Texas BYC Cafe

[chickieluver26]

My husband and I currently live in Idaho but are potentially moving to Texas, specifically Longview. I am looking for some general advice on what it is like to homestead there and what are the pros and cons of the area? We have 2.5 acres here and raise dairy goats, laying hens, meat birds, meat rabbits, and pigs. Alfalfa hay costs us $9 for a 75# bale, chicken feed is $16 for 50# , and we have a well for water. Our 2400 sq ft 100 year old farmhouse and orchard cost $170k when we bought it 2 years ago. We have a small barn, two chicken coops, and fenced lots for the pigs and goats.

Is it common to find homesteads for sale, complete with barns and fenced dry lots or pastures? What else do I need to know?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help!

if you move to texas try to make sure all your animals you choice to get or currently have are heat tolerant!!!

 

[henless]

My husband and I currently live in Idaho but are potentially moving to Texas, specifically Longview. I am looking for some general advice on what it is like to homestead there and what are the pros and cons of the area? We have 2.5 acres here and raise dairy goats, laying hens, meat birds, meat rabbits, and pigs. Alfalfa hay costs us $9 for a 75# bale, chicken feed is $16 for 50# , and we have a well for water. Our 2400 sq ft 100 year old farmhouse and orchard cost $170k when we bought it 2 years ago. We have a small barn, two chicken coops, and fenced lots for the pigs and goats.

Is it common to find homesteads for sale, complete with barns and fenced dry lots or pastures? What else do I need to know?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help!

It depends on what part of Longview you are wanting to move to. I grew up there, so know a lot about it. I wouldn't live "in" town, especially if your wanting animals. Get something on the outskirts would be my advice. Any specific area your looking at? Do you have kids and need a good school? How far out would you want to be?

 

[Freechicken]

We would like to be within a 25 minute commute from the LeTourneau area of town... We would like at least 5 acres, preferably with a barn and coop and already fenced. We have young children but we homeschool so I am not worried about school districts.

How do people water their pastures out there? Is drought a major concern? Is electricity through the roof from pumping water? Is it feasible to raise dairy goats or a dairy cow without having to bring in much outside hay?

Thank you!!

 

[henless]

You'll be wanting the East/South side of the Longview area. East is Hallsville along Hwy 80, Marshall along I-20 and Tatum to the South along Hwy 149. All are about 20 miles out from Longview, so lots of good areas to find a place with a bit of land that is not in any of the city limits. You can find some good homes with land at decent prices, and some must have gold buried under ground for the prices they are asking. You just have to do some looking or get a really good agent to look for you. I'd suggest Craigslist or look in the American Classifieds, used to be the Thrifty Nickel. Then you can also look in the local papers, Sunday edition would be your best bet.

Drought is a concern some years, and some years we get good rain. This year was pretty good, until the end of the summer. It has been pretty dry the last few weeks,but where I live we have not been under a burn ban. Most people don't water their pastures. Most pastures have bahia grass, which is pretty drought tolerant. Costal is a better grass, but takes a little more management than the bahia. I would plan on bringing in hay, unless your pasture has plenty of grass and not much eating it down. Just depends on how many grazers you have. You can get you a few round bales, and either tarp them or store them under a pole barn and it would make haying a lot easier than bales.

 

[bradnjulieplus4]

Im in too outside of Houston !

 

[Brookshire11]

Good luck with the move! Im closer to Dallas, but there's a lot more farming minded people in that area!
We're a ways from owning so I haven't looked but it seems like a good place to start!

 

[jennfurtrombly]

Hi! Need temporary foster family (1 week) four beautiful and healthy little ladies. These are city chicks waiting for a new back yard. Sold and closing on our house 1 week before we can move into our new house, and no hotel in town will take chickens! (wink). Will supply food, equipment and even a temp structure. Need fenced back yard and someone who will look after them. Fee negotiable~

Are you still needing help? I am 25 miles outside of NW San Antonio in Pipe Creek...

 

[bradnjulieplus4]

Where are u moving to ?

 

[san antonio]

Welcome!

I take it you're in San Antonio?
I wish I was closer, I would help out. I'm up in Dallas though.

Check on the other Texas page (link on the previous page I believe).
There are some closer to you who may be able to help!

Good luck!

Thanks for your good wishes! My daughter just married and moved to Dallas, wonderful area.

 

[Brookshire11]

Thanks for your good wishes! My daughter just married and moved to Dallas, wonderful area.

I moved up from the Houston area last summer. I really love it, feels like home