Bizarre unworkable idea, or do i have a chance?

[Flyfisher93]

Hi everyone,

First time poster here but i have "lurked" around and read some of threads before on here. I couldn't find a section to introduce myself but if i have missed it then i do apologise.

Basically my situation is that i am 25, i still stay at home which i feel gives me a lot of flexibility. I currently work full time so i have some money coming in and have managed to save some from that avenue. Anyway its not the greatest of jobs, long term temp work etc but its what ive picked up since finishing uni.

I like the idea of trying my hand at some small scale "farming". Inverted commas because im not sure you all will consider my proposal one involving farming. Basically, i like the idea of farming some livestock. I was thinking poultry. I only have some experience with back garden laying hens but i do like the idea of raising birds for food. I would consider other alternatives if another type of livestock might be more suitable.

My plan was to rent some land. Or if the price is right then i guess i could maybe buy it (dont imagine itll lose much value) and sell it on at a later date if need be.

The reason i am posting is because i am wondering about the practicalities in this idea. For example, could i bring these livestock on remotely ? I.e at a field 10 or 15 minitues (by car) from my home? I could probably visit both before work and aftet work. Obviously there woupd be a predation issue, so would i need a shed?

On top of the practical logistics of the matter, what about the law? I had the idea of selling some of the produce at a local market or perhaps to local butchers but is there certain legal restrictions on this? I am in central scotland if that helps identify any issues.

In summary, i like the idea of having a bit of a small holding but at the moment i would need to live off site. I appreciate there a lot of airy fairy dreamy posts on this site from people like myself and if my idea should be shot down in flames, then feel free to do so.
I do feel im in a unqiue position at the moment to pursue something like this and would like to give it a good go before i get locked into more of a career job with more debt etc etc.

Any advice would really be greatly appreciated and thanks for reading this too,

Jamie

 

[Pond digger]

Sadly, I would say it’s a complete waste of time and money, if you’re expecting a financial return. But, good look if you give it a go.

 

[Flyfisher93]

Thanks for telling me straight and for the good luck too. What reasons make you believe it's a complete waste of time and money ? As I say I really don't know much about it all but have an urge to get in at the deep end. It would be great to hear any opinions.

Thank you again

Jamie

 

[teslacoils]

It's the words "I like the idea...." I mean, I like the idea of a lot of things. But before you jump up and go invest in some stock you really should go and work with them beforehand with someone who knows what they are doing. Reasons:

1) Animals are alive and a level of competence is needed to care for them and safely handle them. Farming stock is a dangerous occupation - you can see this in the statistics - and animals are unpredictable especially with a nervous handler. Chickens less so I suppose.
2) The law. The rules around owning, maintaining, transporting, recording, medicating animals are very onerous. Getting in at the deep end and getting it wrong could at the least result in financial loss and at worst hefty fines and criminal convictions.
3) Selling to local butchers or direct to people is a further minefield. Have you looked at the demand for this sort of thing, and do you have currently the skill set to do it.
4) The reality. You need to check your stock regularly. You need to expect them to escape and end up in other folks gardens. This will be at 2am. It will be raining. Their troughs will freeze in the cold. They will get sick . The mud of my goodness.

Take a fortnights holiday from work and go do some unpaid work experience on a farm who have animals you like the idea of.

 

[ploughman1963]

I started with 20 sheep on a smallholding and rented parcels but did have a contracting business behind me. You will need an indepedent income and then treat it as a hobby and see how you get on
Good luck

 

[Flyfisher93]

It's the words "I like the idea...." I mean, I like the idea of a lot of things. But before you jump up and go invest in some stock you really should go and work with them beforehand with someone who knows what they are doing. Reasons:

1) Animals are alive and a level of competence is needed to care for them and safely handle them. Farming stock is a dangerous occupation - you can see this in the statistics - and animals are unpredictable especially with a nervous handler. Chickens less so I suppose.
2) The law. The rules around owning, maintaining, transporting, recording, medicating animals are very onerous. Getting in at the deep end and getting it wrong could at the least result in financial loss and at worst hefty fines and criminal convictions.
3) Selling to local butchers or direct to people is a further minefield. Have you looked at the demand for this sort of thing, and do you have currently the skill set to do it.
4) The reality. You need to check your stock regularly. You need to expect them to escape and end up in other folks gardens. This will be at 2am. It will be raining. Their troughs will freeze in the cold. They will get sick . The mud of my goodness.

