Building a Hobby Farm- from woods to eggs

[tony123]

Don, I've got the best of intentions for getting the ROPS, but you know how that goes. Mostly, I'm waiting to have some more hours and confidence that my "new" 25 year old tractor is worth the investment. I'm at 30 hours now. I've been thinking that at 50 hours I should be able to determine if its a keeper or not. For now, I stay away from anything that is cross slope. I graded out the hillside that I go from one pad to the next on ramps that are perpendicular to the grade.


The fruit trees will all be out along the driveway where I have lots of space, so I don't think dwarfing them is of any use. I will check out the link though. Thanks.

Rob, by clean slate, I was referring to the land itself.....unfortunately, not my "to do" list.

Weldingisfun, I could gather as much from the issue I bought. It's a shame, as I bet there would be a significant market for a magazine of true "hobby farmers". I think the industry defines "hobby farm" as 20+ acres. But I think there are lots of 5 acre and less guys that would like a magazine more suited to them.

David, I read your thread. So did you ever get first hand experience of the noise level? I've got three neighbors within 200' of where I'm putting the farm. In fact, my house would be the furthest from the farm. So disturbing neighbors is a concern of mine. From everyone's experience though, I could get a small flock and the predators will get rid of them for me. Doesn't sound like a long term commitment.

 

[tony123]

I had a load of white oak "sticks" dropped off at the house by a friend who does land clearing. I had been cutting it over the last few days and dreading the splitting part. Well..........white oak is a pure pleasure to split. It would only take one medium swing and they would pop in half as if spring loaded. The other types of wood I have are too much work (for me) to split by hand.

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't know if it was mentioned or not, but my favorite magazine is called "Progressive Farmer." They do tend to gloss over stuff that I find interesting and sort of give you the highlights, but just about every article is on a topic that I find interesting. I will read the magazine from cover to cover the day it arrives. I can't say that for any other publication!!

When an article really catches my attention, then I'll do more research on it. I've been known to tear out pages of the magazine and put them next to the computer so I can look up what I want and not forget anything.

Eddie

 

[Don Melcher]

Don, I've got the best of intentions for getting the ROPS, but you know how that goes. Mostly, I'm waiting to have some more hours and confidence that my "new" 25 year old tractor is worth the investment. I'm at 30 hours now. I've been thinking that at 50 hours I should be able to determine if its a keeper or not. For now, I stay away from anything that is cross slope. I graded out the hillside that I go from one pad to the next on ramps that are perpendicular to the grade.

OK - well - don't put it off beyond that. I guess I am sensitive to roll over accodents. Had an employee killed when he rolled a forklift and my best friend in highshool killed when his MG was broadsided by a drunk and it rolled over on him. He had a rollbar at home that he hadn't got around to installing.

The fruit trees will all be out along the driveway where I have lots of space, so I don't think dwarfing them is of any use. I will check out the link though. Thanks.

I think you will find it a good one as they are also a big supplier for commercial orchards. While you might have room - keep in mind the amount of fruit and the amount of work they will generate too.

I could gather as much from the issue I bought. It's a shame, as I bet there would be a significant market for a magazine of true "hobby farmers". I think the industry defines "hobby farm" as 20+ acres. But I think there are lots of 5 acre and less guys that would like a magazine more suited to them.

(Guess this BBS won't let you do more then 2 quotes)

I think you hit the nail on the head. We looked for property all over the state. In most cases, the smallest lot you could buy that wasn't in a "planned development" was 5 acres - so there are hundreds of thousands of folks in rural California alone that have a lot that size or smaller.

 

[tony123]

Eddie, I checked out the Progressive Farmer website and was impressed enough to sign up for the free issue.

The website is quite good. Many articles there and the topics were more of interest as you pointed out.

Thanks.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I don't know if it was mentioned or not, but my favorite magazine is called "Progressive Farmer."
Eddie

Tony
Like Eddie "Progressive Farmer" is my favorite. But I also like "Grit Magazine", it has some good articles in it also.




How to Talk Farmer - October 19, 2007

 

[jonbravado]

+1 on the progressive farmer publication. a joy to read.

i only have about 5.5 acres, but i am treating it very seriously
and want to get the most out of it.

