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26 CATTLE
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The first calf is due Naked PU UT
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at Mumbleys Stange-looki for all Curious
ng
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ce
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28 WORKING PONY
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Managing a swarm issue of Country Smallholding

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Contents
Features WIN THE SEARCH IS ON FOR OUR
SMALLHOLDER OF THE YEAR, 2010 NEXT MONTH
A HEN
BOOK!
Page 28,
Poultry

8 GROW YOUR OWN ...

£1,000! See page 34 in our pull-out Poultry magazine
TOGETHER PEOPLE POWER
Community Supported Machinery & Equipment 37 PERMACULTURE Two community
Agriculture explored Creative solutions, smallholdings
with Paul Wagland
40 BE WATER WISE Building a washroom,
James Strawbridge looks 39 GOING WILD step-by-step
at watering solutions Food for free,
with Dave Hamilton PLUS
COMPACT TRACTORS

IN POULTRY
How well do you know your
hens? Tackle our quiz.
PLUS: the Brown Leghorn

ANOTHER
45 CLASSIC TRACTORS hen house to be WON
New machinery writer Neil
Bookless takes a look at
vintage machines Also ... £355
including a stand
NEWS (12), SHOWS (16), and dust bath

Growing LETTERS (18), FOOD (36),

BREEDERS’ DIRECTORY (49),
14 COMING CLEAN 34 LOVELY LEGUMES RURAL ORGANISATIONS (51),
Smallholding hygiene With Brian Callaghan CLASSIFIEDS (52), BOOKS (58)

SUBSCRIBE TO CS AND SAVE UP TO 38% - see page 48 in POULTRY

 kilnwood alpacas
Thinking about
alpacas?
we specialise in
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Starting and Running a Smallholding prospective owners with
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Smoking and Curing Meat July 11th of colours and prices.
Keeping Chickens July 24th
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Plucking and Butchering Poultry July 25th kilnwoodalpacas@aol.com www.kilnwoodalpacas.com
Keeping Sheep August 7th
Lamb Butchering August 8th
Starting and Running a Smallholding
August 14th/15th

TICK
HERE

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and responsibilities as a landowner.

I am a member of the CLA.

Whether you own a single acre or 1,000 you need to know what your
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As the membership organisation for owners of land and property, our

in-house advisory service offers members free professional advice.

Visit us online today or call us for your free guide to the issues you
need to be aware of as a landowner.

www.cla.org.uk/myresponsibilities
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6 July 2010
 WIN £1,000
The closing date for our Smallholder of the Year competition has
been extended. See pages 34 and 35 in our pull-out Poultry
magazine to enter. There is also a £500 prize in the junior section.

SIMON MCEWAN

smallholding
life

Grow your own Come clean Show guide

.... together Hygiene is a key issue for
smallholders who host
Listsings for shows and
events in June and July
Community Supported public visits. Rosie Beat Page 16
Agriculture schemes are thriving clarifies the rules
Page 8 Page 14

July 2010 7
 Grow your own ...
FOOD | CSA
TOGETHER
Exciting new initiatives are enabling communities
to produce their own food. Katie Beat and Andrea
Mynard report
ommunity initiatives to link people with the
C food they consume are growing in popularity.
In this feature we focus on Community
Supported Agriculture. This describes any
agricultural venture where a community of
shareholders invest money or time in a local project
and, in return, get a share of the produce.
CSA schemes offer many advantages. Those
buying the produce have a direct interest in the
success of the project. Farmers are also released
from the stringent demands of the supermarket
buyer, for shareholders in a CSA do not expect their
carrots to be perfectly straight or their potatoes
perfectly clean and without a knobble in sight.
Some schemes focus on a particular crop such as
oats or potatoes. Shares are sold, the money
invested in a local farm, the farmer grows the crops
and, at harvest time, the shareholders collect their
bounty. Other schemes grow vegetables, crops and
animals for meat, and the produce is distributed on
a weekly basis to investors. Some schemes
encourage shareholders to get involved with the
work, whilst others only require financial investment.
8 July 2010
CSA PROJECTS
■ Sedlescombe Organic
Vineyard, Sussex. Rent-a-Vine
scheme from England’s oldest
organic vineyard.
■ Camel CSA. New north
Cornwall veg box scheme that
sowed its first seeds March 2009.
■ Wester Lawrenceton Farm,
Scotland. Members lend against
the value of organic dairy cows.
Interest paid with cheese.
■ Stroud Community
Agriculture. Well-established
scheme growing veg and rearing
livestock on 50 acres at two sites.
■ Scarborough Shearling CSA
Partnership. Each member
receives a whole shearling (a
sheep aged 17-24 months).
MORE: Good advice on setting
up a CSA: www.soilassociation.
org/csa.aspx
The potato harvest at
Canalside, Warwickshire
COMMUNITY FOOD
IN MIDLANDS
Canalside Community Food is a vegetable growing
scheme that has been providing freshly picked,
seasonal food to members from its seven fecund
acres for three years. Based near Radford Semele in
Warwickshire, it was started by Caz and Tom Ingall
(with support from other like-minded locals) at
Tom’s parents’ conventional arable farm. Inspired by
their ability to produce a great selection of
vegetables, members have recently added a ‘forest
garden’ orchard to their thriving small farm.
Tom and Caz both became inspired to grow food
when they returned to Leasowe Farm after working
in Africa. Caz says: “If we were going to stay and
farm, we wanted it to be organic and to diversify. We
weren’t interested in using chemicals and what it
does to conservation.” They converted half the farm
to organic initially, planting rye, clover and a grass
mix to build up the fertility of the land during
conversion.
A public meeting was held to gauge local support
for a community food project, and the response was
good. It has slowly built up since, with over 100
members currently paying a monthly or yearly
subscription. While picking up a weekly vegetable
box, everyone is encouraged to see what else is
 Ann liked the idea of connecting people
PRESERVING with the seasonality of their food and its

AN ORCHARD
A community supported agriculture scheme
in Herefordshire has proven to be an
innovative way of preserving a 22 acre,
traditional orchard, but has also seen
‘cropsharers’ celebrating with sparkling
Perry produced from its fruit. During a
period when many British apple trees have
been grubbed up, visitors from as far afield
as Manchester and London have been
coming to this rolling corner of countryside
near Ledbury to collect their share of
harvest-time fruit.
Dragon Orchard has been tended by the
same family for over 70 years, but when
Norman and Ann Stanier took over the
running of the fruit farm from Norman’s
parents in 1993, they found that, although
growing practices have remained much the
same during that time, the market had
changed hugely. Ann says they had to
consider taking out fruit trees and working
out other ways of making a living from their
land: “The farm was going backwards and
so something had to change.”
Ann and Norman Stanier harvesting at Dragon Orchard
production and realised that, apart from their
fruit, the other asset they had was the
orchard itself. So they created Cropsharers –
for an annual subscription, members are
invited to visit the farm for a weekend during
each season to see how the orchard
develops and grows throughout the year.
Often the weekends coincide with seasonal
celebrations such as blossom time in spring,
harvesting in autumn, and wassailing in
winter. In the autumn, cropsharers take home
a generous share of the orchard produce,
including cooking apples, eating apples,
pears, apple juice, table cider, chutneys and
preserves. Ann enjoys noticing people really
appreciate their fruity goodies, having seen
them grown. “What we want is for people to
come and enjoy the orchard,” she says.
Pigs and geese
Rare-breed pigs enjoy a lovely corner of the
orchard, with plenty of apples to scoff.
Geese wander amongst the trees, and any
fallen apples are devoured in winter by
fieldfares, who share the orchard with
goldfinches, buzzards and a plethora of
FOOD | CSA
Wassailing at Dragon Orchard, Herefordshire
insects. Looking at the visual spectacle, with
Red Devil apples contrasting with the yellow
quince and mellow Blenheim Orange apples,
it’s not surprising that an artist member of
the Cropsharers scheme has been inspired
to paint orchard scenes.
A ‘sponsor a tree’ initiative has enabled
even more people to experience the life of
the orchard and has helped plant 200 new
trees, including over 20 different varieties of
apple. Pears, plums, greengages and quince
have been planted, along with old varieties
of apple such as Egremont Russet, Blenheim
Orange and Lord Lambourne.
The last three years has also seen
Cropsharers enjoying apple and pear juice,
cider and perry produced at Dragon
Orchard. The Staniers teamed up with
Hannah and Simon Day, a viticulture
professional, who moved to their village, and
created Once Upon a Tree. Using their hand-
gathered fruit, and combining traditional
techniques with modern equipment and
minimal handling, the resulting tipples are
excellent. The cider promptly won first price
in three categories at the Hereford
International Cider and Perry Competition in
May 2008. Award winning single variety
ciders, a sparkling perry, and dessert cider
now offer plenty of choice for toasting to a
great success in sustaining a traditional
orchard.
MORE: www.onceuponatree.co.uk

going on at the farm. Some members enjoy meeting
for workdays, gathering in a yurt for their tea breaks,
while others are happy just to collect their share of
organic vegetables. Open days, farm walks and
social events, often organised to tie in with equinoxes
and Celtic festivals that recognise the cycles of the
year, are a great way of getting everyone involved.
Tom enjoys showing new members around the
crops: “Directly participating in the growing process
brings a connection with the land and an
understanding about where the produce comes
from. It’s an ideal learning environment for children,”
he says.
Moving mulch at Canalside
Pumpkin days, barbecues and picnics are all
enjoyed by families who often gather around the
bonfire to share food prepared from ingredients
grown on the farm. Bruce and Rebecca Knight, who
live in nearby Leamington Spa, are members along
with their son, Jamie. Having joined when Jamie was
a baby, Bruce says: “It’s so great to be able to eat
vegetables that are picked that morning – and great
to bring Jamie to a farm. He loves being outside
with other kids.”
Volunteers and members recently mucked in to
help plant over 700 fruit trees and bushes. The
planting design of the ‘forest garden’ is based on ➜

July 2010 9

FOOD | CSA
IRISH CUT OUT
MIDDLE MAN
Bantry CSA, in County Cork, is one of only harvesting, gathering in and threshing.
a few schemes in Eire. It began in 2009
when an enthusiastic man called John
Dolan first approached some farmers to
see if they would be willing to participate.
Once he had the land promised, interest
was generated and shares sold through
local food fairs and events. Bantry focused
on two staple food crops: oats and
potatoes, mainly because John had
noticed that it was very difficult to procure
staple crops in bulk at farmers’ markets.
The oats were grown by farmer Dennis
Holland on a three acre plot. The initial
investment was around €2,000, raised by
selling around 27 shares. A half acre of
potatoes was grown by Steve and Packie
Donovan with an initial investment of
around €2,000 raised by selling
around 23 shares.
Results were mixed. The potatoes
were a success, growing well,
despite the bad weather of
summer 2009, and eventually
yielding a bumper crop.
Shareholders did not take part
in the harvest, but were
welcome to go and watch!
They eventually received
seven 20kg bags each,
which shareholder Ron
Skingley was delighted
with: “The potatoes
were a good deal,
costing about the half
the price they would
have been in the
shops.”
The oats were more
problematic. Bad
weather made
10
Farmers and organisers of
Bantry CSA at harvest time
harvesting difficult, and the bottom acre
was eventually harvested by hand using
traditional hand scythes. A troop of
volunteer shareholders took part in the
This fostered a real sense of
community spirit, and many
commented on how nice it was that
older members of the work party were
able to share and pass on their
knowledge of traditional knots and
stooking techniques – the sort of
knowledge that is sadly dying with the
older generations. Everyone enjoyed
taking part in the harvest and, of course,
the threshing party that follows it!
The remainder of the oats were
harvested by combine. One shareholder
had a drying barn where some were sent
to dry, the remainder going to a container
at a different location. Sadly, one tonne
became infested with rats, and,
unfortunately, given the ‘damp’
harvest, the other oats have still not
achieved the ideal dryness for
storage. Further problems
occurred with dehulling (a
process which renders the
oats edible to humans). A
dehuller procured from
Germany, using some
European funding, was delayed
and by the time it arrives the crop
may be ruined. Ron has
mixed feelings – he
hasn’t been able to
eat his locally
produced porridge
and worries that a lot
of the crop will end up
as animal feed.
MORE: http://web.me.
com/ronskingley/
BantryCSA/
Farmer Steve Donovan
with potatoes Welcome.html
permaculture, with a diverse range of plants
mimicking nature and providing pest and disease
resistance, making the use of chemical pesticides
and fertilisers unnecessary.
Trees include apples, pears, plums, damsons and
cherry plus rarer fruits such as medlar, quince and
mulberry. Between the rows, the trees are under-
planted with fruit bushes and canes including
raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, white, red
and blackcurrants and rhubarb. Idyllic at blossom-
time, as it matures the forest garden should provide
fruit all year round. Starting with rhubarb in
February, members will enjoy soft fruits during the
summer and, even during the depths of winter, there
will be stored apples and pears. A great way of
scoffing the shared fruits of labour all year round,
while saving air-miles and having a very sociable
time along the way.
MORE: www.canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk
Veg grown at Canalside
Conclusion – Is this the future?
So, does CSA work? As with many things, it would
seem that organisation is the key. Dragon Orchard
and Canalside Community Food show how a well-
organised scheme can really energise and breathe
new life into farms, communities and the people
involved. Bantry CSA shows us how successful and
how tricky farming can be!
CSA in any form seems to be a positive thing
because it connects people with their food. In our
consumer-dominated society, more often than not,
money is the only relationship we have with our
food. CSA enables people to visit a farm to see their
meat and two veg being grown. It enables them to
help with a harvest, plant a tree that one day they
will eat the apples of, and share in the success
stories at open days and special events. Perhaps it
helps them to appreciate the hard work that goes
into growing food, and shows them that farming is
never easy – there are always unanticipated
problems waiting around the corner. And, ultimately,
it changes the question in the mind of the consumer
from ‘How much does it cost?’ to ‘How was it grown?’
And that can only be a good thing!
✎ Writers ------------------------------------------------------
Katie Beat is writer, tutor and veg grower living
in Hampshire. Email; katie_beat@yahoo.co.uk
Andrea Mynard lives in Gloucestershire, writing
on rural issues and growing veg. Email:
andreamynard@yahoo.co.uk
July 2010
 SMALLHOLDER
SALE & OPEN DAY
Sunday 27 June 12-5pm
Roke Farm, Odiham,
Hampshire RG29 1HZ
Pygmy goat kids, Kune piglets,
chicken, pedigree lambs and
cattle, baby donkeys,
straw play, barbecue, teas.
01256 701847
www.millersark.co.uk
£5 entry
(refunded if buying animals)
News
IN BRIEF
Fears of rat poison ban
A Scottish MEP has warned EU
proposals for a ban on the most
widely used rat poisons would be
‘catastrophic’ for the agricultural
industry. The European
Parliament's environment
committee will vote this month on
a ban on anti-coagulant in
rodenticides.
Tory MEP Struan Stevenson
said if the bill was made law there
would be no other way of
controlling the rodent population.
The Bill, which is at its first
reading stage, could become law
by the summer.
Hunting ban ‘doubts’
Conservative plans to reintroduce
fox hunting are in doubt with the
formation of a coalition
Government.
David Cameron came to a
compromise with Liberal
Democrat leader Nick Clegg. MPs
will now have the chance to vote
on a Parliamentary motion later in
the year on whether to hold a free
vote on the ban. The free vote will
only happen if the majority of MPs
support the motion, but it is
unclear whether MPs will back it.
Transport warning
Animal Health has warned that it
has received several reports of
heavily pregnant livestock being
transported in 2009 and 2010.
Legislation in England, Scotland
and Wales, brought in four years
ago, states that all farmed
livestock species that have given
birth in the week prior to
transportation, and those in the
last 10% of their gestation period,
are not fit to travel.
Going greener in Wales
A unique map highlighting
community gardening and farming
projects across Wales has been
launched at a celebration event in
Cardiff. There has been an
explosion of interest in creating
green spaces in Wales, due to
concerns over issues such as food
miles, climate change and healthy
eating.
■ Grow your own together: page 8
12
GERRY TOMS
Send us your smallholding news.
Email editorial.csh@archant.co.uk
Writers’ show success
Country Smallholding writers Liz Shankland and Tim
Tyne are celebrating success in the Royal Welsh
Smallholder & Garden Festival in Wales.
Liz took two sows and two gilts to the show and
came away with two 1sts, a 2nd, a 3rd, and the
prestigious Champion Tamworth rosette. The
Champion Tamworth, who came 1st in the sow class,
was Tudful Jacqueline 08 - also known as Thisbe.
Tim Tyne and his wife Dot showed their Welsh
Mountain sheep - they had breed champion with
one of the rams, and won the group of three. Their
daughter Llinos also did well (see page 22).
There were more than 25,000 visitors at show at
Builth Wells in Wales. After showing, Liz and Tim
gave a talk to a packed audience at the show's
Speakers' Corner. The talk was on the theme
Smallholding: Lifestyle or Livelihood?, and the pair
discussed their very different backgrounds and
approaches to making money out of raising
Liz Shankland shows a Tamworth at the Smallholder &
livestock.
Garden Festival
‘New hope’ Amy handles it
A talented schoolgirl is
celebrating after beating
for farmers
hundreds of experienced
farmers to become a top
sheepdog handler - at the age of
15.
Tackling TB looks set to be an agricultural priority under the new For three years, determined Amy
Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. Rouse, from Cambridgeshire,
The parties are also expected to agree on the need for a has trained faithful black and
supermarket ombudsman to police the food supply chain and on their white border collie Mist, four, for
commitment to a full review of all Defra quangos, including Natural fiercely competitive sheepdog
England, the Environment Agency and the much-criticised RPA. trials. Now she is heading for the
But the new coalition must still resolve its differences over national finals after trouncing
responsibility and cost sharing and CAP reform. rivals up to five times her age in
Roger Williams MP, the Liberal Democrat agricultural spokesman in events across the country.
the previous parliament, said there was reason for ‘great optimism’ for
farmers. Down to earth
A top priority will be action on bovine TB. Neil Parish, newly elected A farmer has been jailed for
Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton in Devon, a county ravaged threatening a balloon passenger
by TB, re-affirmed the Tory manifesto commitment to cull badgers as with a shotgun after it crashed
part of a comprehensive package of measures to tackle the disease. on her land. Marie Dring
Farming Minister Jim Paice later confirmed there will be a badger received an 18-month jail term
cull in Devon and Cornwall, despite the fact the new Defra Secretary, after she admitted possessing a
Caroline Spelman, apparently has reservations. firearm with intent to cause fear.
But there are areas of policy disagreement. While the Tories agree, The balloon crashed near
in principle, to ‘responsibility and cost sharing’ on animal disease Northampton last September.
policy, the Lib Dems are ‘completely opposed’ to the idea. Defence barrister David Matthew
Another key area of disagreement is over EU farm policy. The pro- said his client had been
Europe Lib Dems want to retain a large proportion of the CAP budget concerned about her livestock,
in direct payments, but the Conservative Party has advocated a but the judge said her response
gradual phasing out of subsidy support. was ‘wholly disproportionate’.
July 2010
SAFETY | HYGIENE

Coming Dung on footwear is a

possible route of infection.

If you are thinking

of opening your
CLEAN handle animals during a visit?
Many children who visit our smallholding, even in
this rural area, have never touched a sheep or pig,
and this close contact can be the highlight of their
smallholding to day. It would be over-reacting to deny this
Hand washing in experience because of the hazards associated with
the public, make shared bowls is not
animals, for while the risks are real, they are readily
recommended
sure you know controlled by simple measures.
the rules on Farms and smallholdings participating in Open
Farm Sunday or Educational Access are given
hygiene. Rosie detailed advice concerning on-farm hygiene, based
Beat reports on on Health and Safety (HSE) Information sheet no 23.
This was revised after the 2009 E coli outbreaks and
the risks, and the contains supplementary advice for teachers. It gives
precautions you detailed information about the different micro-
can take organisms that can cause ill health, and also points
out that you have a duty of care under the law.
E coli is not just caught by touching animals.
Another way of contracting infection is via dung
ore and more farms and smallholdings picked up on footwear and passed on to hands when

M are opening their gates to the public,

either for isolated events such as Open
Farm Sunday, or to host regular visits
from schoolchildren and adult groups
under stewardship schemes such as Educational
Access.
Last summer, the national media covered a series
of E coli outbreaks on ‘petting farms’, where children
are encouraged to handle tame livestock. Several
such farms, in different parts of the country, were
closed after a number of young children became
seriously ill. So, is it safe to open your smallholding
to the public, and should children be encouraged to
THE LAW
The Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Regulations 2002 require an
employer or self-employed
person to: assess the risks to
employees, self-employed
people and the public from
exposure to hazardous
substances, including micro-
organisms; and take appropriate
action to prevent or adequately
control that exposure.
changing. And it isn’t only farm animals that transmit
E coli – you can pick it up from wild birds, badly
stored cooked meats and even from prepared
washed salad leaves!
If you intend to open your farm or smallholding,
the first requirement is to assess the risk. Current
veterinary and medical opinion is that farmers
should assume all ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats
and deer) carry E coli, and understand that it may
be introduced to the farm at any time by new stock,
wild birds and animals, or by visitors such as
delivery drivers who have visited other farms. As E
coli can persist for long periods outside the body

14 July 2010
(up to 150 days in soil and 90 days in cattle dung)

SAFETY | HYGIENE
other animals on the farm, including pets, can easily
acquire the bacterium.
Accepting that some, or all of your stock, may be
carriers, the priority is to control the risk when
contact is made with animals during stroking, bottle
feeding, touching gates and animal pens, or walking
through areas contaminated with dung. The most
obvious thing to do is to provide adequate hand-
washing facilities for visitors - and by ‘adequate’, the
HSE mean running (preferably hot) water and soap.
Over many years of school visits to our
smallholding, visitors all used the single downstairs
toilet in our farmhouse, but you can imagine the
queue by the back door as a whole class waited to
wash their hands before eating. To ease the situation,
we would carry bowls of warm water into the yard
with soap and towels. However, the sharing of water
and towels in this way is no longer considered
adequate.
The key element here is running water, so that
bacteria are not passed from person to person by

Is it safe to open your

smallholding to the public, and
should children be encouraged
to handle animals during a
visit?
the shared bowls or towels. To achieve this with cold
water, you can attach a section of hose to an outside
tap and make holes in the hose at intervals. Visitors
wash their hands as the water trickles out at various
points along the hose and a trough or gutter placed
below will collect the waste water and carry it away.
It’s quite simple to set up, and may be adequate if
the smallholding is open on a very occasional basis.
Soap is the next consideration. We have always
preferred bars of traditional soap over liquid
dispensers and avoid anti-bacterial hand sprays, as
we have a septic tank to consider. The last thing we
want is for a class to wash all their anti-
bacteriological chemicals into our system and kill
the good bugs in the tank! Also be aware that
alcohol-based gels and hand wipes do not offer
sufficient protection and are not an adequate
substitute for hand washing.
Shared towels are not good practice, so you do
need to invest in some paper towels; these can at
least be made from recycled paper and composted
after use. Hot air hand dryers are also suitable,
Leading visitors round the smallholding reduces risk
RESOURCES
Free publications are available
by mail order from HSE Books,
PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk
CO10 2WA
Tel: 01787 881165
http://www.hsebooks.co.uk/
Free leaflets can be downloaded
from the HSE website:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/
For regular school visits,
consider an accreditation course
such as the Countryside
Educational Visits Accreditation
Scheme (CEVAS).
Website: www.face-
online.org.uk/cevas)
Touching a sheep may be
the highlight of a child’s visit
though obviously expensive to install.
A further consideration is to ensure that visitors
understand the need for careful hand washing.
Before school groups visit our smallholding, teachers
receive the HSE information sheets, make their own
risk assessment, and are responsible for ensuring
that children wash their hands before eating any
food. However, with events like Open Farm Sunday,
members of the public may be wandering round
on their own, so it is important to put up signs near
any animal handling areas to inform them of the
risks and direct them to the hand washing area.
It’s good practice to provide a trough of water
containing disinfectant for visitors to dip their boots
before they leave the farm, as this will reduce the
risk of infection being carried on footwear and
transmitting to hands as people change to go home.
It also helps if access areas are kept clean.
So, you go to all this trouble but remember the old
adage: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t
make him drink!” You just need to show that you
have done all that is necessary.
Finally, remember to protect yourself financially by
ensuring that your smallholding has adequate public
liability insurance cover for opening to the public.
NEXT MONTH: The Beats build a washroom for
visitors - step-by-step guide.
✎ Writers ------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Rosie Beat, visit
www.thebridgemill.org.uk

July 2010 15
 Show guide Your guide to events in
the coming month

June

19-20
BOLNHURST VINTAGE & COUNTRY FAYRE
ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW Bedfordshire T: 01234 376577 These pictures were taken at
Royal Cornwall Showground Wadebridge last year’s Devon County
T: 01208 812183 www.royalcornwall.co.uk NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY SHOW Show at Westpoint, Exeter
Near Thirsk T: 01609 748782 PHOTOS BY ALEX WALTON
20

SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW www.northyorkshireshow.com

10-12

The South of England Centre, Ardingly, Sussex

T: 01444 892700 www.seas.org.uk LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY SHOW
Lincolnshire Showground
23-24

EMMERDALE COUNTRY FAIR T: 01522 522900/524240

12-13

Aberdeenshire T: 01467 628876 www.lincs-events.co.uk

www.georgewalkerevents.co.uk
ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW
CLONAKILTY AGRICULTURAL SHOW Royal Highland Centre
24-27

Co Cork T: 0131 335 6200

13

T: +353 (0)23 47390 www.clonakiltyas.com www.royalhighlandshow.org

THREE COUNTIES SHOW IRISH GAME FAIR & COUNTRY

The Showground, Malvern T: 01684 584900 LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL
www.threecounties.co.uk Shanes Castle, Downpatrick
T: 028 4483 9167
18-120

EAST OF ENGLAND SHOW www.irishgamefair.com

Peterborough
T: 01733 234451 www.showground.org.uk SHROPSHIRE & WEST MIDLANDS SHOW
Agricultural Showground
GALWAY COUNTY SHOW T: 0870 957 6444
T: +353 (0)91 850864 www.westmidshow.co.uk
26-27

SUSSEX COUNTRY FAIR AXE VALE FESTIVAL

Parham Park RH20 4HS T: 01889 563232 Axminster T: 01297 34517
www.countrymanfairs.co.uk www.axevalefestival.org.uk

SUSSEX FOOD FAIR DERBYSHIRE COUNTY SHOW

Michelham Priory T: 01323 844224 Elvaston T: 01332 793068
www.sussexpast.co.uk www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk

WELSH GAME FAIR BROCKLESBY COUNTRY FAIR

Llandeilo T: 01267 281410/01267 290519 Grimsby T: 01469 561400
27

www.welshgamefair.com www.brocklesby.co.uk

TODMORDEN AGRICULTURAL SHOW ROYAL NORFOLK SHOW

19-20

30-1

Lancs T: 01706 815648 Norfolk Showground T: 01603 748931

www.todshow.org www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk

July
ALTON AGRICULTURAL SHOW
Hants T: 01420 511205
THE SCOTTISH GAME FAIR www.altonshow.co.uk
4

Perthshire T: 01828 650639

2-4

www.scottishgamefair.com LONDONDERRY & LIMAVADY

AGRICULTURAL SHOW
10

2-5

ELVASTON STEAM RALLY T: 028777 65123

Derby M: 07967 355810
www.elvastonsteam.org.uk GAME & COUNTRY FAIR
Michelham Priory, East Sussex
SMALLHOLDERS SHOW T: 01323 844224 www.sussexpast.co.uk
South of England Showground, Sussex
10-11

M: 07714 102381www.smallholdershows.co.uk BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW

Biggleswade T: 01767 627527
COTSWOLD SHOW & COUNTRY FAIR www.bedscountryshow.co.uk
Cirencester T: 01285 652007
3-4

www.cotswoldshow.co.uk HOWDEN SHOW

East Yorks M: 0797 0814085

NORTHAMPTONSHORE COUNTRY FAIR ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH AGRICULTURAL SHOW

Bradfield on the Green T: 01604 696521 Derbyshire T: 01283 229225
11

www.northamptonshirecountryfair.co.uk www.ashbyshow.com
4

Please check with show organisers before travelling to events. Country Smallholding cannot be held
responsible for any incorrect details, show cancellations or changes.

16 July 2010
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July 2010 17

The latest from Joanne Brannan
on her plans for a low carbon
smallholding near Ipswich
To grow vegetables commercially I
will use several cubic metres of water
a day during hot periods. I had
planned to use a mains water
connection, at least initially, to keep
the capital costs down, but when the
local water company quoted nearly
£3,000 just for connection (rather than
the £400 informally quoted last year), I
was forced to think again.
The greenest solution would be to
capture rainwater in ponds on the
high points of the land and use the
power of gravity to irrigate. This
solution works well in many places,
including in some hot countries with
erratic, but plentiful, rainfall, but
wouldn’t work here at The Oak Tree.
So I explored the option of a borehole.
I talked to smallholders who said I
might pay between £5,000 and £10,000,
which started to make the price of the
mains connection look attractive! But
A borehole
being drilled
at Oak Tree
Farm
it turned out that I might be lucky; the
land lies on sand and gravel - relatively
easy to drill - and local experts,
Anglian Pumping Services, believed
we’d find water about 20m down.
The two days of drilling were full of
suspense as there was no guarantee
we would find water for the fixed
price. No water was found at 20m,
and we only had another six or so
metres to go before needing to move
to a far bigger, and costlier, drilling rig.
So, when we found water at 23.5m, a
mighty cheer went up!
The borehole itself cost around
£2,500, and the electric pump and
accessories a further £500 or so.
Initially we’re using a diesel generator
to power the pump, but hope to use a
greener option in the future.
The water in the borehole is held by a
layer of impermeable, grey London
clay. Just above this, the engineers
found sea shells in the sand, relics
from an ancient sea bed. I’ve kept
some in a box that I call, rather
ambitiously, ‘The Oak Tree Museum’.
MORE: See May’s issue of CS or visit
www.the-oak-tree.co.uk
18
Your Views
Odd lambs ‘Little and Large’,
with their ‘mother’ (foreground).
Buying via classifieds
Whilst I always look forward to reading Liz
Shankland's informative pig keepers series, I felt
little hard done by with her comments about
advertising in the local press.
We breed pedigree Welsh pigs and have found it
helpful to advertise in the local classifieds. Online
advertising has also been a godsend to us. Warning
against the pitfalls of buying sick animals is vital, but
sometimes the power of classifieds can keep a
business alive.
Carry on the good work. CSH is my monthly tonic.
Corrina Taylor
Hideaway Hogs
Ludchurch, nr Narberth Pembrokeshire.
Liz Shankland replies:
As I said in last month's feature, there are a lot of
reputable breeders who advertise in local papers
and on online forums.
My reason for urging caution when finding pigs
through an ad rather than by recommendation is that
not everyone has the common sense which a good
breeder like Corrina clearly possesses.
I'm not saying don't buy from newspaper and
online ads; what I'm saying is, be cautious. As well as
looking at the weaners, look at the living conditions,
ask to see other pigs in the herd, and make sure you
feel comfortable before handing over the money and
loading the trailer. If in doubt, take someone who
knows about livestock with you.
Help give smallholders a
voice on policy decisions
A new body has been set up as a forum for smallholders. Use it to obtain information, give yours views and
influence policy. Find out more by emailing Tim Tyne at info@smallfarmforum.org.uk
Send your views to
editorial.csh@archant.co.uk
The writer of every letter
published will receive a
sachet of Verm-X, a natural animal health product
Little and Large
I had a Shetland ewe deliver twins. Not
unusual, except that another ewe stole
one of them and licked her clean.
Although this ewe was also pregnant, she
started suckling this lamb (but from only
one teat) and decided that she was hers
for keeps. Three weeks later, with this
happy lamb in tow, she delivered her own
twins (another two ewe lambs) and finally
let down the milk into both teats. She
accepted one of the new lambs and
rejected the other (which is now bottle
fed). As a merry outfit they look like 'Little
& Large' with the pair of lambs suckling
away, yet three weeks apart in age.
Jenni Frost
Near Abergele, North Wales.
Advice about growing
We are hoping for an allotment, but I'm unsure
what to grow. I am also looking for a
smallholding or around an acre to start with and
need some advice about this. Any tips help or
advice will be very gratefully received.
Richard Jewitt-Holder,
Hull
Editor writes:
Richard,
I would suggest a good smallholding book. You
might try Alan Beat's A Start in Smallholding or
Katie Thear’s The Smallholder’s Manual. Just do
an online search and you will find them.
Otherwise try our reader’s forum at:
www.countrysmallholding.com
Good luck!
Point about potatoes
Having read the piece about potatoes by Carol
Wilson (CS, June issue, page 43), I thought it
necessary to correct an error she makes.
Potatoes, being largely carbohydrate, are
potentially fattening. In our family we have
hypoglycaemia, the opposite end of the
spectrum to diabetes. With this condition it is
essential to be aware of carbohydrates and their
part in diet.
Brian Wright,
Garsdale Road, Sedbergh.
July 2010
 WIN £1,000
The closing date for our Smallholder of the Year competition has
been extended. See pages 34 and 35 in our pull-out Poultry
magazine to enter. There is also a £500 prize in the junior section.
TIM TYNE

Livestock

Sheep
Llinos Tyne, 9, gets
ready for a show
Page 22

Forum Bees Cattle Ponies Pigs

Your questions Managing a Looking forward to Tim Tyne makes Feeding
answered swarm the arrival of a calf his choice weaners
Page 20 Page 24 Page 26 Page 28 Page31

July 2010 19
LIVESTOCK | FORUM

What are ideal animals TIM TYNE

A Genus technician
carrying out artificial
for the smallholding? insemination (AI) on
one of our cows.
Some of this month’s queries come from visitors
at the Smallholder and Garden Festival in Wales

All of the breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs

Q on display here at the Smallholder Festival
seem to be promoting the fact that they are
‘ideal for smallholding’, but they can’t all be ideal,
surely? Are there any particular breeds of livestock
that are more suited to smallholding?

No there aren’t. When making breed

A choices you should have a clear idea of
what your aims and objectives are - such as why are
you keeping them, and what will be the end product,
and also the type of management system that you’ll
be implementing on your holding. Then decide
upon a breed that satisfies the necessary criteria. If
you’re a ‘lifestyle’ smallholder, then you might like to
Is my cow Why do judges feel around
choose one of the rarer breeds, and do your bit for in season? sheeps’ ears at a show?
the conservation of our pastoral heritage. However, if
you’re planning to make your smallholding your How can I tell when my I’ve just been watching some of the classes
livelihood, then you’ll need to make a more Q cow is in season, in Q in the sheep ring at the Smallholder Festival
commercially-minded choice, and consider the order to arrange for and was wondering why the judge was
future saleability of the animals in question – artificial insemination? feeling around the base of the sheep’s ears. What
remember that breeds of livestock become rare due was he looking for?
MARTIN JONES, NEADON FARM. Where two or more
A cows are kept together Presumably the sheep in the ring were one
it is usually quite easy to A of the Welsh hill breeds (Welsh Mountain,
spot one ‘on heat’ or ‘bulling’, as Badgerface, Balwen etc). The judge was
the cow in question will be using his hand to measure the length of the animal’s
frequently mounting her ears. Traditionally,

An Irish Moiled cow & calf.
to the fact that they’re not economically viable under
current marketing conditions.
Many of the statements made regarding the superior
qualities of certain rare breeds are not backed up by
facts and figures, but, having said that, there are
some great niche marketing opportunities that could
make a rare or traditional breed an attractive
proposition for a profitable small scale enterprise.
Some of the minority breeds clearly do have a lot to
offer in today’s changing environment, and deserve
greater recognition. At the festival I was particularly
impressed by the Irish Moiled cattle, not just
because of the lovely cow that the breed society had
on display, but because they were able to provide
actual production data (collected under commercial
conditions) to back up their claims about the
versatility of the breed. I have to say, I’m rather
tempted to take a closer look at the Irish Moiled …
companions in desperation! If
you keep a lone cow, then heat
detection can be more tricky. She
may bellow a lot, and spend time
gazing longingly at cows in
distant fields. Look for the tell-
tale string of clear mucus from
her vulva. This isn’t always very
easy to spot. A straw coloured,
tacky discharge indicates that
she has just gone off heat, but
does at least enable you to
determine when the next heat is
due. (Cows come in season at 21
day intervals, so start looking out
for signs a few days before this).
If she’s a milking cow you may
notice a slight drop in yield just
before she comes on, together
with behavioural changes in the
milking parlour.
TIM TYNE
sheep of these
breeds had very
small ears, so this is
considered to be a
desirable
characteristic for
the show ring. Some
breeders (and
Some milky strains of Welsh
hence some
Mountain sheep have long ears
judges) are quite
fanatical about this! However, in my own experience,
the strains of Welsh Mountain sheep with slightly
longer ears, although perhaps not so traditional in
appearance, are milkier ewes and will rear heavier
lambs off grass. It appears that you cannot have your
cake and eat it! It is often the case that sheep that do
well in the show ring do not perform so well under
more everyday conditions.
DO YOU HAVE A LIVESTOCK QUESTION?
Email it to Tim for the forum at info@viableselfsufficiency.co.uk

