➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[BantyChooks]

Oh, that said though, I don’t think I would board. I think I’d keep them here. Especially cause even if it’s not technically enough land, it’s likely way more than they would get in a boarding or lesson barn. But I guess boarding has the advantage of having other horses so I would only have to have one horse instead of two and it might actually work out to be cheaper in some cases? Cause a lot of the full board places include all the grain and hay and everything. At least around here.

If you're keeping them at home, then you have to have a place to store hay, a shelter for the horses, and a place to store equipment. I don't think you quite realize just how expensive startup costs are. Not just for horses.

There's a reason I have wanted a horse for my whole life and haven't gotten one, and that reason is cost. Maybe you can afford standard upkeep. What if the horse colics and needs surgery? Do you go into debt, or do you put your horse down? Or, maybe your horse gets into the grain, contracts laminitis, and is permanently crippled. What do you do then? Keep a useless horse for the rest of its days? I never buy an animal unless I have a contingency plan because disasters can and will happen.

I know a lady with horses. One of her drafts came down with canker and took two years to heal. Those vet visits weren't cheap. What I'm saying is that horses are great, but not something to step into blindly. Maybe you'd be lucky. But I prefer to stack my odds.

 

[BantyChooks]

If you're keeping them at home, then you have to have a place to store hay, a shelter for the horses, and a place to store equipment. I don't think you quite realize just how expensive startup costs are, for anything.

There's a reason I have wanted a horse for my whole life and haven't gotten one, and that reason is cost. Maybe you can afford standard upkeep. What if the horse colics and needs surgery? Do you go into debt, or do you put your horse down? Or, maybe your horse gets into the grain, contracts laminitis, and is permanently crippled. What do you do then? Keep a useless horse for the rest of its days? I never buy an animal unless I have a contingency plan, because disasters can and will happen.

I know a lady with horses. One of her drafts came down with canker and took two years to heal. Those vet visits weren't cheap. What I'm saying is that horses are great, but not something to step into blindly. Maybe you'd be lucky. But I prefer to stack my odds.

Even my mid-sized flock of chickens has cost me thousands. I know I have spent somewhere approaching 7.5k in 5 years on coops, chicks, adult birds, feed, and supplies, and that's with me stretching my pennies till Lincoln begs for mercy. Proper care, proper housing, proper feed—it ain't cheap. I could be over 10k in expenses by now if I didn't cut corners. I feed layer instead of all flock, I cull sick birds instead of curing them, I feed a lot of scraps and free-range to cut feed costs even more. Those are the places where I've determined I can cut back because my flock purposes are different than they may be for another person. Horses follow the same rule; the rule that nothing is fixed. There are basic principles that should be followed, though, in my opinion. Abundant space is one of them, shelter and nutrition are others. Nobody should buy animals that they can't do right by.

 

[ShrekDawg]

If you're keeping them at home, then you have to have a place to store hay, a shelter for the horses, and a place to store equipment. I don't think you quite realize just how expensive startup costs are. Not just for horses.

There's a reason I have wanted a horse for my whole life and haven't gotten one, and that reason is cost. Maybe you can afford standard upkeep. What if the horse colics and needs surgery? Do you go into debt, or do you put your horse down? Or, maybe your horse gets into the grain, contracts laminitis, and is permanently crippled. What do you do then? Keep a useless horse for the rest of its days? I never buy an animal unless I have a contingency plan because disasters can and will happen.

I know a lady with horses. One of her drafts came down with canker and took two years to heal. Those vet visits weren't cheap. What I'm saying is that horses are great, but not something to step into blindly. Maybe you'd be lucky. But I prefer to stack my odds.

Thanks, this is all helpful. But tbh, I’m mostly just thinking/researching/planning just for fun. I know I can’t actually afford it right now and that it would be irresponsible to get any horses now so I won’t actually get any.

And I do know that I’d need to build some sort of barn or shed or something and get the fencing and stuff. That’s the biggest reason why I haven’t gotten goats or anything yet. I am aware of at least some of the start up costs even if I don’t specifically mention it. That said, with horses, the costs are definitely a lot more than I anticipated, but that’s good because it prevents me from just going off and getting one. I wasn’t going to do that anyway though but now I have more reason not to. But I know that I can’t just stick them in the woods or on the lawn and expect them to be fine haha I know I would have to build something. But I’m also not planning on a full barn or anything, was thinking just a run in or something.

