A smallholding is different to a fully formed farm, and the clue is in the name. Smallholdings are often smaller operations, a place that carries only double digits worth of livestock, and sells their bounty for less of a profit motive, but more for the love of the activity and the utilization of outdoor space. If you’ve ever purchased eggs from a local resident with a few chickens and a few sheep, that could be classed as a smallholding.
Okay, so you’ve caught the bug. You have an acre of space in your back garden and you’d like to get functional. What items do you need to keep the smallholding running effectively?
Good Land
Good land is essential to a good smallholding. You need enough space to house your livestock in a suitable arrangement, but not so much that it becomes unmanageable. You want to ensure that the quality of ground is safe and secure, such as no building debris left around or similar difficulties that are likely to endanger the health of your animals.
You also want to assess the accessibility of the land. Do you have a public footpath running through it? Then you have a responsibility to ensure the farm animals are placid and aren’t likely to aggressively react to the public.
Maintenance Equipment And Repair Tools
You’re not likely to stock up on large frame machinery to keep the smallholding running, but it’s good form to make sure that you have safe and strong solutions to help you out of any equipment quandary. Stocking up on items like screw jacks, fencing implanters, and lawnmower repair tools can help you efficiently maintain your farm throughout its life.
Security
If your land is private, it’s important to improve the security, not only to prevent people from getting in but to prevent foxes or other animals from creating a disturbance for your livestock. Foxes are known to eat chickens, and if they manage to enter your huts, they can kill plenty of them at once.
Prepare for this by ensuring that the fencing is adequate around your property, and you have it under lock and key. Be sure to clip the wings of your chickens to stop them from flying out of their designated zones. Unless they’ve seen the movie Chicken Run, they’re unlikely to come up with a creative method of escape. This also goes double for larger livestock, that are likely to find holes in your fencing solutions and expand their weaknesses.
Insurance
Even if you just house a few animals, you need to take care of the correct legislation and insurance duties. If you’re confused about how it works in your area, research deeply online or hire a lawyer that specializes in agricultural law. You might be liable for certain taxes based on the size of your operation.
In conclusion, any smallholding beginner is in for an interesting, satisfying journey. Connecting to nature and rearing farm animals is a genuinely satisfying experience, but you should prepare to work hard at it and take care of the appropriate investments. You’ll find it incredibly compelling work if you do it right.