20 July 2010

LIVESTOCK | SHEEP
Time to
SHOW
he first show that I take my sheep to every
T year is the Smallholder and Garden Festival at
Builth Wells, in Wales. This is in the middle of
May, but in the winter I choose which sheep I
am going to take to the show.
I have to think very hard about this. They’re still in
their fleeces, so I have to think about how they look
under their fleece. This year I have entered a ram
(two years old or over), a ewe (two years old or over)
and a shearling ewe. Also, I am going to enter a
group of three. I am taking the same ewe that I won
with last year, and her daughter (one I took to the
winter fair) and the ram I bought last year.
Why take these sheep? It is mainly because of
their markings, good shape, how they stand, and
stuff like that. Getting the markings right is the
hardest part, because I am upgrading my sheep,
and everyone else who is showing has good striped
sheep. My older ewe has the shape, but not such
good markings, so I chose her by her conformation.
My shearling ewe has got a little faint bit in her
stripe, but she has a good shape. The ram has good
markings, good conformation and he stands well. So
I’ve chosen them all on something.
This year, there is a rule that all the sheep have to
be sheared at the beginning of February so, when I
had chosen the ones I wanted, Dad sheared them for
me very carefully so as not to joggle the lambs
inside them. I chose two older ewes to prepare for
the show, in case one wasn’t good enough. Now I am
very glad I did this: sometimes, when you shear
them early, they start to lose the wool that grows
22
Young shepherd
Llinos Tyne, 9,
writes about her
preparations for a
big show
Clipping before
the big day
SHOW RESULT
Llinos was placed 4th with her
ram, 2nd with her older ewe, and
2nd with her group of three. Not
having the back-up of the rest of
the Tyne team (who were busy
showing Welsh Mountain sheep
in the other ring), she was
grateful for the assistance of
experienced Badgerface breeder
Henry Jones, of Nefyn.
TIM TYNE
Llinos Tyne, 9,
with one of her
sheep
back, especially if they get stressed by rearing two
big lambs. This is exactly what happened. Both of the
ewes had twins, and all the wool fell out of one of
them, so I definitely couldn’t show her! This is a pity,
as she was the one with the best markings (but not
such good shape). The other ewe has also lost a little
bit of wool on her back, but I am going to take a
chance on her to make my group of three.
By the time it gets close to the show, they have
grown quite a lot of wool, and I need to wash them.
First, I give them a cold shower, then, if they are very
dirty, a wash with warm water and fairy liquid, then
another cold shower to rinse them off. I dry them
very thoroughly, and put plenty of clean straw in their
pen. When they are completely dry, we can clip
them. We use double bow clippers, single bow
clippers, a small comb, a spiky comb and patting
board. We comb all over the sheep with the small
comb, and then clip it all over with the double bow
clippers. We do this about three times, but it
depends on how messy the fleece is and how long it
is. Then, with the spiky comb, we spike up all the
fluffy bits and clip them off. If needed, we use the
single bow clippers to clip the tough bits off their
tummies. Then, with the patting board, we pat all the
wool down. Just before we leave for the show, we pat
all the wool down again and put coats on them,
which keeps the wool compact and clean.
This evening I am sitting in my bed to write this,
and it is only two more days before the show. By the
time you read this, it will all be over, and I will be
preparing for the next show!
July 2010
 LIVESTOCK | SHEEP
BREED FOCUS with TIM TYNE
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALAN HAMBLEY / GEOFF RIBY
The largest and heaviest of the British down breeds,
the Oxford, came about as a direct result of a cross OXFORD DOWN
between longwool (Cotswold), and shortwool types.
To this day, many of the Oxfords have a few flecks of
white hair on their noses – reputedly a throwback to
their Cotswold ancestry (see below right). The breed
is also characterised by having a top-knot on the poll,
which is traditionally left in place at shearing, as the
old shepherds believed that the beauty of the breed
lay in its top-knot! Interestingly, the Cotswold also
sports a top-knot, which is customarily left intact.
The newly created Oxford Down proved so
popular that, by the beginning of the 20th Century, it
had replaced the Cotswold as the dominant
commercial breed in its native area. As its reputation
spread, it was widely exported. It also found favour in
the Scottish borders, with regular consignments of
stud rams being transferred north.
As with so many of our older breeds, changing
farming fashions in the 1960s saw numbers of Oxford
Downs falling rapidly. They are now classified as ‘at ABOVE:
risk’, meaning that there may be fewer than 1,500 An Oxford became popular for crossing.
breeding females remaining.
Down ram,
Applewick
COTSWOLD By the mid 1800s, as many as
MORE: www.oxforddownsheep.talktalk.net Altogether The Cotswold is a hardy 5,000 Cotswold rams were
longwool breed, undoubtedly changing hands each year in
WWW.LEICESTERLONGWOOLSHEEPASSOCIATION.CO.UK
descended from sheep imported Gloucestershire alone, with the
A Leicester Longwool hogg and ram belonging by the Romans. In common with breed having also become
to Simon Johns at the last Royal Show others of a similar type, it rose to popular in many other parts of
great prominence during the the UK. A thriving export trade
Middle Ages – the famous wool had developed too, with
churches of the Cotswolds are, breeding sheep being shipped to
to this day, a lasting testament America, Australia and mainland
to the breed’s significance in Europe. The use of Cotswold
medieval times. rams on Hampshire Down ewes
The original Cotswold was a proved successful, and led to the
rather leggy sheep, but the development of a new breed –
breed rapidly adapted to market the Oxford Down (see above).
forces at the end of the 18th Today, Cotswold sheep are
Century by careful selection and categorised as a minority breed
LEICESTER LONGWOOL shrewd infusion of Leicester by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
bloodlines, resulting in a better (RBST), and is represented by an
The Leicester was the first of the British breeds to have been carcass animal. The Cotswold enthusiastic breed society.
improved (by Robert Bakewell, from around 1755) using a once again rose to prominence, MORE: See the society website,
systematic system of progeny recording, although there appears as rams of the improved breed www.cotswoldsheep.org.uk
to have been an old Leicester breed in existence for quite some
PAUL & YVONNE FROEHLICH
time before this. Some writers have suggest that it was, in fact,
the Old Lincoln that was used by Bakewell to create his New
(‘Dishley’) Leicester sheep, with rams of the New Leicester
subsequently being used back on the original stock to create an
improved Lincoln. We’ll probably never know for sure, as Robert
Bakewell kept few written records – his improvement programme
involved in-breeding (incest), which was strictly disapproved of by
the church, so he probably didn’t want to draw too much attention
to his methods! Be that as it may, his breeding techniques didn’t
go unnoticed, and influenced the future research of characters
such as Darwin and Mendel. Meanwhile, Bakewell’s Dishley
Leicesters have had a lasting effect on the development of other
sheep breeds, not only in the UK but worldwide. As a pure breed
they soon fell out of favour, but their capability as a crossing sire
was profound.
MORE: www.leicesterlongwoolsheepassociation.co.uk

July 2010 23

LIVESTOCK | BEES
Jules Moore explains how
to manage a swarm
ne of the worst things that can happen to a
O beekeeper is to lose a swarm of bees, as you
lose a large proportion of your workforce and
your queen, just as the honey flow is starting.
For the finder beekeeper, if there is one, it is
an unrivalled bonus – you have another queen to add
to your apiary and a hive of bees tuned in to working
hard to make a new home. Unfortunately, the vast
majority of swarms are not caught, and most of those
in the wild die out. It is best, therefore, to prevent them
if you can, but if you do find your bees have started to
swarm, it is important to try not to lose them.
So how do you catch tens of thousands of bees
whirling round your head? Actually, it is surprisingly
easy, although a lot depends on where they settle.
When a swarm dispatches from a hive, a few worker
bees will be sent off to scout for a new home. The rest
of the bees will gather together in a huge cluster
around the queen to protect her. Sometimes they will
gather on a fence post or an overhanging branch from
which you can retrieve them. If you are very unlucky,
they will go to the top of the tallest tree or down a
chimney and be almost impossible to reach, although
you can smoke them out of a chimney.
They will be easy to spot – a large buzzing mass of
bees hanging from a tree is an amazing sight and one
to be admired (from within a bee suit). To catch the
swarm, you need a large cardboard box and a large
white sheet. You spread the sheet out directly
underneath the swarm and then you lay the cardboard
box on top of the sheet, also directly under the swarm.
All this needs to be done promptly. There is nothing
more annoying than gathering all your equipment
24
CATCH
them if
you can
Beekeeper Gerard Baker
with his ‘girls’. Gerard
has written a book about
bees - see page 58
together and setting off down the garden, only to see
the swarm disperse and melt away in seconds as they
get the call to head for their new home.
You now have to get the bees into the box. You can
either give the branch a sharp tap, or brush them
swiftly from where they are positioned. Most will be
disorientated and will fall into the box, the queen
amongst them. Quickly turn the box over and prop up
one corner so the bees flying around can get in. The
bees around the entrance to the box will release scent
from their Nasonov glands and fan their wings, which
will attract the rest in.
Once all the bees have gathered in the box, wrap
them tightly in the sheet. Now prepare a new hive for
them. The need for comb for both eggs and food
storage is immediate, and they should be put on fresh
comb to make the most of their energy and
A swarm on a walnut tree enthusiasm. Include a frame of stores if you are lucky
enough to have one or, at the very least, one frame of
drawn comb to allow the queen to start laying
immediately. Place a queen excluder between the
brood chamber and the floor, so the queen cannot
escape. Now shake all the bees out of the box into the
brood chamber, making sure the queen hasn’t been
left behind, and rapidly close them up to let them
settle. If you feed them with sugar syrup, this will
further encourage them to draw the new comb.
Leave them to settle for 24-48 hours before
removing the queen excluder, and you should find
you have an energetic new colony ready to build up
numbers for the summer flow.
✎ Writer ----------------------------------------------------------
Jules Moore runs courses on beekeeping and other
smallholding topics at Mumbleys Farmhouse, South
Gloucestershire. Find out more at
Catching a swarm www.mumbleysfarmhouse.co.uk
July 2010
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July 2010 25
LIVESTOCK | CATTLE
A happy herd
Jules Moore’s cows were
pleased to have fresh grass.
Now she looks forward to
their first calf
ith the arrival of good weather, we have
W at last been able to reduce the amount
of hay for the cattle, although we still
give them a small amount each time
they run out, whilst we learn how much
grass they require to provide them with their daily
needs. The late arrival of spring meant we had to
buy in a lot of extra hay, which is a lesson we have
taken on board for next winter. The cattle were
immensely pleased to finally be moved onto some
fresh grazing from the ground they had overwintered
on, kicking up their heels and galloping about
before settling down to a good meal.
Unfortunately, spring also sees the arrival of flies.
They can be a great nuisance to cattle and sheep,
laying their eggs in the animals’ coats. The resultant
maggots hatch out and burrow into their flesh. We
have sprayed the cattle with a proprietary product
available from our local farmers’ merchants, though
assessing their size to calculate the correct dose
was tricky and we had to get some advice. The
liquid, which comes with a useful set of instructions
26
50% grants
for courses
Smallholders in the South West
can now benefit from a 50%
training grant towards the cost of
training courses through the
Vocational Training Scheme. Our
smallholding, Mumbleys
Farmhouse, just north of Bristol,
offers a range of beginners
courses which are now eligible
for funding for
delegates with a
holding number in
the South West.
We are thrilled that,
Jules Moore
with the support of
the Royal Agricultural College,
the courses are now more
accessible to local people.
Giving people the knowledge
they need to have the confidence
to make a start in smallholding is
fantastic and they go away fired
up with enthusiasm.
■ For details of our courses, see
www.mumbleysfarmhouse.co.uk
or call 01454 415296.
Jules Moore’s
Shetland cattle
and illustrations and a dispensing attachment, is
squirted along their backs and should provide them
with protection for the next couple of months, when it
will need to be reapplied.
The normal routine with cows is that they have a
calf every year so, with the onset of new births, the
next major event we had to face was weaning the
current calves from the cows. This is best done when
the calf is about eight months old. It is important to
do this so the cow has a chance to dry up her milk
yield and recuperate from the physical demands of
feeding the calf as well. It is also vital that the calf
gets out of the habit of feeding from the cow before
the new calf is born, as it will steal the colostrum, or
first milk, needed for the health and immunity of the
newborn.
We were given two very opposite pieces of advice
on how to wean – one idea is to separate the mother
and offspring and put them as far as possible from
each other, preferably out of earshot until they forget
about each other’s existence, and the other is that
they should be kept within sight, sound and touch of
each other, but unable to suckle.
We opted for the latter method, as we had heard
many horror stories of calves bellowing for days on
end and didn’t have anywhere else to put the cows
anyway, except in the barn, which is well within
earshot. It was with great trepidation that I lured the
cows into the holding pen in the field, whilst keeping
the calves at bay. We slammed the hurdle shut and
July 2010
waited with bated breath. For a long while, the

LIVESTOCK | CATTLE
calves didn’t really notice and, once they did, they
made very little fuss, as they could reach their
mothers to touch. After a few days in the pen, we felt
the cows had overcome any urge to feed their
young, and let them onto some fresh grazing with
five strands of electric tape and wire up to 5ft high
between mothers and offspring. This may have been
overkill, but we did not want either party to even
consider jumping the fence, so sturdy posts and
extra tape have been added to our normal electric
fence. The cows were so pleased to be back on
grass that they barely noticed the calves and settled
down immediately. All in all, it was a huge success,
and is definitely the method of choice for future
years, as it was an almost stress-free experience.
The only area of doubt that still remains is the length
of time they need to be apart. The vet advised us
that the cows would stop producing milk within a

The cattle were immensely

pleased to finally be moved
onto some fresh grazing from
the ground they had GLOUCESTERS: make excellent house cows as well as
overwintered on, kicking up producing superb beef. They are
their heels and galloping about A TOUGH strikingly beautiful and ideal for

before settling down to a NATIVE BREED parkland and conservation

good meal.
week, but the general wisdom amongst our farming
friends was that they should be kept apart for at
least a month, just to make sure the calves didn’t try
to suckle. A shorter period of time would be more
convenient as the grazing rotation was held up by
the process, with the cattle occupying two lots of
land.
Vet’s visit
Whilst the cows were in the holding pen, we took the
opportunity to call the vet out and get them PD’d.
(Pregnancy Diagnosis). The vet can tell you whether
your cow is pregnant and give a fairly accurate
assessment of when she is due. Unfortunately, we
have discovered that Rosalind is not in calf, which is
a bit of a blow, though she has had a number of
previous calves, so hopefully we will be able to get
her in calf again for next year. If a cow does not
produce a calf for two years in a row, it can affect her
The Gloucester is one of Britain’s oldest
dairy breeds. They have always been
valued for their meat, and the breed
society pays great attention to ensuring
good conformation as well as milking
ability. Indeed, it is now more common
to find them selected for beef.
They are a distinctive mahogany colour
with a white back stripe, tail and
underside. Breed standards are very
specific for show animals, and
mismarked cattle are eligible for entry
on the Society's pedigree database, but
are not allowed to breed pedigree bulls.
A tough, native breed, Gloucesters
Regulations
The British Cattle Movement
management. They produce food
'slowly' for maximum taste and Single
and Double Gloucester cheese are
world famous, though only the Single
Gloucester has a ‘Protected Designation
of Origin’.
The most famous Gloucester cow was
Blossom, who in 1796 provided the first
anti-smallpox serum to Sir Edward
Jenner as he noticed that milkmaids
were free of smallpox.
The breed is categorised as Category 4
(At Risk) with the Rare Breeds Survival
Trust.
■ MORE: Contact the Gloucester Cattle
Society on www.gloucestercattle.org.uk
or call 01926 651147.
fertility, but the vet could not find any medical reason
why she had not conceived, so we will try again later
in the summer.

Jules Moore
Service (part of the RPA) issue all
feeds Rosalind
cattle owners with the Cattle Keepers
Handbook which includes details of
birth registration and ear
tagging.Tagging must happen in the
first 20 days and registration in the
first 27 days after birth. Once
registered, the calf will be issued with
a passport, which will stay with
him/her for the rest of her life.
Unlike sheep and pigs, you only need
to inform BCMS of movements
on/off your holding, not where they
are going/have come from (though
your farm records should have this).
In the meantime, we are looking forward to our
first calf on the holding. Imogen will calve outside
and should have a trouble-free birth, as she has
done this many times before, and Shetlands have a
good reputation for being easy calvers. Signs of
imminent birth are that her bones will ‘drop’ as her
pelvis starts to relax, which looks as though she has
suddenly developed a large hollow either side of her
tail. Her udder should enlarge and may even dribble
colostrum and she will start mooing softly as she
talks to her calf. If she has any problems, we will call
the vet out to her, but hopefully she will manage by
herself, and I look forward to sharing this with you in
my next article, which will talk about getting the
cows mated and the options available

July 2010 27

LIVESTOCK | PONIES
Time to test a
working pony
Is there a viable future for pony power? Tim and Dot
Tyne intend to find out. Their first task was to find a
suitable animal - and the one they chose was Tiki ....
ast month, as you may recall, I rounded off my
L piece on the pros and cons of traditional horse
power by setting myself a challenge: to
attempt to prove, once and for all, whether or
not there is a viable future for pony power on
productive smallholdings.
Most people embarking on a trial of this nature
would probably already have a pony. In many ways,
this may be seen as an advantage, but it could also
lead to rather biased conclusions being drawn – no
one would want to admit to the experiment being a
failure, if the future of a much-loved family pony were
at stake! Here, however, we’re starting with a blank
28
Welsh ponies
Founded in 1901, The Welsh Pony
& Cob Society is the largest of
Britain's Native Breed Societies.
The society's membership is
worldwide, reflecting the popularity
and versatility of Welsh Ponies and
Cobs. The Welsh Stud Book
contains the breeding details of four
'Sections' of Welsh Pony/Cob.
To find out more, visit the website
www.wpcs.uk.com
TIM TYNE
Our new pony is totally
impervious to the
comings and goings of a
busy farmyard, and the
children can do pretty
much anything with him
canvas, and no pre-conceptions. Having ascertained
that, by sub-dividing a currently under-utilised area
of rough land close to our yard and buildings, we
could provide grazing for a small native pony
without encroaching on any of our existing farming
activities, we went in search of a suitable animal!
It had been suggested that a former child’s riding
pony can be brought into harness work with minimal
further training, and, indeed, this is how many
people initially get involved in the world of driving –
children grow up, leave home, and expect mum and
dad to continue to exercise their outgrown mount!
Certainly it’s preferable to allowing the animal to
become fat, bored and laminitic. We made a few
tentative enquiries amongst friends who we knew
had idle pet ponies standing about, which might be
glad of a bit of activity, but, given that the average
age of the animals in question was about 24, we
decided we’d have to buy in something a bit
younger! Having said that, we determined not to
spend much.
Relying on the local grapevine to inform us of
where we might find something appropriate, we
began looking for a native type pony in the region of
11 – 12.2hh. We felt that this size and specification
would give us optimum pulling power with minimal
maintenance costs. An up-to-(or over-) height
July 2010
Section ‘A’ would have done the trick. Scores of
these pretty little Welsh ponies change hands at
auctions every autumn, often for as little as £50 each.
Last year, with the prospect of a hard winter ahead, I
heard of prices as low as £2.50, with weaned colt
foals being available ‘free to a good home’. However,
these semi-feral ponies are essentially little more
than wild creatures, and we were not really game for
breaking and training an unhandled animal. We
wanted this experiment, whether successful or not,
to be a pleasurable experience – and besides, any
kind of livestock that’s offered free to a good home is
best avoided.
Eventually a neighbour who is active in the local
equestrian scene told us of a four-year-old coloured
pony for sale, that she said was “just made for
driving” (head like a duchess, backside like a pastry
cook…), but, at under 11hh, would he be too small?
We thought so, but went to have a look anyway.
Was this the one?
First impressions count for a lot, and our first
impression was that yes, indeed, this was the right
sort for the job in hand, but oh! so small! We were
informed that he was the result of a misalliance
between someone’s Section ‘A’ riding pony and a
miniature stallion, but what sort of miniature we
could only guess at! Falabella? That couldn’t possibly
have given him those feathery ‘cart horse’ legs.
Miniature Shetland? No, he didn’t have an ugly
enough head to have been sired by a Shetland. It
mattered not. Temperament and conformation were
the principal considerations, with breeding being of
no significance whatsoever. However, the measuring
stick put him at only 10.3hh, barely taller than a full
size Shetland, and, at £300, the price was a little
more than we’d hoped to have to pay. We went away
to think it over…
On the positive side of the
equation, we’d seen an
attractive, sociable and
healthy little pony, with
a nice action and the
type of conformation
we were looking
for. He’d been with
the same owner
from birth, and
was clearly well
handled and
totally
unflappable.
Although not
formally ‘broken
in’, he was well-
used to having
children
clambering onto
his back and
taking him off down
the country lanes.
Having spent some
time in a roadside
A carthorse in miniature. Where
did he get those feathery legs?
July 2010
CHOOSING
A NAME FOR
THIS NICE
LITTLE PONY
As expected, our new pony is
totally impervious to the normal
comings and goings of a busy
farmyard, and will trot along
quite happily beside me when
I’m driving the tractor – if I open
the door to shoo him away, he
pokes his head inside to see
what I’m up to! With cattle he’s
clearly quite at home, and he
completely ignores the sheep.
He takes no notice of the dogs
either (unless they pester him,
which isn’t often), and will let the
children do pretty much anything
with him. He was, initially,
inclined to be rather nippy,
probably as a result of always
having had his own way in the
matter of tit-bits, so we made it a
golden rule not to feed him
anything from our hands, and
not to carry any feed in our
pockets. It didn’t take him long to
learn that he was wasting his
time begging, and he now keeps
his teeth to himself!
He had a long and rather
complicated name when he
came, which we shortened to
Tiki. With his straggly beard and
flowing blonde mane, we think
he bears an uncanny
resemblance to the disreputable,
yet defiant, appearance of Thor
Heyerdahl and his colleagues at
the end of their crossing of the
Pacific Ocean on the balsa raft
Kon-Tiki. One thing that can be
said for the small, organic, balsa-
wood raft is that it’ll pick its way
unscathed through seas that
would smash bits off a big steel
vessel. I wonder if there are
some parallels here? We’re
intending to work our little pony
on the mountainside, where the
land is too rough for the big steel
tractor…
LIVESTOCK | PONIES
With his
straggly
beard and
flowing
blonde mane
he reminds us
of the crew of
the Kon-Tiki
paddock in Manchester, he was totally unfazed by
heavy traffic or machinery. For our purposes, this
type of upbringing would stand him in better stead
than any amount of structured schooling. He had
youth on his side, too. On the other hand, he was too
small and too expensive.
In the end we decided to sacrifice height for good
temperament, and felt that the asking price was
justified by the fact that he came with a full set of
tack and various pieces of equipment – at least if our
experiment failed we’d be able to sell him on as a
child’s riding pony. (To be fair, I think that, had he
been just a few inches taller, the vendor could have
asked for, and got, a much, much higher price for
such a good-natured animal).
We fetched him home one wild night in
November, and it was testament to his character that
he walked straight into our torch-lit livestock trailer
without batting an eyelid. We travelled him loose,
and he chose to face rearwards, the way all equines
prefer to travel if given the choice. Certainly, it’s less
stressful than the tied-up, forward-facing method
more commonly employed. When we arrived, he
looked as cheerful as when we left, despite the
bumpy ride through a howling gale! It seemed a
little unfair to chuck him straight out into an unknown
field in the dark and the wind and rain, so we put him
in a loose yard in the big shed, together with a group
of heifers. He quickly made himself at home,
shouldering the cattle away from the feed barrier to
snatch a mouthful of hay. I hadn’t budgeted on
feeding him! Needless to say, when he’d settled in
and got used to us all, we lost no time in turning him
out! In the whole of the seven months that he’s been
here, I should think he’s eaten less than a bale of hay,
and has cost us around £45 for vaccination and
wormers.
NEXT MONTH: Harness and equipment.
✎ Writer --------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Tim Tyne, visit
www.viableselfsufficiency.co.uk or email
info@viableselfsufficiency.co.uk
29
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30 July 2010

Feeding your weaners
Liz Shankland continues her
series on pig-keeping for
beginners
eeding your pigs is one of those subjects wide
F open to debate. Ask a dozen pig-keepers what
they prefer to feed and how much, and you will
get a dozen different replies.
When you're just starting off rearing pigs to pork
weight, the simplest and most foolproof way is to buy
in a ready-made feed which provides a well-
balanced diet in an easy-to-serve form.
Some people will tell you they mix their own
feeds, often a combination of traditional cereals such
as barley, wheat, maize, and oats, with added
vitamins and minerals for good measure. However,
unless you have the time, knowledge, and plenty of
dry, vermin-proof storage space, I'd recommend
sticking to bagged feed – at least until you have
found your feet and have had time to do your own
research. The main objective at this stage, when you
are caring for your first weaners, is to raise healthy
pigs which grow well and produce great pork.
I don't mix my own feed, simply because I've
been pleased with the results from proprietary
feeds. Feeding ready-made pellets is no hassle, the
bags are a manageable size, and the feed stays fresh
until I am ready to use it.
July 2010
My view is that the big feed companies have
spent decades employing scientists and nutritionists
to work out the perfect balance of ingredients, so
why should I, as a complete amateur, think I could
do better? Last year, I started a part-time animal
science degree course, and had to get to grips with
formulating rations for horses and dogs. I would be
lying if I said I enjoyed it. Life is too short to spend
working out digestible energy levels with a scientific
calculator.
The definite no-nos
We'll talk more later about the variety of things you
can feed, but, first, it's vitally important to know what
you can't feed. The old days, when pig-keepers
saved all kinds of food scraps, are long gone. The
foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 was traced back to
a farm where pigs had been fed unprocessed waste
food. The epidemic that followed saw more than six
million animals slaughtered. Exports were
suspended, and the total cost of the outbreak - to the
farming industry, to the public sector, and to tourism
and the rural economy - was estimated at £9 billion.
It is now illegal to feed any kitchen waste to farm
animals, whether from catering establishments or
residential properties – even if the food prepared is
vegetarian. Some people might see this decision as
a little Draconian, but a total ban does, at least,
remove any misunderstandings and grey areas.
There are a few exceptions, including waste milk ➜
Liz Shankland feeding
Tamworth weaners.
LIVESTOCK | PIGS
GERRY TOMS
Water
LIZ SHANKLAND
The importance of water should
never be forgotten. You’ll be
surprised how much a pig can drink
during a day – often as much as
10 litres for an adult. I found it was
worth investing in plastic trough
drinkers which refill themselves.
Once connected to the water supply,
your worries about pigs going
thirsty are over - unless, of course,
they manage to disconnect the pipe,
knock over the drinking bath, or
wreck it completely by trying to
climb inside on a hot day!
31
 LIZ SHANKLAND

and milk products. However, both you and the

LIVESTOCK | PIGS

person supplying the products have to register with

Defra. More information is available from the Defra Oxford Sandy & Black
helpline (08459 335577) or the online at piglets at weaning age.
www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/byproducts/guidance/
register.htm
You can source fruit and vegetables from non-
catering premises, but this can only be from
premises which either don't handle those materials
which cannot be fed to pigs, or have Hazard Analysis
Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures in place
to ensure that what is being provided is kept
completely separate from banned materials. If in
doubt, contact your local Animal Health Divisional
Office for clarification.

Off-the-shelf foods
When your weaners leave their mother, they will
have got used to eating solid food. From around two
to three weeks' old, the piglets will have started
showing an interest in their mother's food and,
around the same time, the breeder may have
introduced a ‘creep’ feed – a fine, pelletted food
(similar in appearance to layers' pellets), which has a
protein content much higher than the mother's
ration. Sow nuts or rolls are normally around 16%,
whereas creep feed can be as high as 25%,
depending on the manufacturer.
By the time you buy your weaners, they may
probably be on grower pellets, which are bigger
than creep pellets, but have a slightly lower protein
content (still higher than normal sow pellets). This
food can be fed up to pork weight. You may also see
a ‘finisher’ feed advertised. This can be fed towards Liz Shankland's feeding guide for pork pigs
the end of the rearing process, from about 16 weeks,
and is supposedly formulated to stop the pigs laying Approx
more energy than docile breeds; in cold
down too much fat. age in Food per day* weather I always feed a little extra
Confused? Well, I'll let you into a secret: I don't weeks because the pigs need additional ‘fuel’ for
bother with all these different formulations. When I keeping warm. And don't forget the old
first started buying in Tamworth weaners to rear for 8 1.5lb / 0.7kg farmers' rule of ‘feeding by eye’. If your
meat, I was advised to feed sow nuts or rolls (16%) 12 2.5lb/ 1.1kg pigs look too thin, they need more food; if
all the way through. That has worked for me for 16 3.5lb/ 1.6kg they are too fat, cut back a little.
many, many years now, and I'm sticking to it. 3lb /1.4kg I split the daily feed ration into two
18
Last year, I went to a nutrition talk given by one of portions, to avoid bloating and scouring
20 3lb /1.4kg
the big feed manufacturers, and was convinced (diarrhoea). It also gives the pigs
24 3lb /1.4kg
enough by the patter to invest in some of their creep something to look forward to, and means
and grower food. I thought it was worth giving it a *This is split into two feeds. I have more chance of spotting changes
go, despite the additional expense (between £2 and in health and behaviour.
£3 per bag), as I was curious to see if there would I prefer to feed by scattering the food
be any noticeable difference. There wasn't - apart My meat pigs have their feed evenly across the ground, so that
from the extra money I paid out. If your weaners are reduced at 18 weeks (when PHOTO BY: all the pigs have a good
LIZ SHANKLAND
a modern breed and you are looking to produce they start to lay down chance of getting all they
pork quickly – say, in four months instead of six – it fat), and stay on this need to eat. If it's really
may be worth paying the extra. However, with maintenance diet muddy, I use a trough,
traditional, slow-growing breeds, which have a until slaughter. When because otherwise
tendency to run to fat, I reckon you can't go wrong I'm rearing for much of the food gets
with feeding a sow ration right through. I provide as bacon, I keep them trodden into the
much fresh fruit and veg as I can, but I treat this as a on this same ration ground. The trough
supplement - not as a partial replacement for the until they reach about should be big enough
pellets. Try and save money by swapping feed for 32 weeks. This method to allow all your animals
fruit and veg and your pigs will lose condition. works well for me with to feed at the same time. If
Tamworths, but breeds not, fights will break out and
✎ Writer -------------------------------------------------------- will vary slightly. Other factors the less forceful pigs will be
To find out more about Liz Shankland, visit affect growth: active pigs like mine use pushed out of the way.
www.lizshankland.com or see
www.countrysmallholding.com and click on Writers NEXT MONTH: Treats for pigs that you can grow in your own garden.

32 July 2010
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 ALAN BEAT

High in health benefits, and not too

GrowYourOwn
difficult to grow either, legumes
GYO | LEGUMES

should be a big part of any vegetable

garden, says Brian Callaghan

Green and pleasant

THOMPSON & MORGAN

Peas

Brian’s best veg

May: Potatoes With a square-ended hoe, create flat drills 150mm wide
June: Cabbages and 80mm deep, and into these sow three staggered
lines of seeds 25mm apart. Cover with soil and firm.
July: Peas and Green Beans
– Runner, French etc. Allow 45cms between each drill to enable easy picking
once the crop is mature and support dwarf varieties
Aug: Carrots with old tree prunings pushed into the ground. The
Sept: Salads taller types will require a tent-shaped framework of
Oct: Cucurbits and bamboo canes covered with pea netting erected to one
tomatoes side of the row.
Nov: Squashes Being high in protein, pea seeds are highly sought after
as food for mice and other creatures. If this is a
Dec: Brassicas – the rest of
the family particular problem, then sow under cover in deep boxes
and plant out later, or, sow the seed in gutters. Take a
Jan: Parsnips
length of plastic guttering (the square, flat-bottomed
Feb: Broad Beans type is best as it sits upright on a glasshouse bench),

I
recently came across some advice in an old
Mar: Turnips and Swedes book on vegetable growing. “The [pea] seed attach two end stops and fill it with a loam-based
Apr: Sweetcorn compost. Sow three lines of seeds 25mm apart along
should be soaked in a mixture of paraffin and
the length of the guttering and cover with compost.
red lead for a couple of hours” to provide “the Keep it moist until the seeds have germinated and then
necessary protection from birds and mice”. excavate a drill as described above. Thoroughly soak
While this is probably a very effective preventative
Permaculture measure, it would tend to detract from the overall
the compost in the guttering and then holding the
guttering at 45 degrees to the drill; carefully shake the
Creative solutions guttering whilst sliding the strip of peas into the drill.
health benefits of this crop, and legumes have more
Page 37
than most. They are low in fat and cholesterol, are a
Urban self- good source of fibre and protein, with this group
forming a primary source of protein in most deprived of water and nutrients. Poor flower set, loss
sufficiency vegetarian diets. Legumes are not too difficult to of flowers and a premature end to growth are typical
The joys of wild food grow either - even without the red lead and paraffin. symptoms of the above.
Page 39 Although not difficult to grow, nevertheless some
James’ diary legumes will benefit from careful management. Due
to their susceptibility to frost, peas, runner and
Soil
To this end the soil should be deeply cultivated,
Be water wise
Page 40 French beans have a relatively short growing season fertile, and not too acid. Ideally, carry out cultivations
in the UK climate and will quickly show the effects if in the autumn, adding well-rotted manure, or

34 July 2010
ALAN BEAT

Runner Runner beans are deep-rooting,

Growing tips

GYO | LEGUMES
hungry and thirsty plants and benefit
beans enormously from being grown on
compost trenches as detailed below.
with Brian Callaghan
Despite being perennials, this very
tender crop is most commonly grown
as an annual in the UK, the dramatic
collapse of the plants in September,
or October, often signifying the first
frost of winter. If you have problems
with mice, and do not wish to resort
to paraffin and red lead, then sow
indoors in boxes in April or,
alternatively, outdoors in May to
avoid any late frosts damaging the
newly-emerged plants.
Erect a tent-style framework of
bamboo canes, ensuring it is
sufficiently sturdy to cope with strong
winds as, when covered with
vegetation, it presents a considerable
sail-like barrier to the movement of air.
Sow two seeds at the base of each
cane (to allow for failures), with the
canes being 200mm apart in the row
with 600mm between the rows.
Indoor–grown transplants should be
thoroughly watered and planted out General
on a cool, overcast day. Continue Water as early in the morning as
with regular watering until the possible to ensure most of the
transplants are established, but keep moisture goes into the ground rather
moist throughout the life of the plant, than evaporates into the atmosphere.
especially once flowering begins.
Install automatic vents in
glasshouses to regulate temperature
THOMPSON & MORGAN and reduce watering demand.

Broad beans Fruit

compost, as you work. Rake the soil down to a tilth in
spring and, after planting, ensure adequate water is
supplied over the life of crop, but especially once
flower production begins.
Alternatively, excavate a 300mm deep trench in
the area to be planted and over the winter add layers
of kitchen waste to this, covering each layer with one
of soil to deter vermin. Compost trenches such as
these help provide easy access for the roots of the
new plants in spring, a source of moisture and
nutrients as the legumes develop and an efficient
means of disposing of waste.
Harvesting
Unlike many other vegetable crops, regular
harvesting is obligatory with legumes. Once they
come on stream, the pods need to be picked on a
weekly basis even if they are not needed. Give away
any unwanted produce to neighbours or friends, or
even consign it to the compost heap rather than
leave it on the vine. The single aim of any plant is to
ensure the continued existence of its` genes rather
than to provide us with nourishment. Allowing pods
to mature into the seed-carrying vessels they are
designed to be is the quickest way to convince the
plant it has achieved its end and result in the
cessation of further flower and pod production.
Fresh produce is always the best, so pick regularly
and often.
Although broad beans can be sown in autumn, a safer
bet is to wait until early spring, or to sow in boxes
indoors in late January and transplant into their final
position when they are large enough to handle. Plant in
double rows, 200mm apart, with 200mm between each
plant. Allowing 600m between each double row should
provide sufficient space for growth and access.
Most broad beans will require a support system. An
effective and simple method is to insert metre-long tree
prunings into the soil alongside the plants when they
are approximately 250mm high. Alternatively, wooden
uprights with crosspieces arranged like the Cross of
Lorraine are placed at the end of each row with string
running between each cross providing the support.
It will be a rare season when the black bean aphid
does not reveal its` presence. Colonies of black aphids
usually appear on the upper stems of plants from late
May onwards causing direct physical damage and
transmitting viruses. Pinch out the top 100mm of the
plant to remove the pest and spray with soft soap to
control further infestations.
Carry out summer pruning of restricted
forms of fruit espaliers, cordons etc to
reduce unwanted vigour.
Regularly water all fruit thoroughly
during dry periods.
Vegetables
Continue with successive sowings of
lettuce, general salads and spring
onions.
Pay careful attention to the watering
of all newly-planted material which
is yet to establish.
Sow spring cabbage and overwintering
red cabbage and onions.
Pinch out runner bean tips once they
reach top of support.
Lawns
Increase frequency of cutting to cope
with growth rather than scalping the
lawn now and again. Leave major lawn
repairs till wetter conditions arrive.
Ornamentals
All frost-sensitive bedding and
hanging baskets can now be moved
outside, remembering to establish a
regular watering routine.
Prune Philadelphus, Deutzia and
Spiraea once flowering has finished.

July 2010 35
 How to get the best from your legumes, by Carol Wilson
GYO | LEGUMES

FO
OD
Bursting with flavour
Broad beans, runner beans, French beans and peas are at
their peak just now, sparklingly fresh, vibrant, and bursting RECIPE Broad Bean Bruschetta
with flavour.
Broad beans have a protective skin which becomes leathery These make a delicious light
as the beans mature. Peel this off to reveal the sweet, tender lunch or side dish at a
part of the bean. Avoid pods bulging with beans, as this is an barbecue. The lemon-infused
indication of age. Steam or boil the beans with just enough oil really brings out the
water to cover, (don’t add salt as the skins tend to toughen) for two to five flavour of the broad beans.
minutes until tender.
French beans or Green beans are small green beans that are eaten in the long 500g fresh broad beans,
green pods. The green bean used to have a fibrous ‘string’, down the centre of podded
the pod; but this has largely been bred out of the species. Steam or simmer in 1 tablespoon Lemon Infused
salted boiling water for a few minutes until tender, but still crisp. Olive Oil (from Waitrose)
Runner beans are tender and succulent when young. The pods should snap 10g fresh mint, chopped
easily to reveal a fresh and juicy inside. Top and tail, and remove the stringy 10g fresh basil, torn
bits running up both sides. Very small young beans can be served whole, either 1 French loaf
raw or briefly cooked. Larger runner beans should be finely sliced (diagonally) 1 clove garlic
so that the skin cooks relatively quickly, before the seeds have become too 125g Buffalo Mozzarella, drained and roughly torn
soft. Runner beans can be boiled, steamed or stir-fried. Extra basil leaves and olive oil, to serve
Green Peas, also known as garden peas, are enclosed in a green pod. Small
young peas or early summer peas are wonderfully sweet and tender with a Cook the broad beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, until just tender.
delightful flavour and are well worth the trouble of shelling. They need only the Drain well, refresh in cold water and drain again. Slip each bean out of
briefest boiling. Shell the peas just before you cook them in boiling water with its skin into a large bowl – you should end up with about 300g of
a pinch of sugar for about two to three minutes. Alternatively, toss fresh peas bright emerald green beans. Lightly crush the beans with a fork, Stir in
in a little butter or oil for two minutes. the lemon-infused oil and herbs. Cut the bread into 14 x 2.5cm thick
Sugar peas or mange-tout (eat-it-all) with their tiny peas and tender pods can slices on the diagonal. Toast the bread on both sides (on the barbecue if
be cooked and eaten whole in their pods. using) Rub the toast with the garlic clove. Scoop some of the broad bean
... look out for our new series on making the most of your
mixture on top of each piece of toast. Top with the torn mozzarella,
Next vegetables in the kitchen with our new writer Christine Tilbury, garnish with a basil leaf and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Sprinkle
month... principal tutor, Cordon Vert School for the Vegetarian Society with freshly ground black pepper.

THOMPSON & MORGAN

POOR Cheap fertiliser

SETTING French beans Although not a crop in itself, many legumes can be
employed to improve the quality of our growing
This is a term used to generally, reducing reliance on external supplies of
describe the failure to fertilizer. The key nutrient involved in plant growth is
produce flowers or for those nitrogen. Despite having an atmosphere consisting
flowers to develop into of nearly 80% nitrogen, this is in a form that is not
pods. It is common problem available to plants. One way of making it available is
with legumes, especially by growing members of the pea and bean family.
runner beans, and is usually A common, soil-dwelling bacterium, Rhizobium,
caused by the one or more invades the roots of legumes and multiplies. The
of the following: nutrients and energy for this is supplied by the plant.
• Absence of bees In return the bacterium is able to change the
• Insufficient water atmospheric nitrogen into a form useable by the
• Inadequate shelter These crop after broad beans but before runner beans host plant. When the plant dies and breaks down,
• Unseasonably cool and, in my opinion, are much easier to digest than either this nitrogen is released and made available for the
weather conditions of the other two. Whilst broad beans will germinate at benefit of successive crops. It is estimated that
ALAN BEAT temperatures as low as 6°C, French beans need a soil where a leguminous green manure is grown as part
temperature of at least 13°C. They have an intense of the overall regime, this can result in savings in the
dislike for the cold, wet springs often encountered in the region of 35 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare.
UK so delay sowing this crop outdoors until around mid-
May if conditions are poor. Alternatively, sow indoors in

S
o, there you have it. Very little fat, lots of protein
February in boxes in a loam-based compost. Plant out and fibre, money saved on fertilisers and less
as soon as conditions allow, spacing at 15cms in the environmental damage to boot.
Healthy flowers are key to rows and 30cms between the rows.
healthy legumes

36 July 2010

Creative solutions
This month we discover how URBAN AIDS
some solutions can really A very urban environment will
make the problem worthwhile! have few problems with rabbits
he Chinese have an expression that goes
T something like 'may you live in interesting
times'. Sounds quite friendly, doesn't it? In
fact, it's considered a curse because, to the
Chinese, interesting times mean trouble.
Well, interesting times are certainly upon us, but
whether that means trouble depends on your
outlook. The sixth permaculture principle to be
examined in this series states that 'the problem is
the solution', which at first glance seems just the sort
of thing an inscrutable Chinese scholar might say.
Simply put, it means that every problem you face will
also bring with it an opportunity to find a solution
and, what's more, that the solution may be more
significant than the original problem. This is more
than just a positive attitude; it's about making the
very best of any situation, getting the most from your
resources and turning every challenge to your
advantage.
Let's take the example of an inner-city dweller
who wants to produce some of their own food. The
obvious problem this person must overcome is a
lack of space, and particularly outdoor space, for
July 2010
or deer, and may even be free of
slugs and snails. There is also an
excellent chance that water and
electricity are available on site,
with plenty of hard surfaces from
which rainwater can be collected.
Surrounding buildings also offer
shelter from strong winds, and
large conurbations can be a
degree or two warmer than the
surrounding countryside –
particularly at night. This means
city dwellers might make use of
vertical space by growing kiwis
or grapes in a sheltered spot,
while tomatoes and chillies will
crop more successfully.
Of course there are limitations in
terms of volume of production,
but there are other areas in
which urban growing excels. If
you concentrate on developing
these areas, you can more than
compensate for other factors.
PAUL WAGLAND
Short of growing space? How about
using hanging baskets - or something
even more original ...
growing. A built-up urban environment will have little
or no open ground, and that which is available may
be unusable (such as parks) or in huge demand
(such as local allotments).
It would be easy for this person to give up before
they'd begun, but let's consider the opportunities
this situation presents. Firstly, you don't need to grow
in open ground – you can use pots and containers.
These could be situated on windowsills, patios or (if
you're lucky) an area of flat roof. Window boxes are
another great way to increase both your growing
space and the quality of your local environment,
while some of the most nutritious and valuable crops
(such as sprouting seeds and herbs) can be grown
next to the kitchen sink.
There are also disused and abandoned places in
most urban landscapes and local residents will be
unlikely to complain (or possibly even notice) if a
few squash plants appear in the grounds of a
derelict building, or if a patch of roadside brambles
suddenly develops a potato-filled clearing. This is
known as guerilla gardening (Google awaits you),
and it brings with it all kinds of opportunities to
improve your neighbourhood.
NEXT MONTH: We've covered the basic
permaculture principles, so now let's look at
how they might be applied on a typical
smallholding.
37
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38 July 2010
WILD Dave Hamilton finds a tasty
treat while foraging for wild
food during a coastal walk

for food
There are so many edible
goodies growing wild
t the start of the wild food walks I lead down

A here in Devon, I often begin with a question:

“What do you think of when you hear the
term wild food?” I normally get a list of
around ten plants, including nettle, wild
garlic, dandelion and, occasionally, specific
mushrooms, such as the giant puffball or the morel.
Wild foods are all of these, and a lot more. The
term simply refers to something which hasn't been
purposely cultivated, but still has an edible use. This
can range from foods you might recognise in the
greengrocer’s, such as apple, plum or chestnut, to
common garden plants such as fuchsia, with it's
edible flowers and berries, and the mallow, which
can be used as an egg substitute.

