Small Holding - Grass Control

Smallhold

Looking for some advice...have about 4-5 acres of land around private house that needs to be controlled! Have the ability to spray and top etc with a quad but site is very steep and hilly in places..boundaries are dense and well fenced. Not really interested in renting out the land (not very practical in our case) but would like some advice on what I could possibly get to graze it to help with the grass management...not really looking for profits just some help to keep the place looking respectable! Non farmer without herd numbers etc..had considered alpacas but an expensive option still on the cards...donkeys..sheep...all advice welcome! Limited time available to look after animals intensively...not during the daytime anyway....thanks

Markcheese

Find a neighbour with sheep, offer it to him/her as long as its all kept clean and tidy...

Water John

Know some one who got an aquaintance to bring in a few horses each year.
I find they have a lovely calming effect and lovely to stroll through.

ganmo

sheep or goats?
both need a flock no.

for the sheep you could buy ewe lambs in sept/oct and sell them as hoggets the following august, they would need to be shorn in the early summer

goats not much minding on them, they have plenty of 'character'

donkeys would require you to register as an equine premises

alpacas it seems get TB so if there is plenty of deer or badgers around you might want to think again about them

Smallhold

Thanks for the replies so far....no deer around but I'm pretty sure plenty of badgers...had heard of the TB thing with alpacas alright...

Much involved in getting a herd number for sheep (People still keep low numbers as 'pets' even though there aren't supposed to?!)? Do I need winter housing for them or is there a particular hardy breed I should be looking at that can stay out all year with some small field shelter? Same question for goats?

lakill Farm

let a local farmer cut silage or hay off it twice or 3 times a year

Smallhold

Unfortunately local farmers aren't too keen on cutting 30-40 degree slopes! :ermm:

laoch na mona

Smallhold wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far....no deer around but I'm pretty sure plenty of badgers...had heard of the TB thing with alpacas alright...

Much involved in getting a herd number for sheep (People still keep low numbers as 'pets' even though there aren't supposed to?!)? Do I need winter housing for them or is there a particular hardy breed I should be looking at that can stay out all year with some small field shelter? Same question for goats?

to get a herd number the department come and inspect your premise, for sheep you'll need to have a water supply, a house for isolating sick animals, and adequate fencing, to pass the inspection.

If it's doable it might be worth letting a farmer cut it for hay/silage

Markcheese

You wont need a herd number if someone elses stock are doing the grazing .....