Anyone living off the land?

[Bullitt]

I think Central and Northern California has the most fertile farm land.


I started another thread that asks, how much land is needed to be produce feed for chickens, a cow, and a pig every other year?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...is-needed-to-be-self-sufficient#post_11890329

My 94-year-old grandfather always says, it is pretty hard for a person with a garden, a milk cow, and chickens to starve to death.

So I am curious how much land would be needed to grow alfalfa and corn (or other possible feeds) to feed chickens, a cow, and maybe a pig every other year? This would be in addition to an area for a large garden.

So what is the total land needed, and how much land is needed to grow feed for animals?

I am thinking about 5 acres total, with 4 acres to grow feed. What do you think? Is that more than enough, too little, or about right?

 

[newbie32]

I think Central and Northern California has the most fertile farm land.


I started another thread that asks, how much land is needed to be produce feed for chickens, a cow, and a pig every other year?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...is-needed-to-be-self-sufficient#post_11890329

My 94-year-old grandfather always says, it is pretty hard for a person with a garden, a milk cow, and chickens to starve to death.

So I am curious how much land would be needed to grow alfalfa and corn (or other possible feeds) to feed chickens, a cow, and maybe a pig every other year? This would be in addition to an area for a large garden.

So what is the total land needed, and how much land is needed to grow feed for animals?

I am thinking about 5 acres total, with 4 acres to grow feed. What do you think? Is that more than enough, too little, or about right?

Well I think your grandpa was right, which is why I cant wait to get my own land-Just in case shyit hits the fan. I want what you want with one exception-a milk goat takes less space and will cost less than a cow. So basically you will need 1/3 the land space for a milk goat. As far as land for growing....Alfalfa-maybe 1/2 acre at the minimum, corn-does not need too much space so maybe 1/3 acre. All together, at a minimum, I would say 1 acre for growing (including your salad garden) and 1 acre for animals. plus whatever you need for your house. This is just my opinion. I am not an expert. I have never done this-but planning to, which is why I started this thread I of course would love if someone that is actually doing it would give a more educated answer than mine

 

[Bullitt]

I imagine with a milk goat you need a lot less space for pasture than with a cow.

I have never drank goat's milk, though. Maybe I should try and it and see if I like it.

 

[newbie32]

Well have you ever had unpasteurized cows milk? The taste is not even close to what you buy in the store. The store stuff is sweet and light. Natural milk is thick and different. Goats milk is not as thick I don't think but is still not anything near the store stuff. Also, goat cheese is very popular in Europe and you could even make a profit if you learned how to do it I plan on learning for my own pleasure. I will use the milk for butter too.

Awwww I am dreaming-dreaming big! Now if I can just find the land. Maybe a bunch of us should get together and buy land in bulk so its cheaper, then divee it up and help each other build our houses so we wont have to pay for labor

 

[SA Farm]

Well have you ever had unpasteurized cows milk? The taste is not even close to what you buy in the store. The store stuff is sweet and light. Natural milk is thick and different. Goats milk is not as thick I don't think but is still not anything near the store stuff. Also, goat cheese is very popular in Europe and you could even make a profit if you learned how to do it I plan on learning for my own pleasure. I will use the milk for butter too.

Awwww I am dreaming-dreaming big! Now if I can just find the land. Maybe a bunch of us should get together and buy land in bulk so its cheaper, then divee it up and help each other build our houses so we wont have to pay for labor

I really like unpasteurized cows milk. I prefer the taste and the higher nutrient value! Goats milk can vary in taste depending largely on what the goat is eating. Sometimes is can taste just like cows milk, other times it can have a more earthy taste and it can also taste a bit off if you keep your milking does with your bucks.

I've always wished to get, like, 100 acres and community farm. For me either community farming or self-sufficient farming is the dream!

I think that 5 acres would be ideal for small self-sufficiency. 3 for crops and 2 for the animals and buildings. You would need more than that if you had cows rather than goats.

 

[Bullitt]

No, I have not drank unpasteurized cow's milk.

But you can pasteurize milk at home.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/pasteurize-raw-milk-at-home.aspx#axzz2cxENakIL

You could live on a commune, or what they call today an intentional community.

 

[SA Farm]

Too late for me now, I'm set up here with all my buildings and fences and whatnot.

 

[jak2002003]

You save a lot of time and energy........and its better for you health, if you don't consume any dairy products. Its not natural for adult mammals..(which we are) to drink milk anyway.

Grow lots of vegetables, fruits, some grains like corn, and eat small animals like chickens, ducks, rabbits, etc, which are very fast at reproducing and don't consume vast amounts of feed or take up a lot of space.

 

[Bullitt]

I've always wished to get, like, 100 acres and community farm. For me either community farming or self-sufficient farming is the dream!

I think that 5 acres would be ideal for small self-sufficiency. 3 for crops and 2 for the animals and buildings. You would need more than that if you had cows rather than goats.

Well, you will need more land in Canada then say California.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/lewis122.html
"Cows can indeed be kept on small plots—an acre or two—but they must be fed. We used to own a home with a two-acre pasture on which we kept three bovines (cow/calf and yearling steer). We needed to supplement their feed about nine months out of the year."

 

[Bullitt]

You save a lot of time and energy........and its better for you health, if you don't consume any dairy products. Its not natural for adult mammals..(which we are) to drink milk anyway.

Grow lots of vegetables, fruits, some grains like corn, and eat small animals like chickens, ducks, rabbits, etc, which are very fast at reproducing and don't consume vast amounts of feed or take up a lot of space.

It's true that a cow needs a lot of space and feed. But a cow produces a lot of milk, which is the only food I know that a person can live on alone. The Irish for many years survived on milk and potatoes.

For many centuries European adults have been drinking milk. That is why European adults can digest milk better than say Asians.