Knotweed crumble
It even makes invasive plants fair game, as both
Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam have
edible uses. When knotweed is first emerging, it
resembles asparagus in appearance, and it's these
shoots which can be used in just the same way as
rhubarb. In the past, I've served up knotweed
crumble to unsuspecting guests who happily
munched it down, in the firm belief they were
eating rhubarb. Not one of them suspected a
thing (although I did eventually tell them)!
Himalayan balsam, on the other hand, has
edible seeds and flowers. The flowers can be used
in salads and have a sort of peppery taste to them,
whereas the seeds taste a bit like walnuts and can
be used in the same way as sesame seeds or poppy
seeds. However, both these plants do come with a
warning. I may be preaching to the converted here,
but both are called invasive weeds for a very good
reason. Himalayan balsam has explosive seed pods
which can fire seeds up to 20ft away, and each plant
can form hundreds, if not thousands, of seeds. With
knotweed, it is an offence to spread the plant. This is
very easy to do as it needs only a small amount of
material (any of the plant) to grow. So if you are
preparing it to eat, you must never put the remains in
the compost; instead, dry it out and burn ALL the
remains.
Some of our edible plants, unfortunately, don't
share the tenacity of knotweed. Picking them may
not only rob the local wildlife of a meal, but may
also threaten their existence in that area. For this
reason, I only pick a little at a time and from as
many places as possible. Going bounding into
an area and stripping it of all its worth may upset
the balance of nature and could have serious
knock-on effects up the food chain. A bag of
Do be careful with
mushrooms, and make sure
foraged hazelnuts may make a nice evening snack
they are safe to eat for you but, for the dormouse, it can be the
difference between life or death on a cold night.
Wild food is the ultimate in local and organic food
and a great way to mark the seasons. Each year, I
It's amazing how you can look at a look forward to the fresh leaves of spring, the
landscape differently when the only succulent fruits of summer and the carbohydrate
real question you are asking each rich nuts and roots of autumn and winter. Rather than
plant is 'can I eat you?'. Suddenly worry about food miles, you will be surprised what
whole hedgerows are transformed you may find to eat just feet from your door.
into supermarket shelves, garden
weeds become salad bags, and parks ✎ Writer --------------------------------------------------------
and gardens become a veritable For more about Dave Hamilton, see
cornucopia of edible goodies. www.selfsufficientish.com or
www.countrysmallholding.com and click on Writers

July 2010 39
WATER | JAMES
Be water
WISE
uly is a time of year when our ducks are being
J closely followed by their ducklings and our
peas are providing fresh green pods that we
eat as we stroll around the garden. All in all, it
is an abundant month when the hard work
from early in the year is obvious for all to see. Plants
look like they are going to erupt with fruit, and there
is a rarely a patch of spare earth visible beneath the
mulch and towering vegetables crowding for the
summer sun. I would say that July is a month to
continue being attentive around your plot and
putting in extra effort if you really want to capitalise
on the productive season.
This month is also a time when we like to go away
to visit friends and families and make the most of
Cornwall by exploring and going camping.
Unfortunately, nature waits for no man, and there is
the danger of plants getting thirsty if you don’t water
them regularly. Holidays are meant to be a time of
relaxation, not fretting over cabbages, so consider
installing a simple irrigation system to save you
the worry. Automatic timers and garden hoses
with joining attachments, such as T-joints,
misters, drippers and end stops, are always
available at good garden centres, and they are
worth every penny. Sometimes they are
expensive, but the efficiency and regularity of
watering does have significant results - the last
couple of years here at Newhouse Farm have far
surpassed previous seasons with healthy crops and
high yields! You will also need a small pump and a
battery - I would recommend a 12V demand pump
40
Melons
This month I am particularly proud
of my melons! I have tried over the
last few years to grow unusual crops
as well as the more conventional ones
to experiment and see just how local
you can really get. The melons grow
in a very similar way to cucumbers
and need to be planted undercover on
a slight mound to avoid neck rot at
the base. Again, they benefit from
feeding and pruning so that more
energy goes into the fruit rather
than the spiraling lengths of suckers.
James gives plants a drink
with water collected from a
butt. Alternatively, try the
‘no-watering’ technique ....
and a deep cycle leisure battery to move the water
from its source.
Water butts are still an excellent way to harvest
rainwater, and even though many people may think
they’re old news, I would always use them at the
corner of every section of downpipe before you
think about installing a larger underground rainwater
harvesting tank. Another tip that helps with watering
over dry weather spells is to attach a secondary
one with a short length of pipe - this means that any
overflow from heavy rain is also captured.
Alternatively, to save water, try the ‘no-watering’
technique. You may well think this sounds like
nonsense, but we have been employing it
successfully for crops such as courgettes and
squash plants for the last five years. The method
involves transplanting seedlings outside and
watering them in as normal, with a decent watering
can’s worth the first time, then leaving them to find
the natural water table. The first two weeks are hard,
as you will see the plant wilt and look like it is
seriously struggling, but then it will come back
strongly, having developed a deep tap root, and
be able to withstand dry periods without
watering. If you haven’t tried this style of
growing before, it is worth a go - even if you
start with a small percentage of your plants until
you become a believer! Giving your plants the
best conditions during July’s positive growing
season is much the way we stock up on good food
and drink around Christmas time and feel happier
for the indulgence.
July 2010
 Nutrients for your plants
Plants need water, as mentioned above, but they
also thrive if you feed them. Nutrients are
contained in the soil, but soil itself is the mortar, or
structure, that contains minerals and nutrients that
the plants need to grow. I feed our plants regularly
with a combination of nutrients to give them the
best chance possible and the most successful
conditions I can create. They are all quick and easy
to make and guaranteed to smell awful! Here they
are:
■ Worm tea
If you have a wormery, which is the best way to
produce compost from your kitchen scraps of
vegetable peelings (see www.bubblehouse
worms.com for the best wormery available!) then
use the liquid nutrient collected at the base and
dilute it approximately 1:10 with water. Feed
tomato plants or other crops once a week for
astonishing results.
Nettles and compost bins
Getting turkeys
Our turkeys, hatched in early June by
Rosie Yells at Wonnacott Farm, are on
their way to us at Newhouse Farm.
We have had such amazing results
and extremely tasty birds from Rosie
that we go back year after year
(www.wonnacottfarm.co.uk). Norfolk
Blacks are a lovely breed, and the
young pullets are a real pleasure to
rear. See my article from July last
year for all the details.
July 2010
WATER | JAMES
Comfrey
■ Comfrey concentrate
This involves taking comfrey leaves off your plant
and placing them in a bucket with a hole in the
bottom, and a tile or brick on top of the them to
squash them down. Place a jam jar or watering can
underneath to catch the droplets as the leaves
break down. Comfrey has a particularly deep root
that gains nutrients from the soil, normally out of
reach of most plants. It is, therefore, full of rich Young plants need careful
goodness that will turn into a black-coloured liquid nurturing to give them a good start
concentrate after a couple of weeks. Again dilute
1:10.
■ Nettle juice
Use the same process as comfrey concentrate, but
with nettles. It is a great use for our favourite
smallholding stinging invaders.
■ Bokashi power
Bokashi is a bran that will break down fish bones
and leftover meat (available online from Bubble
house worms). In fact, any cooked food or meat
can be composted if you use a handful of Bokashi
and sprinkle it in a sealed container. A host of
micro-organisms then break down the food in
anaerobic conditions. The result is food ready for
the normal compost bin that won’t attract vermin,
and a liquid that can be diluted with water and fed
to plants in small quantities. Think of this as a very
strong cordial that should only be fed once mixed
1:20 with water. Its other use is as a homemade
drain-cleaner!
NEXT MONTH:
Outdoor cooking
The pleasures and practicalities,
ranging from building your own
smoker to using a solar dryer,
heating up an earth oven to
making your own charcoal ... and
how to prepare the ultimate salad!
✎ Writer ------------------------------
To find out more about James
Strawbridge, visit
www.jamesstrawbridge.co.uk or
Young turkey pullets www.countrysmallholding.com
and click on Writers
41
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July 2010 43
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44 July 2010
 NEW WRITER

Machinery
New machinery writer
Neil Bookless with his
son Euan beside a
Fordson Power Major
vintage tractor at a show
Meet our new
machinery
writer, Neil
Bookless. Neil
is a Country
Smallholding
reader who
has a nine-
acre smallholding near
Chelmsford in Essex. A former
commercial pilot and technical
writer, he is now managing
director of a renewable energy
company.
Neil and his wife Cara bought
their smallholding three years
ago, including a three-acre
garden, five-acre paddock and
one-acre wood. Neil is more
of an 'accidental smallholder'
while Cara has held the dream
of 'the good life' since
childhood.
“We are developing our plans,
in an attempt to make our

Vintage appeal
home profitable,” he said.
“Cara is investigating our own
animals for the paddock, we
are planning to replace the
ride-on mower with some
Neil Bookless looks at the enduring appeal of vintage tractors sheep and the rotavator with
some pigs. The 60ft by 120ft
fter the war, there was a rapid increase in grey tractors had been built. veggie patch is coming

A the number of tractors around the 20 to

40hp range for use in mainstream farming.
This was driven both by the need for
greater food production and the availability
of redundant armament factories and skilled
workers. Even though these machines are now more
than 50 years old, and probably at the large end of
If you go to any vintage tractor meet or country
show today, you will find that a large number of
Fergies are still around, in varying states of
(dis)repair. On the downside, because of their
popularity among tractor collectors, prices can be
quite high.
I am not sure if it was the two Corgi models I
together - if I can find a way of
keeping the rabbits and deer
out."
“We have hosted cattle,
grown hay, and have used
both mini and Classic tractors
(Fordson Major), as well as
the scale for many smallholders, ownership of a owned as a child, or the fact that my mother worked rotavators, chainsaws and
vintage tractor can bring other benefits. for the company that supplied Ford with wooden other light machinery. I am
Probably the most iconic crates used to export the Major currently working my way
vintage tractor is the small worldwide, but my personal around our 1,000m boundary
grey ‘Fergie’, or Ferguson TE- favourites are the ‘New’ hedge replanting and laying.”
20, the first one rolling off the Fordson Major, and its slightly Neil said they have had some
Coventry production line on smaller cousin, the Dexta, both instructive experiences
July 6, 1946. built in large numbers at Ford’s integrating in the local
In spite of it’s title - the ‘TE’ Dagenham plant in the late farming community. “We
standing for Tractor England - 1950s, early ‘60s. I have been agreed to host 12 bullocks for
early versions used an lucky enough to borrow a one farmer, in exchange for
imported American engine Major from my neighbour to about 300m of fencing,
until a 2,088cc British engine, top my pasture, and it is including labour. All went
originally developed for the certainly a joy to drive. well, until all but one of the
Standard Vanguard motorcar, Another consideration, if bullocks took exception to a
became available in choosing a vintage tractor, is hot air balloon landing
September 1947. With only the availability of spare parts. nearby. I think the police were
315 Fergies produced in the This is not currently an issue quite impressed that they had
first year, it is impressive that, with either the Fergie or made it almost six miles, to
by the time the last TE20 Fordsons, but certainly one to the edge of Chelmsford,
variant rolled off the bear in mind when dealing before stopping for a rest ...
production line some 10 years This trusty ‘Fergie’ is still used by our 2009 with a machine probably more but that’s another story!”
later, more than 500,000 little Smallholder of the Year Jane Fanner than 50 years old. ➜

July 2010 45
 CHEFFINS

Classic
MACHINERY | TRACTORS

choice
Neil Bookless advises on
classic tractors and where
to buy them
CHEFFINS

Another top seller. This excellent

example, a 1953 David Brown 50D, a
real ‘nut and bolt’ restoration, was sold
last October by Cheffins for £43,000.

Classic tractors influenced more by aesthetics or childhood

Some ‘Classic’ machines command very high prices. This
1990 Benson County 1184 sold this year for £47,000. One
of the last County tractors produced, it was brought back
to the UK from the Falkland Islands for restoration
or the smallholder with less than 10 acres, like
Where to buy
Cheffins Five vintage sales per year.
Next one: July 24 at Sutton, Cambs.
Cheffins also conduct many onsite
farm dispersal sales.
www.cheffins.co.uk/vintage
memories than a pure analysis of the technical
performance data – part of the joy of Classic
ownership is the nostalgia the old tinwork can evoke,
making the question ‘which is best?’ almost
impossible to answer.
By their very nature, tractors are fairly robust
machines, but time is a great leveller. A quick
Google search, or a visit to a couple of tractor meets

F
me, there are probably three main options
when choosing some form of mechanical
assistance: an old or ‘Classic’ tractor, a
modern mini tractor or a two-wheel tractor…
However, many of the Classic tractors, dating from
the mid-1940’s up to the early 1970’s, could be
suitable for use on all but the smallest holding. They
are certainly large enough for any smallholding task,
but not so big as to be uneconomic to operate, most
consuming between five and seven litres of fuel per
hour, under load.
If you are seriously considering a Classic machine
as your ‘Little Helper’, your decision is likely to be
The TAFE 35 DI. Prices start at £8,600 + VAT. See www.tractorsuk.co.uk
Ebay www.ebay.co.uk
or country shows, will allow you to draw your own
Information conclusions about likely reliability, simply by
comparing the number of each model still surviving.
Fordson General info including It is also worth checking how lively the restoration
manuals:
scene surrounding the particular model is, and if
www.fordsontractorpages.nl/
Ferguson Tractors spares are still available.
www.ferguson-museum.co.uk/52_
ferguson.htm Indian import
Spares If you like the idea of a vintage tractor, but are not
www.dunloptractorspares.co.uk/ comfortable with renovation, for about the same
Index.html
price as a professional ‘vintage’ rebuild, you could
www.vintagetractorspares.co.uk/
www.agriengineering.co.uk/en/store have a brand new 35 DI, imported from India by
/secure_index.asp TAFE tractors. The 35 DI Classic is basically a brand
TAFE
new MF35, made with the original Massey Ferguson
tooling, to current MF quality standards, including a
two-year warranty. Almost everything except the
more modern fuel system on the 35 DI Classic is
inter-changeable with the old MF35, which is also
good news for Classic owners. Prices start at £8,600
+ VAT.
If buying purely on price, a ‘rolling wreck’ fresh
from the barn can be found for as little as £250 at
auction. But beware; by the time you have got it to a
reliable working condition, the price is likely to be
nearer £3,000 - not including the six or seven
months of full-time work, and the extensive ‘Imperial’
sized tool kit required. If paying someone else to do
the work, a fully restored machine could cost up to
£8,000 or more. At auction, a ‘farm condition’
machine in fair mechanical condition (but not
looking too pretty) is likely to cost around £1,000,
with a good example of all but the rarest machines in
the £2,000 to 3,000 range.
NEXT MONTH: New compact tractors

46 July 2010
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48 July 2010
Breeders’
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information please visit www.atkinsalpacas.co.uk.
A BEAUTIFUL ALPACA From Amazing
Alpacas, quality breeders in Wales. Gorgeous
females & adorable young males. World class
stud service. www.amazingalpacas.co.uk or call
01291 650655
ALL THINGS ALPACA Breeders of good
quality Alpacas based in Warwickshire. Wide
range of males, females and young stock
available in a variety of colours. For more
information, please call 01789 763159 or email
sales@allthingsrural.co.uk.
ALPACA BREEDER IN SOMERSET
www.valley-alpacas.com Quality alpacas for sale.
Choice of colours, full support and training
given. Visitors always welcome. Call Sue on
07899 998958 sue@valley-alpacas.com
ALPACA BREEDERS IN WILTSHIRE -
WELLGROUND ALPACA STUD Wiltshire’s leading
alpaca breeders, specialists in advanced alpaca
genetics. Professional alpaca stud with world class
genetics. The UK’s finest alpaca stud services,
planning permission guidance, alpaca consultancy
with 24 hour support. Call Rob and Lesley Rawlins
01380 830431 alpacas@wellground.com web site
www.wellground.com
ALPACAS AT CHERWELL LEYS www.cherwell-
leys.com Tel: 01725 519411 Independent
breeder in Hampshire. Farming BAS registered
Australian and South American Alpacas. Offering
alpacas for sale and prize winning males at stud.
Friendly advice and support given. Visitors
welcome by appointment.
ALPACAS FROM WHITE PEAK Mobberley,
Cheshire. 17 years experience. Most ages /
colours. Stud services, competitive prices. Free
advice with on going after sales assistance.
Adrian / Joanna 01565 872012.
ALPACAS OF SOMERSET 3 Pregnant females,
white and fawn for sale, Young males for pets,
hen or sheep guards. Well handled and tame. Tel
01749 831182 email
lesleybeazer@hillend.fsworld.co.uk
ALPACA TRAINING CENTRE Range of courses
available from beginners to advanced husbandry
/ alpaca assessment etc., Pre purchase /
breeding advice. www.langatonalpacas.co.uk
email- info@langatonalpacas.co.uk tel:
01769540202
AWESOME ALPACAS Ideal strong breeding
stock. Lovely fleece, good confirmation. BAS
registered. Vaccinated. Microchipped. Wonderful
solid colours, Greys & unusual roans. Excellent
quality stud male. Weanlings, males, & pregnant
females for sale. View with no obligation. Willing
to share 12 years experience. Sensible prices for
high classed Alpacas. Tel 07801734823 or
07768932424.
BLACK MOUNTAIN ALPACAS, Trescastle,
Brecon. Quality alpacas for sale to suit all
requirements including excellent studs.
Established hardy herd. Contact Sheila 01874
638102, www.blackmountainalpacas.co.uk
CHESHIRE ALPACAS
www.alpacascheshire.co.uk Tel: 07734 786687
Family run business, many years experience.
Day Courses available. Full after sales service
and advice. Quality stock for sale. Starter herd
packages, pregnant females, stud services,
females from £1,950.
CONTRAFLOW ALPACAS White & Coloured
animals for sale as pets or breeding stock from
quality, healthy herd. Raw fleece & rovings
available. Manchester 07957567557
DORSET - MARSHWOOD VALE ALPACAS
Good breeding females and young/older males
for sale at reasonable prices. Stud services
available (black, brown, rose-grey and white
males). Practical advice and backup included.
Tel: 01297 678181 www.marshwood-
alpacas.co.uk
GLENDON ALPACAS Adrian Hall, Kettering,
Northants. Tel: 01536 710209 Email:
glendonalpacas@ btopenworld. com
Established breeder offering BAS registered
stock for sale, stud services, after sales support,
impartial advice. Visitors welcome.
HAMPSHIRE, WATERSHIP ALPACAS BAS
registered alpacas for breeding or pets. Friendly
advice and support, welcome to visit please call.
Request information: Keith Taylor. 01256
892154, 07889 864269 email:
info@watershipalpacas.co.uk
www.watershipalpacas.co.k
HERTS ALPACAS Everything you would expect
from a leading breeder and more; SALES-
SUPPORT-LIVERY-STUD SERVICES-COURSES-
FEED & SUPPLIES. Available now! Pregnant
females in all colours, some with cria at foot,
maidens, potential studs with proven bloodlines
and friendly halter trained pets. Call our friendly
team now on 01763 271301 or visit
www.hertsalpacas.com
KILNWOOD ALPACAS Established herd in
central location on the edge of the Cotswolds
with easy access from motorways. High quality
pregnant females, geldings and young potential
herdsires for sale in a range of colours and
prices Stud services from white, pure Accoyo
and prize winning fawn and black males. Visitors
welcome to visit, see the herd and talk about
alpacas but please telephone or email first. We
specialise in helping new owners and provide
full after sales support. Mandy Wilson. Little
Tew, nr. Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire T. 01608
683937 E. kilnwoodalpacas@aol.com W.
www.kilnwoodalpacas.com
LAUREL FARM ALPACAS Quality breeding
stock for sale. Stud Services. Visitors welcome.
Devon/ Somerset border. Easy access from M5
and A303. www.laurelfarm.biz 01460 220763
MELFORD GREEN ALPACAS, Long Melford,
Suffolk. Tel: 01787 374142 Email:
paul@melfordgreen.co.uk Website:
www.melfordgreenalpacas.co.uk At Melford
Green we combine elite genetics with a unique
knowledge of breeding techniques and 1st class
animal welfare in order to produce reliable, high
quality, pedigree animals. We also offer a wide
range of halter trained pet/companion animals
and bespoke husbandry packages.
MEON VALLEY ALPACAS Established 1998.
Hampshire’s leading herd of prize-winning
huacayas. Courses, consultancy and after sales
support. Breeding stock, pets and sheep
guards for sale. Karen Oglesby 01489 878663
www.mvalpacas.co.uk
OAKLEY ALPACAS Family herd of well bred
correct confirmation,fine fleeced alpacas. 5
generation progeny to prove quality bloodline
breeding. BAS registered. Marvellous
companions with guarding instincts. Good
hobby investments. Helpful supportive after sale
advice. All alpacas sold with Veterany Health
certificates or inspections as required. Call to
talk alpaca. Tel 01934 811858 / 07801 734823
www.oakleyalpacas.com
PEAKVIEW ALPACAS A38, Rooksbridge,
Somerset Tel: 01934 750734 Email:
peakviewalpacas@ hotmail.com Website:
www.peakviewalpacas.co.uk A wide range of
animals and services available.
PIPLEY COURT ALPACAS Upton Cheyney,
Bristol. Tel. 01179325561
www.pipleycourtalpacas.co.uk BAS registered
.Pregnant females and pet males for sale. Friendly
no obligation advice given with full after sales
support and husbandry instruction. Prize winning
studs at service. Visitors always welcome. email:
pauline@pipleycourtalpacas.co.uk
countrysmallholding.com
TAIWIND ALPACAS Somerset / Wiltshire
border. Quality black Alpacas using best black
studs available. Visit our friendly prize winning
herd. Suit all budgets. www.taiwindalpacas.co.uk
Tel: 07790 674334
THREE OAKS ALPACAS Nr Burton On Trent
Staffordshire. Quality Huacaya Alpacas for sale.
Full after sales support. Stud service-sales-
shearing. www.alpacasonline.co.uk 01283
812552 07931 332294
WEST SHUTE ALPACAS, Somerset. Pregnant
females for sale, stud services available,
unprocessed fleece seconds for sale. After sales
support given. Visitors welcome by appointment.
Tel: 01984 624866 / 07886 925083 email:
veronicabowden@btinternet.com
WINDMILCOT ALPACAS Malmsbury Wilts Tel:
01666 823167. BAS registered. Sound, friendly
stock for sale, various colours and ages.
Reasonably priced. Advice & support given.
Email: stu.smith01@tiscali.co.uk
WOODLAND ALPACAS AND EXOTIC BREEDS
Newent Gloucestershire. Quality breeding stock
and pets for sale. BAS registered. Impartial
advice and after sales support given. Also
breeders / suppliers of miniature and exotic
breeds. Phone Rob and Sue Overthrow for more
details. 01531 820996 or 07977 913635
www.woodlandalpacas.co.uk
YORKSHIRE. Moss Carr Lodge Alpacas. Be
Inspired to create your own cottage industry
making luxury fleece products. Experienced
friendly breeder offers for sale a full range of
quality alpacas. Help, advice and after sales
support always available. Call Tina on 07761
170277 or 01302 700880 www.mclalpacas.co.uk
BEES
EASY BEE PRODUCTS Breeders of bees, starter
5 frame nucleus families, bees for business or
hobbyist. Send your order and cheque see:
www.easybeeproducts.co.uk For direct sales ring
07971 806670 or 01452 862420
CATTLE
ALVECOTE DEXTERS, the smallest breed of
native cattle, find out more at
www.alvecotedexters.net or telephone Jacqui
Parkes on 01974 821522.
‘ARCADIA’ Pedigree Dexters; quality black
steers available. Also medium black bull for hire;
all hardy, docile and easy going. South
Herefordshire. Tel: 01600 750310; email:
isapr@aol.com
FINWOOD PEDIGREE DEXTERS Small
herd ,mostly medium -legged .Live out all year.
Stock all ages available now. Transport can be
arranged. Gloucester Old Spot weaners
sometimes available. A & R. Williams Tel:
07899923075 (Warwickshire) Email:
Finwood.Dexter @Hotmail .co.uk
FOR SALE PEDIGREE ORGANIC DEXTERS.
Cows in calf and calves at foot, mostly black/not
short. Tel:01823 451191 (Somerset)
theodgersfamily@aol.com
IRISH MOILED AND BELTED GALLOWAY
Beautiful rare cattle. Easy to handle. Visits
welcome. Advice always available. Elizabeth
Miller. Surrey Hants border.
Tel: 01256 701847.
ORGANIC HIGHLAND CATTLE all ages, (SAC)
elite herd status. Excellent pedigree. Also
Shetland Sheep. All reared to the highest
standard on Marros mountain, West Wales.
www.waterwynch.co.uk Tel: 07831 111896
ORGANIC JERSEY CATTLE Available
throughout the year. Good temperament and
traditional confirmation. Would make good
house cows. Also available jersey and
jersey/Aberdeen cross young stock Berkshire.
Contact Chris 07775645122 or 01628 825517
SOUTHLEA PEDIGREE Dexters, Red and Black
Herd. Stock for sale. Red non short Bull for hire.
Transport by arrangement S & F Burns 01989
750292 Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire
TRESAITH PEDIGREE DEXTERS Small herd
non short red and black. Running with red bull.
Some stock for sale. 01978 821007 (Wrexham)
VATCH PEDIGREE DEXTERS Mrs L. Wickham,
Cwmchwefru Farm, Llanafan Fawr, Builth Wells,
Powys LD2 3PW. Tel/Fax: 01597 860244
www.lesleywickham.co.uk Medium-legged herd.
Stock available. Also Boer Goats
WATER BUFFALO YOUNG STOCK Usually
available. Also Dexter Cattle and Berkshire Pigs.
Yetnor Farm, Kent. Tel 01622 880384 or 07909
643097
DEER
HAVELOCK DEER FARM wakehurst place,
Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN. Tel: 01444
892438. Fine quality Red Deer, Young and
breeding stock for sale. BDFA and QA Registered
REINDEER FOR SALE Blithbury Reindeer Lodge,
Nr. Rugeley, Staffs, WS15 3HY. Tel: 01889 504300.
Reindeers for sale, yearlings fully inoculated,
reared on British diet, older stock including
castrates. Trained and halter broken on request.
Husbandry and veterinary advice. Bulls for hire.
Email: enquiries@animalenterprises.co.uk
Website: www.animalenterprises.co.uk
DOGS
BRAMBLEWOOD KENNELS Rydon Lane,
Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7HY. Tel: 01409
254474. Licensed Boarding, Breeding and
Training Kennels. Puppies, part trained and fully
trained. Labradors, English Springer Spaniels
and Border Terriers our speciality.
LABRADORS health screened, working lines.
Puppies vaccinated, micro-chipped, KC
registered, insured. Start up pack. Bred by KC
accredited breeder and qualified Veterinary Nurse.
www.lindastelabradors.co.uk Tel: 07703 277603
WWW.LAKE DISTRICTWORKINGSHEEPDOGS.
CO.UK Sheepdogs for sale./ Courses/ Training
Tel 01229 716235 (Cumbria)
DONKEYS
DONKEYS, MINIATURE AND STANDARD for
sale as companions or breeding animals. Well
handled and very friendly, delivery possible.
Elizabeth Miller, Surrey Hants border. Tel: 01256
701847.
DUCKS
AA1 EXCELLENT QUALITY HOME BRED
DUCKS Khaki Campbells, White Campbells(best
egg layers), large Silver Appleyards, Cayuga,
Indian runners, Saxony, Chinese Geese.. Small
or large orders taken. Nationwide delivery. Tel:
01837 83839 M: 07870 113867 (Devon)
www.ukguineafowl.co.uk
A GREAT SELECTION of ducks :Eggs to adult :
Runners, Orpingtons , Appleyards, Calls,
Saxony, Cayuga’s , East Indians, Silver
Appleyards , Rouens , variety of geese.
Nationwide delivery, Merv Anstey, Devon
01392851190 www.moonridgefarm.co.uk
AYELSBURY DUCKS AND FRIENDS The
Aylesbury Duck a truly versatile and multi-
purpose duck bred for the table, excellent egg
layers or for just looking pretty on the pond.
Cayuga Ducks have a brilliant iridescent sheen
and are excellent eggs layers. Chocolate
Muscovy Ducks quiet and full of character. Visit
our website for further information on
our waterfowl. Nationwide delivery.Telephone:
01566 783 232 Mobile: 07747 392803 email:
kim@kbrook.co.uk website: www.kbrook.co.uk
MUSCOVIES Colours including Chocolate,
Lavender, Wildtype, Magpie. Quiet with unusual
quirky characters, wagging tails and they graze
like geese. Telephone 07971393416 Kent /
Sussex Border.
BUY FROM THE BREEDERS. E W Orchard
Poultry Farm, Caerphilly. Khaki Campbell female
Ducklings £199 per 100. Cherry Valley female white
feathered ducks lay extra large eggs 350 egg strain
£249 per 100. World famous French table ducks
star 53 heavy strain 3950 grams approximate 9lbs
in 56 days £105 per 100. POL pullets 8 breeds.
Extra heavy strain Goslings. Delivery can be
arranged. Tel: 02920 882183 / 860925.
ORGANIC INDIAN RUNNERS Tel: 01454 299236
Email: colindixon365@btinternet.com Website:
www.severnviewfarm.com Khaki Campbells and
Muscovies in Gloucestershire. All ages available.
To advertise in breeders call
Elaine on 01392 888561 or
email: elaine.beed@archant.co.uk
PALMER JOHN Romford, Essex by J28 of M25.
Tel: 01708 348088. Ducks Abacot Rangers,
Black East Indian. Many colour of Calls,
Campbell, and Indian Runners. All ducklings
sexed at day old. Chickens, RIR x Light Sussex,
Pullets, Silkies and BarbuD Uccles, Hatching
eggs of all, often available. (Egg collection or
posted)
STORRS POULTRY Mr G Mortimer, Storrs
Farm, Storrs Lane, Oxspring, Sheffield S36 8YS
Tel: 01226 764822 Mob: 07855829846 Email:
info@storrspoultry.co.uk Website:
www.storrspoultry.co.uk Domestic Ducks -
Aylesbury, Campbell (Khaki) Cayuga, Call
Ducks, Crested, Indian Runner, Silver Appleyard.
Also Mandarins and Embden Geese. SAE for
price list.
EMUS
LEICESTERSHIRE EMUS AND RHEAS
Margaret Dover, Leicestershire LE9 7QG 01455
823344 www.leicestershireemus.com Hand
reared, friendly Emus and Rheas. Eggs. Emu oil
skincare products.
LONGPARK EMUS & RHEAS, South Devon
01548 531002. White and Grey birds of various
ages. Eggs, chicks and young birds available.
Orders taken.
GEESE
DOMESTIC AND ORNAMENTAL ,Chinese,
African, Steinbacher, Toulouse, Ashy headed
Barnacle, Cereopsis, Ne ne, and many more
species Merv Anstey Devon 01392 851190
www.mmonridgefarm.co.uk
SEBASTOPOL GEESE Beautiful white graceful
geese, fondly described as the pantomime geese
and classed as a rare breed. Nationwide delivery.
for further information and photos please visit:
www.sebastopolgeese.co.uk Contact Tel: 01566
783232 email:kim@kbrook.co.uk
GOATS
ANGORA GOATS From a prize winning herd
with excellent fine fleeces for sale. Very
reasonable prices and friendly help. Mary &
Richard Yonge, Plymouth 01752 880252
royonge@googlemail.com
ALL THINGS GOAT - Warwickshire - Pedigree
and Part-bred pygmy goats in many colours.
Please call 01789 763159 or email us at
sales@allthingsrural.co.uk.’
BRAMBLES ANGORAS Accredited &
Registered stock available. Beginner’s courses
available. Advertise your animals for sale on our
website. Close to 3 Counties Showground,
Malvern, Worcester. Contact Julie or Alan 01684
833336 www.specialbreeds.co.uk
BRITISH ANGORA GOAT Society, 5 The
Langlands, Hampton Lucy, Warwick, CV35 8BN
Tel: 01789 841930 Fax:01789 841219 email:
secretary@angoragoat.fsnet.co.uk website:
www.britishangoragoats.org.uk
GOLDEN GUERNSEY male and female kids,
very friendly, good pedigree, make good
companion animals. Vaccinated and advice
given. Horham, Suffolk Tel: 07986 173106.
HONORWOOD ANGORAS Peter & Christine
Everitt, Cefn Llanfair, Llanfair Road, Llandysul,
Ceredigion, SA44 4RB Tel/Fax 01559 362890
Email:info@honorwoodflocks.co.uk Angora.
Stock usually available. Easily
handled.www.honorwoodflocks.co.uk
MILKING GOATS from small herd, various
ages. All vaccinated. Ring for further details. Tel:
07900 991463 (Somerset)
PYGMY GOATS, kids for sale. Wethers, males,
females, various colours, from £50, can be
registered. Tel: 01304 841624 or 077866 43627
(Nr. Canterbury, Kent)
PYGMY GOATS Toby Rich. Farnham & Surrey
01252 733755 Friendly Pygmy Goats. Males and
Females. Advice given.
PYGMY GOATS Hampshire,01489 896008 /
07860 384404. Very friendly herd of Pygmy
goats. In many colours. Forward orders taken,
Billy stud service. Advice given. Zwartbles
sheep.
WINDYRIDGE PYGMY Goats, Barbara and
Jenny, Norfolk, Tel 01362 821382
email:windyridge @daffygreen. freeserve.co.uk
Orders for show/pet registered stock. Friendly
and well handled. Advice given. Male as stud.
GUINEA FOWL
AA1 EXCELLENT QUALITY HOME BRED
GUINEA FOWL, various colours. Hatching eggs,
day olds, poults, adults. Small or large orders
taken. Nationwide delivery Tel: 01837 83839 M:
07870 113867 (Devon) www.ukguineafowl.co.uk.
A GREAT SELECTION, Free Range .Eggs to
adult, over a dozen colours, day olds, poults and
mature. Also Peafowl, Quail, Pheasants,
Wildfowl, Ducks Geese and Swans. Nationwide
delivery, Merv Anstey, Devon 01392 851190
www.moonridgefarm.co.uk
LLAMAS
BRITISH LLAMA SOCIETY The Breed Society
for lovers and owners of llamas, Guanacos and
Camels. Visit our web site for more details:
www.BritishLlamaSociety.org. or call 01608
661893.
CATANGER LLAMAS Mary Pryse Tel: 01327
860808 Email: mary@llamatrekking.co.uk
Website: www.llamatrekking.co.uk Bred for good
conformation and temperament. Halter trained,
registered/vaccinated/ microchipped. All halter
trained.
LLAMALLAND.COM Tom and Julie Tripp
Tel:01872 540 465. Lland of Llovely Llamas
Llarge herd of quality, friendly registered stock,
Advice and transport always available.
WATERTOWN LLAMAS, North Devon, 01769
540840 , annie.austen@btinternet.com ,
www.watertownllamas.co.uk lots of lovely llamas
to choose from , for trekking, for breeding, for
guarding , for grazing and for fun ! Registered,
trained and health checked.
ORNAMENTAL PHEASANTS
ALLANDOO PHEASANTRY Golden, Lady
Amherst, Reeves, Silvers, Eared Pheasants,
Tragopans, Peacock Pheasants, Himalayan
Monals, Firebacks and others. Nationwide
delivery Contact: Zoe Tel: 01776 870244 E-
mail: zoeah@btconnect.com Website:
http://www.allandoopheasantry.com
EGGS TO ADULT, Golden, Reeves, Amherst,
Brown & blue eared, plus lots more also
peafowl, guinea fowl. Nationwide delivery, Merv
Anstey, Devon 01392 851190
www.moonridgefarm.co.uk
ORNAMENTAL PHEASANTS Currassows &
Pheasants. Contact Keith Chalmers-Watson,
Fenton Barns, North Berwick, East Lothian. Tel:
01620 850201 Email: dcw@farming.me.uk
PEAFOWL
COUNTRY HOUSE PEAFOWL: Hand-reared
Black Shoulder and Indian Blue peacocks and
peahens. Essex/Suffolk border. Contact: 01440
785786 or Email: peafowl@idnet.com
PIGS
ADAMSBRIDGE RARE BREEDS Outdoor
organically-reared British Lop, Large Black and
Oxford Sandy & Black. Weaners, pedigree
breeding stock and mouth-watering pork usually
available. Delivery possible. Wooden arks built
to order. Lancashire. 07976-949299. E-mail:
Adamsbridge@tiscali.co.uk. Also Dexter Cattle.
ALSA HERD Herts/Essex borders Mob: 07768
368053 Email: kernigits@ hotmail.com
Website:www.alsafarm.com
www.farmstockforums.com. Prizewinning herd of
Gloucestershire Old Spot registered pigs.
Pedigree weaners and breeding stock usually
available.
BALSHAM & WITHERSFIELD PEDIGREE
PIGS Guy & Melanie Kiddy, Solitaire Farm,
Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 3NY
Tel: 01767 650884 Mobile: 07808204363 /
07802891387 Gloucestershire Old Spots, British
Lop, Large White & Middle White. Hampshire &
Tamworth.
Pigs continue on page 58
➘

