Lepoulailler

It depends on what you're selling.  We do quite a lot of markets as a way of cheap advertising for our chickens.  I quite often see other sellers there who are asked for 'papiers' by the placier, and who seem to carry all that is needed in their back pocket.  Best to contact your local Chambre de Commerce I should think, who should be able to get you all that is required (or Chambre de Metiers, if you are doing arty type stuff, or things that relate to a 'artisan' trade for example, photography). As we often take our hens with us for exhibition purposes we need to comply with the DSV regulations on livestock, notifying them in advance, correct transport, vaccinations etc etc, but I shouldn't think that would concern you. Normally once you have your permission to trade you just turn up at market at the designated time and place (usually at 8.00 in the summer and 8.30 in the winter, outside somewhere prominent such as the mairie or the church) and wait for the placier (sometimes in uniform or 'tenue' and sometimes in civilian clothes - in which case ask the other traders who he is.  You then usually make the tour of the market with others vying for a pitch and get allocated a spot.  (Hopefully - there is quite often fierce competition in peak season, especially with the travelling traders, and preference is usually given to those who attend on a regular basis or who attended many markets the previous season).  Make sure you know the meterage of your pitch.  Some markets like you to have asked the local mairie in advance, so it doesn't hurt to have phoned them in advance to ask permission - it varies from place to place. Charges vary, but they are not expensive.  For example, I pay 1.20 € for a morning at Combourg, and 3.30€ for a pitch at Dol de Bretagne (my stall is 3 metres).  By and large there is a great atmosphere amongst the traders, and there is always someone who will lend a hand.  I have found without a doubt that it has been the greatest help to improving my French. Good luck,  Peta

Good luck!!! We had it in England for 12 years, and even though I'm normally a confirmed organic we resorted to glyphosphates. Even so they had a limited success. We eventually tarmaced over it! And you know what? It grew up through the tarmac. We just about managed to keep it in check by chopping it back so that it never, ever got to see daylight, but never eliminated it completely. Peta

Poor old cockerals!!! It is amazing how different the English and French attitudes are to cockeral keeping. All our English clients seem to want nothing but hens, whereas our French customers almost always demand a pair of each breed they buy. They are much more tolerant of the noise (which I find quite attractive anyway - after all, we live in the countryside), and seem to value not only the way the cock looks, but also the way he looks after his girls, and keeps his hens in line. Not to mention chicks, chicken casserole etc etc. I agree that your cave may be fox proof. For me the big question is 'is it damp or draughty?', as these two things are the biggest enemies of chickens, and a combination of the two can be devastating. If you would like to e-mail me at [email protected] I can e-mail you our breed guide which might give you an idea of what breeds best suit your requirements. Give some thought to whether you want your hens for eggs, meat, as broodies or just to enhance your garden. Will you be mixing several different breeds together (as some breeds are live easily alongside others, where others are born to scrap), will they be handled by children, how much space do you have etc etc. I can also forward a copy of an article I wrote for this month's UK Grapevine if it is of any use to you, which covers exactly this subject. Chicken keeping is not complicated if you get the basics right, and can be loads of fun - read any of the old posts on this site by chicken 'affectionados' as proof!! Hope that is of some use to you. Peta Le Poulailler Breeders of quality rare, ornemental and traditional poultry Launay Boivent, St Ouen la Rouerie 35460 Tel:02 99 98 34 50

Due to a back injury I'm looking for a rider for our 4 year old showjumper. Maya is a 17hh bright bay Selle Francais mare by Rox de la Touche, dam by Rivage du Poncel. She has been professionally broken by French showjumper Alain Bourdain and is currently in his yard at Fougeres. She is making good progress, and has lovely paces and a super jump. An ideal opportunity for a confident young rider, or someone hoping to do affiliated competitions in France. She would also be ideally suited for dressage. Good natured but young! Strictly not for novice riders or those wanting a hack, but a great chance to compete a decent young horse. Peta

I agree with all the above, but would just add that if you get your daughter into a good club, those that own it/run it should be able to steer you in the right direction. They are also more likely to be in the know when a decent pony comes up for grabs, or may agree to come with you to look at something that may seem suitable.

