‘We suddenly seem to have a problem with most of our boundaries'
Country Smallholding|April 2020
With plenty of escapees, plus some unwanted visitors, poultry diarist Julian Hammer finds that the fencing at Rose Cottage is in need of some TLC
Julian Hammer
‘We suddenly seem to have a problem with most of our boundaries'
I can’t overstate the value of good fences. Secure, sturdy fencing must be among the top 10 requirements for a successful smallholding. At Rose Cottage we have a hodge-podge of fencing that has developed over time as our requirements have changed. We have livestock fencing to contain pigs, homemade anti-deer and rabbit fencing to keep the greedy freeloaders out of the veg beds, double-height chicken wire fencing for poultry enclosures, hedges and livestock mesh for the pig loading area, barbed wire to deter walkers from trying to feed or pet the pigs from the footpath and, finally, boundary post and rail fencing that separates our land from our neighbours to the north and the south. Oh, and throw in some drystone walls just for good measure.

The problem with this is that they all need maintenance. Wooden posts eventually rot, chicken wire rusts and tears, and drystone walls succumb to gravity and, before you know it, the pigs and chickens are feasting on pastures new. Or, in turn, something is feasting on them.

I mention this because we suddenly seem to have a problem with most of our boundary fencing. As you may recall, I broke my leg last year in a tussle with a pig which put me out of action for a number of months. My wife, Emma, did her best to keep on top of the endless smallholding chores, but with two pigs, 35 hens, 10 ducks and two beehives, along with the veg beds, greenhouse and polytunnel to look after, something had to give. The casualties were inevitably the maintenance jobs.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COUNTRY SMALLHOLDINGView all
The Secret World Of The Honey Bee
Country Smallholding

The Secret World Of The Honey Bee

Who knew that honey bees are the best builders? Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development reveals how they build their parallel wax combs with extraordinary accuracy

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Tip the light fantastic
Country Smallholding

Tip the light fantastic

The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
The legacy of The Good Life
Country Smallholding

The legacy of The Good Life

The Good Life captured the public’s imagination when it first aired in 1975. On Country Smallholding’s 45th birthday, Jeremy Hobson looks at this and other programmes with a self-sufficiency slant that have captivated urban and rural dwellers alike over nearly half a century

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'
Country Smallholding

‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'

A tree Armageddon frightens poultry diarist Julian Hammer’s flock and leaves him with a mammoth clear-up job

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Tools of the trade
Country Smallholding

Tools of the trade

In the second part of his mini-series on tools that are useful around the holding, Kevin Alviti takes an in-depth look at the iconic scythe, a thistle paddle and forks that were once virtually indispensable to small-scale farmers

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world
Country Smallholding

The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world

Adam Henson waxes lyrical about the Texel, which boasts such a stocky body that it resembles a box of muscle on four legs

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Buying on a tight budget
Country Smallholding

Buying on a tight budget

As demand for smallholdings increases and prices continue to rise, is there a way to achieve your dream without forking out a fortune? In the first part of a new mini-series, Liz Shankland explores the possibilities

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Crazy for crafts
Country Smallholding

Crazy for crafts

In an ordinary back garden and single paddock near Kidderminster, Kay Dalloway has created both a thriving smallholding and a successful fibre business — all while working full time for the NHS. Helen Babbs drops by to find out about her ventures

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Game on
Country Smallholding

Game on

A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
1975 And All That
Country Smallholding

1975 And All That

Country Smallholding is 45 this month. To celebrate, Jeremy Hobson takes a look at some of the changes — both good and bad — to small-scale farming over that near half-century

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020