Pigs continued
OVER 46,000 READERS SEE OUR BREEDERS – TO ADVERTISE CALL ELAINE ON 01392 888561 BREEDERS’DIRECTORY
BERKSHIRE & BRITISH SADDLEBACK
Weaners, Gilts & Boars available. Tel: Lorne or
Lucy - Poulter Cottage Farm, Nottinghamshire
01777838697 or 07545638419.
BERKSHIRE, BRITISH SADDLEBACK &
WELSH all stock available,Tel: Paul & Sarah
Ashcroft on (LINCOLN) 01522 751323 or
mob:07979 013891
www.barlingsrarebreedpigs.co.uk
BERKSHIRE, MIDDLE WHITE & BRITISH
LOP Smallicombe farm Tel: 01404 831310
Website: www.smallicombe.com Pedigree
breeding stock, weaners from prize winning herd.
Introduction to pig keeping courses.
BERKSHIRE, PEDIGREE BRITISH
SADDLEBACK & TAMWORTH cross pigs.
Mount Pleasant Farm, Kingswood,
Herefordshire. Weaned stock & pedigree boar
hire. Laila & Steve Dudhill 01544 232787
BRAMBLES KUNE KUNE’S PIGS Vaccinated &
Registered stock available. Boars for stud.
Various bloodlines. Beginner’s course available.
Advertise your animals for sale on our web site.
Close to 3 Counties Showground, Malvern,
Worcester. Contact Julie or Alan 01684 833336
www.specialbreeds.co.uk
BRANCH FARM Pedigree British Lops and
Oxford Sandys from prize winning stock.
Somerset. Tel: 01373 813621 email
richard.casemore1@virgin.net
BRITISH LOP / MIDDLE WHITE Weaners
usually available. (Wiltshire) David 07920
068436 www.homegrownpigs.co.uk
BRITISH SADDLEBACK Cambridge /
Northamptonshire border. Stoke Doyle Herd.
Andy Burwell 01832 273909 Mobile: 077390
00910 email: burwell675@btinternet.com Stock
available from championship and prize winning
stock.
BRITISH SADDLEBACK & GOS WEANERS
Usually Available. Friendly Advice For
Beginners. Also, One Day Novice Pig Keeping
Courses. Kent / Sussex Border Tel 01892
852663 www.oaklandspigs.co.uk
BRITISH SADDLEBACK & OXFORD SANDY
& BLACK Weaners usually available. Enquiries
for all stock welcome. Tel: 07765 882994
twizell.osb@virgin.net www.farmerbooths.co.uk
(Co Durham).
BRITISH SADDLEBACK BREEDERS CLUB Mr
Richard Lutwyche, Dryft Cottage, South Cerney,
Cirencester, Glos., GL7 5UB Tel/Fax: 01285
860229 Email saddlebackpig@aol.com Great
mothers, hardy, fecund, quiet and delicious.
BRITISH SADDLEBACK PEDIGREE PIGS East
Cornwall Tel: 01579 382743 West Frogwelll
herd. Superb quality registered outdoor reared
breeding stock available, also weaners for
superb saddleback pork and bacon.
BRITISH SADDLEBACK PEDIGREE PIGS for
sale. Weaners, Gilts and Boars. Free advice
available. Reading, Berkshire. Richard Tweed Tel:
01189 732124 Mob: 07768 933228
BRITISH SADDLEBACK PEDIGREE
WEANERS, Somerset. Knapp Farm herd. Castle
Carey. Superb quality registered outdoor reared.
Tel: Ranald Law on 07801 268170.
COCKERHAM BOERS, C&S Peacock
Registered Kune Kune Piglets and pork. Meat
goats and goat meat. Goat keeping and kidding
courses.Lancashire. WWW.GOAT-MEAT.CO.UK
0796 2812528
“CURLY COAT” MANGALITZA pedigree pigs.
Mangalitza piglets for sale. Registered or
unregistered stock available. (Wiltshire) Tel:
01380 831213 / 07773 052286 email:
stmcandrew@hotmail.co.uk
www.mangalitzapig.co.uk
FREE RANGE PIGS Southern Ireland Outdoor
Hardy Breeding Bonhams,Gilts and Breeding
stock The Forge, Mace Lower, Claremorris,
Mayo, Ireland (00 353) 086 125 1200
Thehorsedentist@hotmail.co.uk
FOSSE KUNE KUNE PIGS Hand reared
Registered stock. Small grazing breed. Make
wonderful pets. Full after sale service.
www.features-creatures.co.uk Tel: 01926 612700
(Warwickshire). email: helleloren@ tiscali.co.uk
GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOTS and
BERKSHIRES Awliscombe Herd, Awliscombe,
Honiton, Devon. Tel: 07944 299072 Email:
cherrybridgefarm@hotmail.co.uk Both Pedigree
and non Pedigree for sale
GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOT PEDIGREE
PIGS, Stoneymeadow herd. Weaners and
breeding stock. Advice on pig keeping. Delivery
service, after sales support. Tom, 07733 323379
(West Sussex).
GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOTS PIG
BREEDERS’ CLUB Mr Richard Lutwyche,
Freepost (GL442), Cirencester, Gloucestershire,
GL7 5BR. Tel: 01285 860229 e-mail: mail@
oldspots.org.uk www.oldspots.org.uk The perfect
pig for the 21st century!
HAMPSHIRE HOGS, OXFORD SANDY &
BLACK. Weaners and registered pigs from the
Meon Valley Herd. Also G.O.S. and British Lop
weaners. Tel: 01489 896008 / 07860 384404
KILMOND COTTAGE, pedigree Kune Kune
piglets. Friendly, well handled, naturally reared.
Kilmond Ru II boar at stud. Also pedigree middle
white piglets available soon plus boar at stud
Barnard Castle 01833 637798 E:
info@kilmondcottage.co.uk
KUNE KUNES available in West Cornwall. Free
range piglets, weaners, adults. Registered stud
boar available. Tel: Carol or Lee on 01736
740934 or email: harrisoncah@aol.com
KUNE KUNE PIGLETS for sale. Small, friendly,
grazing pig- ideal outdoor family pets.
Holsworthy, Devon. Jane Oliver 01288 381414,
olivers@firenet.uk.net
KUNE KUNE PIGLETS. Registered stock, also
Tutaki boar at stud. Kent. Tel Tim and Angela
Burleigh 01227 363167 email:
tim.burleigh@btinternet.com
KUNE KUNE PIGS & PIGLETS Covering: UK
Very friendly grazing pigs. Registered stock
available now. Transport available. Staffordshire,
Midlands Email: swinfenkunekune@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 07736 071825
KUNE KUNE PIGS Piglets for sale, make great
pets, Also Boar Settstones Andrew of the 3rd
standing. Harrogate, North Yorks. Tel 01423
712615
KUNE KUNE PIGS Delightful small grass eating
pigs.Very friendly and great fun. Elizabeth Miller,
Surrey Hants border Tel: 01256 701847
KUNE KUNE PIGS AND PIGLETS very friendly,
ideal pets. Registered stock, handled from birth.
Registered Boar for stud. Central Cornwall. Tel:
07810 301265, 07810 301270.
MICRO/MINI POT BELLIED PIGS - beautiful pet
pigs for sale - go to www.littlepigfarm.co.uk for
full details 01354 638005 (Cambs)
MIDDLE WHITE PEDIGREE PIGS. Outdoor
reared weaners. Registered Boar at stud. Also
Pig Courses. www.smallholdinglife.co.uk Indian
runner ducks and Poultry. Tel: Cliff 01558
669198
MIDDLE WHITE PIGS Tony May, Hilltop Farm,
Worcestershire. Tel: 01905 333666. Weaners &
breeding stock for sale. Registered boar at stud,
also Aylesbury ducks.
MIDDLE WHITE PIGS outdoor reared weaners
for sale. Boar and sows can be viewed, all
enquiries welcome. Stone nr Kiddermiinster Tel
01562 750949 / 07702333661
MOLYNEUX ROBERT Boston, Lincs. Tel: 01205
280742 / 07799845207 Email:
rjlmolyneux@aol.com Langriville herd of
pedigree large white pigs and Welsh. telephone
for details of stock available.
ORGANIC TAMWORTH and Berkshire Pigs.
Splendid characters and good looking.
Berkshire. Check availability. Contact Chris
07775 645122 or 01628 825517
ORGANIC TAMWORTHS and Old Spots in
Gloucestershire. Weaners, Growers and
Tamworth boar hire. Meat and bacon from our
farm shop. Email: colindixon365@btinternet.com
Website: www.severnviewfarm.com Tel: 01454
299236
OXFORD SANDY & BLACK Free range weaners
usually available. Meat fresh / frozen to order.
Tailored Introductory Pig Keeping Courses. Tel:
01865 862079 Email: leysfarm@mypostoffice.co.uk
OXFORD SANDY & BLACKS Croft Meadow
Herd. Weaners usually for sale. Enquiries
welcome Tel: 01494 776214 (Bucks)
OXFORD SANDY & BLACK. This rare breed is
a must for any first timer, calm, docile easy to
keep placid not to mention very easy on the eye
and produce fantastic tasty pork. Orders taken for
weaners and registered stock. Visit our website
to see this wonderful breed. Telephone: 01566
783232 Mobile: 07747 392803 email
kim@kbrook.co.uk website: www.kbrook.co.uk
PARKENDEN TRADITIONAL BREEDS Terry
Offen, Parkenden Farm, Hawkenbury, Staplhurst,
Tonbridge, Kent TN12 OEE Tel: 01622 843630 /
07860 175549 Pedigree Berkshires, Weaners
and young breeding stock for sale.
PEDIGREE KUNE KUNE Pigs for sale. Tel Pat
01453 511884 Gloucestershire. A variety of
colours, very friendly. Also pedigree pygmy goats.
PLACID OUTDOOR REARED large black,
Oxford Sandy & Black weaners, young stock
available. Stroud, Gloucestershire. Enquiries for
all stock welcome. Adrian 01453 884799 /
07974 807544
RARE BREED PIGS ‘curly coated’ Mangalitzas,
Middle Whites, Berkshires, Outdoor reared
registered stock. Weaners and pedigree breading
stock for sale also Superb mouth–watering pork
& bacon available Tel 07976328442 01844
345979Email vikki@pickelsfarm.co.uk
TAMWORTH AND GLOUCESTER Old Spot
piglets usually available. Also Tamworth Boar
ready+for stud work. Tel 01692 404256 Email
Susanabullock@hotmail.co.uk.
TAMWORTH WEANERS from Country
Smallholding writer Liz Shankland, author of The
Practical Guide to Buying and Running a
Smallholding in Wales. www.lizshankland.com
Tel. 07846 449023 tudfultamworths@hotmail.com
THE RUSHBURY PIG, Shropshire : Berkshire,
Oxford Sandy & Blacks. Weaners available, Pork
Products for sale, Pig Keeping Courses. Visit
TheRushburyPig.co.uk or call 07791 284510 for
more information
YORKSHIRE OUTDOOR PEDIGREE
BERKSHIRES. Gorgeous placid Boys & Girls
available Registered or unregistered. The
Traditional Black Pig: Tel: Katie & Mick 0114
2885208 Email: enquiries@faceenterprises.co.uk
PIGEONS
BROWN, DAVID Church Farm, Fairlight Road,
Fairlight, Nr Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4AA.
01424 813464. Specialist in Pure White Garden
Fantails and Dovecotes. Sex/ID ringed,
innoculated, full printed instructions/ netting.
Courier service - customer helpline
PONIES
EXMOOR PONIES Registered, Sweetcombe
Herd 215. Sue Glasper 01297 680451. Hardy,
handled young stock available, mostly fillies.
Call for a chat.
POULTRY
A. ASHTON, HOWDEN, EAST YORKSHIRE.
POL Bantams, Wyandotte, Welsummer, silver
and gold Hamburg, Hatching eggs when
available. Tel: 01430 431162
ABSOLUTE CHICKENS at ALDERMASTON,
BERKSHIRE. 10 different breeds available.
Hatching eggs/point of lay. Stockist of the Small
Holder Feeds. Please email
(absolutechickens@hotmail.com) or telephone
07973 406357.
ADORABLE SILKIES AND PEKINS, Silkies
black, blue, white, gold, and partridge. Pekins
Millefleur, blue, white, partridge and silver
partridge. Chicks and H/E. All vaccinated. 07725
750014.
A FAMILY BUSINESS IN NORTH DEVON,
suppliers of quality hybrid birds, several varieties
available. Starter kits, friendly service, free
advice, delivery possible. Tel: 07919 677690 /
01237 451163 www.north-devon-poultry.co.uk
A GREAT SELECTION of Point of lay, free
range, fully vaccinated. Blue Maran, Cou cou
maran, Bovans Nera, Columbian Blacktail,
Amber Link, Lohman Brown, Light Sussex,
Sussex Rock , White Leghorn Ducks. Geese,
Quail and Pheasant. New chicken keepers
welcome, free friendly advice Merv Anstey Devon
01392 851190 www.moonridgefarm.co.uk
A JAY POULTRY Mold Wrexham, N Wales. Tel:
01978 790418 Email: tegla@mypostoffice.co.uk
Large fowl, Salmon Favorelles, Cream Legbars.
Chicks to POL.
ALLANDALE POULTRY, Allandale Cottage,
Loch 18, Castlecary, FK4 1TA. 07802 591860
Marans, Golden Hamburgs, Silver spangled
Hamburgs, Silkie, Buff and black Orpingtons,
D/O to POL
AMIKAS POULTRY David & Venetia Wallis,
Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Tel: 01902
700768 Large Breeds; Buff Orpington, Silver
Grey Dorking, Buff Sussex, Cream Leg Bar,
Barnvelder, Welsummer, Exchequer Leghorn,
Silver Duck Wing, Welsummer, Hatching Eggs,
Chicks, Growers. POL.
APPROVED BLACK ROCK AGENT in South
Wales. Grower of hens from day olds to p.o.l.
Blackrock, leghorn, sussex, nera, rhondda blue,
cuckoo maran, magpie, silver nic, white indian
runners. We free range rear and are open
Saturdays February - November inclusive. Top
quality feeders and drinkers. All birds excellent
layers, sex-linked, so can guarantee hens from
8wks. Delivery available. Pics, prices, availability
and location on website, see you soon !
www.blackrocklayers.co.uk
AVON HYBRIDS (SOMERSET) Several breeds
available all year, from day olds to POL. Light
Sussex, Warrens, Rhode Rock, Bluebelle etc.
Fertile Rhea eggs. 07779 728407
robthebeer@hotmail.co.uk
BEACHFEN WYANDOTTES , LEGHORNS.
Cambridge 01223 860139 / 07710 866515.
Leghorns 10 colours, Wyandottes 16 colours,
Marans 4 colours. RIR, Barnvelders, Light
Sussex, Welsummers, Andalusians, Guinea
Fowl.
BLACKSMITH COTTAGE POULTRY , Legsby,
Lincs. Tel: 01673 843518 / 07760 386127.
Quality hybrids and pure breeds. Poultry
equipment and housing. Telephone for breeds
and details.
BLACKWATER TRADITIONAL RARE BREEDS
www.blackwater-trad-rare-breeds.co.uk
Traditional and utility breeds, Bantams and Large
fowl hatching eggs, chicks, guinea fowl, ducks
and geese. 02380-811110 /07717570543
/07778190184
BRAMBLE SPECIAL BREEDS Various breeds
available, Close to 3 Counties Showground,
Malvern Worcester. Advertise your poultry for
sale on our website. Contact Julie on 01684
833336 www.specialbreeds.co.uk
BRANDEL RARE BREEDS Wellington,
Somerset Tel: 01823 662837 Email:
haylett22@fsmail.net Website:
www.brbpoultry.co.uk Brahma, Cochin, French
Copper Black, Wheaten Marans, Orpington,
Pekin, Polands, Sablepoots, Silkies, Sussex,
Vorwerk, Wyandottes, Call Ducks, Indian
Runners. Hatching eggs, chicks, POL growers.
Enquiries welcome.
BROTHERTON FARM Ann Dow. West Calder,
West Lothian, EH55 8QW, Scotland. Tel: 01506
873 982 All colours of pure bred Silkies, Guinea
fowl and hatching eggs.
BURFORD BROWNS & COTSWOLD Legbars
(dark brown & blue eggs) direct from the
breeders. Hatching Eggs / D/O chicks / Growers
/ POL Pullets Tel / SMS - 07831 849036 Email
philip@legbarsofbroadway.co.uk
www.legbarsofbroadway.co.uk
BURN LINDA Freckleton Preston LancsTel:
01772 634889 / 07957 220206 Large: Buff &
Black Orpingtons, silver grey Dorkings, Silver
Laced Wyandotte, Cream Legbar, Copper Black
Maran. Ducks: Call (White) Geese Embden.
BULLOCK, NORFOLK Traditional and rare
breeds. Hatching eggs, silver grey Dorking, red
Dorking, Araucanas, Scots grey, Marans,
Orpingtons, Light Sussex, Minorca, Pekin
bantam, Cream Legbar, Embden Goose, Norfolk
Black, turkeys and ducks. Tel: (North Walsham)
01692 404256
susananne.bullock@btinternet.com
CAMDDWR POULTRY – Ceredigion Breeders
and suppliers of Turkeys, Geese, Chickens,
Ducks and Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs.
Telephone 01974 251 425 or email
catherineruff@hotmail.com
CAMPBELL DAVID Wadhurst, East Sussex.
Welsummers - wonderful large dark terracotta
brown eggs. No Fertilisers/GM Foods/ Additives.
Selectively bred for utility qualities. 01892
782744. www.chickens.me.uk
CATRINS GARDEN POULTRY, Bucks. Eggs to
adults. Rare and traditional chickens and
bantams. Guinea Fowl, Khaki ducks and Chinese
geese sometimes available. Collection only. Tel:
07890 403675. email clacy@gotadsi.co.uk
CHESHIRE POULTRY 0161 427 9246, hatching
eggs posted – day olds - growers – pol –
nationwide delivery possible. quality pure breed
birds from exhibition stock. Free range reared
large fowl rhode island red. light sussex. white /
black silkies. lavender leghorns and araucanas
(blue eggs). black / blue double laced
barnevelders. dark egg strain welsummers.
French maran in copper black / copper blue /
splash / silver blue / silver black. black / barred
wyandottes. Gold / blue / buff / silver laced
wyandottes BRED FROM THE WINNERS OF THE
NATIONAL AND FEDERATION 2009. Bantam
chocolate / black orpington. chocolate / black
wyandottes. Email: steve@cheshirepoultry.co.uk
Web: www.cheshirepoultry.co.uk
CHICKENS FROM DEVON. Choose from 30
Breeds of rare and traditional poultry. Hatching
eggs, Young birds and Beginners Poultry
Keeping courses. www.southyeofarm.co.uk for
details and current breed list. South Yeo Farm
East. Tel: 01837 810274 email:
southyeofarm@btinternet.com
CHRISTOPHER LEA Pure bred Brecon Buff
Geese for sale and Welsummer and Brown
Leghorn hatching eggs from prize-winning stock.
Tel: 01691 870640/ Welshpool, Powys
COLLINS VANESSA Swindon Wilts SN6 6RH
Tel 01793 752305. Various large Sussex,
Marans, Araucana and Bantam, Austrolorps,
Plymouth Rock, Sussex, Barbu D’ Anvers,
Welsummers. Abacot Ranger Ducks.
CROFT MEADOW POULTRY, Bucks, 01494
776214 / 07951 220906 French Marans, Rhode
Island Red, Red mottled Leghorns, Buff
Orpington, Wyandotte bantams, young stock and
hatching eggs.
DEVON NOW Dr & Mrs R A Whitehead,
Tiverton, Devon Tel: 01884 255266 Commercial
POL Pullets. Also Geese, Ducks, D/O pure breed
chicks etc Delivery possible.
EDGEMOOR POULTRY North Devon. Tel:
01769 520244 Jersey Giants, Brahmas, Silver
also gold Appenzeller, Araucana, Yokahamas,
Buff Orpingtons, Salmon Favorell, Bantam
Favorell, Silkies, Pekins. Hatching eggs
sometimes available.
EGGY PEGGY’S, SUFFOLK. POL, Lohmans,
Gold lines, Marans, Blue rangers, Light sussex,
RIR, Orpingtons, Frizzels, Ducks, Guinea Fowl
and more. www.eggypeggys.co.uk 07879
214453 / 01359 270047
ESSEX / SUFFOLK Stoke by Nayland. Large
Fowl, Speckled Sussex, Red Sussex, Dark &
Jubilee Indian Game.
www.scotlandplacefarm.co.uk Simon Hayter
01206 262293 / 07971 666480
FAIERS, MICHAEL Suffolk Tel: 07932 163017
Jubilee, Buff Orpingtons, French Marans,
IxWorths, All large fowl.
FARTHINGWOOD POULTRY Suppliers of POL
turkeys, ducks, geese, day old chicks and
hatching eggs. Breeds include Araucana,
Wellsummer and many more.
www.farthingwoodpoultry.co.uk Tel: 07599
974174
FERTILE HATCHING EGGS
www.fertilehatchingeggs.com Tel: 01525 261606
Nr. Milton Keynes. Large Leghorns most colours,
Araucanas, French marans, Indian runner ducks.
Pure eggs February to July. Young stock often
for sale. Email:
ivan@mearsandboyer.demon.co.uk
FOLLY HENS, WILTSHIRE We specialise in
blue and white egg laying chickens (White and
Lavender Leghorns, Cream Legbars). POL birds
and hatching eggs. Sarah Larkins 07880 706672
www.follypigs.co.uk
FOSTERS POULTRY Gloucester GL2 2SD, 3mls
J12, M5. Email or tel 01452 721118 or 07709
933064 Hybrids, Large Fowl, Bantams, Ducks,
Geese, Quail. Eggs to Point of Lay, delivery
arranged, eggs posted.
www.fosterspoultry.co.uk
FRANCIS, DAVID E. Meadow View, Slebech,
Haverford West, Pemb, SA62 4PE. Tel: 01437
751243. Specialist Breeder of original Cream
Legbars. True to type, blue eggs. Also Utility
Brown Leghorns and Ixworth for table.
FROM 8 WEEKS TO POL, Light Sussex,
Marans, Copper Marans, Buff Orpingtons,
Welsummer. Many other breeds including
Bantams. Hatching eggs available. Tel Mr.
Goldsmith: 01777 703746 (Nottinghamshire)
GARDNER, JANET & KEITH Ware,
Hertfordshire Tel:01920 469045 Araucana,
Marsh Daisy, Norfolk Grey, Wyandotte,
Welsummer, Sussex, Maran, Buff Orpington,
Minorca, Brahmas, Pekins. Cayuga, Campbell
and Abacot Ranger Ducks.
GLENN’S HENS, Braintree, Essex. POL hybrid
hens and pure breeds. Many varieties, chicks
and hatching eggs. Free introductory session for
new poultry keepers. Tel: 07736 320490.
GOULD LIFE POULTRY LTD Sharon Gould,
Worcestershire, 07894 743816 Brahma,
Leghorns, Dorking, Indian Game, Silkie,
Australorpe, Houdan, plus others Ducks and
Geese. HE / Growers / Adults. Poultry Mareks
vaccinated. Lamb and rare breed weaner pigs.
Breeders’ directory is also
online countrysmallholding.com
GRIFFIN, ARTHUR AND JENI Llangollen Tel:
01691 718261 Email: jeni@chickenandegg.net
Anconas, Lavender, Araucanas, Fresian Fowl,
Buff Sussex, Cream Legbars, Gold Dutch
Bantams, Bronze Turkeys, Guinea Fowl. Doves
Hatching eggs a speaciality. Chicks, growers.
HEREFORD, CALL DUCKS exhibition strain,
colours white, apricot, Saxony, Blue Fawn.
Various. Large fowl, orpingtons, sussex. etc.
Bantams, silver laced, wyandottes, pekins etc.
Tel: 01432 870248 / 07870 504691.
HIGH DOWN POULTRY Dudley Mallett,Linden
Farm High Halden, Kent, TN26 3LJ 01233
850692 E-MAIL dudley-mallet@binternet.com
www.highdownpoultry.co.uk Category Poultry
Ducks And Geese Specialist Breeder Of
Traditional Hens And Utility Layers. Hens At
Point Of Lay And Hatching Eggs Available By
Post. Housing Available Flat Packed Cuckoo
Marans, Light Sussex, Buff Sussex, Rhode Island
Reds, Copper Blacks, Araucanas, Bluebelles,
Mendelsham Blues, Araucana Bantams,
Japanese Bantams, Copper Tones, Pomeranian
Geese, Toulouse Geese, Mini Appleyard Ducks.
HOLBERROW POULTRY Isa Browns, Hy-line
day old to POL. Specialise in small orders.
Redditch, Worcestershire. Tel 01386 792451 /
07814822356
HOWE FARM POULTRY Ashendon Road,
Dorton, Bucks. HP18 0NY Tel: 01844 238780
Mobile 0780 8899518. Buff Orpington, Light
Sussex, Welsummer, Barnvelders, Rhode Island
Red, Araucana, assorted Pekin / Wyandotte and
hybrids. Also hatching eggs.
IXHILL FARM POULTRY Breeder of Copper
Marans and Wellsummers laying dark egg strain.
Fertile hatching eggs, Contact Barry Cox on
07775 803681 (Aylesbury).
JACOB R. Beech Hurst, Southampton Road,
Cadnam, Southampton S040 2NQ Tel: 02380
812545. Large Light Sussex, Marans,
Welsummers and Barnevelder. Hatching eggs,
chicks and grower
JOHNSTONS HATCHERIES. Sole Distributor for
Dominant Cz U.K. and Ireland. Sussex, Black,
Blue and Barred Rock Layer types. Available as
H/Eggs, D/O, Started and Pol Pullets From our
own Breeding Flocks, Farms and Hatchery. Tel:
0283750733
Email:jam.johnston@btconnect.com Agents
required in some areas. 07968761794 Fax:
02837507333
JUST PURE POULTRY 01239 711308. Sitting
eggs available. Light Sussex, Exchequer,
Leghorn, Maran Bantams, Wyandotte, Silver
Pencil. Gold, Silver and Blue Laced Light
Sussex.
KATH’S HAPPY HENS, breeder of award
winning hens. Cream Legbars for sale (blue
eggs) 16 and 20 weeks. Tel 077111 77891 or
01684 540048 kathboughton@hotmail.co.uk
LINCOLN/NOTTINGHAM BORDERS. POL
Hybrids. Quality free ranging birds. Full details
on website. Open most days. Visitors welcome.
www.fenellasgarden.co.uk. 01522 681580.
LITTLE ACRE 01235 767187 Wantage, Oxon,
Oxfordshire. RIR, Welsummers, Marans, Light
Sussex. Saxony Ducks, Indian Runners, Pekin
Bantams, Geese plus hatching eggs, chicks and
growers. POL available.
MANOR FARM CHICKENS
Northhants/Beds/Bucks Tel: 01604 890624 /
07802 296323 www.manorfarmchickens.co.uk
POL Black rock, Black star, Specled star, Sussex
star, Bluebelle. Good free range birds
MAYFIELD POULTRY. Est 15 years. Exhibit at
major shows. 10 varieties of pure breed bantams
and hatching eggs 01303 813428
mayfield.poultry@freeola.net
www.mayfieldpoultry.co.uk
MICHAEL PAGE South Newington, Oxon 01295
721076 (evenings) large Maran, Welsummer,
Light, Speckled, Buff Sussex, Barnevelder,
Lavender Araucana, White Silkie, Red Mottled
Leghorn, Bantams Gold/Silver Sebright, Lemon
Cuckoo Pekin, hatching eggs, chicks, growers.
MOLYNEUX ROBERT Boston, LincsTel: 01205
280742 / 077998 45207
Email:rjlmolyneux@aol.com Breeder & Exhibitor
of, Marans, Belgian Copper Blacks,
Welsummers, Belgian and Dutch Bantams.
Various Ducks, Geese and Turkeys.
MRS L. ROLPH Hampshire 01489 896008 /
07860 384404. Various POL hybrids always
available. LARGE NHB, Lakenvelder, Welsummer,
Orpington, Sussex, Legbar, , RIR, Lincolnshire
Buff, Leghorn, Vorwek. BANTAM Wyandotte,
Pekins, Sussex, Guinea fowl, Call ducks,
Turkeys. Hatching eggs. Zwartbles sheep.
➘

