How many of you have a "Hobby Farm"?

[chickensioux]

I mean the kind where there is no profit. Just lots of "pets". That's what I consider my place. Part of the definition of hobby farm is just as a hobby. All these city folks that live out here in the rural part of my little city just don't get it. This is what was ultimately the end of (what I thought) was a good friendship. My "friend" told me I have too many animals. IT'S A HOBBY FARM!!!!!!

My animals give me so much pleasure and peace. To sit outside, watching, caring for, etc. is one of the greatest happinesses I have ever known. I have wanted this my whole life.

 

[pringle]

I also have a kind of hobby farm,sitting out in backyard during the summer in the shade watching my ducks splashing around in the brook and the chickens chasing dragonflies around is really hard to beat!Plus I get a whole bunch of eggs from both of them and my quail knowing they have a happy life and get to eat all the bugs and grass they can.My mom,sister and brother can't really appreciate that becouse they find it boring but it is a lot better staying inside watching t.v or playing dumb video games.It actually teaches me a lot and I notice I have done much better in school becouse being out there watching them really reduces my stress levels of the day and letting them out in the morning for them to greet me is a great start to the day also.

 

[turney31]

Raises hand! You do what makes you happy, stop listening to that not so good friend. I support you.

 

[Kansaseq]

I've currently only got chickens, ducks and dogs, but I have aspirations for more.
A woman I sold eggs to wanted to know how I made a profit selling my eggs for $2.50 a dozen, and I had to fight the urge to laugh. Profit??? What's that! I'm lucky to cover feed costs, and that's when the girls decide to lay

 

[easttxchick]

We are basically hobbyists.
We sell hatching eggs, chicks and eating eggs, but we'll never recoup the money we have spent on housing, feed, birds, hatching eggs, etc.
I honestly do it, not expecting to ever make any money from it, but because I love having them on the farm.
If, every once in a while I make enough to buy a few bags of feed or a few bales of hay, that is just a bonus.
My real joy comes from just watching and interacting with them.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Chickens, garden, orchard. WOuld like more.

 

[easttxchick]

Forgot to add, sioux, there are people in my life that "don't get it", either.
Sorry, I could care less what they think.
My animals are a HUGE part of my life-they can take me as I am or hit the road.

 

[sheila3935]

Trust me I know what you mean. Most people I know think I'm crazy. But I dont care I am doing want I feel like I was put on this earth for. I enjoy my animals. Sometimes I like my animals more than people. Less drama

 

[justmeandtheflock]

I am right there with you

I really want some mini milk goats.

 

[nop169]

In todays's economic society I think we all have hobby farms!

We have 24 acres with a little bit of everything from horses, a few cows, goats, sheep, poultry, Emus, alpaca, potbelly pig and various reptiles & birds & of course 7 dogs. As many of you stated - there is no way to stay home & produce enough off the farm to not have full time jobs also or to pay for the housing, fencing & daily feed requirements.... that being said - we do garden, can, freeze & butcher. The food we gleen this way is not per say cheaper but infinately better for us. Also we do not like the quality of life factory farming provides the animal. We believe that an animal should live a "natural" as possible life, be cared for properly & given a swift, merciful end when used for human consumption. A respect for all life. We are frugal & grow or make as much as we can to supply our needs & the needs of our animals.
That said - let me add that our farm gives us an unending source of joy, hard work, life lessons for the children & the ability to share with our neighbors... a more simple but more active life than most people we know. We do not go to the gym - we farm!!! We watch goats rather than movies! And you cannot get us to eat store bought eggs or milk! Prefer the taste of our own!!
So when people comment we are "wasting" money & time with our farm - we just smile ..... and continue what we are doing!