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RARE BREEDS IN FRANCE - September - Ducks
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SMALLHOLDING?  OR JUST A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE?

If you have just discovered the joys of  Smallholding, or just becoming a little 'self sufficient' with a few hens and a bigger veg plot, then this is the page for you!
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YES I know I missed a month and nothing changed in August, but surely you know France is closed for August??
However, for September I am pleased to announce 'Rare Breed DUCKS  in France'
Next month we feature Sheep!


Want to source quality livestock?  Check out the 'free ads' page !

Theres is an excellent website for Smallholders at http://www.countrysmallholding.com/
includes a useful bulletin board.

Also subscribe to Smallholder magazine at http://www.smallholder.co.uk/ and read my 'View from France' monthly spot.... A lighthearted look at the 'Good life' a la france!
New bulletin board just added.

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SMALLHOLDERS DIARY

September  - is the time to sow new grass,  worm your animals from migrating parasites, harvest fruit trees and make ready your veg plot for autumn sowings to supply spring veg.

DEHYDRATION
Check that all your water troughs are clean and always full, the worse trauma you can inflict on your stock in this heat is thirst!  Dont beleive what your neighbour may tell you 'about plenty of moisture in the grass', after a few days summer temps and no rainfall, the morning dew is barely enough to keep larger stock alive!

ESCAPOLOGY
Keep an eye on your fencing, as youngstock are more prone to testing the barbed wire fence or pushing down the netting!  Escapees dont make good neighbourly relationships!

THINK AHEAD!
If you dont make your own hay and straw, now is the best time to get the barn stored for the winter, its cheaper 'off the field' and by November you may find farmers holding onto to it til Spring, in case of a hard winter!



CHICKENS DUCKS AND FOWL

Check that adults clipped wings are still effective. They do grow back when new feathers appear at changing seasons. It is simple to cut the feathers again, it is not painful and will prevent losses when the pond looks greener on the other side of the valley!

If your keen on ducks, geese and other waterfowl then visit the BWA
http://www.waterfowl.org.uk/

Share with us your experiences of french style self sufficiency...email us now, all messages answered!



Haymaking time!!
      Make hay whilst the sun shines!





PIGS
Rare French breed info coming soon!  Meanwhile any piggy people out there?  We need your management tips!
Ditto Cattle!

GOATS AND SHEEP

If planning a breeding programme, make sure your animals are fit and wormed.   Also get feet clipped at the same time as shearing and then you wont end up trying to catch sheep in the winter rains!

Be sure that goats have respite from the summer rains that will leave them cold and miserable.
Whereas sheep can cope with rain, they cannot cope with soggy ground which will cause footrot in all cloven hooved animals.

Check feet regularly, and if you find any spongy or smelly areas, clip them out with a paring knife or special hoof clippers, then spray the area with an antifungal, antiseptic 'purple spray' available at the vets.


Our certified organic farmer Stuart McClure is thinking of setting up an organic veg box scheme covering Mayenne,Orne and Calvados if there is enough interest.
He writes:
"We would provide two types of boxes:
Box 1 for average family of 4
Box 2 for couples.
The idea is to set up drop points where a minimum of five customers collect thier produce once a week.
The owner of the drop zone would either recieve a free box of veg or a commision on each box they hold.

The boxes would contain fresh organic seasonal veg plus some unseasonal as we have polytunnels. If readers could let me know your thoughts?
email:
McClureBarrerie@aol.com

°°°°°°°°°°





HORSE PONY AND DONKEY OWNERS


WORMING
Now is a good time to worm, its easily obtained from your vet, and easily administered as powder or paste...a simple job that can not only save your food bills, but ensure your horses are getting the nourishment they need without the sometimes fatal damage which parasites can cause to the gut wall.  Any long term horse owners will have already seen the horrible worm laden guts on the adverts!! Not nice!

HOUSING
If bringing your horse or pony or donkey, in during the winter nights, now is the time to check on general maintenance.  Make sure rooves are sound and waterproof, and floors are good.
Also good idea to order your straw or other bedding materials now,  along with the hay supply, as it will become harder to find good quality as the winter progresses.....horses dont usually thank you for the three year old mouldy stuff that many farmers will sell you!  Cows generally are not so fussy so my french neighbour tells me!

HOOFCARE
The dry weather can make unshod hooves split and crack. If large cracks appear that spread up the hoof, or large chunks are broken away at the base its advisable to get the farrier in to tidy them and ensure no damage is done to the sensitive laminae.

Check feet, and pick out daily to ensure you never miss any early signs of damage.

PESKY FLIES!!
Please please ensure your animals have enough shelter from heat and flies during the heat of the day.  Some finer types appreciate a cool stable for the hottest hours, but if leaving them out 24/7 you can get an excellent long term fly
repellent from your vets.... the shop bought ones usually need applying every 6 hours to be any good, and are more costly in the longrun.

USEFUL CONTACTS

EQUINE VETS
A reader writes:
"I have been told about a vet in Louvigne just outside of Laval on the Le Mans road.They specialise in horses.They are based on a farm I believe and you can take the horse to them they are there in the afternoons so I am told. I don't know what happens about visits though" ....if you have used them or can give us a telephone number/address do let us know?

RECOMMENDED FARRIERS
John Claude Laffargue (West Mayenne region) has worked in UK
02 43 00 40 79 or 06 83 24 46
also
Stephane Brehin (East Mayenne region) 02 43 03 48 93
not fluent in english but a top class registered farrier!

EQUIP'HORSE have a mail order catalogue and good prices for all your needs! You can order one on http//:www.equiphorse.com

°°°°°READERS MESSAGES°°°°°

We are trying to establish horse friendly rights of way in the region.
PLEASE email mary at: mary.kent@tiscali.fr

mary writes:
"I know that Mayenne tourist board are supposed to be getting an itinery/brochure together but I am going to be too old to ride by the time they get it together! Would it be possible to ask any one who knows of tracks in their area that might be suitable they don't have to have ridden them just know that they are not private ..if they could send me details that would be great .Maybe if there is any interest we could arrange occasional rides for pleasure"


IF anyone needs particular advice relating to buying, handling, riding or caring for horses, ponies and donkeys I will be happy to help! Just email me at sue.coleman@free.fr


This is Jules, an extrotter owned by Mary in west Mayenne!

 





First lessons for our Breton draught colt!

UKGrapevine
created 9 Sept 2002