Poultry continued
NEWLAND POULTRY - Malvern, Worcestershire
- 07830 176254 - mail@newlandgrange.com 7 x
varieties P.O.L. hybrids - Jersey Giants,
Orpingtons in Lavender, Black, buff and crele.
www.newlandgrange.com
OGILVIE, LONGNIDDRY East Lothian, Scotland
Tel: 01875 870238 / 07971 607034 Email:
georgeogilive@btinternet.com Large fowl; RIR,
Light Sussex, Maran, Welsummer, + poultry
feed.
POPLARS POULTRY, Suffolk. Home bred large
and small fowl, ducks and geese. Many breeds
available.For further details call 07950 784717 /
07714 329802 or email:
ap.keeling@btconnect.com www.poplars-
poultry.org.uk
POULTRY MILL Nr Pencoed, Mid Glam Tel:
01443/224367 Mob 07944246484 Web Address
/ www.Poultrymill.Com We Specialise In French
Marans ( 6 Colours) Day Olds & Hatching Eggs
Also Large Stock Of Other Breeds Inc Rare Auto
Sexing Welbar Bantams And White Faced
Spanish Bantams.
QUALITY POULTRY at realistic prices. THE
GOBBETT RARE BREEDS, Farlow, Near
Kidderminster, Worcs. DY14 8TD. Tel: 01746
718276 Appenzeller, silver; Barnvelder; Brahma,
dark; Friesian Fowl; Hamburg, silver spangled;
Legbar, cream; Leghorn, brown; Maran;
Orpington, buff; RIR; Silkies, gold, Sussex, buff
light; Vorwerk; Welsummer; Wyandotte,
partridge: BANTAMS: Dutch, partridge; New
Hampshire Red; Pekin, partridge, white buff,
lavender; Plymouth Rock, buff; Sussex, light
silver; Wyandotte, silver pencilled: Hatching
eggs, DO chicks and growers available. SAE for
price lists please. Ducks occasionally available.
RIDGEWAY BANK FARM SHOP
Worcestershire. Tel 01684 773464 Welsummer,
Barnevelder, RIR, Buff Orpington, Light Sussex,
Marans,also Aylesbury Ducks, Chick and POL.
Some Bantams
ROSS MILNE, TRURO . L/F Marans,
Welsummer,Light Sussex, Rhode Island Red.
Growers to point of lay. Also, various bantams
available. Tel: 01726 884224 Mobile 07710
098664.
RUSHFORTH NORFOLK Attleborough,
Tel:01953 455428 Pure breeds. Hatching eggs.
Araucana, Copper Blacks, Cream Legbars,
Maran, Minorca, Orpington, Dorking, Sussex,
Welsummer, Norfolk Black Turkeys
SILKIE CHICKENS, beautiful partridge
coloured, large fowl and white bantams. Trio’s of
both. Telephone 01673 885785.
STORRS POULTRY MR G Mortimer, Storrs
Farm, Storrs Lane, Oxspring, Sheffield S36 8YS.
Tel 01226 764822 Mob 07855829846 Email
info@storrspoultry.co.uk Website
www.storrspoultry.co.uk From day old chicks up
to point of lay in the following breeds: Large :
Ancona, Appenzeller ( Silver) Brahma (Gold,
Dark) Cream Legbar, Dorking, Faverolla
(Salmon) Indian Game (Dark) White Leghorn,
Maran, Orpington (Buff, Black) Rhode Island
Red, Silkie ( 5 Colours), Sussex (Light)
Welsummer, Wyandotte (Silver Laced). Bantams :
Leghorn (Brown) Pekin (5 colours) Poland,
Plymouth Rock (Buff), Rosecomb (Black)
Sebright (Gold,Silver) Also various hybrids
including Black Rock and Warrens. Also stocked
Poultry Housing and equipment, drinkers,
feeders etc. Peafowl, Ducks, Geese, Guinea Fowl
and Ornamental Pheasants. Other breeds
sometimes available on request. SAE for price
list.
STRETTON HELEN Long Eaton, Nottingham
01159 724800 / 07765 612814. Orpington buff,
black, blue, white, spangled. Brahamas, Cochins,
Wheaton Marans, Faverolles, Sussex., Legbars
and Ducks.
SUNNYSIDE POULTRY Suppliers of point of lay
hybrid pullets various breeds, fully vaccinated
and reared to freedom food standards. Poultry
feed and equipment also
stocked.www.sunnysidepoultry.co.uk. Burton on
Trent DE15.
Tel. Ian 07798 584798
TUELL CHICKENS Tavistock, Devon Tel: 01822
870295 julie@tuellchicks.eclispe.co.uk Bantams:
Welsummer, Light Sussex, Dutch, Pekin (5
colours), Wyandotte (Silver Pencilled) Large
fowl: Welsummer
Our breeders’
directory is also online
countrysmallholding.com
TWO POTS BANTAMS C.A. & S.J. HEATLIE
Two Pots Cottages, St Neots Road, Dry Drayton,
Cambridge CB23 8BE Tel:01954 211124 / 07836
587050 Rare & pure breed Poultry. Adults,
chicks and hatching eggs when available.
Bantams: Wellsummer Hamburgh, Dutch &
Belgian, Light Sussex, Fresian, Dutch, Japanese,
Houdon. Other breeds sometimes available.
Poultry & pet housing, poultry equipment.
Agents for Littleacre products in East Anglia.
VORWERK CHICKENS
A rare breed with beautiful buff and black
colourings excellent egg layer. Very alert and
active together being very adaptable and doing
well under most conditions. Visit our website for
further information. Nationwide delivery.
Telephone: 01566 783 232. Mobile:07747
392803 email: kim@kbrook.co.uk website:
www.kbrook.co.uk
WARREN P.O.L. PULLETS, Free range, 20
weeks plus, fully vaccinated and salmonella
tested. Very high quality stock. Good with
children, excellent egg layers. (Cheshire) 01260
227603 / 07875 022463
WILSON ANDREW Ongar, Essex CM5 9QA
Tel:01708 688257 / 07725 754719 Large gold
Brahama, Buff Orpington, Welsummer, French
wheaten marans. Bantams: Welsummer, Marans,
Lavender Pekins. Various Ducks including
Cayauga, Pekins.
WITHY COTTAGE GARDEN POULTRY Dorking
01306 711061 www.withypoultry.co.uk POL
Garden Hybrids, housing, equipment and advice.
Pure bred Sussex, RIR, Maran, Leghorns,
Dorkings, Welsummers and others. Bantams and
Ducks. Hatching eggs.
WYANDOTTE BANTAMS in silver laced, blue
laced, partridge, barred, buff, white and others.
Kerry Wilson, Markyate, Herts/Beds border. (M1
J9 1 mile) Tel: 01582 840219.
QUAIL
ALL YEAR AROUND, for sale, eggs to adult; top
quality laying and table strains: Italian, Japanese
and Golden giants POL quail always available.
Small or large orders welcome. Nationwide
delivery, Merv Anstey, Devon 01392 851190
CHINESE PAINTED QUAIL Leigh, Lancs. Birds
and fertile eggs available. Also Red-breasted,
Japanese, Californian, Gambel, Harlequin, Blue
Scale, Mountain. Tel: 01942 609928 Mob: 07773
977401 Email: mark@chinesepaintedquail.co.uk
Web: www.chinesepaintedquail.co.uk
GREENHAM QUAIL East Sussex Tel: 01323
484562 Japanese Quail always available. Various
colour strains, fertile eggs. Egg boxes (full cases
only).
ROSEHAYES FARM Clayhidon, Devon. Ex15
3TT Tel: 01823 680092/680847 mobile: 07955
054331 Email: vellacj@hotmail.com., Jumbos,
Golden Giant, Italian and Spanish laying quail.
All colours including tuxedo. Fertile Japanese
eggs always availabl.. Also Chukar Partridge,
Chinese Painted, Blue scaled and Californian
quail
RABBITS
CALIFORNIAN RABBITS New Zealand Whites
and crosses. Quality stock always available from
£10 each. Also Japanese Quail and fertile eggs.
Devon/Somerset border. 01823 680847/680092
Mobile 07955054331 Email
vellacj@hotmail.com
COPPERFIELD RABBITS British Giant Rabbits
- young stock available. Please phone 01377
255176 (East Yorkshire) for details or visit
www.copperfieldrabbits.co.uk
COSY NOOK NEW ZEALAND WHITES
Northamptonshire. New Zealand Whites stock
always available and orders taken. Excellent
breed for pets or meat production. Tel: 01832
737958 Email: cosynookcottage@btinternet.com
JEFF ROWELL Spalding Tel: 01775 630008
Website: http/www.lapin.freeservers.com/
Vlaamse Reus (sometimes called Continental
Giants), and Flemish Giants. I am always
interested in purchasing Flemish Giant stock.
MOLYNEUX ROBERT Boston, Lincs Tel: 01205
280742 / 07799 845207 Email:
rjlmolyneux@aol.com Breeder and exhibitor of
continental giants in most colours. Belgian hares
in standard & white.
PEDIGREE RABBITS Dutch Mini Lop,
Continental French Lop, Lion Heads and Guinea
Pigs. 01227 769792
REDFARM RABBITS Lincolnshire. Young stock
always available. British Giants, £45. Care
sheets, feed and advice always available. Contact
James 01673 828177 redfarmstorage@aol.com
RARE BREEDS
BRITISH WHITE and belted Galloway cattle,
Berkshire pigs, South Down and Wensleydale
sheep. Also non rare breeds , British Alpine and
Toggenburg goats, Huacaya alpaca and many
breeds of poultry. Deen City Farm. S W London.
Lisa or Katie 0208 5452172 email:
lisa.allen@deencityfarm.co.uk
DEEN CITY FARM SMALLHOLDING, SW
London. Tel: 020 8545 2172 Email:
livestock2@deencityfarm.co.uk
www.deencityfarm.co.uk Irish Moiled & British
White cattle, OSB, Shetland Sheep. Non rare
breeds Alpine goats, alpaca and many breeds of
poultry including turkeys, Saxony & Call ducks.
RHEAS
ABERDEENSHIRE RHEAS, Craigdam,
Peterhead 01779 821349 White and grey adult
birds from quality fertile stock. Blown eggs
available.
FYLDE COAST RHEAS, EMUS AND
BANTAMS 01253 700 652 Grey and white
Rheas, Chicks, young stock, fertile Eggs
available from late Spring till Autumn, also Gold
Brahma, Blue and Miniature Black Silkie and
Polish Bantams.
GREY AND WHITE RHEAS, chicks and older
birds available. Golden and Reeves Pheasants,
Silkies, Pekins, Barbu D’uccles sometimes
available. Tel: 01926 842635 Email:
bernadette.twaddle@googlemail.com
www.rheasofwarwick.co.uk
HURRIES RHEA David B Wellock. Hurries
House Farm, Otterburn, Skipton, N.Yorkshire
Tel:01729 830291 Flock established 10 years.
White and grey all ages usually available.
Visit/stay on our picturesque Dales working
farm.
KEEPERS FARM RHEAS Nottingham 01949
850019 White Rheas for sale – eggs, chicks and
yearlings. Phone for more details.
STAFFORDSHIRE RHEAS hatching eggs April -
September, chicks July - November, bigger birds
at other times. Orders taken and delivery
possible. Tel: 01785 280295
SHEEP
AMIABLE DORSET DOWN RARE BREED
Succulent Commercial Carcass. Seen on River
Cottage. Champion winning flock. Realistic
prices. Scrapie Genotyped, carefully handled.
Weston-Super-Mare. 01934 820883
BALWENS & SHROPSHIRE SHEEP Pedigree,
registered, attractive native breeds. Ewes, lambs
and rams usually available. Delivery possible.
South Yeo Farm East, Devon. 01837 810274
www.southyeofarm.co.uk
BALWEN, BORERAY and SOAY SHEEP
Registered, well handled stock. Help and Advice
gladly given. Christine Williams,
Monmouthshire. Tel 01291650382
christine@gaerllwyd.co.uk
www.gaerllwyd.co.uk.
BALWENS TREMYNYDD FLOCK Established
over 20 years. Registered and Scrapie tested.
Stock usually for sale. St Davids,
Pembrokeshire. Tel: 01437 720308 email:
annalou.daybell@virgin.net
BAYVIEW RARE BREEDS Beautiful healthy
Balwen and Soay sheep, Ewes, Lambs, Tup etc
unregistered. Delivery can be arranged. Tel
07717075309 N E Scotland
BROTHERTON ZWARTBLES FLOCK Pure bred,
registered, accredited ewes and rams. Also Texel
X Zwartbles ewes. Scotland. Tel: 01506 873982
EDEN GOTLAND SHEEP , Penrith Cumbria
CA10 1JE. Registered breeding stock for sale.
Also carded wool to spin or felt. Contact Nickie
01768870538. scalerigg@tiscali.co.uk.
ECOLAN FLOCK of White Faced Woodlands.
Cwm Gyared, Clynnog Fawr. Caernarfon LL54
5NW 01286 660386 Registered breeding flock
and Fleeces available - Long Staple. Excellent for
spinning and felting
GOTLAND & ZWARTBLES pedigree sheep.
Both breeds are well handled, bucket trained and
quiet. They make attractive, friendly pets, also
producing an excellent carcass. 01489 896008 /
07860 384404
GREYFACE DARTMOOR Hardy, attractive,
friendly and quiet, medium sized lustre
longwool. Ideal for smallholders or parkland.
Contact Secretary 01823 602863 (evenings)
Email: info@greyface-dartmoor.org.uk Website:
www.greyface-dartmoor.org.uk
HAMPSHIRE DOWN registered pedigree sheep
from the Swinsen flock, Staffordshire, quiet and
very friendly. MV accredited. Ram and ewe lambs
and older rams also available. Contact David &
Annie Armstrong 01543 483175 / 07968 345815
/ 07932 399848
HONORWOOD FLOCKS Peter and Christine
Everitt, Cefn Llanfair, Llanfair Road, Llandysul,
Ceredigion, S44 4RB Tel/Fax 01559 362890.
Email: info@honorwoodflocks.co.uk Shetland,
Icelandic and Soay.Various colours.
www.honorwoodflocks.co.uk
JACOB Ewe lambs and Ram lambs often
available. Registered and non-registered, all pure
bred. Holsworthy, Devon. Contact Jane Oliver
01288 381414 olivers@firenet.uk.net
JACOBS Very easy attractive sheep. Excellent
conservation grazers. Ewes, lambs and rams
available. Help and advice. Tel: 01526 322228,
Mobile 07971 583764 (Lincolnshire).
MANX & HEBRIDEAN Pedigree Sheep. Hardy
and delightful. Champion flock. Excellent meat
and for spinning. Wool, yarn and woven goods
also available. Tel: 01548 821000
www.fowlescombe.co.uk (Devon).
MIDDLESMOOR HERDWICKS quality purebred
flock ; regularly handled and quiet sheep. All
ages available, including small breeding groups.
Visit www.herdwicksheep.co.uk. Dianna Bowles
07801573486.
OUESSANT Smallest breed in Europe, listed
Rare Breed, Friendly, easy to handle, make ideal
eco-friendly lawnmowers for Smallholders.
Manchester 07957 567557
OUESSANT SHEEP Pedigree registered stock
available. All colours. Easy to handle, friendly
miniature breed, ideal for smallholders.
(Southeast) tel: 07733 094492
OXFORD DOWN AND DEVON & CORNWALL.
Friendly pedigree sheep. Delivery possible.
Surrey / Hants border 01256 701847
SEVERNVIEW SHETLANDS Hawkesbury, South
Gloucester. Tel: 01454 299236. Email: pcdixon@
waitrose.com. Website: www.severnviewfarm.com
Organic, friendly, bucket trained flock. All ages
and colours including ram hire. Wide range of
wool products and meat.
SHETLAND & BALWEN SHEEP Ewes and
Lambs and Rams for sale. Various Colours
Hillend Flock in Somerset Tel 01749 831182
email lesleybeazer@ hillend.fsworld.co.uk
SOUTHDOWN AND BLACK Welsh
Mountain/Southdown cross ewe and ram lambs,
born February 2010 available now. Unregistered.
Easy to look after and very tasty meat. Will
deliver within 50 miles. Near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Tel : 01732 884655.
SOAY RARE BREED Small flock of Soays for
sale, can deliver. Please contact Vicky. Tel:
07810 302996 email: bryniau@btinternet.com
SUFFOLK SHEEP a fine, strong, solid, sturdy and
very characterful breed. Purportedly the favourite of
the commercial farmer to cross with their ewes for
meat production. Orders taken for breeding ram
lambs and ewe lambs. Visit our website for further
information www.suffolksheep.org.uk email:
kim@kbrook.co.uk tel: 01566 783232 Mob: 07747
392 803
WELSH MOUNTAIN BADGER FACE (Torwen and
Torddu), also pedigree Berkshire pigs, Aylesbury
and Black Indian runner ducks/hatching eggs.
www.southyeofarmwest.co.uk 01837 810569
WILTSHIRE HORNS The Gorse flock has
shearling ewes / rams. No shearing required.
www.bishopsgorse.com Tel Brigg 01926 651273
(Warwick)
WILTSHIRE HORNS From Wiltshire. Well grown
lambs and shearlings available. Visitors welcome
01985 844824 / 07784190918
TURKEYS
HERITAGE TURKEYS – DORSET Traditional
varieties of turkeys available as hatching eggs,
poults and adult birds. Phone 08456 121233
Email: ian@heritageturkeys.co.uk
www.heritageturkeys.co.uk
PONDEROSA Dorset Tel: 01425 672194.
Bourbon Red, hatching eggs and young stock
when available. Some pure bred traditional
poultry plus ducks and geese, dairy and Boer
goats and tortoises.
WATERFOWL
A GREAT SELECTION of Mandarins, Carolinas,
Teal, Pintail, Shell, Whistling Ducks, Hawiian,
Red Breasted Geese, Swans and many more
species. Nationwide delivery, Merv Anstey,
Devon 01392 851190 www.moonridgefarm.co.uk
ANGLIA WATERFOWL Call Nick 07752 160009
Indian runners 10 colours, crested 9 colours,
various calls. Appleyard Aylesbury, many others.
Also wildfowl, large fowl, bantams, pigeons,
guinea fowl, pheasants.
BEECH LODGE WATERFOWL Mike and Anne
Griffiths Tel: 01732 750452 (Kent) Ornamental
Waterfowl, Exhibition Calls, all colours.
Steinbeckers, Brecon Buff.
BRUCE HOWELL Dereham, Norfolk Tel: 01362
668303 Black swans, Trumpeter swans, Whooper
Swans, Black Neck swans, Red Breasted geese,
Tree ducks, Teal, Wigeon & other ornamental
waterfowl, also Indian runner ducks.
IAN RICKATSON, Bedfordshire 01525 402156
Pomeranian Geese, call ducks (white, apricot,
blue bibbed). Guinea Fowl, hatching eggs, adult
birds for sale when available
IVEL VALLEY WILDFOWL (Bedfordshire)
breeders of many species of common and rare
wildfowl since 1952. Tel: 01767 640143 before
6.30pm (all calls returned).
LOCHAN HOUSE WATERFOWL
ABERDEENSHIRE ornamental wild fowl
including whistling ducks, geese, perching
ducks, dabbling ducks and diving ducks. Most
species hardy in North East. Tel: 01224 791753
Website: www.lochanhousewaterfowl.co.uk
ROBERTSON, KENNETH Highleadon, Newent,
Glos Tel: 01452 790392. Email: robertsonken@
btinternet.com. www.wedderburnwaterfowl.co.uk
70 species of waterfowl bred Manderins,
Carolinas, Shellducks – Black Swans & Teal etc.
RUDD, CLIFF & SUE HOMELANDS Ingleby
Arncliffe, Northallerton, N. Yorks DL6 3LZ Tel:
01609 882586 Exhibition Geese; Sebastopol,
Brecon Buff, Embden. Ducks, German Pekin.
Various call ducks (Also Oxford Down Sheep)
THOMPSON POULTRY South Yorkshire, Call
Ducks, white,apricot, silver and more. Black East
Indans, also Poultry. Hatching eggs posted.
www.thompsonpoultry.com Tel 07921 857841
WILDBERRY WATERFOWL Melton Mowbray
T 07973717952 Email
Emily@wildberryproducts.co.uk Ducks : Call
ducks, Teal, Shell ducks, Mandarin, Ruddy etc.
Most types available please ask.
RURAL ORGANISATION
DIRECTORY
BREED SOCIETIES
OUESSANT SHEEP SOCIETY OF GREAT
BRITAIN For information visit our website
www.ouessant.com or contact the Secretary on
01903 812645, email:
enquiries@ouessantsheep.com
FOOD QUALITY
WHOLESOME FOOD ASSOCIATION Sky
McCain, Ball Cottage, Hartland, Devon. EX39 6BU.
Tel: 01237 441118 www.wholesomefood.org.
sky@ wholesome-food.org.uk A low-cost, trust
based alternative to organic symbols for producers
selling food locally.
PLANNING
CHAPTER 7 Telephone for free planning advice
for smallholders. 100 page DIY planning
handbook £16. The Potato Store Flaxdrayton
TA13 5LR Tel: 01460 249204 Email:
chapter7@tlio.org.uk
RURAL COURSES
A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO POULTRY
KEEPING. We offer both one day or weekend
courses on our smalholding in Lincolnshire.
Plenty of hands on experience. Bed and
breakfast also available. (Gift vouchers available)
Dial House Nurseries 01205 820016 email;
tracy.claydon@virgin.net
BASIC CHICKEN KEEPING COURSE 1-day
course covering all aspects of chicken keeping.
Hillcroft Kitchen Gardens. Sutton Bonington M1
(j24) Brochure 01509 672697
e-mail:hillcroftkitchengardens@talktalk.net
HOME SMOKING In two days learn to build a
smoker, brine and cure fish, meat and cheese,
smoke and eat it! Bill & Sukie.
www.bluebellcroft.co.uk 01967 402226. Perfect
present.
HANDSPINNING Learn to spin. 1 and 2 day
courses. Essex/Cambs Border Tel 01763 838485
www.mayshotorchard.com
INDRODUCTION TO SMALLHOLDING (1 and 2
day), livestock days, build your own website for
novices courses, on a beautiful Devon farm.
www.southyeofarmwest.co.uk 01837 810569
NATURAL DYEING, WEAVING, FELT
MAKING DAYS. Discover wonderful colours.
BREEDERS’DIRECTORY
Easy ways to weave and make felt. Local, rare
breed fleece. Cornhill Crafts. 01890 883038
(Northumberland).
INTRODUCTORY COURSES ON KEEPING
Poultry, Sheep, Pigs & more! Relaxed & friendly
courses for beginners. See
www.southyeofarm.co.uk for further details.
Devon. Tel: 01837 810274
email:southyeofarm@btinternet.com.
ONE DAY LIVESTOCK & BUTCHERY
COURSES Hampshire Tel/Fax 01264 811405
Full details on our website www.dairybarn.co.uk
OVER 46,000 READERS SEE OUR BREEDERS – TO ADVERTISE CALL ELAINE ON 01392 888561
SHEEP DOG TRAINING groups and individual
tuition on coastal farm. Residential. B&B or self-
catering. Advice given on acquiring working
dogs.Pembrokeshire Sheepdogs.
www.sheepdogtraining.co.uk Tel: 01437721677
WORKING HORSE COURSES with Robert
Samspon in South Hampshire. Singles, pairs,
agricultural, timber, pleasure etc. Accommodation
available. Telephone: 01425 470 273
YEARLE TAMWORTH PIGS Northumberland Tel
01668 281336. email info@yearletamworths.co.uk
www.yearletamworths.co.uk Pedigree stock usually
available also a variety of pig keeping courses.
SMALLHOLDING SOCIETIES
CHESHIRE SMALLHOLDER ASSOCIATION
Tel: Lesley Gallagher 01928 740212 Training
Courses, Eg: lambing, hedge laying, fencing.
Lectures, walks, social events. Newsletters.
Family Membership only £10.
www.cheshiresmallholders.org.uk
EAST RIDING SMALLHOLDER SOCIETY.
Annual membership £5 which will include
directory of contacts, quarterly magazine and lots
of helpful advice. For further details contact
Amanda hall 01482 665150 or email
Nick@hall40.karoo.co.uk
KENT SMALLHOLDERS Mrs S Faubert Tel:
01959 523098. Contact Suzie, friendly, helpful,
mutually supportive group meets monthly on a
Wednesday evening at Hadlow College,
Tonbridge. New members welcome.
NORFOLK SMALLHOLDERS TRAINING
GROUP Chris Snell 01553 810969 Email:
chris.snell@dsl.pipex.com www.nstg.org.uk
Friendly supportive group, Training courses.
Monthly newsletters.Talks. Visits. Members
Directory. Family membership.
SHETLAND CATTLE HERD BOOK SOCIETY
Shetland Rural Centre, Staneyhill, Lerwick,
Shetland, ZE1 0NA. Tel: 01595 696300
Email:shetlandschbs@aol.com website:
www.schbs.co.uk Shetland cattle a natural
conserver of Biodiversity. Feel free to call for
information.
SMALLHOLDERS ASSOCIATION SOMERSET
Contact membership secretary Ann Parkhouse
01963 240268. Somerset based, friendly group
holding monthly meetings, courses, visits and
bi-monthly newsletter. www.shasomerset.org.uk
WEST SUSSEX SMALLHOLDERS CLUB
Friendly support group. Regular monthly
meetings. Practical training days. Brinsbury
based. New members welcome. Membership
Secretary 01483 278420 email:
lesleyward@englishcheese.co.uk
westsussexsmallholdersclub@msn.com
IMPORTANT
NOTICE TO
ADVERTISERS
Although every
advertisement is carefully
checked, occasionally
mistakes do occur. We
therefore ask advertisers to
assist by checking their
advertisements carefully and
advise us immediately should
an error occur. We regret
that we cannot accept
responsibility for more than
ONE INCORRECT insertion
and that no re-publication
will be granted in the case of
typographical or minor
changes which do not affect
the value of the
advertisement. Whilst every
endeavour will be made to
meet the wishes of the
advertisers, the publisher
does not guarantee insertion
of any particular advert.
 Classified
ALPACAS
●.HIGH QUALITY breeding stock, all colours. Sired by
top males. Clean, closed herd. Sold with six months
health guarantee against T.B. Tel: 01963 210437
COURSES
● WORM FARMING PRIVATE TRAINING COURSES,
for beginners or established growers. Learn the latest
rapid breeding techniques, and see our outdoor beds
and portable bins which feature 100% successful
anti-crawl system. Learn how to produce and market
large high value worms without individual picking.
You will be taught how to earn up to £1200.00 per
month from each 1000 square feet. Flexible work
schedules make our systems suitable for smallholders
with full time jobs. Phone Wonderworms UK on
01422 831112 for your free information pack and
booking form.
● CHAPEL HERD PIG KEEPING COURSES covering
all aspects of pig keeping, from beginners to pedigree
breeding. Contact Stephen Booth on 0161 928 2143
(North Cheshire).
● PIG KEEPING COURSES (KENT) Suitable for the
complete beginner, those with some knowledge or
just an alternative day out. Please phone Liz on
07743 744051 for more information, dates and avail-
ability.
CULTIVATION EQUIPMENT
● ENVIROMESH 13metres x 100 or 200 metre
lengths, plus various other small cultivation and plant-
ing equipment from an organic farm. 07966 531595
(Peterborough).
DAIRY EQUIPMENT
●SMALL DAIRY PROCESSING EQUIPMENT always
available. Tel: 01233 860760 / 07786 244007
FARMING HOLIDAY
● FARMING AND ACTIVITIES HOLIDAYS. Hands on
Britain’s biggest selling smallholding magazine
or just for interest. www.croatiafarmholiday.com
07765 988258
FOR SALE
● M.F. 20 BALER, VGC, barn stored, well maintained,
reliable. £800 ono. Surrey/M3 Tel: Jeff 07973 115176.
FRUIT TREES
● ADAMS APPLES. APPLE TREES, from £6.00 100
+ varieties, dessert, cookers, cider. Bush and stan-
dard rootstocks (MM106 & M25) Pears, Plums,
Gages, Blueberries and other fruit. Free catalogue.
Tel: 01404 841166 Fax: 01404 841196
www.adamsapples.co.uk
GOATS
● BOER X NUBIAN GOATLING, 2 kids at foot by boer
“BillY” £275. Tel: 01780 410406 (Rutland).
PERSONAL
● MEET COUNTRYSIDE LOVERS
www.countrysidelovers.co.uk
● JUST WOODLAND FRIENDS Country Introduc-
tions. Est 17 years. Tel: Polly: 0845 3708180.
www.justwoodlandfriends.com
PIGS
● MANGALITZA PIGLETS for sale. Registered stock.
Tel: 01788 891969 (Rugby).
● USED PIG ARKS always available.
www.pighuts.co.uk James 07710 364368
● FOUR PURE BRED Oxford Sandy & Black gilts.
August born, £250 each. Tel: 07710 168388
● RETIREMENT REDUCTION SALE quality commer-
cial hybrid outdoor sows, litters and growers. E.Sussex.
01323 440147 www.sausagemobile.co.uk
ALPACAS
Pedigree Alpaca Herd
International Championship
Winning Studs
Companion / Pet Alpacas
Husbandry Packages & Advice
01787 374142
www.melfordgreenalpacas.co.uk
Long Melford, Suffolk
‘Most Successful
Small Breeder
2010’
52
To advertise in the classified section
www.countrysmallholding.com
call Elaine on 01392 888561 or
email: elaine.beed@archant.co.uk
● SADDLEBACK x OLD SPOT sow and litter. Born 8th
April. Friendly outdoor reared piglets approx £60 each.
Win
EN NOW
Tel: 07909 110082 (Hertfordshire).
● TWO PEDIGREE & REGISTERED Berkshire gilts.
TE
One year old “in pig”. Tel: 01622 817509 / 07779
874002 (Kent)
R
POULTRY
● BELGIAN BANTAMS, Barbu D’Uccle, Porcelains,
Millefleur / Black mottled hatching eggs available. Tel:
Louisa 01306 611227 / 07802 358925 www.great-
brockhamhurststud.co.uk
£1,000
PROPERTY
● IRELAND Co CLARE, Smallholdings. Cottages,
rural opportunities. Contact Green Valley Properties
www.gvp.ie 0035 3619 21498
● SOUTH YORKSHIRE, Rural location. Grade II Listed
characterful 3 bed cottage with orchard and gardens
(needing TLC).Offers around £310,000. Also available
approx. 2 acres rough pasture. Tel: 01226 791071 For entry details see page 34
PROPERTY ABROAD
of Poultry magazine, or you
● FISHING LAKES in Northern France. Commercial can enter online at
and private with accommodation. Cardyke OSPS.
01775 630008
countrysmallholding.com
● SMALLHOLDINGS AND FARMS in Brittany and
Normandy. Cardyke OSPS 01775 630008
● SMALLHOLDINGS AND FARMS in Southern
+ new this year Young Smallholder of the Year
Portugal. Cardyke OSPS 01775 630008
● DETACHED 3 BEDROOM PROPERTY FOR SALE,
renovated, with 2 ¾ acres of land including wooded
CARETAKER WANTED
area in Averyon, France near the village of Salvetat
Peyrales. Former Smallholding. Furniture included as
well as chainsaw, rotivator etc. Contact Linda Edney Smallholding/lifestyle opportunity in Rochdale
on 0033 565 658 164 or lindaedney@orange.fr
● PORTUGAL Alentejo. Renovated farmhouse, 29 Stone Built 3 bedroom
acres, 20 minutes from Algarve. Tel: 00351 3094 “Caretakers Residence”
03761
● SMALLHOLDING FOR SALE CENTRAL FRANCE. Forming part of a small Industrial Estate in a semi rural location,
Fully renovated house with barns and 3.4 acres £190k offered rent free in return for management /caretaking duties.
O.N.O. Exchange considered john.gallagher1@yahoo.com
Up to 10 acres of grazing land and stables if required
SHEEP small salary negotiable.
● DORSET DOWN EWE and lamb shearlings and Would suit a reliable couple with one partner working primarily from
lambs. Tel 01654 710379 home, or early/semi retired active couple.
SMALLHOLDING Some bookkeeping or general building knowledge an advantage.
● BEAUTIFUL WEST CORK smallholdings to farms References essential.
www.keyproperties.ie 00353 870507379
For application form please tel. 01706 523367.
SPINNING
● BOBTAILS. Your pet hair hand spun into knitting ALPACAS
yarn. Tel: 01964 562946 www.bobtails.biz
ECONOSPRAY
AGRICULTURE
AUCTION SALE
Saturday 26th June - 12 noon
Imagine Alpacas Limited
THE U.K.’S NO. 1 SPOT SPRAYER
Complete
from only
From
Oak Grove, Brill Road, Horton-cum-Studley
U.K. Limited
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£89.50 + VAT
Tel: (01566) 772208
Fax: (01566) 777228
Oxfordshire OX33 1BU
www.spraytech.uk.com
Available in sizes from 55 to 200 litres
Also: Spray Booms, Wheel Kits & Hose Reels
35 lots including: 3 Pure Accoyos
17 females - some with cria at foot
4 proven stud males
Other quality males
Viewing from 10am on sale day and
by appointment prior to sale day
Tel: 01865 351 655 or 07831 215 986
July 2010
Email: sarahweston@maxply.co.uk
www.imaginealpacas.co.uk
www.countrysmallholding.com

CLASSIFIED
AUCTION SALE COURSES

Considering
Smallholding?
www.symondsandsampson.co.uk Look before you leap.
One and two day
introductions for beginners.
THURSDAY 1 JULY www.backfell-smallholding.co.uk
Deadstock at 4.00 p.m G Livestock to follow at 5.00 p.m 01557 820102
LONGBURTON FARM, LONGBURTON South West Scotland
SHERBORNE, DORSET, DT9 5PG
Dispersal Sale
15 ORGANIC CATTLE
6 Limousin, Angus & Simmental In-Calf Cows & Heifers
Brambles Country College
8 Store Cattle Smallholding for beginners Hands-on 1 day courses
31 ORGANIC EWES WITH LAMBS KuneKune pigs, Angora & Pygmy goats and various Poultry.
Swaledale, Herdwick, Jacob, Portland & Southdown We cover legal requirements, feeding, daily and regular routines,
2 Poll Dorset Rams, 9 Store Sheep housing and environment, breed knowledge,
26 BOER & BOER X GOATS (Non Organic) health and medical treatments.
7 Does & 13 Kids, 6 Yearlings Contact Julie 01684 833336 Malvern, Worcestershire
79 PIGS (Non Organic) julie@countrycollege.co.uk www.countrycollege.co.uk
Pedigree & Non-Pedigree Tamworth,
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Practical 'hands
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Walk-In Fridge, 2 Upright Display Fridges able information &
theortical 'power-
2 Display Chest Freezers www.smallholdinglife.co.uk point' presentation
01558 669198 & courses notes.
For S.R.Harris & Partners

Britain’s biggest selling smallholding magazine

Catalogues from Yeovil Office 01935 382909 L
or www.symondsandsampson.co.uk W FUL
NO
2 010 11
R 20
FO
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COURSES
U RS ALL
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Starting with Hens & Ducks
Bees for Beginners
Sheep for Beginners
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(Near Bristol)
Rare Breed pigs that really matter
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TIME TO RELAX
ONE DAY PIGKEEPING COURSES
Learning to beat the ‘Credit Crunch’
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53
 CLASSIFIED

www.countrysmallholding.com
AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS FUELS

• Traditional Curved Roof Barns

• Modern Portal Framed Barns
• Clad Buildings - Waney and Feather Edged
• Lean - To Buildings
• Animal Sheds of all Types: Sheep Sheds,
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• Stables & Hay Barns
• Implement and Tool Sheds
• Farm Offices
Est 1945 • Nissen and Romney Sheds
Vigas Log Burning Central Heating systems
Affordable Renewable Sustainable
01686 622100
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Dulas Mill, Mochdre Lane, Newtown, Powys, Mid Wales SY16 4JD

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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Drastically reduce heating costs compared with Oil,
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check out our website Vigas boilers are highly efficient (85%)
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with existing heating system.
Tel: 01422 831112 Fax: 01422 839003
www.dunsterwoodboilers.co.uk
Britain’s biggest selling smallholding magazine

FEED BINS email: dunsterwoodboilers@hotmail.co.uk

Tel: 01643 709009.
FEED STORAGE BINS INSECT SCREENS

G Fully galvanised Aluminium

G Lockable
G Strong and durable
CHAIN SCREENS
Keep Out Insects
G Rodent proof –
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GUARANTEED Colours : Stripes : Patterns
G Various sizes and designs Free colour brochure
Made in England by: Tel: 020 8560 3337
Acorn Developments Fax: 020 8560 4442
Tel 01432 276600 C.I.C. SCREENS
Fax 01432 341268 The Metro Centre St Johns Road
Isleworth Middx. TW7 6NJ
www.acorndev.co.uk www.cicscreens.co.uk

FENCING LIVESTOCK

HOPKINS QUICK FIT

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Installed within hours not days
Minimal labour
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No concrete/blocks
required - set in the
ground on a hard-core base

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www.kiwifencing.co.uk Unit 2A, Lion Works, Pool Road, Newtown, Powys SY16 3AG
Tel: 01686 627374 Fax: 01686 627515
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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS

Although every advertisement is carefully checked, occasionally mistakes do occur. We therefore ask advertisers to assist by checking their advertisements carefully
July 2010

and advise us immediately should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE INCORRECT insertion and that no re-publica-
tion will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. Whilst every endeavour will be made to meet
the wishes of the advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advert.
54
www.countrysmallholding.com

CLASSIFIED
DOVES POLYTUNNELS OLD MAPS

POLYTUNNEL GREENHOUSE SPECIALISTS

Over 30 years supplying quality frames with a variety of Every old farmhouse and
covers. Easy assembly. Send for Brochure field in Britain.
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PLANNING PERMISSION
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FENCING & NETTING
Contact local agent
farmhouse with 30 acre
Land Planning Advice smallholding for sale in
07888 719002 Auvergne, France
ELECTRIC FENCER www.landplanningadvice.com £275,000
Nationwide Service Tel: 0033 (0)470 429 375
DISCOUNT SALES P.O Box 7185 Wareham BH2O 6AW or Lo call: 0844 232 0291
AND REPAIRS www.smallholdingforsalefrance.weebly.com
Full range of energisers and
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delivered £72 + VAT Smallholding with
planning permisson for rat race for a slower
Phone any time for details.
Price list available
mobile home and
polytunnels. pace of life? THEN THIS
Tel: 01225 891236
Fax: 01225 891121
Approximately 4 acres of COULD BE FOR YOU Snowdonia £239,995
G.A & M.J. Strange Grade II listed registered smallholding,

Britain’s biggest selling smallholding magazine

Broadfield, North Wraxall,
grass and approximately 11 acre smallholding with 2 acres divided into eight fields and
Chippenham, Wilts SN14 7AD
13 acres of orchards, income in Co Mayo, Ireland
Apple, Plum and Pear in approx 2,500 acres of mountain grazing
rights, 7 berth static caravan, several
picturesque area in Comes complete with stock (hens, geese, outbuildings, spectacular mountain and
To advertise in the classified Emneth, Norfolk. turkeys and sheep), machinery, 2/3 bed coastal views, the cottage comprises
section call Elaine on
Health reasons force sale. cottage and mobile hol home. Ready to 3 bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living
move in and take over. £199,000 room with original Inglenook fireplace
01392 888561 or email: Tel: 01354 741151 with woodburner. 7 miles from the
elaine.beed@archant.co.uk or 07900 675365 Tel: 00353894156143 historical castle town of Caernarfon.
michaelwlkr54@gmail.com Tel: 01286 882470
PROPERTY

Specialising in the
sale of smallholdings WORCS Between Worcester / Stourport
c.2.5 ACRE EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY WITH CATTERY
and rural properties in Carmarthenshire, SA33 Ref: 5537 £460,000
4 bed character house together with stables and stone Grassland Paddock, Cushion Ride Arena 30m x 20m, 3 Stables,
outbuilding. Approx. 28 acres land, mostly woodland. Feed Store, Purpose Built Cattery Licensed for 25 Cats, 3/4 Bed
South West Wales Chalet Style Bungalow in Beautiful Countryside Guide £489,500

LINCS Nr Spalding
c.6 ACRE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Level Paddocks, 3 Stables, Workshop, Refurbished 3 Bed Residence
with Adjoining Large Two Bed Annexe, Very Well Presented
Guide £470,000

EAST CARMS Between A40 / Lampeter

Carmarthenshire, SA40 Ref: 5731 £369,000 Pembrokeshire, SA64 Ref: 5823 £330,000 c.18 ACRE TRADITIONAL FARMSTEAD
3/4 bed detached property set in just over 2 acres. Stone barn Detached 5 bed property on edge of village. Approx 4.5
suitable for conversion. Home of Penybontbren Herbs – business acres plus grazing rights on adjoining land. Modern Hay and Grazing Pasture, Small Stream and Pond, Modern
not sold as going concern, but potential to reinstate if desired. barn with stables. Stock Sheds, Stone Barn, Period 4 Bed Farmhouse to Improve
Guide £350,000 (Option More Land)

ABERDEENSHIRE Nr Huntly c.93 ACRE GRASSLAND FARM Hay & Grazing

Pasture, Fine Range of Traditional Stone Barns, 3 Bed Farmhouse with Superb Views
Guide £425,000
MID WALES Nr Llanidloes c.3.5 SECLUDED SMALLHOLDING Grassland Paddock,
Young Orchard, Poultry Pens, Stock Sheds, Garaging, Well Presented 3 Bed Period
Ceredigion, SA44 Ref: 5827 £299,950 Ceredigion, SY23 Ref: 5670 £285,000 Cottage Guide £349,500
Delightful 3 bed cottage in peaceful, rural location. 3.5 acre smallholding with 2 bed cottage and range of
Approx 1.5 acres landscaped gardens including stream outbuildings.Willow plantation, plum and bullace orchard, CARMS Nr Llandeilo c.11 ACRE SMALLHOLDING Several Paddocks, Multi Purpose
and very productive vegetable plot. veg and herb garden, newly planted wood and hay meadow. Barn, 3 Bed (2 En Suite) Bungalow in Beautiful Countryside Guide £335,000
ABERDEENSHIRE Nr Turriff c.4.5 ACRE TRADITIONAL SMALLHOLDING
Several Paddocks, Extensive Range of Outbuildings, Period 2 / 3 Bed Farmhouse in
Beautiful Location Guide £298,000

We exclusively sell property with land : If you wish to sell in any area
we offer unrivalled National Advertising and Internet Marketing on
01239
July 2010

Pembrokeshire, SA43 Ref: 5828 £340,000 a “No Sale – No Fee” basis

Spacious detached 3 bed family home with stable block
and approx 2 acres. Additional 1.25 acres to rent. 851242
www.thesmallholdingcentre.co.uk 55
 CLASSIFIED

www.countrysmallholding.com
POULTRY SEPTIC TANKS

Duffryn Eggs -
Poultry Breeders DEVON, NOW, FLINTS POULTRY
PLYMOUTH
SEPTIC TANK PROBLEMS?
WE’LL MAIL ORDER THE SOLUTION
Vaccinated Rhode Rock, Goldline Pullets and others.
•Day old chicks to P.O.L 18 weeks old, small or large lots. Blue Marans, Rhode Rocks, A unique product which breaks down the waste
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Also to order Pure bred day old chicks & Speckeldy Marans, Light Sussex an inexpensive and simple way to eradicate your
From £1.25 per chick Khaki Campbell female ducklings.
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Also Copperblack Rocks, We also have garden fantails. FREE HELP AND ADVICE – PHONE
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FAX: 01704 542632
07562
or
Day olds to
Guaranteed females from
Tel: (01884) 255266
AQUARIUS DEPT. CSH01,

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UNITS 5&6, BLOWICK INDUSTRIAL PARK,
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7RU

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Large or small orders welcome Free to roam, perch reared.
Tel: 07828 196864 Maran, Blue Maran,
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Cotherstone Chicks & Hatching Eggs available
Nr Barnard Castle see website
DL12 9PS Goslings & Turkey Poults in season From England’s Largest Established Reindeer Herd
Tel: 01833 650274 (24 hrs) or 650591
www.hodgsontimberbuildings.co.uk Near Exeter
Our reindeer are fully inoculated and fully adjusted to British diet.

HENS IN OXFORDSHIRE Tel: 01404 823415

www.harepathsteadpoultry.co.uk

Castrates Available

Male and female yearling calves
Rhode Island Reds G Light Sussex
Cows in calf
Cuckoo Maran G Arucana G Pekins
Cows with calf available from June

Hiring of Bulls for 2010 rutting season
Buff Orpington G Jubilee Opington
Silkies G Black Rock G Day old chicks BLACK ROCK
Halter broken (male and female)
All £3 each | Pullets £20 Poultry (Muirfield Hatchery)
Trained to pull Sleigh (castrates only)
Also hybrid egg machines! POL £12 R & A LOVETT
Companion Reindeer
Britain’s biggest selling smallholding magazine

Ducks and geese
7 day veterinary, welfare and husbandry advice

Dwarf Lop, Lion- Willows Farm Sole UK producer of the
head, Netherland Supplies famous day old Black Rock Animal Enterprises are the country’s leading authority on
rabbits Marcham, Tel 01505 613075 or 01968 677014
Abingdon, reindeer with a mass of knowledge spanning 15 years.
Hutches, coups, www.theblackrockhatchery.co.uk
bedding, feed, Oxon
We supply leading Zoo’s and other educational and private
drinkers, feeders, OX13 6PU establishments in the UK.
incubators 07842 136154 Speckledy, Hebden Black & Calder Ranger Hens
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Small orders welcome for collection Animal Enterprises staff travel and work with the Sami’s in
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PIGS
Email: enquiries@animalenterprises.co.uk

PIG ARKS Smart Chicks

SASSO
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Table Birds SMOKERS

Chicks available
from mid February West Country Cold Smoker
Cold smoke bacon, venison,
Contact Nicky Gibbard on poultry, other meats & cheese.
Quality Pig Arks 01643 821498
Add value to your product.
www.smart-chicks.co.uk
8’x4’ - £160 • 8’x6’ - £195 • 8’x8’ - £250 Produce succulent smoked salmon,
Kit form - Sturdy Construction - Delivery Extra trout, mackerel, haddock etc.
Floor £80 • Farrowing Bars £60 PEN KNIVES
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Economy version 21 Creedy Road, Crediton, EX17 1EW
8’x4’ - £140 • 8’x6’ - £160 A WRIGHT & SON LTD Tel/Fax 01363 773557
158 Charles Street, Sheffield S1 2NF
SCYTHES SPIT ROAST
Golden River Farms Ltd Tel: 0114 272 2677 Fax: 0114 278 7157
Tel: 07783 098404 Email: goldenriverfarms@btinternet.com
www.penknives-and-scissors.co.uk
Specialists in hand crafted hunting & pocket knives,
www.goldenriverfarms.co.uk using wood & horn coverings. Manufacturers since 1947

Micro/Mini Pot Bellied Pigs

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every one of our little pigs, this reflects in
July 2010

their temperament, physique and nature. 01297 561359

They are clean, loving & intelligent and we
believe they make highly enjoyable pets. Monkton Wyld Court, Charmouth,
56 Bridport, Dorset DT6 6DQ
www.countrysmallholding.com

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TREE CARE WATER

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461 ACRE FOREST One house-size - 5 gallons/minute £220 (+ vat)

Large house/small farm - 10 gals min £280 (+ vat)
with lake and full p/p for 4 bedroom house. Larger farm / high volume washdown -
20 gals/mm £675 (+ vat)
Spruce and pine ready now for selective harvesting.
Lovely panoramic situation close to sea, schools,
shops, airport etc. FULL RANGE OF EQUIPMENT IN STOCK FOR WATER SUPPLY,
PURIFICATION. SEWAGE AND FARM EFFLUENT.
Ideal agri/woodland holding SWIMMING POOLS, ETC.
£280,000 or with 141 acres £130,000
For no-nonsense advice on any water or pump problems
Please arrange your finances before asking for details CALL NOW FREE
Wick - Scotland Details 01337 827094 0800 018 3706 or Fax 01769 574219
RICHTER Engineering Kings Nympton Devon EX37 9TG

To advertise in the classified section call Elaine on

01392 888561or email: elaine.beed@archant.co.uk

Britain’s biggest selling smallholding magazine

Web Directory COUNTRYSMALLHOLDING.COM

Quality Poultry Everything for the Sma

allholderr.
Housing SINCE 1930

Tel: 01948 662651

www.shropshiremanufacturing.co.uk

Newland Poultry
Malvern, Worcestershire
Hybrid & pure breed hens
www.markbeantractors.com
Feed & equipment
Stockists of Garvo feeds For tractors and saddleback pigs
Tel: 07830 176254 www.newlandgrange.com

www.blackwater-trad-rare- A WRIGHT & SON LTD

158 Charles Street, Sheffield S1 2NF
breeds.co.uk
• compact tractors • ride-on mowers
For all your poultry needs • parts • agricultural/horticultural/
garden equipment Tel: 0114 272 2677 Fax: 0114 278 7157
Tel 02380-811110 www.penknives-and-scissors.co.uk
Mob 07717570543 01664 822134 07971 595105 Specialists in hand crafted hunting & pocket knives,
www.smalltractors.co.uk using wood & horn coverings. Manufacturers since 1947

TheGrassSeedStore.co.uk
www.poultrytalk.com Agricultural, Equine & Amenity Seeds
Network and Forum for anyone interested in poultry! www.thegrassseedstore.co.uk

DEACONS NURSERY
National Fruit Tree Specialist
Call for latest FREE catalogue 01983 522243 Tel: 01482 865080
or visit: www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk Forwww.theincubatorshop.co.uk
all your chickens needs
smallholderbookshop.co.uk
for the Widest & Wisest choice of
July 2010

Books and DVDs on smallholding

*PO Box 99 Thetford IP24 1NA (01953 498040
57
Bookreviews
WORMS AND WORMERIES
BY MIKE WOOLNOUGH
£9.99 GOOD LIFE PRESS
ISBN 978 1 904871 70 5
Forest gardens
CREATING A FOREST
This book shows how waste is a GARDEN
valuable resource, and how it BY MARTIN
can use it to your advantage .... CRAWFORD
with the help of the humble £30, GREEN BOOKS,
worm. You will find that worms ISBN 978 1 900322 62 1
and their by-products can
improve your crops enormously, This book is set to become
making use of scraps and the 'bible' for forest
rubbish that previously went in gardening and
the bin. Author Mike Woolnough permaculture.
takes you step-by-step through It is written by Martin
a system that could Crawford, who founded the
revolutionise your smallholding. Agroforestry Research
Trust and is currently
managing a two-acre forest
garden in Dartington in
Devon, which he planted 15
years ago.
Creating a Forest Garden
tells you everything you need
to know - whether you want to
plant a small area in your
back garden, or have a larger
plot. It includes advice on
planning, design, planting and
maintenance and a
comprehensive plant
directory
The book comes highly
BEES AND BEEKEEPING
EXPLAINED
BY GERARD BAKER
£5.99 COUNTRYSIDE BOOKS
ISBN 978 1 84674 200 2
Gerard’s book gets to the basics
of the life and organisation of the
bee colony. He also explains the
work of the beekeeper, not only
in the country but in the town.
We have 20,000 beekeepers in
Britain - but we need more!
Anyone with time and
enthusiasm can become a
beekeeper, but all of us can help
by planting bee-friendly plants
in our gardens, allotments and
even window boxes.
recommended. Patrick
Whitefield, author,
Permaculture in a Nutshell
and The Earth Manual, said:
"Martin Crawford has spent
years creating what is almost
certainly the best forest
garden in the tern aerate
world ... and the breadth of
his knowledge matches the
depth of his experience. I've
been looking forward to this
book ever since I heard he
was writing it."

