish you all the best with your project, there will be set backs, but I am sure you have the wit to overcome them. I will be following as I am sure so will many others. TC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Good luck with the project, it will be hard work of that there is no doubt, but your young enough and bright enough to see it through. I would have loved to do the same but circumstances did not allow. I honestly wish you all the best with your project, there will be set backs, but I am sure you have the wit to overcome them. I will be following as I am sure so will many others. TC Cheers T.C. Well,as you say, i'm young and inventive, and i'm game to learn new skills, so we shall see. Also, the mrs is a great help Already looking at plans for a smoke house as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Jai it sounds spot on mate and running water and electric is a massive bonus ... I wish you the best of luck ....... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Jai it sounds spot on mate and running water and electric is a massive bonus ... I wish you the best of luck ....... Aye, I uncovered a water trough under some brambles. . . . . and its connected to a pipe. . . which when i emptied the tank . . . .refilled it. So f**k knows who's paying for it . . . if anyone? No one has used the field in maybe 15 years, and I doubt there has been a bill in that time. . . . so fingers crossed As for electricity . . . . . there is a line that runs through some near by woods, so i'll have to make some enquires. I've also got my eye on a little piece of woodland thats sandwiched between my land and the road, it's privately owned, and not really used, so I might be able to convince him to part with it. The land is in the middle of nowhere, no real neighbours, just farm land and the odd farm house. It also has access from the road Cheers for the positive words, i'll keep you posted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,216 Posted April 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 The first occupants . . . 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,335 Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 All sounds like good fun , am jelouse I'd love some land , you can make a temp shelter out of bales and a tarp they last 2 maybe 3 years Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BRY 79 Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Jai you jammy sod, i've been looking for somewhere like this for a few years. Good luck on it mate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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