But anyway, honestly didn’t really think of any emergency vet costs. I’ve thought of it for dogs and the cat but never thought of it for horses for some reason. And horse emergencies are probably a lot more expensive than dog emergencies. So that’s definitely a problem.

There’s definitely a lot to think about.

But I never bring animals in unless I can care for them either. I just sometimes get ideas in my head and do a lot of research or ask questions or talk about it or whatever but usually I would never actually do it and know more of the downsides than I may let on. I would never actually impulsively buy an animal. I prefer to do as much research as possible first. Which is why sometimes it seems like I’m seriously considering getting one but I’m not. I admit, when I saw a $200 mini on Craigslist the other day, I almost did/that’s when I started doing the research, but I knew it was a stupid idea which is why I didn’t and why I was asking questions here and preparing first. Well that and the fact that it was in western NY and I have no way of bringing it home.

But I wouldn’t actually go out and buy a horse, don’t worry haha

I’m honestly mostly just dreaming. And I am well aware it is a pipe dream.

But one day, I will own horses even if it’s just one or two and even it’s like 20 or even 50 years away from now. I just love them and really want them one day. And I’m willing to wait until I’m in a position to be able to afford and take care of one. And if that day never comes, well, so be it. But I’m hoping to have other livestock like goats, sheep, chickens, maybe ducks, quail, etc. so horses would be a nice addition if that ever happens but if I can’t afford it I won’t. Or I may skip all the other animals if it means more money to be able to afford a horse.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Even my mid-sized flock of chickens has cost me thousands. I know I have spent somewhere approaching 7.5k in 5 years on coops, chicks, adult birds, feed, and supplies, and that's with me stretching my pennies till Lincoln begs for mercy. Proper care, proper housing, proper feed—it ain't cheap. I could be over 10k in expenses by now if I didn't cut corners. I feed layer instead of all flock, I cull sick birds instead of curing them, I feed a lot of scraps and free-range to cut feed costs even more. Those are the places where I've determined I can cut back because my flock purposes are different than they may be for another person. Horses follow the same rule; the rule that nothing is fixed. There are basic principles that should be followed, though, in my opinion. Abundant space is one of them, shelter and nutrition are others. Nobody should buy animals that they can't do right by.

Oh wow that is a lot of money! I’m not even sure how much I’ve spent on mine, haven’t kept track. But probably a lot.

That’s completely understandable though and I think a lot of people would probably agree with your management or even do the same. I think it’s fine and I even recently fed my littles later feed for a week or two because I ran out of starter and didn’t have flock raiser. I bought some flock raiser eventually but didn’t want to waste the layer feed I had. And honestly I can’t wait until they are all eating layer feed and may switch them over early (they turn 15 weeks old Monday so not too early) because the flock raiser is soooo much dust/powder and it’s really annoying me. I feel like it’s so much waste. I don’t ferment my feed so they can’t eat it dry really.

Anyway, I agree with all those basic principles as well as the last statement. And I know it might seem like it from my posts but honestly I have no intention of buying a horse anytime soon and would never buy an animal I couldn’t care for. I know that would be irresponsible and unfair to the animal so I would never do that. Sorry if it seemed like I was planning to. I assure you I am not. Haha

 

[ShrekDawg]

Not to change the subject but lunch today was some rotisserie chicken from Market Basket along with vegetables from my garden. just some summer squash and my first cucumber I picked yesterday but still. Of course I kinda basically fried them in olive oil but still better than no vegetables I guess. And most of the cucumber I ate raw but wanted to try a few slices in the oil. Nowhere near as good as the squash though haha anyway, I don’t put any breading or anything on it, just heat up the oil hot and brown it on both sides in a fry pan, so not really sure it could be called fried? But still should probably steam them or bake them or something next time haha but for now it’s good. Cucumber was good. Pretty watery/flavorless though. But good. Put a bit of cranberry sauce on the chicken too ha

Anyway, we have 4 more squashes (and likely more on the vine), an eggplant, 6 giant jalapeños (jalapeño gigante, bigger than regular jalapeños), 2 lemon drop (hot) peppers, and tons of green beans, all from my garden, and of course tons more chicken if anybody is hungry! Unfortunately we only had the one cucumber. But there’s still some raw slices left if somebody hurries.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry, went a little crazy with the pictures as usual.....