STUFFED
BY PAT THOMAS
SOIL ASSOCIATION and
ALASTAIR SAWDAY
PRICE £14.99
ISBN 978 1 906136 47 5
OFFER: Our readers can buy a copy of
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p&p. Visit www.sawdays.co.uk/bookshop
and use the code CSHSTUF when adding it
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office hours. Offer ends September 30, 2010.
Stuffed presents a global
perspective on food production
and agriculture and proposes a
sustainable and fairly-traded
path we can follow to secure
food for all and protection for
the planet.
Stuffed takes a political and
personal look the way that food
systems influence, and can be
influenced by, our choices.
It is written by Patricia
Thomas (former editor of The
Ecologist), with contributing
essays by respected experts,
Monty Don, Geetie Singh,
Jeanette Orrey, Rob Hopkins,
Carolyn Steel, Peter Melchett,
Patrick Holden, Vandana Shiva
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FIND YOUR POWER
BY DR CHRIS JOHNSTONE
PERMANENT
PUBLICATIONS £12.95
ISBN 13 978 1856230506
Addressing personal and planetary
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Drawing on insights from
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He is also as a key figure in the
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depression and improving your life
to addressing issues like peak oil
and climate change.

Smallh These and many other books and videos are available from the Country Smallholding bookshop. For a complete list, visit the
try
old
Coun

bookshop at www.countrysmallholding.com or phone 08430 600033 (24 hours) or write to CS Bookshop, PO Box 60, Helston,
ing

Cornwall TR13 0TP. Book prices were correct at the time of going to print. However, publishers reserve the right to change the RRP
BO

O KS H O
of a book without notice.

58 July 2010
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2FOR1 FREE WITH COUNTRY SMALLHOLDING MAGAZINE

WIN Illustrated chicken book

July 2010

Hybrids
v pure
breeds

U L
O L
T
PU

Naked A flock Curious

Necks for all quail
Stange-looking A young You too can be
Transylvanian smallholder fascinated by
breed gives his advice these birds
 BANBURY CROSS END OF SEASON INCUBATOR SALE!!!
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32 Redleg Eggs 56 Duck/Turkey Eggs
40 Partridge/Quail Eggs 112 Pheasant Eggs
6 Goose Eggs 192 Redleg Eggs
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displays! This incubator price
The drinker is robust, has a twist/lock
cannot be beaten with all of Only base, handle for carrying or hanging if
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We will be attending the Three and drinkers. 3kg, 5kg, 8kg, 15kg
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We will be selling our full range at this show. Hope to see you there!!! bcvfsltd@aol.com
 Contents
23

Your PRACTICAL guide

Young reader with a

passion for poultry
It is heartening to see so many
children and young people taking
an interest in poultry. This is the 10
next generation of poultry
keepers, and it is good to give
them as much encouragement as
possible.
In this month’s magazine, we
include a remarkable feature
about choosing pure breeds by
Arthur Parkinson, a 17-year-old
poultry keeper from
Nottinghamshire (page 30).
Arthur says he has been 5
passionate ‘about all things POULTRY NEWS
feathered with two legs’ since News from the poultry world
seeing the poultry collection at
Chatsworth House as a little boy. 7
He is hoping to get a place at POULTRY NEWS
horticultural college this year, and Plus: More Eggs Files
we wish him all the best.
There is plenty more to inform and 10
entertain this month. Poultry news POULTRY TALK
is on pages 5 and 7, and Michelle Profile on plumage – self-coloured
Dunn has another tale from her Wyandotte ● The Cheshire Show
Eggs Files. ● Hatching your own

In this month’s Poultry Talk, Grant

Brereton looks at Wyandottes, the 15
Cheshire Show and tells a story CHICKEN WHISPERER 18
about broodies. Readers’ poultry questions
Pammy Riggs answers readers’ answered
questions on pages 15 and 16, and
Terry Beebe takes a look at the 18 42
strange Naked Neck in his Breed TRANSYLVANIAN NAKED NECKS YOUNG SMALLHOLDERS
Focus on page 18. Terry folows this Terry Beebe focuses on an extraordinary-
with a feature about hybrids on looking breed 44
page 23. CURIOUS QUAIL
On page 28 you have a chance to 23 You, too, could be fascinated by these curious
win a copy of a beautiful book HYBIRDS v PURE BREEDS birds
about poultry, with marvellous A back-to-basics comparison
paintings of diferent breeds. 50
On page 34 is another major 28 BREEDERS’ DIRECTORY
competition - to find our COMPETITION The best place to find birds
Smallholder of the Year, 2010. WIN a fabulous chicken book - The Illustrated
Victoria Roberts answers health Guide to Chickens - six copies to be won
44
and welfare questions on page 37,
and we feature two more tales 30
from young readers on page 42. A FLOCK FOR ALL
On page 44, Jeremy Hobson, who Young smallholder Arthur Parkinson advises
lives in France, writes about quail. the new keeper
Jeremy says he has been
fascinated about these birds since 34
buying some at a market. SMALLHOLDER OF THE YEAR
Enjoy! Enter now and you could win £1,000

37
VET’S FORUM

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE 38%

UP TO

Simon McEwan
You can make massive savings by subscribing to Country Smallholding - and you
editor
get your favourite magazine delivered direct to your door. Our special offer enables
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Photo - TERRY BEEBE. are three easy ways to order: by post, telephone or online – see page 48 for details.
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4 FREE with July 2010

Tulip the ‘guin’ has two extra
wings at the front but cannot fly

RARE BREED
News Tulip – the odd
looking bird
Lyn Newman had a big surprise when one of her
chicks hatched out – it looked like nothing she had
ever seen before.
The strange-looking fowl turned out to be a
bizarre hybrid of a chicken and a guinea fowl. Mrs
Newman had brought in two guinea fowl to act as a
warning system for foxes, but did not know they
could breed with her hens.
Mrs Newman, 59, who raises a number of fowl in
Defford, Worcestershire, was astonished when she
discovered one tiny bird was covered in clumps of
feathers and – most strangely of all – had four wings,
and had to trawl the internet before she realised that
the bizarre bird was a hybrid.
A rogue guinea had mated with one of her
hens and the result was this ugly chick - who has
since been named Tulip. The four wings are a
result of a genetic mutation because of the cross-
species breeding.

ODD COUPLE: Tulip (centre) with

her parents – a mother hen and
a male guinea fowl

Mrs Newman said: ‘I was just shocked when I saw

that this thing that hatched had four wings. I couldn’t

College launches new

believe my eyes. As well as having extra wings, the bird
is also much smaller and is a totally different shape.
‘I was shocked when I found out it was a cross
between a guinea and a chicken - you just don’t
expect it – but she’s settling in really well, and
doesn’t seem to realise that she’s different from all
the other chicks. She’s an odd looking bird, and
apparently extremely rare. I had no idea that guineas
could actually breed with chickens.
‘She’s a real character and is one of the gang. I’m
thinking of selling her at auction, as apparently
guinea-chicken crosses are very rare and also
infertile. I’m sure that she will find a very loving home,
and that people won’t be put off by her four wings.’
Sharon Boundy who runs UK Guinea Fowl said that
the hybrid bird sounded like a freak of nature with its
four wings. She said : ‘It is very rare for chickens and
guinea fowl to breed. I’ve only known of one other
guinea-chick in my many years in the business.
‘It’s especially unusual for them to have four wings
though - I’ve never heard of anything like it.
‘It’s not dangerous for the two species to breed,
but they don’t tend to go near each other. But
obviously a guinea fowl just fancied a chicken for a
change. Crosses between species can be very odd
looking, and this seems to be no exception.’
industry scholarship
Poultry
presence
Poultry will have a large
presence at The Lincolnshire
Show at the Grange-de
Lincs Showground, near
Lincoln, on June 23 and 24.
There will be birds on
display and for sale, as well
as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats,
crafts, bee keeping, rare
breeds, and lots more.
MORE:
www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
/lincolnshire_show
Ticket hotline: 0845 230 5171
Harper Adams University College in Shropshire,
which provides skilled graduates for the poultry
sector, has launched a new scholarships scheme,
with industry support.
The University College’s Principal, Dr David
Llewellyn, addressed a packed audience at the Pig
and Poultry Fair. He said: “This is an industry that
needs to work hard to attract young talent and we
can help by working in conjunction with every
company that signs up to this new scheme to find the
right people for their needs.”
Dr Llewellyn explained that sponsors will pay each
scholar’s tuition fees for the second year of their
higher education course, then employ them during
their placement year – a compulsory element of all
Harper Adams courses. “If the chemistry between
the scholar and the company is right, the sponsor
will pay final year fees and provide a job for the
scholar when they graduate,” he added.

July 2010 FREE with 5

 Breeders & hatchers of domestic fowl
Most breeds available as well as rare breeds, ducks,
geese, swans & emus
Poultry housing built to customer’s specification
Garvo food retailers, feed for all animals, 7 days a week
Bedding, drinkers, feeders, medicines & other products available
01245 401005 or 07775 740561
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6 FREE with July 2010

This month we have
a special feature on
the Naked Neck
chicken (see page SHOW
GIRL
18). Crossing Naked BY MICHELLE DUNN
Necks with other
breeds can produce
some interesting
results. One of these
A PERENNIAL PROBLEM
has become a real
star – at least with
some folks. This is At this time of year, I find it very enjoyable to be out in the vegetable patch,
the ‘Show Girl’, sowing, transplanting and even doing a little early harvesting. Unfortunately,
pictured here. The free range chickens also enjoy time spent in the vegetable patch, and their
Show Girl is a naked
necked Silkie, now a actions can be less beneficial than mine.
product of serious The problem is three-fold. Firstly, and most devastatingly, chickens like to
breeding. The Show scratch at soft soil in search of grubs and worms. It hardly needs saying that the
Girl is a bantam, and
softest, finest soil on the smallholding is that in the vegetable patch where
it took generations to
get them to look this young seedlings have just been planted. A single sweep of a chicken’s clawed
good. and scaly foot is enough to send a whole row of young beans flying through the
air, never to be seen again.
This beautiful hen Secondly, chickens need regular dust baths to discourage lice and other
house in the form of a parasites. This would be no problem at all if chickens could be persuaded to use
gypsy caravan will be
coming soon from
prestige manufacturer The unsuccessful ‘pots
Flyte So Fancy. This and canes’ system
really is for the well-
to-do poultry keeper –
The Gypsy Daydream
chicken house will
retail at £3,900.
Keep an eye on the
company’s website for
more details: www. A reasonably successful method of
flytesofancy.co.uk keeping key crops safe from chickens
PHOTOS BY MICHELLE DUNN

one or two places to bathe in, but the wretched things will insist on rolling about
where you have just planted seeds. If you are lucky your seeds will sprout in
surreal, random patterns, but if you are less lucky your seeds will never
germinate at all.
Thirdly, chickens like to nibble the ends of certain tasty plants. Spinach in
particular is often trimmed with surgical precision back to the base, and lettuce
barely gets above the soil before being torn to bits.

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animal’s gut and digestive system.
Verm-X for Poultry, Ducks and Fowl is packed in sizes including
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X has the added advantage of having no egg withdrawal period.
Each re-sealable pack includes a 2.5g scoop and the promotional
900g tub will last 15 birds for eight months, and costs £23.
For any further information or to place an order please contact Verm-X on (0)870
850 2313 or visit www.verm-x.com
Is there a solution? Not really. You can limit the problem, but with truly free
range chickens there is no foolproof remedy. We tried fencing off the entire
vegetable garden, only to find the chickens could fly in (via a 1.8 metre gate!)
We used fleece (the chickens sneaked underneath, or simply sat on the fleece
and smothered the seedlings). We created ingenious ‘no-go areas’ by sinking
open plant pots in a forest of bamboo canes, but the chickens just scratched the
plant pots out and bulldozed through the canes.
In the end, we have concentrated on protecting specific crops rather than
whole beds, and this has met with a reasonable degree of success. We weave
bamboo canes into ‘chicken hurdles’, and spread chicken wire over the top, only
removing it when the plants are too large to be scratched out by the chickens.
There is, of course, a silver lining to the destructive chicken cloud. All the grubs
and worms and beetles that the chickens eat enable them to lay the most
sensational eggs you will ever taste. And, as if that were not enough, during the
wet weather last month, I saw our smallest bluebell chicken eating a slug.
Chickens aren’t all bad.
Free range chickens can, and do, demolish
newly planted seedlings in seconds

WIN THIS CHICKEN HOUSE

This hen house, the Wye model from Rivers Animal
Housing, will be given away in our next issue. The hen
house – which is suitable for six birds – is supplied
ready assembled rather than in flat pack form. The
hen house, and ancilliary products, is worth £335
including VAT. Don’t forget to buy the August issue!

July 2010 FREE with 7

 Why not try the one stop poultry shop for all your poultry needs
Dorking House
& Run
for 5-7 birds.
Available together
for £214.99
or house £159.99,

Cochin House
(15mm) up to 12 -15 birds
£239.99

Brahma
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£199.99

Jersey Giant
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£279.99

Leghorn
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£174.99

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P&T Poultry have designed and produced a range of special chicken houses
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Tel: 0844 884 3278

www.pandtpoultry.co.uk

8 FREE with July 2010

July 2010 FREE with 9
 PROFILEONPLUMAGE
Self coloured Wyandottes
A
lthough still a popular breed, the overall
number of Large Wyandottes kept in the UK is
relatively low. There are many fascinating
colours and patterns of Wyandotte available,
but this article will focus on the ‘self-coloured’ options
in large fowl, of which the available colours are white,
black, buff, and lavender. (The recently introduced
large Blue Wyandottes have purposely been excluded
because, technically, they don’t breed true – a self-
Blue mated to a self-Blue will produce 50% self-Blue,
25% Black, and 25% Splashed offspring.)
By far the most popular colour of Wyandotte is the
white, and this includes the patterned varieties. The
White Wyandotte has been in the UK for over a
century, originating from sports of the American
‘Silver Laced’ Wyandottes, which were first imported
in the latter parts of the nineteenth century. The
White Wyandotte is the only colour to have been
developed into two separate types – one for utility
purposes, and the other for the show pen. Although
primarily developed as a ‘dual purpose’ fowl,
breeders obviously felt the need to separate the
colour into the aforementioned classes.
The utility White Wyandotte, while excellent for
production purposes, resembles a ‘rose-combed’
white Leghorn in relation to shape and wouldn’t do
very well in the show circuit. Conversely, the
exhibition Whites wouldn’t even begin to compete
10
Wyandottes are winners
A Large Black Wyandotte hen,
owned by Allan Brooker
A Flock of Large White Wyandottes
owned by A & D Procter
FREE with
with the utility White for its long-established egg
laying abilities.
Today, Large White Wyandottes are still very much
in demand and the few breeders of consistent show
winning strains can hardly keep up with requests for
stock. Allan and Dinah Procter from Ribchester,
Lancs, have been breeding Large White Wyandottes
and have kept the same strain for over forty years,
proving that, with careful selection, it is possible to
line breed for the desirable features which includes
egg production as well as shape, leg colour and
comb attributes.
The Exhibition White Wyandottes have often been
accused of being too fluffy, however, as it was
pointed out to me, ‘fluffiness’ can be caused by over
washing prior to the show and doesn’t always
represent a true reflection of the bird(s) in question.
It is said that breeding ‘self-coloured’ varieties is
easier than breeding patterned varieties, such as the
‘Partridge Wyandotte’, for example. However, this is
not necessarily the case. White Wyandottes tend to
take more top honours at shows, simply because there
are more breeders who keep them, in comparison to
any singular patterned variety of Wyandotte.
Granted, I concur with the argument that it’s
difficult to compete with the whites when breeding
the patterned varieties, and often the patterned
varieties of Wyandotte require ‘double mating’ which
July 2010

ABOVE Large Lavender Wyandottes created by Allan Brooker
Large White Wyandotte males owned by A & D Procter
A Large Black Wyandotte male
owned by Allan Brooker
FIND OUT
MORE
For more information on large
or bantam self coloured
Wyandottes, contact:
The Black Wyandotte Club
Mr A Brooker 01344 774462
The White Wyandotte Club
Mrs D Procter 01254 878319
The Wyandotte Club (covers
the Buff and Lavender)
Jeff Maddock 01229 772556
July 2010
means that exhibition males and females cannot be
bred from the same pen.
An example is the Partridge Wyandotte, where
exhibition males are required to display lemon
hackles and solid black breasts, but these males
have to be paired with females of their true genetic
counterpart. These females are often very ‘mossy
pencilled’ birds and in no way resemble exhibition
Partridge females, which display beautiful
concentric black rings on beige feathers.
Just as the exhibition male needs its correct
genetic breeding partner, exhibition females need
to be paired with males which often display very
speckled breasts and a completely different shade
of hackle, which is orange rather than lemon.
While exhibition White Wyandottes can be bred
from the same breeding pen, and the same can be
said for the Buffs, Black Wyandottes have to be
double mated in order to produce black birds with
yellow legs. The exhibition female line has superb
yellow legs, however, the males required to produce
such lustrous ‘beetle green sheen’ and yellow-
legged Blacks, have a ‘White’ under-colour, which
renders them undesirable for the show bench.
Exhibition Black Wyandotte males require a black
under-colour and, to this end, are paired with
females which display dark legs. Little research has
been carried out to determine just why this is the
case, but no doubt it works well and they have been
bred this way for decades.
Although ‘double mating’ was often necessary when
standards were drawn up (to achieve the correct
coloured males and females, respectively), times
change and often classes are put on at the major shows
to allow the breeding partners to be exhibited. Some
FREE with
may question the logic in this, but, to give an example –
not many breeders can recall Large ‘Lemon Hackled’
Partridge Wyandotte Males in the UK (the correct
exhibition type), so if it wasn’t possible to exhibit ‘pullet
breeding’ males (the males required to produce
Partridge females with wonderful markings), then no
Large Partridge males would ever be shown, simply
because the true ‘exhibition’ lines don’t exist anymore.
The secretary of the Black Wyandotte Club cannot
understand why the Large Blacks aren’t more
popular. As he says: “A flock of yellow legged,
curvaceous Black Wyandottes with a lustrous ‘beetle
green’ sheen pecking around the garden is a sight to
behold.” I would have to agree – they also make
very reasonable layers.
The Large Buff Wyandottes have enjoyed a recent
resurge after some focused breeders made it their
aim to ensure they didn’t become extinct, which was
a possibility a few years back. With some hybrid
vigour, the revitalised Large Buff Wyandottes are
laying approximately 175 eggs per year and make
excellent meat birds, reverting to their signature
dual purpose qualities.
Large Lavender Wyandottes were created by Allan
Brooker, of Sandhurst, Berkshire. Allan spent several
years creating his strain and is very pleased with the
results of many years of hard work. His strain really are
the ‘fruits of his labours’ and although Allan may wish
to improve on subtle things, like clear yellow legs or
better feathering toward the tail, there is little doubt
that he has produced another ‘self colour’ to add to the
Wyandotte family. The beauty of a new colour, as with
the resurge of the Large Buffs, is the hybrid vigour
element. The newly created Lavender Wyandottes lay
very well, and also make excellent meat birds.
Double mating aside, in reality, the White, Black,
Buff, and Lavender Wyandottes all breed true and
whether or not they are kept for show, utility, or just
as an attractive curvaceous bird running around the
garden, they have a lot to offer and, in my view,
should be considered as a serious option when
seeking a new poultry breed.
It would be wrong to paint a romantic picture of
the large ‘self colours’ and, indeed, the patterned
varieties of Wyandotte – making them out to be
available in abundance. Large Wyandottes
(especially good specimens) are in the hands of a
few dedicated breeders who deserve much credit
for keeping them going. It doesn’t necessarily have
to be the case – as I have outlined, Large Wyandottes
make excellent dual purpose fowl and, after all, it
was what they were created for.
So, what price should you expect to pay? Prices
seem to vary between £15 and £25 per bird on
average, with some exhibition strains reaching
between £40 and £50 per bird. However, after the
initial outlay, the strain will be yours and you too can
move surplus stock on and charge similar prices.
One thing is for sure – the demand will always
outstrip the supply and hatching eggs is always
popular. Many breeders sell their surplus stock and
eggs at rare breed poultry auctions.
Large ‘self coloured’ Wyandottes are a very
attractive and low maintenance option if you wish to
start out with a productive and very attractive breed
– I’ve been hooked for just over a decade.
11
 OUTANDABOUT
The Cheshire Show
Tuesday 22nd June 2010, Tabley, Knutsford
The impressive Championship Row
Get yourself to
Cheshire
T
he Cheshire Show, ably run by John Tickle, is
going from strength to strength. After his
impressive efforts over the last two years, John
is looking to make his third year in charge the
best yet. This year’s event will see a larger marquee,
more trophies, and extras for all of those who exhibit.
Anyone who has attended Cheshire in the last two
years will bear testament to the fact it is very well
organised. The layout is really thoughtful, with
arranged flowers enshrouding the ‘Championship
Row.’ The idea of a pen with a mother hen and chicks
was very well received and a great talking point for
the visiting public. Another nice touch was the breed
posters on display, helping to educate those wishing to
The impressive egg entries
12
Paul Heath of 'Heath and Williams' with their 2009
winning cockerel
2008 winner,
Nancie
Hutchinson's
Brown
Leghorn
learn about the different varieties of exhibition poultry.
The trophies up for grabs, which John managed to
male
get sponsorship for, are a bit special. Last year’s
trophies came in the form of wooden shields, and silver
cups. However, this year, there will be an impressive 67
trophies in total - seven shields, and 60 cups.
The show has recently been granted
Championship as well as Regional status, meaning
that it is recognised as an official affiliate show of the
Poultry Club of Great Britain, and that breed clubs
SHOWS can hold their regional shows there. This year’s event
will host regional shows for the Araucana (green egg
IN JULY laying breed), Faverolles (French breed), and New
Hampshire Red (American breed).
15 Last year’s show was won by Heath and Williams
GREAT YORKSHIRE with a Gold Dutch Bantam cockerel. Some of you
SHOW may recognise them from the television
Schedules Amanda West at documentary Best in Show, in which they discussed
Gt Yorkshire Showground the joys and benefits of keeping, breeding, and
T: 01423 546206 showing fancy poultry.
The Cheshire show itself is a magnificent event and,
24 with the loss of the Royal, must be one of the country’s
EGG SHOW & AGM largest agricultural shows. The poultry section has
at Gt Bromley Village Hall, Gt had the honour of visits from celebrities such as
Bromley, Essex. Details David Bellamy in recent years, and the trophies are
Nicki Firth Tel 01359230448, always co-presented by Cheshire’s Lord Grey.
email nictoney@aol.com This year’s event has the honour of the President
of the Poultry Club of Great Britain, Mr Chris Parker,
25-26 as Championship Judge. Come and enjoy a
HECKINGTON thoroughly pleasant day out, set in beautiful rural
Schedules available from surroundings, and with a truly convivial atmosphere.
Mrs J Bullen, Ar meria,
Sandyford Lane, Old Leake, Schedules are available from Nigel Evans, Cheshire
Boston, Lincs. PE22 9RB Agricultural Society. Tel: 01565 650200 Website:
Tel 01205 870689 www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk
FREE with July 2010

When I was thirteen years old, we moved into a new home,
which had an acre of land - I had kept poultry for a few
years previous to that, but never had I been surrounded by
so many poultry folk. I was in my element – my next-door
neighbour kept chickens and so did many folk close by.
Perhaps the most significant of poultry keepers was
local accountant, Mike Shires, who lived approximately
two miles away. Mike had a beautiful house with acres of
flat land, adjacent to his kitchen garden. On this land were
many traditional poultry houses, in which he kept many
breeds – Light Sussex, Silver-Grey Dorkings, Anconas and
Barnevelders were just a few that I recall.
I visited Mike often and we spent hours talking poultry –
he could see I was obsessed from a very young age. As you
might imagine, with no knowledge of the show world, I
was just keen to breed and hatch a few chicks from my
Cuckoo Marans and Warren Browns.
As the old saying goes: “There’s never a broody when you
want one, and when one comes available, you don’t have the
eggs.” Although this is often the case, I could always rely on
Mike, who seemed to have a ‘broody factory’ in operation.
He would take me to his first shed each time I needed a
broody hen and say: “Here, take your pick” – there were
always about nine broodies lined up, each one occupying a
nest box of its own. These birds were Light Sussex/Dorking
crosses and made superb mothers.
Looking back, perhaps my method of transporting these
broodies back to my house was slightly unconventional – I
used to place one in a paper feed sack and then hold the
top of the sack whilst holding the handle bars of my push
bike at the same time and peddling away purposefully
towards home.
I carried out this process numerous times and it was
always successful – they were never deterred, they would
always settle straight onto the nest that I had prepared for
them. Being such big birds, they could take between 13 and
15 large fowl eggs each.
July 2010
A broody hen with her foster chicks
Not only did I use broody hens to hatch chicken eggs, I
also used them as foster mothers, by placing day old chicks
underneath them. These chicks ranged from ducklings, to
pheasants, to peafowl. I recall one year placing broiler
chicks underneath as my mum and dad were keen on
rearing our own meat birds.
With having constant success placing chicks underneath
broody hens, I had become quite complacent and it seemed
to be a foolproof system of natural rearing if a brooder was
unavailable. However, I have learnt in recent times (when I
had two negative experiences), that it’s not always
successful – sometimes the broody hen rejects the chicks
and can be extremely cruel by viciously pecking them and
causing untold permanent damage, if not fatality.
If you have a broody hen and are considering buying in
day old chicks to place underneath her, then there are a few
factors worth considering. There is a procedure which, if
followed, will allow for the maximum chances of success.
First and foremost, you must be certain that your broody
is serious and is not just ‘playing with the idea.’ Each time
you approach her she should ruffle her feathers and cluck
incessantly while lowering her head, letting you know how
protective she is (you may even get the odd peck).
Secondly, ensure the chicks intended for foster care are
actually day olds – they need to act naturally otherwise the
broody will sense there is something amiss and may reject
them. Perhaps the most important factor is to carry out the
process of a night, by leaving a few chicks in a shoebox
nearby for about fifteen minutes in order that she hears the
cheeping, which will alter her inner maternal instinct from
aggressive to protective.
Then, place just one chick underneath whilst removing a
dummy egg (if she’s sat on any), and carry this process on
until all chicks are underneath her. By the morning, she will
have had about eight hours to hear and feel the chicks
before she sees them. Thus she will likely accept them as
her own and carry out the natural brooding process.
FREE with 13
 QA
WITH PAMMY RIGGS
CHICKEN&WHISPERER
Tasty treat for hens
A hen is always on the lookout for juicy high
protein snacks - like this black larva on a pretty
dock flower. Supplements like this will keep your
birds happy and healthy. There are vital minerals
and trace elements in this fresh live food that
cannot be replicated in manufactured pellets, and
searching it out on the range is a hen's favourite
activity. An all round winning treat.
Prolific layer who won’t sit
Dear Pammy
Q Thank you so much for the very useful
information in the April issue of Country
Smallholding (Poultry section, page 16). You are
correct in thinking that we don’t have foxes in Jersey
(for which we are very grateful) so don’t have to shut
the geese away at night. We do get lots of seagulls,
but George soon sees them off if they dare try and
eat any of their food.
We definitely think that Mildred is actually
Maurice! He and George are the same size, and
definitely bigger than Ethel, and they both display
the same behaviour while Ethel behaves differently.
They seem to be quite happy with each other’s
company, so we will carry on with both of them.
Ethel has been laying prolifically, starting shortly
after I wrote to you. I went down to feed them one
day and saw her sitting in some grass; when I
investigated, there was an egg! I left her to it and
came back in the evening after work. Then I really
thought I was going completely senile as there was
no sign of the egg at all. Having searched around,
and wondering if I had actually dreamed the egg, I
moved some dry grass, and there it was in a shallow
depression in the soil that she had obviously created
for the purpose. Great relief that (a) it was still there
and had not been taken by seagulls and (b) that I
was not going completely mad! Since then, she has
laid over 20 eggs. We have removed some to
incubate, and she now has 17 in the nest. The
incubated eggs were recently candled, and it looks
as though three may be developing.
I have built a shelter around her nest (see
picture), but she shows no sign of wanting to sit. She
clears the grass away to lay and then carefully covers
them up again each time. Do you think she will
decide to sit, and is there any way to encourage her
to do so? Once again, thanks for your advice.
Tim and Pat Allen,
Jersey
Special feature on keeping quail: page 44
July 2010
Your poultry questions answered
Broody query
Can you give us some
Q advice regarding our
broody hens?
We have two two-year-old Gold
Tops; they are sisters, and both
broody. They are sitting on 10
eggs between them, and seem
content to share this task. We are
unsure whether to continue like
this, or to separate them, and this
is where we would appreciate
your help.
At present they are in a large
Hello Tim and Pat, run with a Light Sussex cockerel
A If Ethel continues to lay daily, she is and a Partridge Wyandotte.
probably not planning on sitting. Usually they Many thanks
will lay a clutch, anywhere from 9 -19, and then settle Alison Barnet
down to sit with her mate guarding and even taking
over from time to time.
It is worth marking the eggs in pencil with a date
so, if she stops laying and sits, you can remove the
oldest ones, leaving her with about 13 of the newest,
otherwise she will have too many and the oldest
ones will no longer be viable. We usually say a
maximum of 10 - 14 days before the hatchability
drops off the scale.
Of course, it is only her first season, and she has
no older geese to take her cues from, so she may be
slow on the uptake and there is absolutely NO
TELLING whether she will go broody - that's why the
incubator was invented. Birds are so unpredictable.
My broody hen gave up after two weeks, wrecked Hello Alison,
her nest and let the eggs go cold - very A I have known two Maran
disappointing. At least the boys are guarding against sister hens who
seagulls, which can be a real nuisance. successfully reared a small clutch
Good luck with your incubating, together. It just meant they all
Pammy went around in a crowd once the
chicks were hatched.
I would suggest separating the
broodies and the others as soon
as you can, just to minimise any
possible confusion. If it is easy,
leave the broodies where they are
and move the other two. While
some sitting hens will tolerate any
sort of disturbance and
concentrate on the task in hand,
others lose focus with a change of
circumstances. It is always a
lottery. My broody decided to
wreck her nest and leave the
Ethel in her shelter. She is a prolific layer but won’t sit on eggs to go cold after two weeks.
her eggs Very disappointing.
FREE with 15

Are these really
fleas from hens?
Is there anybody who could help me
Q with a huge problem? I made the
mistake of putting old chicken straw,
which was infested with chicken fleas, into the
greenhouse. Now my whole greenhouse is
infested with those fleas. Is there anything I
can do to get rid of them?
There are asparagus crowns, parsley, lettuce
and onions in the ground now. Please – is
there help? Thank you very much. I really
would appreciate any working suggestions.
Ute Goll,
by email
Can chicken
straw be source
of fleas?
Ute, have you checked the chickens
A over to make sure the fleas really do
originate there?
I can't imagine what sort of fleas you are
talking about. Have any of our readers had an
experience like this? If they are genuine animal
fleas, they will need to be feeding from their
host animal. Lice live on the chicken all the
time, and red mite would need nightly access
to birds to survive; these are the most
common problems. This sounds more like an
insect that lives on decomposing material and
has found it's ideal conditions in the
greenhouse, perhaps akin to the flea beetle
that attacks leafy vegetation. I would suggest
you show some to an experienced gardener.
I have never used them myself, but I know
there are fumigation cones that home owners
can use to rid themselves of an infestation of
dog and cat fleas in the house. How toxic they
are to humans or growing food would need to
be investigated. If they are jumping fleas,
sticky yellow cards can be bought expressly for
greenhouses or perhaps a good dose of
spiders or predator wasps can combat them.'
Pammy
16
TERRY BEEBE
A Milfleur hen
Sad story of a little Milfleur hen
We had a little Milfleur hen with a really, which is what you did. From a
Q problem that the vets could not distance, it actually sounds a lot like a
help us with. My mother came home one paralysis, which immediately makes me
evening to find her sprawled out with her think of Marek’s disease.
legs splayed and claws tightly clenched, We do have a real conundrum at the
panting or gasping for air. Her beak was so moment because all the ‘commercial’
wide open that we could see some corn birds, ex-bats, hybrid layers, etc, that are
down her throat and her crop was quite full, now going into tiny flocks in gardens will
she could barely keep herself up and she have been vaccinated for diseases which
kept falling to the side. Unfortunately, the are a product of intensification. By that I
vets thought it best to put her down to mean large scale poultry units. This means
prevent any further suffering. Would you that when a bird unprotected by vaccine
have any idea as to what it could have comes into contact with them there is a
been? chance of contracting that disease. Of
Many thanks course, many birds are not affected,
Deanna Vickers building their own natural immunity, and
by email surviving happily for years side by side
with vaccinated birds. This is what makes it
I am sorry to hear about your little so difficult to see a way forward for
A bird. This is a case for the vet everyone.
Book for dispatch and dressing course
The next Dispatch and Dressing Course
here at Providence Farm in north Devon is
on September 4 and 5. See
www.providencefarm.co.uk for details.
Some 50% grants available. A new
‘reminder’ CD of evisceration process will
be available.
One of our participants, Tim Hopper,
said: “I enjoyed the course very much
indeed and gained the confidence to give
it a go myself. We ate the chicken I
brought home tonight: very nice. I'm
looking forward to preparing our own for
the table now!”
Brian and Danielle Bulley said: “Had a
fantastic worthwhile time at your place; A happy plucker
inspired to crack on with our plans.”
FREE with July 2010
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July 2010 FREE with 17

Breedfocus
ransylvani
TNAKED NECKSan
T
ransylvania, a part of Romania since 1918, is
believed to be the original homeland to a rather
unusual breed of chicken known as the
Transylvanian Naked Neck. The bird is also well
known in neighbouring Hungary, where it is referred
to as kopasznyaku (bald neck).
This large-sized, heavy breed makes a very good
table bird. Although quite rare in the UK, it is still a
common backyard fowl in rural Hungary even today.
It has also been free-ranging in France for centuries,
and still remains popular there too.
As well as having no feathers on the neck, the bird
also lacks feathers on large parts of the breast and
underbody. Despite this amount of bare skin, the
Naked Neck is a very hardy breed, even in the
coldest climates.
Some people say Naked Necks are ugly, but these
self-confident chickens seem to have a special
charm. Even the chicks look like any other until they
fall asleep, with their tiny pink necks stretched out
under the brooder lamp - very unusual to look at,
but adorable all the same.
The Hungarians are proud of the Transylvanian
Naked Neck, with three varieties, which are ➜

Buff Naked
Neck Hen

White Naked
Neck hen

Naked Neck
black cock

18 FREE with
 Naked Neck chick in
hand showing neck
already as adult
protected – the black, white, and barred. The barred
version (Hungarian sources translate this as
‘speckled’) was developed in the 20th century, and
is currently the most popular variety, according to Dr
Szalay Istvan, President of the Transylvanian Naked
Neck organisation and author of a book on Old
Hungarian Poultry (Budapest, 2002).
In the UK, the standard of the breed states that it
should be alert and bold; the body needs to be
large, deep and well-balanced, the back broad and
rounded.
The wings should be medium in size, being
carried well up the body, and the tail is carried at 45
degrees and needs to be well curved.
The head is medium sized, with a short beak,
and the eyes are large and bright. There is an oval
cap of feathers that surround the base of the comb.
This should be even in shape, with a small tassle at
the back. The comb is single and medium in size,
but straight and erect, with well-formed spikes.
The neck is medium in length, and completely
without feathers, stubs or fluff. The skin needs to be
smooth in texture, and free from wrinkles and
roughness.
The legs are medium in length, but strong and
20
Buff Naked Neck hen
stout, free from feathers, with four well-spread toes. Standard
The colours in the UK standard include Black,
White, Cuckoo, Buff, Red and Blue, with the most Weight
popular being the black variety. Male:
All the colours have orange eyes with the face, 3.20 - 3.60kg (7-8 lbs);
comb, wattles and neck bright red. Female:
There are slight variations in colour, with the Black 2.50 – 2.70kg (5.5-6.5.lbs).
and Blue varieties having dark horn or black beaks
with legs and feet that are black or slate. The Buff, Eggs
Cuckoo, Red and White varieties have white or light The Naked Neck is a good layer of light
horn beaks with white legs and feet. brown eggs. It is not a good broody
due to the lack of feathering but, if left
The appearance of this breed always causes sitting on a small number if eggs, it
comment when seen by the general public. Many can succeed and hatch the chicks.
people ask why it has no neck feathers. There seems
to be no definite answer, but it appears the bird’s Bantam
appearance was perfected in Germany. It was used There is a bantam version of the
here as a table bird and, because it has half the total breed that is a replica of large fowl.
number of feathers to other breeds, it can be Bantam weights:
plucked and prepared much more quickly. Male 910g (32oz)
Crossing Naked Necks with other breeds can Female 680g (24oz).
produce some interesting results. One of these has
become a real star – at least with some folks. Have (Breed Standard references from the
you ever seen a ‘Show Girl’? This is a naked necked British Poultry Standards book 6th
Silkie, now a product of serious breeding. Edition)
FREE with July 2010
 Hybrid layers available, Warren, Rhode Rock, Speckledy, fully vaccinated.

Point of lay
hybrids for sale

All our chickens
are free range

New! Blue egg
laying hybrids
ready now

Small orders
welcome

Starter packages
from £250

Regular courses
for beginners,
new dates
online now

Full range of
See us at the Shropshire housing and
Show 26th-27th June products in
stock
See website or call for

Mini lop bunnies
availability of stock also available
Delivery available
Jeremy and Gemma Harris 01948 880129
www.shropshire-poultry.co.uk

July 2010 FREE with 21

22 FREE with July 2010
 HYBRIDS v PURE BREEDS
Front bird - commercial Rhode
Island Red, at the rear is a Black
Rock

HYBRID
v
PURE
BREEDS

A pair of French Maran

Terry Beebe goes back to basics and compares hybrid and pure breed chickens

I
can remember, many years ago, that my grandparents kept
hens at the top of the garden. They were in a shed with large
iron wheels, and I was allowed to collect the eggs myself. I am
sure my interest in poultry started at that time. Keeping chickens
in those days was a normal activity, and the hens were purely a
means to help feed the family. Looking back, almost all the houses in
the street had chickens; our birds were Rhode Island Reds, as most of
the layers in those days were pure bred birds.
I can remember feeding the birds and collecting the brown
eggs, but also collecting the white eggs from the other pen which
housed the Leghorns.
Keeping chickens in the back garden has, of course, become very
popular over the last few years. It seems most of us have decided that
fresh eggs are far better than the eggs we buy off the shelf, and many
more people keep hens as family pets. But, with today’s massive
increase in backyard poultry keeping, has come a slight problem.
This is the increase in the use of hybrid chickens. These birds have
been created to be exceptional egg layers, and go under a variety of
fancy names according to the supplier - but they are all based on the
same method of breeding. ➜

July 2010 FREE with 23

 Hybrids
HYBRIDS v PURE BREEDS

The
Bluebell

This is a very stunning hybrid

chicken with a plumage that is
almost all blue. It lays very well
and provides a reasonable brown
egg. The birds tend to grow quite
large, but they make a good THE
addition to any flock.
BLACK
White Star ROCK
This white bird, that lays a
white egg, is slightly smaller
than some of the other This is another very well-known bird which lays a very good, dark brown egg. It was originally
hybrids, but this does not produced by crossing the Rhode Island Red with the Barred Plymouth Rock which does produce
affect the egg sizes. Its sex linked chicks. The breed is very capable of free ranging, and prefers to be outdoors in all
appearance is similar to the weathers. Their temperament is normally quite placid, but they have a tendency to become
production bird the Leghorn. dominant in a mixed flock. The egg production is around the 280 per year.

ISA Brown Amber Star

This bird is probably
the best known of all
commercial laying
hens. They are from a
variety of sources,
with the strains of the
ISA, Warren, Hisex,
Ranger and Hiline,
and they are capable
of producing up to 340
eggs in their first year.
Their temperament is
also very good when
it comes to handling
and children. They are
This is a very docile bird which is easy to keep. The egg
also easy to keep and
manage. colour may vary from brown to cream, and some appear
speckled. This gives some variety of choice, but some of these
are pale in feather colour and will still lay paler brown eggs.

Copper Black
THE SUSSEX The Light Sussex has
always been the one of the top layers. Pictured This bird is based on the copper
right are the hybrid version. The original Sussex black Maran, a breed that is well
won prizes at Crystal Palace for its laying ability known for its very dark brown
many years ago, and the bird is still in that same eggs. Be aware that, although they
class today. This hybrid has the appearance of do lay very dark eggs, there are
the commercial Sussex - a very attractive bird cases when the egg colour is
that has a white body with a black collar. It is a lighter than you may expect. The
white egg layer. colour will in no way affect the
taste or quality of the egg.

