I'm definitely addicted (long)

[Hotwings]

Maybe your addiction will be cured when the cost of feed comes rolling in. Pigs can be pretty economical cause you can feed them leftovers and chickens can free range in the warmer months. Market steers are very nice. Freebie had a dairy/beef mix steer and he was the most affectionate animal I ever saw, more so than a horse! It was sad when he went to market, but that is the way it is on a farm.

 

[Country Gal]

I'm actually surprised at how little I'm paying in feed so far.

I've been paying $14 for a 50 lb bag of pig feed, I've gone through 700 pounds so far. A buddy of mine just told me that he'd hook me up with the Amish guy that he gets his feed from, cause it's only $7 for 50 lb.

I've got an agreement with one of the product stands to pick up all their "not sellable" produce, which should start at the end of the month. I'm working on getting ahold of the brew master at one of the local breweries to pick up their mash.

The chickens are probably going through about 100 lbs of feed per month, give or take. I just started increasing their free range time, so we'll see how much that drops the amount of feed their eating. And I figure that since 1/2 of them are going to the butcher in September, that I should be able to get away with less feed each month.

This whole process is just blowing my mind! My degree is in business management, so I'm always working the numbers to figure out how much to sell the pigs and chickens and eggs for so I can at least break even in the long run. For example, I totaled the numbers for how much I bought the pigs for, how much I'll be spending on feed, and how much I'll be paying for butchering. I've already sold 1 of the 2 pigs. I can keep the other entire pig for myself (but I'm thinking that's still a lot more meat than I can eat) but if I sell 1/2 of that pig, I'll break even and be eating for free! I just love figuring this stuff out... maybe at some point I'll try to actually make some money with it, but for now, I'm happy raising the animals and eating free in the process...

 

[Alphagamchick]

What is it about this kinda living. I lived on a little mini farm starting at age 12. Always been a tomboy. Back then had a horse, goats, 60 chickens and ducks and some of those goofy guineas. Went to Michigan State as a Poultry Science major(yes, you heard right) but through a weird twist of the heavens graduated as a special ed teacher. That was 24 years ago. Now I have 3 little boys, had the itch a (and with a new flock of 40something assorted chickens) and I'M NEVER GOIN' BACK. If the rest of the family wants to go back to a subdicision and neighbors they'll have to go without me!!! In the deep dark depths of my heart and soul I belong in the country. It gets into every darn fiber of your being. If money was no object I have 100 acres with lots of barns, critters, a pond and a big house with a hugh wrap around porch and huge kitchen. But alas I have to settle for my 6 acres and a 1975 colonial that needs to be totally updated!!! Go Farm Chicks!

 

[Country Gal]

What is it about this kinda living

I hear ya! I grew up in a suburb all my life! Once me and my husband got married, we moved to the country and I LOVE it! After he died, my entire family started asking "when are you moving back to the city???" Um, hello! I'M NOT!

But alas I have to settle for my 6 acres and a 1975 colonial that needs to be totally updated!!!

I, too, am stuck with an older home that needs a complete remodel... slowly, but surely, room by room. I've definitely made progress with the inside, but now I have to save up for new siding. Got some quotes last winter, OUCH! My house is pretty big, so I'm looking at about $40,000 for that project...​

 

[mdbucks]

Thats a young house, I'm dealing with one built around 1800. Additions were added when they discovered indoor plumbing. And another addition when they moved the bathroom indoors. Every project turns into a new adventure. But I wouldn't trade it for a townhouse in city limits(most days)

 

[wendy]

Quote:
that sounds like a neat house! you ought to put a picture of the outside on here. i love old houses