But I was just trying to make sure I got every part of it haha hard to do with just pictures but for some reason, on video mode, stupid Apple zooms wayyyy in so everything looks way closer than it really is and it’s hard to get everything in frame. So I just did pictures for proper scale haha

Anyway, gonna put it in a spoiler I guess cause there’s so many.

Also please ignore the fact that it looks like total poop right now and the mess haha there’s a lot of weeds right now that we’re just leaving for now and also my garden is a total jungle and there’s a lot of stuff around that we have to pick up. Especially the chicken/garden area which is my territory and I’ve neglected it gonna do that. But yeah.

The lawn/property/whatever ha

Should have taken the pictures in spring when all the flowers were blooming and there was lots of rain and pretty green instead of ugliness.

Oh well. Lol

Anyway, putting it in a spoiler.

Also there’s a picture of one of the chickens in there cause she was curious and also the last few are where I was thinking of putting the quailies. Obviously I would need to do a bit of cleaning up.

Sorry if these are out of order. I am sure they are since there are so many but there’s way too many to upload one by one to be sure it’s in order haha

But yeah.

Here you go.

You guys will probably think this is not big at all but it looks big to me haha

@BantyChooks @littleprairieheartsfarm

Spoiler: The yard

 

[debid]

Thanks, this is all helpful. But tbh, I’m mostly just thinking/researching/planning just for fun. I know I can’t actually afford it right now and that it would be irresponsible to get any horses now so I won’t actually get any.
...

I'm glad to hear it. BUT...

I know people (related to them) who have gotten into bigger things than this with zero actual planning. It always starts as daydreaming and "What if...?" Then one day they just buy something they are completely unprepared to pay for and/or don't have the time/motivation/ability to use as they fantasized the whole thing out without a reality check. They perceive that they've "thought it over for ages" and it's what they want most in the world at that moment. But really, it's an impulse buy of something that should never, ever be purchased on impulse.

So, your daydreaming worries me because of Craigslist and because it's so detailed.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Sorry, went a little crazy with the pictures as usual.....

But I was just trying to make sure I got every part of it haha hard to do with just pictures but for some reason, on video mode, stupid Apple zooms wayyyy in so everything looks way closer than it really is and it’s hard to get everything in frame. So I just did pictures for proper scale haha

Anyway, gonna put it in a spoiler I guess cause there’s so many.

Also please ignore the fact that it looks like total poop right now and the mess haha there’s a lot of weeds right now that we’re just leaving for now and also my garden is a total jungle and there’s a lot of stuff around that we have to pick up. Especially the chicken/garden area which is my territory and I’ve neglected it gonna do that. But yeah.

The lawn/property/whatever ha

Should have taken the pictures in spring when all the flowers were blooming and there was lots of rain and pretty green instead of ugliness.

Oh well. Lol

Anyway, putting it in a spoiler.

Also there’s a picture of one of the chickens in there cause she was curious and also the last few are where I was thinking of putting the quailies. Obviously I would need to do a bit of cleaning up.

Sorry if these are out of order. I am sure they are since there are so many but there’s way too many to upload one by one to be sure it’s in order haha

But yeah.

Here you go.

You guys will probably think this is not big at all but it looks big to me haha

@BantyChooks @littleprairieheartsfarm

Spoiler: The yard

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Ah, that’s another thing. If your horses get into the chicken feed/scratch and eat a lot of it..? That’s a whole ‘nother vet cost and still leaves the chance of a severely ill horse with crippled feet, since it’s toxic to them. So they have to be separated from the chickens/chicken feed.

And I honestly have the worst sense of size, especially when it comes to pictures so unless I can be there and walk the property I can’t gauge how large it is.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I'm glad to hear it. BUT...

I know people (related to them) who have gotten into bigger things than this with zero actual planning. It always starts as daydreaming and "What if...?" Then one day they just buy something they are completely unprepared to pay for and/or don't have the time/motivation/ability to use as they fantasized the whole thing out without a reality check. They perceive that they've "thought it over for ages" and it's what they want most in the world at that moment. But really, it's an impulse buy of something that should never, ever be purchased on impulse.