24 FREE with July 2010

 HYBRIDS v PURE BREEDS
Pure breeds

Leghorn hen

Commercial version of the Rhode Island which is a

pure breed but commercial

This description applies to chickens that are bred Orpingtons

within their own breed, with no crosses.
Nevertheless, all pure breeds have, over the years,
been created to produce the type of birds that we
see today. The birds were bred for egg production
and meat, and many of today’s breeds come from
years of careful breeding to obtain a standard for
exhibition. Many of the original pure commercial
chickens are the ancestors of the birds we see in
the show pens today.
The Jungle Fowl is the original chicken, and it is
from these birds that all of today’s breeds originated.
The wild Jungle Fowl was a game bird that did
indeed live in the jungle and, even today, many
breeds have a resemblance to the original birds.
A good example of how a breed was created is
to look at the breeds that were crossed to create
the Rhode Island Red. The RIR originated in the
United States and was developed by using birds
that came from Asia; these included the Malay, Java
and Shanghai. The result of these crosses was then
followed by another outcross using the Leghorn.
Gold Brahma cock
Silver Pencilled Wyandotte
To create a breed of this type must have taken
years, and the end result is one of the best known
chickens in the UK.
Many books have been written describing
chicken breeds. The list seems endless, and the
fact that there are so many different types gives a
huge choice and allows you to find birds that will
suit your own circumstances.
You can go for good, solid plain birds that are
hardy and have very little maintenance, or choose
really fancy feathered varieties that need a lot of
It is important to
ensure the
conservation of pure
breed chickens –
without the pure
breeds there would be
no hybrids.
care and attention. Always take into account the
time and effort that each individual breed needs
before you make the final decision.
It is important to ensure the conservation of pure
breed chickens - without the pure breeds there
would be no hybrids.
Although some of these breeds do not produce
the same number of eggs as the hybrid, they still
give a very good performance and are a valuable
addition to your flock.
You might consider the Rhode Island Red,
Leghorn, Wyandotte, Maran, Brahma, Cochin or
Orpington, to name just a few. They will give good
results and will also look amazing in the pen.
Cochin
Conclusion
Hybrids are created to produce
eggs in very large numbers
but, in many cases, the length of
time they will produce is
limited. Commercially, they are
past their best at around 18
months, but as a backyard
chicken they will last
considerably longer.
Pure breeds do not lay as
many eggs, and are more likely
to come off lay in the winter
months, but they will both live
and lay for longer. Both types of
birds can free range, but some
of the pure breeds with crests
and feathered legs can be
unsuitable for outside
conditions. Always check on the
suitability of the breed you are
considering and how and
where it is going to be housed
and run.

July 2010 FREE with 25

26 FREE with July 2010
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WIN a fabulous ➜ STILL TIME TO WIN

WIN a superb
chicken book hen house
There is still time to win a magnificent
The jumbo
ountry Smallholding has teamed up chicken house in a competition which

C
barrow –
with publishers A&C Black to offer featured in ourfour to be
June
six copies of a beautiful new book issue (page 28 won
of
about chickens which retails at
£16.99.
Poultry).
Country
£345
The Illustrated Guide to Chickens - Smallholding
with a foreword by HRH The Prince of and elite hen
Wales - covers the 100 most familiar house
breeds in Europe and North America. manufacturer
The breed profiles are written in Counting Your
engaging text that covers the history of Chickens Ltd are
each breed, its main characteristics, offering one of
and information about looking after the company’s
them. Each breed has been illustrated top-of-the-range
with delightful paintings by the author. chicken houses
There are practical sections on as a prize.
buying hens, the equipment needed With over 30 years experience in
to keep and breed chickens, basic joinery, Nigel Draper, of Counting Your
care (including feeding and Chickens, has developed the
hygiene), common Swinbrook Hen House in conjunction
ailments/troubleshooting, care of chicks and with experts in chicken keeping. The
more. two previous books on hen care. Swinbrook - valued at £345 - has the
Author and artist Celia Lewis, who keeps If you don’t have any luck in the twin aims of chicken welfare and ease
hens and guinea fowl in her own garden, competition, but would like to buy the book, of cleaning and maintenance.
works mainly in watercolours, and has now the ISBN number is 9781408122297. Visit To enter, see page 28 of our June
branched out into acrylics. She has co-written www.acblack.com or call 01256 302699. issue. The closing date is June 21.

Six copies on offer

There is still time to enter another
competition - for a book called Chickopedia -
Hens & Cockerels,
Facts and Fiction
From A to Z, by
Charlotte Popescu.
Six copies are up for
grabs. See page 28
of our June Poultry
magazine to enter.
Simply answer the question below and send your completed form to: Chicken Book Entries close on
HOW TO Competition, Country Smallholding, Archant South West, Fair Oak Close, Exeter Airport June 21. The book,
ENTER Business Park, Clyst Honiton, Exeter, Devon EX5 2UL.
published by
● Who wrote the foreword to The Illustrated Guide to Chickens? Cavalier Paperbacks,
..........................................................................................................................................................
Winner of a £400 incubator
● Name ................................................................ ● Address......................................................................................................................
The lucky winner of a superb £400 RCOM 50
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... incubator from P&T Poultry featured in our
..................................................................................................... ● Contact phone number ............................................................... May issue is M Squire of Ilfracombe, N Devon.

.● Email address ....................................................................................... Winner of £50 prize

Deadline for entries: Monday, July 19, 2010. Usual rules apply. The editor’s decision is final. The winner of a £50 cash prize from our April
issue is Miss A Hill of Mansfield, Notts.
Archant Ltd and A&C Black Ltd may contact you via mail, phone or email about products and services which may be of interest. If you do not wish us to contact you, please mark the envelope ‘confidential’

28 FREE with July 2010

 Prize winning sacks
in store now
Win...
Forsham Arks
Incubator
Galvanised feeders
and drinkers
Educational books
Magazine subscriptions
Home hatchery set
Smallholder Range
feed vouchers
…and more*

For full terms and conditions log on to www.smallholderfeed.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1362 822902 Email: helpline@smallholderfeed.co.uk
Offer available while stocks last. Bags may contain a plastic egg. This must not be fed.
*Details correct at time of going to press. For a full list of prizes please visit www.smallholderfeed.co.uk

July 2010 FREE with 29

Arthur Parkinson advises the new keeper on the right
management system for classes of pure breed chickens.
C
hoosing the right breed can be tricky for
both the first time poultry keeper and those
who wish to expand their flock with some
new additions. After flicking though a
magazine or poultry book, many of us find ourselves
wanting to get a particular breed which we find
appealing – but how do we decide if it will suit us,
and, indeed, the system we intend to keep it in?
Below are categories I have designed to help
you decide if a certain breed will fit your lifestyle,
These pure breed hens were pictured
at South Yeo Farm East in north Devon
www.southyeofarm.co.uk
In the rear are Minorcas and in the
foreground are Vorwerks
A FLOCK OR ALL
30
location, timescale, and the reasons you may wish
to keep chickens, whether it be for productivity,
looks, pets or meat. The breeds I have
categorised into the groups may indeed suit more
than one purpose and management system. All
hens have their own personalities, and all keepers
have their own experiences of the breeds, but it is
a general guide for which system the birds will be
happiest and do best in, and how you can get
birds which match your requirements.
FREE with
Arthur
Parkinson
is aged just 17 and lives in a semi with
a garden in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire,
with his mother and brother. A hobby
poultry fancier, he has kept and bred
poultry for 11 years. He now keeps a
flock of fancy bantams – Buff Pekins,
Silkies and Barbu d’ Uccles - who free
range amongst the flower beds. His
first feature for Poultry, published in
July last year, was about Pekins.
Arthur says his interest in poultry was
sparked when he saw the birds at
Chatsworth House as a little boy. “Ever
since then I have been smitten by all
things two-legged with feathers. It has
become a passion,” he said.
Arthur left school last year and hopes to
go to horticultural college in the autumn.
July 2010
 The family flock T BEEBE

A flock for the family may be the hardest to choose, Breeds for the garden
especially if the whole household is interested in
which birds are selected; after a quick look through
coop and family flock
any poultry book, most will have seen a breed they
like the look of.
Usually, the main reasons for families wanting to
keep chickens are for freshly laid eggs from happy,
healthy hens and to educate the children. The birds
are likely to be destined for an ark or other garden-
type hen house and these are now readily available
in many designs and sizes. EXCHEQUER LEGHORN

T BEEBE
Something that needs to be considered here is
attention from children and activity in the garden. If
tameness and laying ability is a requirement, there
needs to be some careful thought. For example, a
White Leghorn hen will lay many eggs, but is
unlikely to enjoy being held by children as most
individuals are rather flighty. That said, the light WELSUMMER
breeds, such as Leghorns, do better penned than
the heavy breeds, as they won’t put on fat. A fit bird
lays more, whereas an overweight bird, such as a
Maran, which has a very good personality, is prone
to laziness and so produce fewer of the popular
brown eggs when confined. Bear this in mind if
heavy breeds are being considered for close
confinement.
T BEEBE

The birds need to be productive, easy to manage SUSSEX

and happy to be stroked and handled. Although

T BEEBE
birds with feathered feet and crests will be
appealing to children and, indeed, adults, these
birds require more attention, usually lay fewer eggs
and need much more special care than the average
clean-legged breed. The breeds covered in the
panel mostly suit confinement well and can be
happily kept in most popular flatpack-type runs and
poultry housing. Some hen houses on the market
are, in my opinion, just not big enough and the birds
will get fat or bored and may begin to feather peck.
All birds will enjoy a run round the garden but the
ones I have listed cannot be trusted to leave the
plants alone. You can, of course, allow them out every
now and then, but you have to keep an eye on them
or your borders will be stripped of all but the
hardiest and toughest leafed plants, unless your SILVER PENCILLED WYANDOTTE MARANS
borders are protected with garden netting.
A sheltered, fenced-off area, or corner of the
garden, covered in wood chippings and a few thick Other breeds you could cleaning out. Although many people say arks are
logs on which the birds can perch and peck consider are: ideal for a few garden hens, I don’t like them. After
around, is a good permanent run. You will find it Araucana a few weeks of moving one about, your lawn will
much better than a small house and run. The hen Australorp have bold marks and dying grass unless you have a
house can be place in a corner of the run, raised New Hampshire Red really big lawn. I would say a movable ark is to be
up on breeze blocks to prevent rats getting in! Let Rhode Island Red avoided - the ground space they allow makes them
them out on the lawn when you are around with a Friesian unsuitable for many big breeds.
stick ready to scare them off the flower beds, and Dorking The breeds are very enduring, easy to obtain and,
you can also use them to clear the vegetable patch Plymouth Rock with time, they soon tame up and develop their own
in the autumn and spring. Remember to hang a personalities. If they are kept without a cockerel,
good-sized bunch of greens up every few days if which I recommend, they will not only be tamer, but
they are not given weekly access to grass, as this is will often crouch down on the floor, allowing children
what makes golden yolks; also give them a dry to gently stroke them as they cluck modestly! Most
area of soil in which to have a dust bath. There are Our extensive breeders’ importantly, they will lay lots of eggs and, if lots of
many good designs now available for a small flock directory, on pages 49-51, different breeds are kept together, you will a have a
in the garden which can be bought or copied to is a great place to look to range of beautiful different shaded eggs to collect in
your design; the best ones have low nest boxes to find birds near you. your nest box! I should mention that many of the large
allow children to collect eggs and easy access for breeds mentioned are also bred in miniture form. ➜

July 2010 FREE with 31

 Garden/ornamental
flock
This group consists of many of my favourite breeds.
They are kept as pets, show birds, trusted broodies
and stunning garden ornaments! Many of these
breeds have been bred into several colour forms,
allowing plenty of choice.
They include those with crests, feathered feet and
beards. However, this group does require extra care,
whatever the reason for keeping them. The qualities
other than just looks. Most will do very little damage
to the garden and can thus be free to range within it,
although they will still enjoy ruining bedding and
unestablished plants, so you will need to protect
these. Most birds in this group make very good pets
for children and adults alike. They lay enough eggs -
mainly small - to fill the egg larder during the
summer months and some breeds often lay in the
winter months. Most of the breeds mentioned here –
Silkies, for example - make the best broody hens,
while others, such as Sebrights, are often kept purely
to look at from a distance, as they tend to be nervous.
The care they need does vary from breed to
breed, but all those mentioned should be kept out of
muddy areas. All of them should have an enclosed
area, kept free from rain, to use during bad weather;
the floor can be either a layer of bark chips or straw.
When keeping a big group, a secure polytunnel with
a thick plastic covering in the winter, or a large light
shed or stable, will serve well as winter quarters.
This would apply to a large flock of Cochins, for
example. That’s not to say these birds are unhardy,
Ornamental birds
T BEEBE
SILKIE
T BEEBE
ORPINGTON
32
T BEEBE
The roaming flock
This group of birds is most suited to the rural
farmyard, smallholding, stable block or, indeed,
any large area of land. The birds listed tend to
be flighty and active in nature and can, to a
large extent look after themselves with very
little extra or specialist care.
This group includes the most flighty of poultry
breeds which take a delight in their liberty.
That’s not to say that this system does not have
its drawbacks – even the strongest flyers are at
risk from foxes, so they still need a secure area
at night in which they can roost. Despite this,
there are some birds that may choose to risk it
and roost in trees or in open barns.
The hens may decide to make nests in very OLD ENGLISH GAME
strange and inaccessible places, although
some can be tempted to lay in the hen house or Other breeds: Legbars, Hamburgs, Leghorns,
a more easily accessible area, provided it is Fayoumis, Old English Pheasant Fowl,
very quiet with minimum disturbance. The hens Derbyshire Redcap, Ancona, Appenzeller
Spitzhauben, Hamburgh, Campine,
are mostly good layers with some, such as the Lakenvelder, Minorca, Sicilian Buttercup
Leghorns, doing the best out of all the pure
breeds. Most of the hens listed won’t bother to
go broody and, if they do, they are likely to happy to leave out while I was at work, confident
disappear and reappear with their newly- that they would still be there on my return.
hatched brood after incubating in a secret When buying birds for this system, it is vital to
patch of nettles. get them to see the main area of your property
Of course, you could say that any breed could be as home. The younger they are, the more quickly
kept totally free range, as they all do enjoy their they will learn that the hen house is home.
freedom, but these are the breeds I would be Adapting a stable may be a good idea as the
building will allow you to put perches much
higher than any conventional hen house, so
Poultry theft has become more prevalent, suiting these birds better. They may even need a
and some breeds, such as Old English ladder leading to the highest perch so they don’t
Game, are at risk of being stolen – damage themselves when flying down or up.
although these birds are usually too flighty They certainly look a picture strutting outside
for the thief to be able to sneak up on barns or on a country track, and you have to
them in the open. put in very little effort, apart from providing
the essentials.
but those birds with feathered feet, beards and
Other breeds: crests will soon look really muddy and unhappy if left
Brahma out in muddy and unprotected areas during the
Scots Dumpy winter. They will still wish to perch at night and
Sebright bantams during the day, so provide them with low perching
Dutch bantams which should be a little wider than perches used for
Rose Combed other breeds because of their feathered feet.
bantams Most of these breeds are very tame and make
T BEEBE Serama good pets for children. Many will allow children to
COCHIN Pekin Bantam carry them around or flap up onto your knees when
Modern Game you are sitting outside. They will run up to you as
Nankin Bantam soon as they hear your back door opening and are a
Belgium Bantams - delight to keep. Many of the small breeds, such as
Barbu Pekins, are perfect for the small housing now on the
d’ Anvers, market. During the summer, monitor the birds for
Quail Watermael mites as their plumage is often affected by them, and
and Barbu d’ Uccle those with feathered feet generally need to be
Frizzle checked regularly to ensure scaly mite does not
Sultan become a problem.
Poland Some of the cockerels for these breeds can
Houdan become a little aggressive and crow more loudly
Japanese Bantam than many of the big breeds. This should be borne
in mind if you live in an urban area.
FREE with July 2010
July 2010 FREE with 33
We have just extended the closing date for the 2010 Smallholder of the
Year Competition. In this exciting national competition, we are searching
for a smallholding that exemplifies best practice and offers an inspiring vision
The search is on
WIN
£1,000
Country Smallholding launched the Smallholder
of the Year award to celebrate and support the
dedication of smallholders at a time when self-
sufficiency becomes ever-more relevant.This
year’s contest, run in association with Verm-X,
will be even bigger than last year’s, with a new
junior section. The winner of the main
competition will receive £1,000, a trophy and a
voucher for £100 worth of Verm-X animal
Y O UNG
health products. There will also be trophies and
Verm-X products for the entrants in second and
third place. The winner of the junior section
will receive £500, a trophy and £50
worth of Verm-X products.
Last year’s Smallholder of the Year
Competition – the first – was a great success,
rece ff vouc -X
with a high standard of entrants. The winner,
Jane Fanner, was presented with her prize
at a special awards lunch at Percy’s
Country Hotel and Restaurant on the
Devon/Cornwall border. Jane has an inspirational
smallholding around a narrowboat in Oxfordshire,
and has now started writing for the magazine.
Enno
te w
r
YOU CAN ENTER ONLINE TOO AT
ENTERING IS EASY www.countrysmallholding.com
We have made the entry form much simpler for this year’s competition (see
the entry form next page). The judges will be looking at a range of issues,
including care of livestock, land management and environmental awareness.
The winner will not necessarily be someone with lots of resources. It may be
someone with a modest smallholding who, nevertheless, impresses the
judges with their dedication and commitment to this way of life.
Entries close on July 9. Six of the leading contenders, and three junior
entrants, will then be featured in the magazine. The judges will draw up a
shortlist, and we will be back at Percy’s in the autumn to honour the 2010
winners. It is a beautiful country venue, and award-winning chef Tina Bricknell-
Webb is sure to serve a delicious lunch.
The judges include Country Smallholding editor Simon McEwan, two of our
writers, author, TV presenter and sustainable living expert James Strawbridge
and leading vet Victoria Roberts, Philip Ghazala, managing director of Verm-X,
and Anna Merritt, publisher for Archant South West’s rural magazines, who
produce Country Smallholding.
Proud
supporters
We are pleased to be
ry
Eve t will - running the competition in association with Verm-X. This
an ey is an award-winning product for the natural control of
entr a mon r internal parasites in animals, such as hens, dogs and
ive he
horses. It is a British product that focuses solely on
reducing the use of chemicals in animal husbandry, and
o Verm has proved particularly popular with smallholders. The
for ducts principal focus is on using 100% herbal and natural
pro ingredients that, whilst effective, are gentle on your
animal’s gut and digestive system. You can find out more
at www.verm-x.com
 EN .cou
ww
TE ntr
YO NLI allh
w
R ys
U NE oldi
O m
CA TO ng
N O .com
Send your completed entry form (no photocopies accepted), to reach us by Friday,

AT
July 9, 2010, to: Smallholder of the Year Competition, Country Smallholding, Archant SW,
Fair Oak Close, Exeter Airport Business Park, Clyst Honiton, Devon EX5 2UL.
ENTRY FORM

YOUR DETAILS
Entrant’s name (individuals, couples or families can enter): Please start your entry here and continue on separate sheet(s)

..............................................................................................
Address: ................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
Phone numbers:
Landline:.................................... Mob: ..................................
Email: ....................................................................................
Website (if applicable): ........................................................

Answer this question: Name one animal for which Verm-X

products are available (see Verm-X panel on previous page).
...............................................................................................

Signature: ..............................................................................

YOUR ENTRY
In the space on the right, tell us about your smallholding. You
might like to include all or some of the following: When did
you start? Give a basic description – the size, types of
animals/poultry and other features. Tell us about your level of
knowledge and skills, how you manage your livestock, your
approach to animal welfare and how you manage your land,
your approach to environmental issues, any initiatives
involving the wider community, any business you might run
and your vision for your smallholding.

Judging and competition rules: The closing date is Friday, July 9, 2010. On the basis of information in the entry forms, six smallholdings will be selected for a visit by a judge from Country Smallholding. These smallholdings
will be featured in the magazine during the autumn. These six smallholdings and entrants may also be featured in Country Smallholding’s related products as well as local and national press. A shortlist of three entrants will
then be selected from these six by the judging panel.The three shortlisted smallholdings may be visited again by a judge/judges. The representative from the judging panel will need to meet the person, or persons, named on
the entry form during the visits. The three shortlisted entrants will be invited to an Awards Lunch in November, at which the winner will be announced. The top prize will be £1,000, a Smallholder of the Year trophy and a
voucher for Verm-X products worth £100. The finalists at the awards lunch and the winner receiving their prize should be the person(s) named on the entry form. The judges’ decision will be final. Entrants in last year’s
competition who were featured in Country Smallholding are not eligible to enter. Employees, or relatives of employees, working for Archant are not permitted to enter. The competition is open to UK residents only.

Send your completed entry form (no photocopies accepted), to reach us by Friday, Y O UNG ENTRY FORM
July 9, 2010, to: Young Smallholder of the Year Competition, Country Smallholding, Archant
SW, Fair Oak Close, Exeter Airport Business Park, Clyst Honiton, Devon EX5 2UL.

YOUR DETAILS YOUR ENTRY Tell us about your life on your smallholding. Do you look after animals or
Entrant’s name ...................................................................... poultry? If so, tell us about them, and what you do to care for them. Do you grow anything? Do
Age (must be 16 or under on June 11, 2010) ........................ you help your parents? Or in a business? Just try to describe what you do on the smallholding – and why you like it.
Address: ................................................................................
.............................................................................................. Please start your entry here and continue on separate sheet(s)
..............................................................................................
Landline:.................................... Mob: ..................................
Email: ....................................................................................
Your signature........................................................................
Parent’s Name........................................................................
Parent’s Address ....................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
Parent’s phone number ..........................................................
Parent’s Signature..................................................................
* Please see competition rules. Articles about successful entrants,
and their photographs, may appear in the magazine and online.
Answer this question: name three animals for which Verm-
X products are available.
1................................................. 2. ........................................
3.................................................
Judging and competition rules: As above, plus: On the basis of information in the entry forms, three young smallholders will be featured in the magazine during the autumn. They may be selected for a visit by a
judge from Country Smallholding. These three young smallholders may also be featured in Country Smallholding’s related products as well as local and national press. If there is a visit by a representative from
the judging panel, they will need to meet the person, or persons, named on the entry form. The winning entrant, and his/her parents, will be invited to an Awards Lunch in the autumn. The prize will be £500, a
Young Smallholder of the Year trophy and a voucher for Verm-X products worth £50. The winner receiving the prize should be the person(s) named on the entry form.
 Pure breed | Hybrid | Ducks | Geese
Pheasant | Quail | Guinea Fowl
Ducklings | Goslings | Chicks
POL Hydrids always available
Poultry feeds: Chick-crumb, rearers,
breeder, layers, mixed poultry corn & grit

POULTRY HOUSING FOR 2 BIRDS TO 50 BIRDS STOCKED

20 styles of housing stocked and displayed

We also stock
incubators &
accessories
Poultry shop
open 7 days
9am-5pm Pygmy goats for sale

SMILERS FARM
Wickford, Essex SS12 9JS Established 1974
Tel: 01268 727627 or 07921 859101
www.essexchickens.co.uk

36 FREE with July 2010

DOES YOUR POULTRY HAVE A HEALTH PROBLEM? Your poultry health questions answered
If so, you can email Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS: vetsforum.csh@archant.co.uk or

VET’S FORUM
write to: Vet’s Forum, Country Smallholding, Archant South West, Fair Oak Close,
Exeter Airport Business Park, Exeter, Devon EX5 2UL
Victoria cannot reply personally – queries can only be answered in these pages and there can be a gap of
some weeks before the answer is published

WITH VICTORIA ROBERTS

TERRY BEEBE

Problems with Light Sussex pullets

We have had a lot of problems with Light Sussex
pullets that were hatched from an incubator in
August and September 2009. Over the winter, we
have had what we believe to be a problem with
gapeworm, we first noticed the problem as a ‘gape’.
We dosed with Solubenol (soluble Flubenvet) first,
but it is difficult to get the dose correct as the dose
given is for 1,000 hens and we had about 60 - it is
difficult to be certain about the dilution as not all the
water in the dishes would be drunk and has to be
changed every day. We started to lose pullets about
three months ago. They lost weight, developed
diarrhoea, which is eventually just a white fluid,
looked very anaemic, tails down, drooping of the
wings eventually, small beady eyes and constantly A Gingernut Ranger is a
drinking, but had to be encouraged to eat anything. Rhode Island Red crossed
with a Light Sussex, as
They would bring up fluid, although we could see pictured here
nothing in it. They eventually seemed unable to keep
any weight on, even if they did eat some food, and
appeared to die of weakness and starvation. From
hatching 25 hen chicks we now have nine pullets left Suspects for sick hen birds. The disease is not as common as it was as
and we have two that are showing the symptoms as carriers (no symptoms, but still able to pass on the
above. The chickens were kept in their covered runs I have a two-year-old Gingernut Ranger disease) can be identified by the blood test and
until 12 weeks and then allowed some time most which started limping. My vet prescribed culled. Signs may include many dead-in-shell chicks
days ranging in the field. Metacam, which gave some or deaths shortly after hatching, or white faeces
We started two weeks ago to dose with Flubenvet improvement, but then the hen stuck to vent feathers and poor growth with pale
(in the food) for seven days, but of the nine pullets deteriorated. My vet says she is not egg combs in growers. The bacteria are also spread in
we have left, one is well into the symptoms above, bound, and I use a herbal wormer. She is the incubator and rearing units. Flocks in the DEFRA
one standing around with the ‘dejected’ look, and the not eating very well, and I think she has Poultry Health Scheme are free of pullorum disease
others are shaking heads a lot with the odd one lost weight. What else can I do? due to compulsory use of the blood test, but many
making a 'squeaking' noise every now and then. Sheldon Nelson, backyard flocks still have it, with the organism
Some have started to lay and all, apart from the one via email surviving in the environment for many months.
who is well into the symptoms, have put on weight in Treatment is best by culling as any treated birds are
the last 3-4 weeks and are nice heavy pullets now as VR writes: This could be a worm liable to be carriers.
they should be. infestation, E.coli infection, or Marek's Birds given Flubenvet will be stronger without any
It has been very upsetting to lose so many of disease (no treatment) or egg peritonitis. internal parasites and thus more able to resist
these lovely birds and we would be grateful if you Any problem with the kidneys is likely to infection of any kind.
could give us any advice. We have tried the local make a hen lame, as the leg nerves
vets, but none of them seem to specialise in poultry. course through the kidneys. The herbal Watery whites in our hens’ eggs
Judith Donnelly, wormers have not been scientifically
via email proven to work (and vets are having to I have three Black Rocks who are in to their second
rescue-treat these worm-burdened hens year of laying. This winter, two hens started laying
VR says: Your hens could well have had gapeworm on a regular basis), so use Flubenvet eggs with very watery whites. My third hen lays
and it was sensible to dose them with Solubenol. The first. Then, if this does not sort the perfect eggs. They are fed layer pellets with a
white droppings are likely to be a symptom of a problem, try Terramycin in the water for handful of wheat in the afternoon, wormed regularly
disease called Bacillary White Diarrhoea (BWD) or five days (used against E.coli. If that and are free-range. I have kept chickens for many
pullorum disease. The organism is Salmonella doesn't work, she will need to be Xray- years and have never experienced this before. Is
pullorum which is not transmissible to humans, but ed and possibly endoscoped to get a there anything I can do to rectify this?
does pass through the egg, so the stock you bought diagnosis, but egg peritionitis is also not Ann Fecitt,
would have been carrying this disease from their treatable unless caught in the very early Sedbergh,Cumbria
parents. BWD is specific to hens, turkeys and stages. It happens when a bird is
pheasants and can cause a white diarrhoea and stressed at ovulation and the yolk falls VR writes: Watery whites are a sign that these hens
unthriftiness which usually appears when the birds into the abdomen rather than the have had previous exposure to the Infectious
are around 12-18 weeks. There is an agglutination oviduct. Scavenger cells will cope with Bronchitis (IB) virus. Most hybrids are vaccinated
blood test which has to be undertaken for export one yolk but, with several, the bird against IB but, as with all vaccines, they are not
purposes to prevent BWD being present in exported becomes septicaemic and very unwell. 100%, and we can usually cope with 98% ➜

July 2010 FREE with 37

 Collect cleaner eggs
with our 4, 6 or 10 hole
front rollout nest boxes
s+EEPSEGGSCLEAN
s0REVENTSEGGPECKING
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Tel/Fax: 0044 (0)1945 585618 Mob: 07885718195
Email:sandtpoultry@btinternet.com
New for 2010 hybrid day olds layer chicks
NOVOGEN
Black Gris Centre Sussex
Body weight-18 week`s 1800grms 2500grms 2300grms 2300grms
Egg production-total 260 220 220 260
Average Egg wt 65g 65g 65g 65g
Feather Colour black/ grey/ grey/ black/
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Egg Colour dark/ light light light
Brown Brown Brown Brown

Aclimatises well
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adapts well to feed quality

38 FREE with July 2010


effectiveness. Unfortunately, there is no cure once
this has happened, and they will continue to lay eggs
with watery whites which may be all right in cooking,
but are not aesthetic when these eggs are presented
boiled or fried. The virus begins as a mild
respiratory problem which gets better in a few days,
then the virus localises in the oviduct, permanently
damaging the production of albumen and/or
damaging the shell mechanism leading to wrinkled
or soft shells. I judged an evening box show recently
(no schedule, but a loose list of classes and people
bring birds or eggs and then they are judged) and
there was a class for the most unusual shaped eggs –
I gave first prize to an egg which was round and tiny
and obviously had no yolk; the rest of the entries
were typical IB wrinkling!
Problem with itchy Call ducklings
I have hatched, by incubator, some Call ducklings.
They seem to be rather itchy, although very happy in
their behaviour, and are eating and growing well.
The itching is making their skin red and bald in small
patches. Also they seem primarily to be itching
around the face, and this has
led to them having sore CHRIS ASHTON,
WWW.ASHTONWATERFOWL.NET
eyes (the eyes seem to
clear up after I put
Fucithalmic
ointment in the
eye). I have tried
salt water on the
itchy patches, as
was
recommended to
me, and have also
dosed them with
one drop each of
Ivomec (diluted to five A Blue Mallard
drops water to one drop Call duckling
Ivomec) as recommended by
my vet, but still they continue to itch. As there are
only three ducklings, we aren't using shavings as
litter; we have them on a cage bird sand sheet.
Would be very grateful if you can help me in any
way. I have seen no evidence of any of my adult birds
itching.
Kim Richards,
via email
VR writes: It is possible that these ducklings have an
allergy to the sand sheets, or it could just be irritation
from the fine sand on the sheets which comes off
easily, as you will have found out. I would suggest
changing the sand sheet for newspaper (dirty sheets
can be easily removed on a daily basis, ducklings
being very messy) and/or livestock shavings and
see if it helps. Allergies can begin in the eye and then
the bird scratches as close as it can to the irritation,
removing its downy feathers with its foot. It is unlikely
that ducklings as young as these will have mites to
make them itchy, but checking both the ducklings
and the housing for either Northern fowl mite or red
mite would be sensible to ensure that treatment is
necessary.
July 2010
Egg peritonitis the
likely problem with
sick Black Rock hen
We have three chickens in the garden
kept in an arc set in a fenced off area
and let out into the main part of the
garden when we are around to watch
them. We have one speckled, one silver
‘something’ and one Black Rock. It is
the Black Rock, a very good layer, who,
through last summer, appeared to have
a pecking problem as her breast was
‘ready plucked'. A friend suggested
shock treatment by isolating her from
the others. This was at the beginning of
December and, though the bare breast
is not the problem, it sets the scene. At
the beginning of December we noticed
the Black Rock was under the weather,
with the only noticeable sign being
sticky white poops which could remain
stuck to bottom feathers. She had
stopped laying too. We separated her
into a box in the garage with food and
water. It was during the start of the cold
weather. Expecting her to get worse,
she did in fact get better and we
integrated her back with the other two
who had not shown any ill signs. There
were no sneezes, no coughs, no runny
noses. During the winter, the Black
Rock re-grew her feathers and started
to look well with a glossy plumage
again, although had not returned to
laying eggs. We then went on holiday at
Easter for 10 days and, on our return,
we noticed that she was fatter and
walking as if ‘8 months pregnant’ with
her feet turned in. When we examined
her, she was opening and shutting her
beak, but no noise was emitted.
Between her legs her abdomen was
swollen as if with excess fluid across
this area. She is tail down most of time
and sitting around. She finds it hard to
get around due to weight of her
abdomen, her crop is small and
appetite down, her breast bone is
sharp on feeling her, eyelids often
showing across her eyes. She appears
to have trouble swallowing, and I'm now
giving her mashy food which she is
able to eat. Plumage is still fine, though
comb is now limp but colour OK.
Hopefully, I have noted all the
symptoms! Have you any ideas as to
cause of swelling. I'm starting to think a
cancer growth or similar as it doesn't
appear viral.
Lesley Clarke,
via email
FREE with
VICTORIA ROBERTS
VET’S FORUM
Evidence of egg peritonitis. This condition
can quickly become fatal
VR writes: Feathers which have
disappeared from the breast of a hen
are in preparation for becoming
broody and the area is known as the
brood patch, as this keeps the eggs
both warm and with the correct
humidity when the hen is sitting on a
clutch. The feathers tend to grow back
in the winter as you have discovered.
However, the problem you found on
your return from holiday sounds like
egg peritonitis. This is common in
hybrids, whether rescued battery hens
or the outdoor hybrids or light breed
layers.
It is sometimes known as internal
laying, because the yolk misses the
funnel of the oviduct and descends into
the abdominal cavity, particularly if the
bird has been stressed at ovulation. It
can be caused by a previous bacterial
infection. Maybe her poorly time in the
winter has contributed to this. Mostly,
the yolk will be scavenged by the body
defences, but occasionally several
yolks may descend together or
infection sets in and the resulting
peritonitis can quickly become fatal. It
can become such a large mass that the
guts are compressed, making the
appetite of the hen much less.The bird
will be lethargic and depressed with a
wide stance as if trying to lay and with
a swollen abdomen. If caught in the
early stages, antibiotics may help, but
this condition is most often found at
post mortem. You need to do
something as she is suffering, so either
get someone experienced to cull her
or take her to your vet. I am afraid
treatment is unlikely to work.
39
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Richmond, North Yorkshire
A comprehensive selection of point of lay pullets for
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Don’t be
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Worming
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Bedding is produced in
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Free-range and deep Easy to use -7 day
This leads to a greatly litter birds are most at risk in feed treatment
reduced from common poultry Kills all stages of
occurrence worms which can cause: common worms
of moulds, spores and mites - meaning Illness Zero egg withdrawal
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notice less capping when you use Cozy
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40 FREE with July 2010

YOUNG SMALLHOLDER Tell us YOUR Young Smallholder story. Email editorial.csh@archant.co.uk and put ‘Hens’ on the subject line

Birds for
the boys
Connor and Tom Walton, 11
and 10, Fisherwick, Staffs

i. Our names are Connor and Tom

H Walton, and we are 11 and ten. We

live in Fisherwick, Staffordshire. We
love reading our mom’s copy of
Country Smallholding, especially the
Poultry section. We have nine chickens
altogether. There are two Light Sussex called
Babs and Clucky, a French Black Copper
Maran called Copper, and a Light Sussex x
Rhode Island Red called Duchess. We have
also got a Welsummer cockerel called
Chippy. From our previous lot of Lowman
Browns, we have one four-year-old survivor
left called Lucky, who is actually Chippy’s Connor and Tom Walton and friends
favourite wife!
For Christmas, we got an incubator, and
we put some of our chickens’ eggs in it, not our own flock. Unfortunately, the other eggs egg, and the result is Summer - a
knowing if any at all would hatch. Three didn’t hatch, even after an extra four days in Welsummer x Light Sussex, who is so cute!
weeks later, we were amazed to see one the incubator (just to be on the safe side). Keep up the good work - we love the
small fluffball in the incubator. After closer We have now bought two girls for Uno, magazine. Tom would love more articles on
examination, we saw one of Duchess’s eggs who is seven weeks old - a Light Sussex x horses and ponies, especially native breeds,
had hatched. We named the chick Uno, and called Crystal and a Rhode Rock called and Connor would love more stories on
were so happy to have hatched a chick from Cookie. He have since hatched one more other children and their hens.

Hannah Badger
with her hens Hannah’s hens
Hannah Badger, 12, Co Armagh, N Ireland

I read in Country Smallholding that you wanted to hear about individual

smallholdings, so I thought I would tell you about mine.
Recently, I have taken up the hobby of poultry keeping. In August last
year, I got four little brown pullets at point of lay for my 12th birthday.
They were my first hens. They live in my back garden and lay lots of
delicious eggs. I even have my own business called ‘Hannah's Hens’ - I
sell my eggs to neighbours and friends.
I have also got a Minorca that arrived in March and also lives in the
back garden. She enjoys to rummage around in the vegetable patch - in
fact they all do!
Keeping poultry was a whole new experience for me as I have lived in
a housing development all my life. My great granny used to keep hens,
and I loved to collect the eggs and feed them when we visited her.
I like having my pet hens instead of a common cat or dog. They are
unique. I have them well tamed and they will happily take some corn
from your hand and allow you to lift them up into your arms. They each
have different looks and personalities. I have even named them, and
know where in the pecking order they fit!
Poultry keeping is a wonderful hobby. I enjoy it as it gives me a break
from school work and, of course, it is something very different to chat
about.

42 FREE with July 2010

 SMITHS
SECTIONAL
H I G H Q U A L I T Y P O U LT R Y E Q U E S T R I A N
& BESPOKE TIMBER BUILDINGS

Charnwood Poultry Unit

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SSB is owned and managed by a

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They manufacture,deliver & install all
their own products.
All the buildings are made to order.
They are always happy to offer
advice and discuss your individual
requirements.
Please phone 01630 673759 or
01630 673747 or a free brochure
and price list.

