All animals on the holding need somewhere dry and warm to escape the winter weather, whether that involves using repurposed polytunnels to house sheep or open fronted field shelters for alpacas.
The type, size and shape of housing depends on the animal in question. However, what is most important is that the buildings are well situated to protect against the conditions, strong enough to last and enticing enough to be utilised.
So now let’s take a look at a variety of different housing options for animals commonly found on the holding.
ALPACAS
Like many animals, alpacas enjoy having ample outdoor space to roam freely, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t appreciate the ability to escape harsh weather.
Alpaca shelters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the more common options being open-fronted barns and field shelters.
Regardless of its size and the materials from which it is made, the key is to make sure that there’s enough room for the number of animals in your herd.
Alpacas tend to congregate in a bunch, so it’s important to make sure that they can all stay cool in hot weather and keep dry when it’s wet.
Alpacas are mostly content with simple shelters that offer good natural light, ventilation, shade and protection from the wind and the rain.
Sandhills Alpaca Pods is a family-run business. Its pods are designed and manufactured based on their own experiences.
Bu hikaye Country Smallholding dergisinin September 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Country Smallholding dergisinin September 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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
Tip the light fantastic
The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers
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
‘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
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
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
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
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
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
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