So, your daydreaming worries me because of Craigslist and because it's so detailed.

I totally get that and it’s definitely a valid concern but trust me, I wouldn’t actually do it.

I can totally understand how someone could say that and then they do or how the details and Craigslist stuff could be worrisome but honestly there’s a lot of things I daydream about and have for years and haven’t done yet.

For example, I want a sled dog team too or at least a dog or two to skijor with. Still haven’t gotten one of those yet.

For a while I was researching a bunch of rodents and reptiles too even though I don’t really have much of a desire for those anymore.

I strongly did at one time.

You know, like rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, snakes (I wanted a corn snake), bearded dragon, leopard gecko, created gecko, etc. etc. and those are much easier to impulse buy than a horse and much cheaper and more readily available but I still never bought any.

I would still eventually like some of the rodents and even bought supplies for a gerbil once (only after extensive research and talking to other owners) but I decided I didn’t want one after all and sold the supplies.

Mostly just because I think the dust would trigger my asthma. Which I had read about it but did some more reading.

I also decided I wanted to focus on other animals instead.

But anyway, I did a lot of research on the reptiles even though I know my family hates reptiles (and rodents) and I could never get one while living under their roof.

So while I know it seems concerning, honestly reading and researching things is more of a hobby for me and so is looking on Craigslist.

I just like animals and like browsing through the pet and farm&garden sections.

I used to read the newspaper classifieds too when they still had them. Even as a kid.

Same thing.

It’s just a hobby for me and I like doing it.

Doesn’t mean I’m actually gonna purchase anything. If that were the case, I would have hundreds or thousands of animals by now.

It’s just fun sometimes.

And as for the details and research and stuff, honestly I research everything in detail and ask tons of questions. That’s just how I am.

I was on this site for like 7 years before I ever even got my chickens. Just reading and doing research.

And I still am constantly researching stuff for them even though I’ve had them for almost 4 years now.

It’s just what I do.

I am always finding dog training articles and videos to read and watch too.

I mostly just really like animals and can’t get enough of researching and reading and watching things about them so I do that.

A lot.

And when I was little, I used to read tons of books on horses, dogs, and other animals, and my little brother and I always watched all the educational animal/nature shows when they still had them on.

You know, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, PBS, etc. we loved the Crocodile Hunter and Shark Week haha

And we were always reciting facts about animals that we learned or otherwise talking about them.

So this isn’t new.

I’ve always loved animals and always done tons of research on everything.

I just like learning.

I read a lot about psychology and stuff too or gardening or just whatever random topics I find interesting at the time.

And it’s not even just animals or research that I care about details on.

I follow the directions on the box of packages stuff or the recipe I’m reading or whatever to a T and even get annoyed if other people don’t do it right

And whenever I had to do essays or research papers or whatever, I would be a bit of a perfectionist and sometimes delete stuff or whatever if it wasn’t “right.”

I’m just a bit OCD and crazy about details haha so that transfers to research too. I need as much detail and information about things as I can get.

Doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to buy what I’m researching though.

But if I DO end up buying something, I always make sure I extensively research beforehand and am fully prepared.

So I don’t just daydream.

I do tons of research.

Which is why it might seem like I’m preparing to buy it by mentioning all these details and plans and asking all these questions but really it’s just me still doing research and trying to be prepared.

And also I don’t just look at the positives or find the stuff or the people that support me getting whatever it is. I always make sure to look at the negatives and the reality too.

So believe me, I’m not just fantasizing with no basis in reality or reality check or anything like that.

I look at the negatives too.

That’s why believe it or not I am actually GLAD everybody went into such details on how expensive horses are. I knew they were expensive but had no idea quite how much so I am glad to have learned that.

And when I was looking into goats, I read a lot of the bad stuff too. Like that they are extremely destructive, escape artists, eat everything, hard to keep contained, etc.

So I don’t just look at what I want to look at.

I do through research on both sides. Positive and negative and weigh them before I do anything. Always have, always will.

In fact, sometimes I tend to OVER think stuff and I’ve had people tell me that but I don’t care. I personally would rather be over prepared than not prepared at all.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry for the HUGE novel