Mobile Field Shelters The Dell Poultry Houses

and Stabling up to 12 birds

The Thicket Poultry House up to 18 birds

Email: info@smithssectionalbuildings.co.uk
Website: www.smithssectionalbuildings.co.uk
SSB& CO LTD TRADING AS SMITHS SECTIONAL BUILDINGS, UNIT 1
MANOR HOUSE FARM, PARK LANE, ASHLEY, MARKET DRAYTON, SHROPSHIRE TF9 4EH

July 2010 FREE with 43

 Some years ago, Jeremy Hobson bought half a dozen
live quail from a French market stall – ever since, he
has been fascinated by the subject of...
CURIOUS
QUAIL
E
uropean quail (Coturnix coturnix) could,
at one time, be found wild in certain parts
of the English countryside – especially in
the Eastern counties. However, such a
sighting today would, unfortunately, be a
rare event. Here in France we still see them running
across a farm track on occasions, but it is more
often their call that attracts us to their presence;
especially when the male and females ‘duet’ with
one another in the spring.
Some are actually migratory and make their
way into parts of France from Spain, a fact that
never ceases to astound me when one is lucky
enough to see their less than aerodynamic profile
at close quarters.
Almost every poultry market stall has a crate or
two of quail for sale, and, judging from the amount of
people we see buying them, very popular they are
44
too. One day – and despite always advocating others Worldwide
never to buy any form of livestock in such a way – VARIETIES OF QUAIL
we succumbed to temptation and bought some on a
whim. Ours were not destined for the pot, and The tiny Chinese Painted
instead spent their lives happily dusting in the silver The Bobwhite – a wild-bred
sand at the bottom of our aviary (and laying so quarry species favoured by
many eggs that we ran out of culinary ideas and many sportsmen in parts of
ended up feeding most to the dogs!) They gave us America. Occasionally bred for
hours of pleasure and certainly added a totally its meat-producing qualities
different dimension to the colours and antics of the The Japanese – the type most
aviary birds that flew over their heads. commonly used in meat and
In the wild, they might lay two or three clutches egg production. Has a vast
a season; given the right indoor conditions, quail array of ‘unofficial’ titles such
can be induced to lay continually for the best part as Pharaoh or Bible quail – in
of the year and one female may produce over 200 addition, some true colours
eggs. They also mature quickly and create a tasty are given names such as
dish for the table, and, as if that were not enough, Fawn, Manchurian Golden and
require very little in the way of space – all of Dark-eyed White.
FREE with July 2010

which makes them an interesting proposition for
some people.
In fact, in the past, several ‘get-rich-quick
merchants’ have erroneously thought that
because of the rapid ‘turnover’ potential –
seventeen days to incubate, six weeks to mature,
eggs being laid at six weeks and a carcass ready
for the table at around nine – they would make
their fortune. Unfortunately, they also tended to
over-estimate the market because, although their
eggs are becoming more often seen on the
supermarket shelves, there is, in the UK (unlike
parts of Europe where they can be found in every
poultry chiller section), but a limited interest in
quail bred for the table. There is, though, no
reason why they should not be considered by
those who might be interested in a small-scale
poultry-related hobby.
July 2010
Male quail
Housing and keeping
For the hobbyist, large rabbit hutches can provide
ideal housing for quail, but if it is intended to give
them access to an outdoor run, it is as well to
remember that they are shy, flighty birds and so any
netting covering the pen should be of nylon rather White quail
than wire so that, if startled, they do not hurt
themselves. Because of their size, quail are
susceptible to attacks from rats – it is therefore
absolutely essential that the housing and runs are
built in such a way as to preclude access by vermin.
Being ground-hugging birds, perches are not
needed; neither are nest boxes. As we noticed
when we had quail at the bottom of our aviary, they
do not generally bother about scraping out any
sort of nest, but instead tend to lay anywhere in the
floor litter – and that despite the fact we had Group of A and M quail
created several secluded hideaways. ➜
FREE with 45

Most commercial quail breeders keep their birds
in a caged ‘tier’ system, but the shed in which they
are kept must have good ventilation as their
droppings are particularly high in ammonia. For
continued laying, there should be some form of
lighting regime – especially during the winter
months. Conversely, for meat production, lighting
should be reduced during the summer months:
apparently, if the birds have only eight hours a day,
their sexual maturity will be delayed and they will
eat less, but grow faster and fatter because of not
wasting their energies on fighting or mating.
Feeding
It is possible, but not always easy, to source
proprietary quail food. If a standard ration for either
growing or breeding quail is not available
commercially, good quality, fresh, turkey or game
bird diets are an acceptable substitute, preferably
fed as crumbs in order to minimise wastage.
Breeding quail are best fed a game bird breeder’s
ration based on a 19-20% protein level. Laying diets
should contain about 24% protein. Chicks should be
fed a diet containing approximately 25% protein – a
good quality commercial starter ration for game birds
or turkeys contains about 25%–28% protein – if this is
not available, a chicken starter ration (20%–22%
protein) can be used. Interestingly, growing birds do
much better on small crumbs than they do on mash.
From personal experience, it seems that small
stocks of quail kept more as ‘pets’ than anything else,
will do well enough on a staple diet of mixed canary
seed, millet and chick crumbs, with a green
supplement that might include the likes of fresh,
shredded lettuce.
As with all types of poultry-keeping, clean, fresh
water should be provided at all times: nipple
drinkers and automatically-fed cups are especially
suitable for adult quail. One nipple or cup should be
provided for every five birds, but a small jam-jar-
type water dish with some pebbles placed in the
bottom opening is a useful way of preventing young
quail chicks from drowning in the early stages.
Breeding
Traditionally, breeding quail are kept in trios or
quartets. Commercial breeding stock are kept in a
warm environment of between 15.5-21ºC (60-70ºF)
and it has been found that wire-floored cages
containing one cock and three or four hens make the
best breeding units. Dimensions should be around,
but certainly no less than, 60cm (2ft) square and
30cm (1ft) high. ‘Flock’ mating of larger numbers is
possible, but, in that situation, it is obviously
advisable to reduce the amount of males in order to
lessen the risk of fighting – a ratio of one male to four
or five females is ideal, according to most quail
aficionados. Fertility decreases the longer the
females have been laying, so it is important to bear
this fact in mind were one ever to be considering a
serious breeding programme.
Male quail are quite easy to sex and, apart from the
attractive deep orange/red throat, a cock bird can be
identified at breeding time by a secretion of a white
‘foam ball’; which is a urinary product looking not
unlike shaving foam, and is thought to indicate fertility.
46
PHOTOS RUPERT STEPHENSON
White Japanese quail
Six week old A and M chick
FEEDING
TOP Quail food pellets, and a
pebble drinker for chicks
BREEDING
TOP Quail eggs in incubator, and
Italian, melanistic Japanes and
Chinese quail chicks
FREE with
Hatching and rearing
Quail very rarely go broody in artificial surroundings
and it will be necessary to hatch and rear them
under small broody bantams or in an incubator – by
far the most commonly used method. In an ideal
world, a small bantam hen would successfully
incubate, hatch and brood all the fertile eggs placed
under her, but realistically, the eggs and chicks
being so tiny, there are almost always bound to be
accidents and disasters.
Hatched by means of an incubator, once the chicks
are dry, they can be placed in a strong cardboard box
with a 60 watt red electric light bulb hung overhead in
order to provide heat. Whatever heat source is used,
the lamp must be adjustable in order to provide the
correct brooding temperature (the chicks will huddle
together if they are cold or will move to the corners, if
too hot). Corrugated cardboard is useful to place on
the floor to prevent the chicks slipping – it is best not
to use newspaper as this can induce ‘splayed’ legs in
such tiny birds. Remember that quail chicks can soon
fly after they hatch, so cover the brooder with fine
netting to prevent escapees.
A few days after hatching, the chicks should be
moved into a more permanent heated cage. As the
chicks grow, the heat can be reduced each week,
until at around four weeks they will be fully feathered
and not require warmth.
Once the young quail have matured, it will be
necessary to keep a close watch over them, as the
males will start to fight over the females and feather
pecking could occur. Taking the cocks away from
the hens will obviously help in reducing potential
conflict. Select the best birds for breeding and/or
egg laying and consider keeping the surplus to
mature as table birds.
Quail for the table
Being tiny, at least two birds per person would be
required for a meal and there is the chore of several
minutes plucking for a few seconds eating. They are,
nevertheless, well worth the effort and, in my
opinion, quail meat is, like revenge, a dish best
served cold and makes a perfect accompaniment to
a summer salad or picnic! Roast quail
and noodles
Apart from using quail eggs for hard boiling as a
picnic treat or aperitif accompaniment, another
possibility is to hard boil them and then place them
in aspic or pickle them in vinegar and salt. They can
even be smoked. Hand-peeling hard-boiled quail’s
eggs can be quite fiddly and time-consuming, but
someone mentioned quite recently that the shell will
dissolve completely if the boiled egg is placed intact
into a bowl of commercial vinegar for 12 hours – as
yet it is an experiment still to try!
July 2010
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More agents required
* Floorpanels made of WBP. Products supplied may differ slightly from those shown due to Rivers development and improvement policy
** Delivery throughout the UK, please call for prices
To advertise in breeders call
Elaine on 01392 888561 or
email: elaine.beed@archant.co.uk
BUY FROM THE BREEDERS. E W EMUS ORNAMENTAL PHEASANTS ADORABLE SILKIES AND PEKINS, APPROVED BLACK ROCK AGENT in
Orchard Poultry Farm, Caerphilly. Khaki Silkies black, blue, white, gold, and South Wales. Grower of hens from day olds
Campbell female Ducklings £199 per 100. LEICESTERSHIRE EMUS AND RHEAS ALLANDOO PHEASANTRY Golden, Lady partridge. Pekins Millefleur, blue, white, to p.o.l. Blackrock, leghorn, sussex, nera,
Cherry Valley female white feathered Margaret Dover, Leicestershire LE9 7QG Amherst, Reeves, Silvers, Eared Pheasants, partridge and silver partridge. Chicks and rhondda blue, cuckoo maran, magpie,
ducks lay extra large eggs 350 egg strain 01455 823344 Tragopans, Peacock Pheasants, Himalayan H/E. All vaccinated. 07725 750014. silver nic, white indian runners. We free
£249 per 100. World famous French table www.leicestershireemus.com Hand Monals, Firebacks and others. Nationwide range rear and are open Saturdays
ducks star 53 heavy strain 3950 grams reared, friendly Emus and Rheas. Eggs. delivery Contact: Zoe Tel: 01776 870244 E- A FAMILY BUSINESS IN NORTH February - November inclusive. Top quality
approximate 9lbs in 56 days £105 per Emu oil skincare products. mail: zoeah@btconnect.com Website: DEVON, suppliers of quality hybrid birds, feeders and drinkers. All birds excellent
100. POL pullets 8 breeds. Extra heavy http://www.allandoopheasantry.com several varieties available. Starter kits, layers, sex-linked, so can guarantee hens
strain Goslings. Delivery can be arranged. LONGPARK EMUS & RHEAS, South friendly service, free advice, delivery from 8wks. Delivery available. Pics, prices,
Tel: 02920 882183 / 860925. Devon 01548 531002. White and Grey EGGS TO ADULT, Golden, Reeves, Amherst, possible. Tel: 07919 677690 / 01237 availability and location on website, see
birds of various ages. Eggs, chicks and Brown & blue eared, plus lots more also peafowl, 451163 www.north-devon-poultry.co.uk you soon ! www.blackrocklayers.co.uk
ORGANIC INDIAN RUNNERS Tel: 01454 young birds available. Orders taken. guinea fowl. Nationwide delivery, Merv Anstey,
299236 Email: colindixon365@
GEESE Devon 01392 851190 www.moonridgefarm.co.uk A GREAT SELECTION of Point of lay, AVON HYBRIDS (SOMERSET) Several
btinternet.com Website: free range, fully vaccinated. Blue Maran, breeds available all year, from day olds to
Cou cou maran, Bovans Nera, Columbian
www.severnviewfarm.com Khaki LEICESTERSHIRE EMUS AND RHEAS ORNAMENTAL PHEASANTS Currassows & POL. Light Sussex, Warrens, Rhode Rock,
Campbells and Muscovies in Margaret Dover, Leicestershire LE9 7QG Pheasants. Contact Keith Chalmers-Watson, Blacktail, Amber Link, Lohman Brown, Bluebelle etc. Fertile Rhea eggs. 07779
Gloucestershire. All ages available. 01455 823344 www.leicestershireemus.com Fenton Barns, North Berwick, East Lothian. Tel: Light Sussex, Sussex Rock , White 728407 robthebeer@hotmail.co.uk
Leghorn Ducks. Geese, Quail and
Hand reared, friendly Emus and Rheas. 01620 850201 Email: dcw@farming.me.uk
PALMER JOHN Romford, Essex by J28 Eggs. Emu oil skincare products. Pheasant. New chicken keepers welcome, BEACHFEN WYANDOTTES ,
of M25. Tel: 01708 348088. Ducks Abacot PEAFOWL free friendly advice Merv Anstey Devon LEGHORNS. Cambridge 01223 860139 /
Rangers, Black East Indian. Many colour LONGPARK EMUS & RHEAS, South 01392 851190 www.moonridgefarm.co.uk 07710 866515. Leghorns 10 colours,
COUNTRY HOUSE PEAFOWL: Hand-
of Calls, Campbell, and Indian Runners. Devon 01548 531002. White and Grey Wyandottes 16 colours, Marans 4
reared Black Shoulder and Indian Blue A JAY POULTRY Mold Wrexham, N
All ducklings sexed at day old. Chickens, birds of various ages. Eggs, chicks and peacocks and peahens. Essex/Suffolk colours. RIR, Barnvelders, Light Sussex,
Wales. Tel: 01978 790418 Email:
RIR x Light Sussex, Pullets, Silkies and young birds available. Orders taken. border. Contact: 01440 785786 or Email: tegla@mypostoffice.co.uk Large fowl, Welsummers, Andalusians, Guinea Fowl.
BarbuD Uccles, Hatching eggs of all, peafowl@idnet.com
often available. (Egg collection or posted)
GUINEA FOWL Salmon Favorelles, Cream Legbars.
BLACKSMITH COTTAGE POULTRY ,
Chicks to POL.
LEICESTERSHIRE EMUS AND RHEAS Legsby, Lincs. Tel: 01673 843518 / 07760
STORRS POULTRY Mr G Mortimer, Margaret Dover, Leicestershire LE9 7QG POULTRY 386127. Quality hybrids and pure breeds.
ALLANDALE POULTRY, Allandale
Storrs Farm, Storrs Lane, Oxspring, 01455 823344 A. ASHTON, HOWDEN, EAST Cottage, Loch 18, Castlecary, FK4 1TA. Poultry equipment and housing.
Sheffield S36 8YS Tel: 01226 764822 www.leicestershireemus.com Hand YORKSHIRE. POL Bantams, Wyandotte, 07802 591860 Marans, Golden Hamburgs, Telephone for breeds and details.
Mob: 07855829846 Email: reared, friendly Emus and Rheas. Eggs. Welsummer, silver and gold Hamburg, Silver spangled Hamburgs, Silkie, Buff and
info@storrspoultry.co.uk Website: Emu oil skincare products. Hatching eggs when available. Tel: black Orpingtons, D/O to POL BLACKWATER TRADITIONAL RARE
www.storrspoultry.co.uk Domestic Ducks 01430 431162 BREEDS www.blackwater-trad-rare-
- Aylesbury, Campbell (Khaki) Cayuga, LONGPARK EMUS & RHEAS, South AMIKAS POULTRY David & Venetia Wallis, breeds.co.uk Traditional and utility
Call Ducks, Crested, Indian Runner, Silver Devon 01548 531002. White and Grey ABSOLUTE CHICKENS at Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Tel: 01902 breeds, Bantams and Large fowl hatching
Appleyard. Also Mandarins and Embden birds of various ages. Eggs, chicks and ALDERMASTON, BERKSHIRE. 10 different 700768 Large Breeds; Buff Orpington, Silver eggs, chicks, guinea fowl, ducks and
Geese. SAE for price list. young birds available. Orders taken. breeds available. Hatching eggs/point of lay. Grey Dorking, Buff Sussex, Cream Leg Bar, geese. 02380-811110 /07717570543
Stockist of the Small Holder Feeds. Please Barnvelder, Welsummer, Exchequer Leghorn, /07778190184
Breeders’ directory is also online at email (absolutechickens@hotmail.com) or Silver Duck Wing, Welsummer, Hatching
countrysmallholding.com telephone 07973 406357. Eggs, Chicks, Growers. POL. Continued on page 50
➘
FREE with 49
 BRAMBLE SPECIAL BREEDS Various
BREEDERS’DIRECTORY breeds available, Close to 3 Counties
Showground, Malvern Worcester.
Advertise your poultry for sale on our
website. Contact Julie on 01684 833336
www.specialbreeds.co.uk
BRANDEL RARE BREEDS Wellington,
Somerset Tel: 01823 662837 Email:
haylett22@fsmail.net Website:
www.brbpoultry.co.uk Brahma, Cochin,
French Copper Black, Wheaten Marans,
Orpington, Pekin, Polands, Sablepoots,
Silkies, Sussex, Vorwerk, Wyandottes, Call
Ducks, Indian Runners. Hatching eggs,
chicks, POL growers. Enquiries welcome.
OVER 46,000 READERS SEE OUR BREEDERS – TO ADVERTISE CALL ELAINE ON 01392 888561
EDGEMOOR POULTRY North Devon. Tel:
01769 520244 Jersey Giants, Brahmas,
Silver also gold Appenzeller, Araucana,
Yokahamas, Buff Orpingtons, Salmon
Favorell, Bantam Favorell, Silkies, Pekins.
Hatching eggs sometimes available.
EGGY PEGGY’S, SUFFOLK. POL,
Lohmans, Gold lines, Marans, Blue
rangers, Light sussex, RIR, Orpingtons,
Frizzels, Ducks, Guinea Fowl and more.
www.eggypeggys.co.uk 07879 214453 /
01359 270047
ESSEX / SUFFOLK Stoke by Nayland.
Large Fowl, Speckled Sussex, Red
Light Sussex, Buff Sussex, Rhode Island
Reds, Copper Blacks, Araucanas,
Bluebelles, Mendelsham Blues, Araucana
Bantams, Japanese Bantams, Copper
Tones, Pomeranian Geese, Toulouse
Geese, Mini Appleyard Ducks.
HOLBERROW POULTRY Isa Browns,
Hy-line day old to POL. Specialise in
small orders. Redditch, Worcestershire.
Tel 01386 792451 / 07814822356
HOWE FARM POULTRY Ashendon Road, Stock Of Other Breeds Inc Rare Auto
Dorton, Bucks. HP18 0NY Tel: 01844
238780 Mobile 0780 8899518. Buff
Orpington, Light Sussex, Welsummer,
POPLARS POULTRY, Suffolk. Home bred
large and small fowl, ducks and geese.
Many breeds available.For further details
call 07950 784717 / 07714 329802 or
email: ap.keeling@btconnect.com
www.poplars-poultry.org.uk
POULTRY MILL Nr Pencoed, Mid Glam
Tel: 01443/224367 Mob 07944246484
Web Address / www.Poultrymill.Com We
Specialise In French Marans ( 6 Colours)
Day Olds & Hatching Eggs Also Large
Sexing Welbar Bantams And White Faced
Spanish Bantams.
VORWERK CHICKENS FYLDE COAST RHEAS, EMUS AND
A rare breed with beautiful buff and black BANTAMS 01253 700 652 Grey and
colourings excellent egg layer. Very alert white Rheas, Chicks, young stock, fertile
and active together being very adaptable Eggs available from late Spring till
and doing well under most conditions. Autumn, also Gold Brahma, Blue and
Visit our website for further information. Miniature Black Silkie and Polish
Nationwide delivery. Telephone: 01566 Bantams.
783 232. Mobile:07747 392803 email:
kim@kbrook.co.uk website: GREY AND WHITE RHEAS, chicks and
www.kbrook.co.uk older birds available. Golden and Reeves
Pheasants, Silkies, Pekins, Barbu
WARREN P.O.L. PULLETS, Free range, D’uccles sometimes available. Tel: 01926
20 weeks plus, fully vaccinated and 842635 Email:
salmonella tested. Very high quality stock. bernadette.twaddle@googlemail.com
Good with children, excellent egg layers. www.rheasofwarwick.co.uk
(Cheshire) 01260 227603 / 07875

Sussex, Dark & Jubilee Indian Game. Barnvelders, Rhode Island Red, Araucana, QUALITY POULTRY at realistic prices. 022463 HURRIES RHEA David B Wellock.
BROTHERTON FARM Ann Dow. West www.scotlandplacefarm.co.uk Simon assorted Pekin / Wyandotte and hybrids. THE GOBBETT RARE BREEDS, Farlow, Hurries House Farm, Otterburn, Skipton,
Calder, West Lothian, EH55 8QW, Hayter 01206 262293 / 07971 666480 Also hatching eggs. Near Kidderminster, Worcs. DY14 8TD. WILSON ANDREW Ongar, Essex CM5 N.Yorkshire Tel:01729 830291 Flock
Scotland. Tel: 01506 873 982 All colours Tel: 01746 718276 Appenzeller, silver; 9QA Tel:01708 688257 / 07725 754719 established 10 years. White and grey all
of pure bred Silkies, Guinea fowl and FAIERS, MICHAEL Suffolk Tel: 07932 IXHILL FARM POULTRY Breeder of Barnvelder; Brahma, dark; Friesian Fowl; Large gold Brahama, Buff Orpington, ages usually available. Visit/stay on our
hatching eggs. 163017 Jubilee, Buff Orpingtons, French Copper Marans and Wellsummers laying Hamburg, silver spangled; Legbar, cream; Welsummer, French wheaten marans. picturesque Dales working farm.
Marans, IxWorths, All large fowl. dark egg strain. Fertile hatching eggs, Leghorn, brown; Maran; Orpington, buff; Bantams: Welsummer, Marans, Lavender
BURFORD BROWNS & COTSWOLD Contact Barry Cox on 07775 803681 RIR; Silkies, gold, Sussex, buff light; Pekins. Various Ducks including KEEPERS FARM RHEAS Nottingham
Legbars (dark brown & blue eggs) direct FARTHINGWOOD POULTRY Suppliers (Aylesbury). Vorwerk; Welsummer; Wyandotte, Cayauga, Pekins. 01949 850019 White Rheas for sale –
from the breeders. Hatching Eggs / D/O of POL turkeys, ducks, geese, day old partridge: BANTAMS: Dutch, partridge; eggs, chicks and yearlings. Phone for
chicks / Growers / POL Pullets Tel / SMS chicks and hatching eggs. Breeds include JACOB R. Beech Hurst, Southampton New Hampshire Red; Pekin, partridge, WITHY COTTAGE GARDEN POULTRY more details.
- 07831 849036 Email Araucana, Wellsummer and many more. Road, Cadnam, Southampton S040 2NQ white buff, lavender; Plymouth Rock, buff; Dorking 01306 711061
philip@legbarsofbroadway.co.uk www.farthingwoodpoultry.co.uk Tel: Tel: 02380 812545. Large Light Sussex, Sussex, light silver; Wyandotte, silver www.withypoultry.co.uk POL Garden STAFFORDSHIRE RHEAS hatching eggs
www.legbarsofbroadway.co.uk 07599 974174 Marans, Welsummers and Barnevelder. pencilled: Hatching eggs, DO chicks and Hybrids, housing, equipment and advice. April - September, chicks July -
Hatching eggs, chicks and grower growers available. SAE for price lists Pure bred Sussex, RIR, Maran, Leghorns, November, bigger birds at other times.
BURN LINDA Freckleton Preston FERTILE HATCHING EGGS please. Ducks occasionally available. Dorkings, Welsummers and others. Orders taken and delivery possible. Tel:
LancsTel: 01772 634889 / 07957 220206 www.fertilehatchingeggs.com Tel: 01525 JOHNSTONS HATCHERIES. Sole Bantams and Ducks. Hatching eggs. 01785 280295
Large: Buff & Black Orpingtons, silver
261606 Nr. Milton Keynes. Large Distributor for Dominant Cz U.K. and RIDGEWAY BANK FARM SHOP
grey Dorkings, Silver Laced Wyandotte,
Leghorns most colours, Araucanas, Ireland. Sussex, Black, Blue and Barred Worcestershire. Tel 01684 773464 WYANDOTTE BANTAMS in silver laced, WATERFOWL
Cream Legbar, Copper Black Maran.
French marans, Indian runner ducks. Pure Rock Layer types. Available as H/Eggs, Welsummer, Barnevelder, RIR, Buff blue laced, partridge, barred, buff, white
Ducks: Call (White) Geese Embden. A GREAT SELECTION of Mandarins,
eggs February to July. Young stock often D/O, Started and Pol Pullets From our Orpington, Light Sussex, Marans,also and others. Kerry Wilson, Markyate,
for sale. Email: own Breeding Flocks, Farms and Aylesbury Ducks, Chick and POL. Some Herts/Beds border. (M1 J9 1 mile) Tel: Carolinas, Teal, Pintail, Shell, Whistling
BULLOCK, NORFOLK Traditional and rare Ducks, Hawiian, Red Breasted Geese,
breeds. Hatching eggs, silver grey Dorking, ivan@mearsandboyer.demon.co.uk Hatchery. Tel: 0283750733 Bantams 01582 840219.
Email:jam.johnston@btconnect.com Swans and many more species.
red Dorking, Araucanas, Scots grey, Nationwide delivery, Merv Anstey, Devon
Marans, Orpingtons, Light Sussex, FOLLY HENS, WILTSHIRE We specialise Agents required in some areas. ROSS MILNE, TRURO . L/F Marans, QUAIL
in blue and white egg laying chickens 07968761794 Fax: 02837507333 Welsummer,Light Sussex, Rhode Island 01392 851190 www.moonridgefarm.co.uk
Minorca, Pekin bantam, Cream Legbar,
Embden Goose, Norfolk Black, turkeys and (White and Lavender Leghorns, Cream Red. Growers to point of lay. Also, various ALL YEAR AROUND, for sale, eggs to ANGLIA WATERFOWL Call Nick 07752
ducks. Tel: (North Walsham) 01692 404256 Legbars). POL birds and hatching eggs. JUST PURE POULTRY 01239 711308. bantams available. Tel: 01726 884224 adult; top quality laying and table strains: 160009 Indian runners 10 colours,
susananne.bullock@btinternet.com Sarah Larkins 07880 706672 Sitting eggs available. Light Sussex, Mobile 07710 098664. Italian, Japanese and Golden giants POL crested 9 colours, various calls.
www.follypigs.co.uk Exchequer, Leghorn, Maran Bantams, quail always available. Small or large Appleyard Aylesbury, many others. Also
CAMDDWR POULTRY – Ceredigion Wyandotte, Silver Pencil. Gold, Silver and RUSHFORTH NORFOLK Attleborough, orders welcome. Nationwide delivery, wildfowl, large fowl, bantams, pigeons,
Breeders and suppliers of Turkeys, Geese, FOSTERS POULTRY Gloucester GL2 Blue Laced Light Sussex. Tel:01953 455428 Pure breeds. Hatching Merv Anstey, Devon 01392 851190 guinea fowl, pheasants.
Chickens, Ducks and Gloucestershire Old 2SD, 3mls J12, M5. Email or tel 01452 eggs. Araucana, Copper Blacks, Cream
Spot Pigs. Telephone 01974 251 425 or 721118 or 07709 933064 Hybrids, Large KATH’S HAPPY HENS, breeder of award Legbars, Maran, Minorca, Orpington, CHINESE PAINTED QUAIL Leigh, Lancs. BEECH LODGE WATERFOWL Mike and
email catherineruff@hotmail.com Fowl, Bantams, Ducks, Geese, Quail. winning hens. Cream Legbars for sale Dorking, Sussex, Welsummer, Norfolk Birds and fertile eggs available. Also Red- Anne Griffiths Tel: 01732 750452 (Kent)
Eggs to Point of Lay, delivery arranged, (blue eggs) 16 and 20 weeks. Tel 077111 Black Turkeys breasted, Japanese, Californian, Gambel, Ornamental Waterfowl, Exhibition Calls,
CAMPBELL DAVID Wadhurst, East eggs posted. 77891 or 01684 540048 Harlequin, Blue Scale, Mountain. Tel: all colours. Steinbeckers, Brecon Buff.
Sussex. Welsummers - wonderful large www.fosterspoultry.co.uk kathboughton@hotmail.co.uk SILKIE CHICKENS, beautiful partridge 01942 609928 Mob: 07773 977401
dark terracotta brown eggs. No coloured, large fowl and white bantams. Email: mark@chinesepaintedquail.co.uk BRUCE HOWELL Dereham, Norfolk Tel:
Fertilisers/GM Foods/ Additives. FRANCIS, DAVID E. Meadow View, LINCOLN/NOTTINGHAM BORDERS. POL Trio’s of both. Telephone 01673 885785. Web: www.chinesepaintedquail.co.uk 01362 668303 Black swans, Trumpeter
Selectively bred for utility qualities. 01892 Slebech, Haverford West, Pemb, SA62 Hybrids. Quality free ranging birds. Full swans, Whooper Swans, Black Neck
782744. www.chickens.me.uk 4PE. Tel: 01437 751243. Specialist details on website. Open most days. Visitors STORRS POULTRY MR G Mortimer, GREENHAM QUAIL East Sussex Tel: swans, Red Breasted geese, Tree ducks,
Breeder of original Cream Legbars. True welcome. www.fenellasgarden.co.uk. 01522 Storrs Farm, Storrs Lane, Oxspring, 01323 484562 Japanese Quail always Teal, Wigeon & other ornamental
CATRINS GARDEN POULTRY, Bucks. to type, blue eggs. Also Utility Brown 681580. Sheffield S36 8YS. Tel 01226 764822 available. Various colour strains, fertile waterfowl, also Indian runner ducks.
Eggs to adults. Rare and traditional Leghorns and Ixworth for table. Mob 07855829846 Email eggs. Egg boxes (full cases only).
chickens and bantams. Guinea Fowl, Khaki LITTLE ACRE 01235 767187 Wantage, info@storrspoultry.co.uk Website IAN RICKATSON, Bedfordshire 01525
ducks and Chinese geese sometimes FROM 8 WEEKS TO POL, Light Sussex, Oxon, Oxfordshire. RIR, Welsummers, www.storrspoultry.co.uk From day old ROSEHAYES FARM Clayhidon, Devon. 402156 Pomeranian Geese, call ducks
available. Collection only. Tel: 07890 Marans, Copper Marans, Buff Orpingtons, Marans, Light Sussex. Saxony Ducks, chicks up to point of lay in the following Ex15 3TT Tel: 01823 680092/680847 (white, apricot, blue bibbed). Guinea
403675. email clacy@gotadsi.co.uk Welsummer. Many other breeds including Indian Runners, Pekin Bantams, Geese breeds: Large : Ancona, Appenzeller ( mobile: 07955 054331 Email: Fowl, hatching eggs, adult birds for sale
Bantams. Hatching eggs available. Tel plus hatching eggs, chicks and growers. Silver) Brahma (Gold, Dark) Cream vellacj@hotmail.com., Jumbos, Golden when available
CHESHIRE POULTRY 0161 427 9246, Mr. Goldsmith: 01777 703746 POL available. Legbar, Dorking, Faverolla (Salmon) Giant, Italian and Spanish laying quail. All
hatching eggs posted – day olds - growers (Nottinghamshire) Indian Game (Dark) White Leghorn, colours including tuxedo. Fertile IVEL VALLEY WILDFOWL
– pol – nationwide delivery possible. quality MANOR FARM CHICKENS Northhants/ Maran, Orpington (Buff, Black) Rhode Japanese eggs always availabl.. Also (Bedfordshire) breeders of many species
pure breed birds from exhibition stock. Free GARDNER, JANET & KEITH Ware, Beds/Bucks Tel: 01604 890624 / 07802 Island Red, Silkie ( 5 Colours), Sussex Chukar Partridge, Chinese Painted, Blue of common and rare wildfowl since 1952.
range reared large fowl rhode island red. Hertfordshire Tel:01920 469045 296323 www.manorfarmchickens.co.uk POL (Light) Welsummer, Wyandotte (Silver scaled and Californian quail Tel: 01767 640143 before 6.30pm (all
light sussex. white / black silkies. lavender Araucana, Marsh Daisy, Norfolk Grey, Black rock, Black star, Specled star, Sussex Laced). Bantams : Leghorn (Brown) Pekin calls returned).
leghorns and araucanas (blue eggs). black / Wyandotte, Welsummer, Sussex, Maran, star, Bluebelle. Good free range birds (5 colours) Poland, Plymouth Rock RHEAS
blue double laced barnevelders. dark egg Buff Orpington, Minorca, Brahmas, (Buff), Rosecomb (Black) Sebright LOCHAN HOUSE WATERFOWL
strain welsummers. French maran in copper Pekins. Cayuga, Campbell and Abacot MAYFIELD POULTRY. Est 15 years. (Gold,Silver) Also various hybrids ABERDEENSHIRE RHEAS, Craigdam, ABERDEENSHIRE ornamental wild fowl
black / copper blue / splash / silver blue / Ranger Ducks. Exhibit at major shows. 10 varieties of pure including Black Rock and Warrens. Also Peterhead 01779 821349 White and grey including whistling ducks, geese,
silver black. black / barred wyandottes. Gold breed bantams and hatching eggs 01303 stocked Poultry Housing and equipment, adult birds from quality fertile stock. perching ducks, dabbling ducks and
/ blue / buff / silver laced wyandottes BRED GLENN’S HENS, Braintree, Essex. POL 813428 mayfield.poultry@freeola.net drinkers, feeders etc. Peafowl, Ducks, Blown eggs available. diving ducks. Most species hardy in
FROM THE WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL hybrid hens and pure breeds. Many www.mayfieldpoultry.co.uk Geese, Guinea Fowl and Ornamental North East. Tel: 01224 791753 Website:
AND FEDERATION 2009. Bantam chocolate varieties, chicks and hatching eggs. Free Pheasants. Other breeds sometimes FYLDE COAST RHEAS, EMUS AND www.lochanhousewaterfowl.co.uk
/ black orpington. chocolate / black introductory session for new poultry MICHAEL PAGE South Newington, Oxon available on request. SAE for price list. BANTAMS 01253 700 652 Grey and
wyandottes. Email: keepers. Tel: 07736 320490. 01295 721076 (evenings) large Maran, white Rheas, Chicks, young stock, fertile ROBERTSON, KENNETH Highleadon,
steve@cheshirepoultry.co.uk Web: Welsummer, Light, Speckled, Buff Sussex, STRETTON HELEN Long Eaton, Eggs available from late Spring till Newent, Glos Tel: 01452 790392. Email:
www.cheshirepoultry.co.uk GOULD LIFE POULTRY LTD Sharon Barnevelder, Lavender Araucana, White Nottingham 01159 724800 / 07765 Autumn, also Gold Brahma, Blue and robertsonken@ btinternet.com.
Gould, Worcestershire, 07894 743816 Silkie, Red Mottled Leghorn, Bantams 612814. Orpington buff, black, blue, Miniature Black Silkie and Polish www.wedderburnwaterfowl.co.uk 70
CHICKENS FROM DEVON. Choose Brahma, Leghorns, Dorking, Indian Game, Gold/Silver Sebright, Lemon Cuckoo white, spangled. Brahamas, Cochins, Bantams. species of waterfowl bred Manderins,
from 30 Breeds of rare and traditional Silkie, Australorpe, Houdan, plus others Pekin, hatching eggs, chicks, growers. Wheaton Marans, Faverolles, Sussex., Carolinas, Shellducks – Black Swans &
poultry. Hatching eggs, Young birds and Ducks and Geese. HE / Growers / Adults. Legbars and Ducks. GREY AND WHITE RHEAS, chicks and Teal etc.
Beginners Poultry Keeping courses. Poultry Mareks vaccinated. Lamb and rare MOLYNEUX ROBERT Boston, LincsTel: older birds available. Golden and Reeves
www.southyeofarm.co.uk for details and breed weaner pigs. 01205 280742 / 077998 45207 SUNNYSIDE POULTRY Suppliers of Pheasants, Silkies, Pekins, Barbu D’uccles RUDD, CLIFF & SUE HOMELANDS
current breed list. South Yeo Farm East. Email:rjlmolyneux@aol.com Breeder & point of lay hybrid pullets various breeds, sometimes available. Tel: 01926 842635 Ingleby Arncliffe, Northallerton, N. Yorks
Tel: 01837 810274 email: GRIFFIN, ARTHUR AND JENI Exhibitor of, Marans, Belgian Copper fully vaccinated and reared to freedom Email: bernadette.twaddle@googlemail.com DL6 3LZ Tel: 01609 882586 Exhibition
southyeofarm@btinternet.com Llangollen Tel: 01691 718261 Email: Blacks, Welsummers, Belgian and Dutch food standards. Poultry feed and www.rheasofwarwick.co.uk Geese; Sebastopol, Brecon Buff, Embden.
jeni@chickenandegg.net Anconas, Bantams. Various Ducks, Geese and equipment also Ducks, German Pekin. Various call ducks
CHRISTOPHER LEA Pure bred Brecon Lavender, Araucanas, Fresian Fowl, Buff Turkeys. stocked.www.sunnysidepoultry.co.uk. HURRIES RHEA David B Wellock. (Also Oxford Down Sheep)
Buff Geese for sale and Welsummer and Sussex, Cream Legbars, Gold Dutch Burton on Trent DE15. Tel. Ian 07798 Hurries House Farm, Otterburn, Skipton,
Brown Leghorn hatching eggs from prize- Bantams, Bronze Turkeys, Guinea Fowl. MRS L. ROLPH Hampshire 01489 584798 N.Yorkshire Tel:01729 830291 Flock THOMPSON POULTRY South Yorkshire,
winning stock. Tel: 01691 870640/ Doves Hatching eggs a speaciality. 896008 / 07860 384404. Various POL established 10 years. White and grey all Call Ducks, white,apricot, silver and
Welshpool, Powys Chicks, growers. hybrids always available. LARGE NHB, TUELL CHICKENS Tavistock, Devon Tel: ages usually available. Visit/stay on our more. Black East Indans, also Poultry.
Lakenvelder, Welsummer, Orpington, 01822 870295 picturesque Dales working farm. Hatching eggs posted.
COLLINS VANESSA Swindon Wilts SN6 HEREFORD, CALL DUCKS exhibition Sussex, Legbar, , RIR, Lincolnshire Buff, julie@tuellchicks.eclispe.co.uk Bantams: www.thompsonpoultry.com Tel 07921
6RH Tel 01793 752305. Various large strain, colours white, apricot, Saxony, Leghorn, Vorwek. BANTAM Wyandotte, Welsummer, Light Sussex, Dutch, Pekin KEEPERS FARM RHEAS Nottingham 857841
Sussex, Marans, Araucana and Bantam, 01949 850019 White Rheas for sale –
Blue Fawn. Various. Large fowl, Pekins, Sussex, Guinea fowl, Call ducks, (5 colours), Wyandotte (Silver Pencilled)
Austrolorps, Plymouth Rock, Sussex,
orpingtons, sussex. etc. Bantams, silver Turkeys. Hatching eggs. Zwartbles sheep. Large fowl: Welsummer eggs, chicks and yearlings. Phone for WILDBERRY WATERFOWL Melton
Barbu D’ Anvers, Welsummers. Abacot
laced, wyandottes, pekins etc. Tel: 01432 more details. Mowbray T 07973717952 Email
Ranger Ducks.
870248 / 07870 504691. NEWLAND POULTRY - Malvern, TWO POTS BANTAMS C.A. & S.J. Emily@wildberryproducts.co.uk Ducks :
Worcestershire - 07830 176254 - HEATLIE Two Pots Cottages, St Neots STAFFORDSHIRE RHEAS hatching eggs Call ducks, Teal, Shell ducks, Mandarin,
CROFT MEADOW POULTRY, Bucks,
01494 776214 / 07951 220906 French HIGH DOWN POULTRY Dudley mail@newlandgrange.com 7 x varieties Road, Dry Drayton, Cambridge CB23 8BE April - September, chicks July - Ruddy etc. Most types available please
Marans, Rhode Island Red, Red mottled Mallett,Linden Farm High Halden, Kent, P.O.L. hybrids - Jersey Giants, Orpingtons Tel:01954 211124 / 07836 587050 Rare November, bigger birds at other times. ask.
Leghorns, Buff Orpington, Wyandotte TN26 3LJ 01233 850692 E-MAIL dudley- in Lavender, Black, buff and crele. & pure breed Poultry. Adults, chicks and Orders taken and delivery possible. Tel:
bantams, young stock and hatching eggs. mallet@binternet.com www.newlandgrange.com hatching eggs when available. Bantams: 01785 280295
www.highdownpoultry.co.uk Category Wellsummer Hamburgh, Dutch & Belgian,
Poultry Ducks And Geese Specialist OGILVIE, LONGNIDDRY East Lothian, Light Sussex, Fresian, Dutch, Japanese, TURKEYS
DEVON NOW Dr & Mrs R A Whitehead,
Tiverton, Devon Tel: 01884 255266 Breeder Of Traditional Hens And Utility Scotland Tel: 01875 870238 / 07971 Houdon. Other breeds sometimes ABERDEENSHIRE RHEAS, Craigdam, Breeders’ directory
Commercial POL Pullets. Also Geese, Ducks, Layers. Hens At Point Of Lay And 607034 Email: georgeogilive@ available. Poultry & pet housing, poultry Peterhead 01779 821349 White and grey is also online
D/O pure breed chicks etc Delivery possible. Hatching Eggs Available By Post. Housing btinternet.com Large fowl; RIR, Light equipment. Agents for Littleacre products adult birds from quality fertile stock.
Available Flat Packed Cuckoo Marans, Sussex, Maran, Welsummer, + poultry feed. in East Anglia. Blown eggs available.
countrysmallholding.com
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