Does anyone here raise chicken , sheep , goats ,other?

Any of you guys want to share what you raise . Stories ,tips and/photos of your mini farms? I do not have a mini farm but think they cool as heck. Maybe someday I would try it.

I believe a "fainting goat" would be fun

Just remember Dave, whenever you have "live" animals, they must be tended to every day. That means you always need to have someone available to tend them if you want to go somewhere on vacation, etc.

We've only have chickens now. Used to have goats, sheep, horses, big dogs, and horses. That involved maintaining fences, keeping and storing feed, water in the winter even when the wind is howling and the temps are low.

However it is good in the spring to see the new little ones.


Rick

Rick 386 wrote: That means you always need to have someone available to tend them if you want to go somewhere on vacation, etc.

You could just throw big going away party.

My Uncle used to raise some animals, chickens and few pigs if I remember correctly. He was one of the first houses built in an area that was undeveloped back in tthe 70's. What is funny is he is grandfathered in to still be able to raise animals so he could if he wanted, that would be funny site as there are lot of houses there now.

couple pot plants out back. they love the bat poop. helps my spasms and nero pain

You don't want no goats. goofy, but a PITA.

sometimes less is better. I had 40 layer chickens, that equals a bag of feed a week. Now I have 5; 4 hens and rooster. Plenty of eggs and they free range so a bag of feed lasts a month or more. we're in the process of buying more land, once that goes through we'll have many farm animals. Not enough space is bad for animals, it makes them sick and smelly. They need lots of room to graze.

Ed, Do you recommend any certain breed of chicken to free range?

I have Ameraucana's, and one black giant hen. Any chicken can free range as long as you start them as day old chicks, they don't stray too far from their home. I had to move mine from the house to the chicken coop which is about 300' from the house, every night I had to carry them to the coop as they crowded around the house. I locked them in the coop for a week and now that is where they stay. I simply open the door in the morning and block it open, then at night they are all inside right before dark and I close the door and gather the eggs. No fence whatsoever they can fly away if they want but they won't. You have to watch predators, the worst being neighborhood dogs. My dogs are outside most of the time, that is enough to scare away predators. They are most vulnerable when they are 0-6 months old, after that they learn to roost up high and fight back. I raised a peacock the same way, he didn't fly away either. My neighbor leaves his chicken coop open, but it's located in with his goats and nothing bothers them. Murray McMurray sells chickens, ask them for a free catalog. The thing about free ranging birds is you have to really watch what you put on the grass, any pesticide or fertilizer you spray you'll be eating. It's fun raising chickens, and pretty easy. I made a heated waterer that hangs so winter isn't so bad.

About Free range chickens? My house is about 150 ft from a 2 lane highway. Would the chickens cross the road?

xackley wrote:About Free range chickens? My house is about 150 ft from a 2 lane highway. Would the chickens cross the road?

I think they would.

xackley wrote:About Free range chickens? My house is about 150 ft from a 2 lane highway. Would the chickens cross the road?

Only to get to the other side .

Posted the tractors figured might as well post the live stock

Dinner this winter




Hamburger's friend



I also raise turkeys and chickens, dogs but kids are all gone (they are bringing back grandkids)

Just built a new sheep shed. 16' by 36'. Wifes hobby. The dutch doors were fun to build.

Stay away from Guinnea hens, they are funny to watch but unless they are in an aviary they will go where ever they please. My neighbor used to call telling (complaining) that they were up on his shop roof. They would be out in the road creating havoc with motor traffic.But they would always come back home.

We had lots of chickens,duck,geese,turkeys,guinnea hens,pheasant,quail,goats,pigs and a calf. Raised 200-300 cornish-x for butchering at a time. 10 pigs at a time for butchering also. As far as the goats we had one doe for milk and her 1st kid was a pet. He was a real character. Him and the bull calf were best friends. LOL. Those 2 were a laugh a minute.

It all got to be too much work so we fazed out of it. At times I sure do miss it.