Livestock and Farm groundsPIGSSo you are thinking of keeping a couple of pigs for your own need, if so, we are happy to help. We have White long backs and Tamworths all of which are free range and produce piglets all year round.
If you are considering keeping piglets for your own needs, it's advisable that you think about the implications before you consider haveing them and here are just a few bits to give you an idea of what you might like to think about before you consider doing so.
Pigs are very social animals and love company thay will enjoy you being around, and should not be kept on their own, therefore at least two are recomended.
Good fencing with suppliamental electric wire is a must, if a fully grown pig of over 100kg decides to go for a walk you will not stop it, and electric / wire fencing or solid brick walls are the only way.
We use tempery shelters but during the winter good warm housing is a must! Pigs are susceptible to the cold and can get chest infections, and so somewhere warm, dry and well built is needed. It's also nice for them to get out of the sun as pigs are unable to sweat as thay do not have sweat glands,
-as often said, there is nothing happier than a pig in mud. A wallow is a real love for summer pigs as they like us can get sunburn and it has been known for us to put sun tan lotion on your pigs ears.
Pigs will just about eat anything you give them although it is forbidden in Europe to give them kitchen scraps.
They will clear any left over veg from your garden and that piece of rough ground that was not doing anything will be cleared in no time. We use them like tractors clearing the ground and then moving them onto the next compound so that we can plant.
As for breeding, those of you who wish to have your sow serviced are welcome to visit and discuss your needs prior to your sows stay.
Our sows have produced up to 19 piglets (yes really!),although it has been averaging out at about 10 per litter.
It is suggested that you bring feed for a ten day period, so that there regime is unchanged. We make our own feed up and it is not advisable to change an animals diet over night.
If you have not kept pigs before a good book for beginers is 'Stories Guide to Raising Pigs', ISBN 1-58017-326-8 this can be found on amazon and is reasonably priced. It's a real help and a must for beginners.
After thinking it all through, give us a call and come visit you will get open honest advise at no extra charge.
( visitors are reqested not to enter componds without prior agreement as large animals such as pigs whilst breeding can be dangerous. )
SHEEPAt Le Chataignier we keep a range of mixed sheep from texals to rouge de la west.
It is often said that the reason for wanting sheep is to keep the grass down, great idea but in truth there is so much more to keeping them.
If you are looking for spring lambs that will grace your table and give you wonderful meat, you will not taste anything like it.
The time leading up to the birth can like any expectant parent, worrying. Stories again do a great book for beginers and can be good bed time reading.
Stories Guide to raising sheep ISBN 1-58017-262-8
It is a good idea to be prepared as a call to a vet in the early hours can be costly.
Most sheep will have twins and on occasion may present a breach or complicated birth.
However if you are considering keeping a couple of sheep a few things to consider are, do you have enough land.
They will need regular mineral suppliaments and occasional hoof trimming., Worming on a regular basis and shearing once a year, as well as statutary vaccinations.
Sheep have no regard for electrice fencing and will often just walk straight through it so again, good fenceing is recommended.
After all these considerations and a nice shelter for them sheep are really fun to have around and spring lambs can be watched for hours as thay prance around your field!
After considering all of this, please do give us a call and we will be happy to help and advise.
GoatsJohn and I are registered keeperes of the Potvain a rare French breed that very nearly died out only a few years ago. We are also members of the breeding society for this breed.
All our goats are hand reared and are fed by bottle for about 12 plus weeks starting in Febuary three time a day when birthing normally starts. Most of our goats have given birth to twins although this year 2009 we have had three sets of triplets born. This breed although not produceing the most milk for milking goats produce approximatly 2 plus litres a day and for this are milked twice a day until the end of October when thay are dried off for the following years births.
Like sheep they regulary need to be wormed as well as vacinations and their feet trimming. Goats need a regular diet and like sheep it is mot advised to change their diet rapidly as this can kill the animal. Yes thay will eat grass!but goats are predominantly brousers and love bramble's and tree branches. As well as grain and mineral suppliments, ours also eat hay.
Goat's really hate the rain, and somewhere were they are able to get under cover is a must as well as good housing.
Goats need very good fencing also. I heard the story recently of someone that had bought a couple of French Alpine goats only to have them clear a 1.5 metre fence and promtly used his brand new car as a climbing frame. Not a happy man! Another told of how his sheep had walked through sheep netting (which has worked for us) promptly followed by his goats!
- like the sound of music there was once a lonely goat hurder,- 'as all his animals went walk about'!
Goats are very social animals and you should not be kept one on it's own. They have real personalities with an established social order, IE;- they all know who is next in the milking shed.
They can workout how to open any door and will do so if given the chance.
However they are a real joy to keep if you are aware that they take comitment in looking after.
Again Stories do a guide in raising goats the ISBN being....1-58017-259-8
There are also chickens, ducks and geese at Le Chataignier as well as a worm farm for compost made from the waste produce.
What is made at Le Chataignier?The milk from these wonderful animals produce the best goats cheese both soft and hard.