Take a fortnights holiday from work and go do some unpaid work experience on a farm who have animals you like the idea of.

Thanks teslacoils. I appreciate your help and you giving me the truth of the matter. I take your point that liking the idea of it is not enough and I need to really know. I guess maybe I could do it very small scale in a large garden of a family members...even just to give myself an idea of what it might be like. As you say, work experience is very likely the best course of action. Thanks for your honesty,

Jamie

 

[Flyfisher93]

I started with 20 sheep on a smallholding and rented parcels but did have a contracting business behind me. You will need an indepedent income and then treat it as a hobby and see how you get on
Good luck

Thank you. That sounds impressive and does make me hopeful. As I've said above I need to get some relevant experience and I can understand why.

Thank you

Jamie

 

[Poorbuthappy]

As above if you have no livestock experience look to get some before getting your own. Even on a voluntary basis if necessary .

If you are prepared for the work (and hassle) of direct marketing this has the best chance of actually making money on a small scale.
Plenty of "homesteading" videos on YouTube that look at small scale poultry production. Or search Joel Salatin and chickens. That's all USA based but plenty of people adapting the principles for the UK.
If you can find someone local with small slaughter facilities (poultry regs is less ominous than red meat and some producers do their own.) then that's your easiest way on that front.
If doing lamb or pork a small local abbattoir is the way to go but not cheap, and find a reputable 1 to make sure you get your own stock back and done well.

Certainly pays not to give up the day job at least to begin with! It's 1 thing to produce some eggs or meat birds for yourself and friends, but takes a lot of work and marketing to scale it up to a reasonable income.

 

[Flyfisher93]

Thanks poor but happy. I have watched a lot of salatins videos before and he did inspire my thinking to some extent.

As you say about income, I don't really expect to make a living off it , certainly not initially. But, I do like the idea of even just doing it for the learning and experience. I feel as if I'm in a unique position at the moment relative to the rest of my life (not got a mega demanding job, still stay at home and can afford to take risks) so I feel like now would be a good time to try something that might be less feasible at other times.

Thanks everyone for all your help I know there are a lot of dreamers (me included) posting on here because I've read the posts myself but I do appreciate you humouring me.

Jamie

 

[delilah]

www.communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk

 

[Flyfisher93]

Delilah, thanks for the link. I will check it out.

Jamie

 

[Estate fencing.]

If you really like the idea of farming then you should offer to help someone out at weekends and evening for free for a couple of years. At least this way you will not be learning by loosing your own stock. Also this way you will know if your partner (if you have one) is happy not to see you very ofern. I'm not much older than you and I now run 500 ewes my self as well as contract shepherding 900 ewes, but I did my 10 years free work experience with my dad (who was shepherding 1200 ewes). I knew from an early age that farming is not all fun and games, there are some pretty bad days with livestock farming.

 

[Flyfisher93]

Electricfencer, thank you. I definitely think that's the best course of action from here, some unpaid work experience. I guess it's the best way with most things.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it.

Jamie

 

[TripleSix]

A small scale broiler job will struggle to compete unless you find a niche.

The big broiler boys grow the chickens that fast and that cheaply that you'd struggle to match it if you got free feed!


Where in the country are you?

I may be able to sort some work experience

 

[Flyfisher93]

Hi Triplesix, thanks for relying to me on here. I appreciate the advice and the honesty in it.

I am just outside Glasgow in East Kilbride.

Thank you,

Jamie

 

[TripleSix]

I can ask the chap who I work for if he would take you on a few days work experience.

Accommodation would be the issue, farm is near Northallerton, north Yorkshire

 

[Flyfisher93]

Triplesix, thank you for the offer I really do appreciate it but that is probably a little far for me. Very kind of you though, thank you,

Jamie