Homesteaders

[1cock2hens]

That seems fairly consistent with what I'm seeing around here for prices too.

I'm not specifically looking to own a registered breeding group but on the one hand it would be nice to know that the breeding stock I start with aren't super inbred already. Might be worth a little more money up front

the reason I want registered animals is I want to know my hogs are purebred, I have read that a couple people have crossed them with potbellies and sold them as unregistered purebreds. Not cool. I probably wouldn't register all my animals, only special ones. I just want to start with them. Around here other hogs cost alot more than guinea hogs do

 

[KlopKlop]

the reason I want registered animals is I want to know my hogs are purebred, I have read that a couple people have crossed them with potbellies and sold them as unregistered purebreds. Not cool. I probably wouldn't register all my animals, only special ones. I just want to start with them. Around here other hogs cost alot more than guinea hogs do

That's a good point. Hadn't thought about cross breeding

 

[Chicken girl 15]

One thing I haven't figured out yet is the difference in the meat between the two. Lard pigs have more marbling, but that doesn't mean you can't cut chops and hams from it, right? More marbling can't be a bad thing. I know the meat is darker and slightly different texture. What about making sausage?

I'm also looking forward to the prospect of home rendered lard for baking. How much do you feed to your dog? I remember our dog getting into a bucket of lard when I was a kid and she was sick for days, her rear end was a faucet with a steady drip.

the dog's only get a little and I slowly add to the feed. Right now they get none, I have no source of fresh lard.

 

[KlopKlop]

the dog's only get a little and I slowly add to the feed. Right now they get none, I have no source of fresh lard.

I suppose our pup want thinking ahead at what might happen if she ate a bunch of lard that tasted so good in the moment

A little bit probably goes a long way

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I suppose our pup want thinking ahead at what might happen if she ate a bunch of lard that tasted so good in the moment

A little bit probably goes a long way

Woohoo!!!!I convinced hubby I need cows. Come spring we start putting fencing around our property.

But yes a little bit of lard does a big improvement in overall health. Dog food is great, if you buy an expensive one. However I am poor so I buy good food and supplement with extras.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Anyone know how to house cows and chickens together safely.?

 

[Beekissed]

Anyone know how to house cows and chickens together safely.?

Uh....mmmmm....in what way, exactly? Cows and chickens live cheek by jowl just fine but not sure if you are meaning sharing actual coop/stall together?

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Uh....mmmmm....in what way, exactly?  Cows and chickens live cheek by jowl just fine but not sure if you are meaning sharing actual coop/stall together? 

currently my flock has 2 coops and half of my barn. Over winter we will be converting the rest of the barn over for cows. My question I guess is can I give the chickens free run of the barn or do they need to be separated from the cows by a wall. They will all be turned out all day as a group, so one would assume sleeping in the barn at night , with the LGD and barn cats, would be fine. They will be grass/hay fed cows so no grain for the chickens to steal.

 

[duluthralphie]

Anyone know how to house cows and chickens together safely.?

We use to have cows and chickens together in one barn as a kid, however, the practice came to an end when the cows would step on the chickens as the chickens did not fair well with a cow hoof on their backs,,,,,,and the milk inspector was not really happy with the chickens in the barn either...

 

[Beekissed]

currently my flock has 2 coops and half of my barn. Over winter we will be converting the rest of the barn over for cows. My question I guess is can I give the chickens free run of the barn or do they need to be separated from the cows by a wall. They will all be turned out all day as a group, so one would assume sleeping in the barn at night , with the LGD and barn cats, would be fine. They will be grass/hay fed cows so no grain for the chickens to steal.

They should do just fine!