I have 10 Holland Lops now and I absolutely adore them. They are 2-4 pounds. They may be cuddly and friendly or stand offish depending on how they were previously handled. You would want to be able to interact with them before you purchase them to check the temperment. Make sure you have an...
I have had ducks for 10 years and got Pilgrim geese this year. I integrated the goslings with the ducks as early as I could get them outside. As they have gotten older they don't hang out with the ducks during the day anymore but still go into the shed together at night and there haven't been...
You can always do tractors and electric netting to protect from most predators. We do that with our red broilers (because I can't stand to look at cx). It works very well for us.
Of course they get the garden rejects and scraps but I do have a seperate section that I call the animal garden. It is 25x50 and this year has sunflowers, dent corn, pumpkins, patty pan squash and field peas.
Welcome to BYC. I have considered starting a flock of Dorkings myself. I believe with good breeding stock you could have a nice sustaining meat & egg combo.
I have quail tractors I use about 7-8 months of the year and moved daily for fresh grass. Before it starts to snow I harvest down to 12 breeders and they are kept in bird cages in my garage. They have the nicely coated wire floor plus I have a dust bath pan in each cage. No bedding is used...
It's so fun getting new chicks, good luck with yours.
I obsessively refresh the tracking info, it is so hard when it appears they are just sitting somewhere!