I took my chickens to market quite a lot last year, more as a way of cheap advertising than because we really needed to sell there. All I had to do was bowl up at the nominated place (usually a central point in town) and time (by and large 0800 in summer and 0830 in winter), and follow the placier round for a pitch. Be warned that in the middle of the season there is quite a bit of competition for places, so get there in plenty of time. You usually find that regulars get preferential treatment when it comes to allocation of pitches on the days when competition is fierce. I was never asked for any papers (although every stand was visited one day by the Fraud people and the DSV; veterinary service; quite rightly make routine checks on the live animal markets - we are registered with them anyway). However, the placier often used to ask for 'papiers' from some of the other traders, and a whole variety were produced, depending on what they were selling (clothing, scooby doos, artwork etc). Some towns will just let you turn up, other Mairies like you to get permission in advance. My advice would be to phone a Mairie in one of the regions you are interested in and then ask to speak to the placier who should be able to steer you in the right direction. Know the size of your pitch, as the placier will walk you round the town saying 'who has got five metres?' and the like, and then there is a mad scrabble amongst everyone with five metre pitches. Pitches typically cost between 1.30 euros and 3.50 euros per metre, so are relatively inexpensive. I usually end up paying around 3.00 euros for my 2.5 metre pitch, if that's any guide. Keep a quality stand, tidy up behind yourself and they'll always be glad to have you back. Good luck, hope that helps a bit. Peta

It depends what you farm. We have a rare, ornemental and traditional poultry farm on 5 hectares and we are registered with the Chamber of Agriculture and our social contributions (and benefits) come through the MSA (Mutualite Societe Agricole -excuse the lack of accents with this keyboard). It took us several months to find out what hoops we had to jump through. My suggestion would be to go to your local MSA who will steer you in the right direction depending on what you want to do. They were great and notified the DSV, DDAS, CERGIV etc on our behalf. Be careful, because some things (eg, normal poultry farming) have quotas which are full in many regions (for example in Brittany they have too many conventional poultry farms, so any applications for new farms are likely to be refused). There are plenty of rumours that you need a minimum amount of acreage to be eligible for all the social benefits, pension etc. However I believe the truth is that if you farm, say, barn raised rabbits, or have a small milking herd of goats you do not need much surface hectarage. (Those small businesses making homemade goat's cheese are still farmers, after all). I'm sure the same is not true for cattle farmers, or those needing large amounts of land for cereal etc. Hope this helps. Peta

I posted on the same subject in UK.rec.equestrian (outlook express) and had some pretty detailed replies. Someone suggested using some of the bark chippings you can get for next to nothing from the woodyards (they virtually give them away), but I have put my back out, so haven't got round to installing my arena yet. Also got some very detailed replies on installing on badly drained land. May be worth trawling through their achives - e-mail me direct if you can't find it because I've probably got a hard copy somewhere.

Couldn't the Gardening Forum be renamed 'Gardening and Smallholding'? There seem to be as many postings from people who have questions relating to their livestock or land as to those who garden. It would certainly make it clearer for potential users. How many people get their dream bit of land for the first time when they arrive in France, but have no idea how to manage their new goats/chickens/pigs/horses etc when something goes wrong, or how to make hay, get their tractor repaired etc etc etc. I, for one, am learning something every day. Even though our farming neighbours are remarkably helpful, they are not always on hand when you need some advice. It's easier now we've been here a while, but rotavator, chain harrow, silkie hen, kid, peacock hen etc were never words we learnt at school. Peta P

I have recently bought a young selle francais (say goodbye to the central heating for another year!!) who I want to compete - a bit of all sorts for her experience, show jumping, dressage and maybe a bit of cross country. What do I need to compete? Initially it will probably be done at riding club level until she knows her job, but the ultimate aim is to notch up a few points before we breed from her in a few years time. I believe that you need a licence - what is the cheapest way to get this? I think you also need GALOP 7?... I have my BHSAI stages 1 and 2 - does this count for anything and if so how do I go about converting it, or am I going to have to take my exams again in French? Also, has anyone found a reasonable way to insure horses in France. Thanks all, Peta