Help needed on our small holding in Devon
ReportLocation: TORQUAY, United Kingdom
We are now full until the end of August 2022 (assuming things go according to plan). .Whilst we do prefer longer stays we will occasionally take people for as little as 3 weeks. But not less than 3 weeks.
We have a small holding in Devon where we keep poultry (Chickens, various ducks, and geese) and bees. We also have cats who share our house. We have a small orchard and a Kitchen Garden plus an acre of gardens. 
The poultry are not for eating, but do provide us with a plentiful supply of eggs.
Although not self sufficient in fruit and vegetables we do try to grow what we can, so there is usually fresh veg in season.
Ideally we need someone who has some experience working outdoors with animals and gardening and who is self motivated.
Some of the help we need doing is heavy, so if you are not prepared for physical work then we are probably not the place for you.
The help required here is varies with the time of the year - from digging over neglected flower beds to stone wall building. Carpentry is a huge benefit since we have chicken sheds and goose houses in need of renovation/replacement.
A vital part of the help we need is the daily poultry care which consists of:
Morning routine 8am (later in winter): Letting the birds out, checking they have clean water, collecting eggs, labeling and storing them.
Evening routine 6.30pm (earlier in winter): Feeding, and shutting the birds away, second egg collection.
All the birds need cleaning out once a week. (A pretty heavy, dirty job)
With a kitchen garden providing much of our veg, in the summer and autumn, and an acre of garden I need additional help with gardening and garden maintenance, particularly some heavy digging and fruit picking in season.
We also need assistance with poultry shed repair/maintenance or groundworks so gardening knowledge/experience or maintenance experience will be given priority.
We are still in the process of renovating my sadly neglected flower beds, this involves some heavy digging because, although the ground has been dug over before we are on heavy clay so you do need to be fit. We also have an acre of lawns/grass which need cutting and maintaining during the growing season. Attention to detail essential.
Being a small holding there are always projects on the go - from pond renovation to dry stone walling.
So in total we are looking for 5 hours per day plus a little extra for the bird routines, 5 days per week, although how much you do will depend on how involved you want to be. Hopefully volunteers will come here because they want to join in our various projects.
In exchange for this help we have a self contained cottage with it's own kitchen, living space and separate bedrooms for you to live in. (occasionally you may be asked to share for a few days during change over)
We provide all bed linen and towels.
Because you have your own kitchen we provide essential food items for breakfast and a snack lunch which you prepare for yourself.
I cook a full meal in the evening for us all to enjoy together. This is our opportunity to talk, exchange views and learn about each other.
Although we are not vegetarian we do not eat red meat and I do not buy any. Preferring fish, poultry and vegetarian meals.I am sorry but I can not provide for a vegan diet.
Keeping your accommodation clean and doing your own washing will also be your responsibility.
We do try to live as eco friendly as we can and request that people respect this by not wasting food, water and electricity.
I am sorry but we do not take smokers
