touchwood
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Animal BoardingWe are in the process of moving to potentially our dream home but need to think of ways to suppliment our income. We have a limited amount of land with no neighbours but with a considerable amount of passing traffic.
We have a large barn that could be used, but not as a dog boarding kennel as there is one just down the road. I prefer working with animals so am loathe to convert it to the usual holiday cottage.
However we keep chickens and pigs and have had the necessary paperwork and were interested in views as to whether others felt there was a demand for boarding of animals ie; chickens,ducks,goats, pigs etc.
We would be grateful for any ideas or suggestions and certainly any information as to potential problems.
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stumbling goat
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would you have to ensure that all animals that you looked after had all the vaccinations against every conceivable disease? if you did how would you ensure this?
would you then have to disinfect the pen/enclosure/cage etc after each resident left?
would it be worth it?
insurance costs?
good luck if you decide to go with it.
jh
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RichardW
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Plus once you get in to stand still times you cant do weekend (as the animal has not been on holding long enough) & week stays as the weekenders coming will stop the weekers leaving. Pigs would have to stay 21 days & goats / sheep 7 days.
UNLESS each & every pen could meet isolation standards inc you moving between them. As they would be in the same building I dont think you could meet the specs.
Better to offer a service of going to the animal on its own holding.
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Frewen Feltmaker
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You would indeed need to have appropriate vaccination and infection control measures, be council registered, have bedding and feed appropriate to species (which if you are thinking of managing various animals will cost not just to order but store). Factor in disposal of soiled bedding costs, vets fees, transportation should vets refuse to visit, insurances, marketing, cancellations, data protection (if you are keeping records on the 'pooter). You will be there 24/7 - 365 days per year...
Personally - having worked a boarding cattery, up at 6am finished at 7pm I would probably go for the tourist accomodation.
Sorry to be pessimistic 
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touchwood
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animal boardingMany thank's to all of you for your input.
So much to think about at the moment, so all your comments and suggestions have been very much appreciated and taken on board,
Looks like ultimately we may need to go the tourist route but hopefully with some thought we can do it ethically.
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sueshells
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Small animal boarding may be a possibility - rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters - there is a certain amount of demand for this type of holiday help.
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bring me sunshine
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An animal friendly holiday cottage? Bring the dog, bring the pet hamster...
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stumbling goat
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small animal boarding with the owners bringing the lodgers to you in their own accomodation all washed and clean. you could store the cage in a plastic "shell" of some sort to make cleaning easy when the animal leaves. maybe the pods where you store the cages could have a plastic polythene type liner, just throw it when you are done.
business decisions are better ruled by the head not the heart.
fd
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Chez
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| sueshells wrote: | | Small animal boarding may be a possibility - rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters - there is a certain amount of demand for this type of holiday help. |
People are starting to offer chicken-boarding services, too - I'd be a bit wary of spreading disease, but the regs are sufficiently low-key for it to be workable.
I like the idea of a 'bring your own chickens' holiday cottage, though 
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Tavascarow
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With the rise of urban & backyard poultry keeping there may be a demand there & less regulations than pigs, sheep & goats.
Insurance for loss to vermin (foxes, stray dogs & two legged foxes particularly) might be a problem to find.
Good boundry fencing, preferably electric, will let you sleep at night.
Owners could provide their own feed & housing or you could charge more per stay for using yours.
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alison
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Where abouts are you?
What about a camping barn?
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Chez
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| alison wrote: | Where abouts are you?
What about a camping barn? |
I *love* Alison's camping barn. And it's a really eco thing to do, IMO.
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woodsprite
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I was asked by a punter on one of my courses this question, it wasn't you was it?
I'm afraid your stymied by the standstill regs. 
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