J

 

[mboulais]

OK - well - don't put it off beyond that. I guess I am sensitive to roll over accodents. Had an employee killed when he rolled a forklift and my best friend in highshool killed when his MG was broadsided by a drunk and it rolled over on him. He had a rollbar at home that he hadn't got around to installing.

I am sorry for your losses, but I had a thread of mine hijacked when someone disagreed with a photo of me operating a tractor with the roll bar down. It took several rounds of posts back and forth before we ended up back on topic. I support anyone who wants one adding one, but I don't pressure people into it. I am enjoying this thread and hope to see more of his progress.

 

[Rowdius]

Cool looking place!

+1 on the Chicken tractor idea. I let mine free range now, but a tractor is a great way to get some the best from both confinement and free range.

As for the other livestock... I would suggest two pigs. Two are just as easy to raise as one, and having two will make the one for your freezer grow faster. They treat eating as a sport! The second one you can sell to pay for at least part of what it cost you to raise the first one. Generally, I raise three to get my pork for free, though sometimes I even end up ahead by a dollar or two. What I do is try to find two people that are interested in having good pork before I even buy my feeders and get a small deposit. Then in about four months when I take my pig to freezer camp I offer to haul the other two, and let the buyers pay for the processing of their pigs.

Also, any extra eggs you have can go to the pigs. They love them. Some people give the eggs to the pigs, but crush the shells and feed them back to the chickens.

Goats... What type of goats are you wanting to get, and for what purpose? In general you want a good fence for goats. Some people say that if it won't hold water, it won't hold goats. Personally, I use six strands of electric for most of my goat paddocks, though I also have one that is woven wire with a couple of strands of electric on the inside. Get at least two goats, as that they are herd creatures and will be unhappy and drive you nuts if they are alone.

As for purpose... Dairy would give both you and your pigs milk, but that can be work having to milk everyday if you are not dead set in producing your own milk. Meat goats(which is what I do) are easy, and then you have even more food in the freezer.
Both of these involve breeding though, and is a bigger subject than one post can really cover. Story makes a decent book for both meat and dairy goats now. Also, you can check out the goat forum at Homesteading Today - powered by vBulletin

But in short: I personally would probably not keep a buck for just two does, which means taking the girls off the place for breeding. I would have my perminiter fence in place before adding goats (though I didn't follow that advice.) I would give them as much room as possible, with access to both grazing and browsing if possible. If you are raising goats for just pets I would consider getting just does, or maybe wethers (cut male.) And of course, Read, Read, Read, Read.

 

[tony123]

Marcel, I understand and have seen what you are saying happen. I'm sure Don was not going to use this thread as a platform. Everyone has good intentions. But we'll let that end the discussion. (On this thread anyhow).

J, I'm with ya man. I'm taking my 3 acres very seriously too! If all I have room for is a few chickens, a few carrots and an apple tree.......well then, I'm still calling it a farm!

Rowdius, I really appreciate your input. Sounds like you have first hand knowledge on most of these topics. I really hope you continue to participate in the thread and keep me from goofing up!

Your pig comments make lots of sense. I'll see if I can find interest from some friends and try to do 3 pigs at once. Nothing wrong with them covering my expenses. I'm thinking that pigs may not come until next year though. Give myself a year with the chickens first, to warm up.

Goats: I don't have a real plan other than letting the kids have fun with them. Probably get two does and breed them to sell the kids. I think my boys would learn alot from the exposure to animal husbandry, the kids are fun, and selling them would help offset some expense. I realize this would mean taking them off site for breeding. I'll have to find some local contacts for breeding and selling. Milking may become an interest in the future, but not at the moment. I had already ruled out a buck, hearing that they may be too aggressive for small children.

I'll get some photos soon of the areas I'm thinking of using for housing, grazing, etc. Maybe you guys can offer some thoughts.

I've been playing with a design for the barn. 30x30' is the spot carved out. That would give a 12'x30' center isle for tractor, etc. and 6 pens of 8x10' along the sides. I'll post the preliminary plans when they are ready.