this years edible addition to the farm

[MyFirstFarm]

Also want to put a plug in for pigs. We raised two Berkshire crosses last summer. They were really easy to take care of, we enjoyed having them around, and we ended up with a freezer full of the best pork we've ever tasted! We have four pigs this year, so far they are loving their 1/2 acre paddock which is part woods and part open space/grass. If you have any land that needs tilling, nothing does a better job than a pig!

 

[Jared77]

Considering you've got wild quail, and geese, Id save your money and buy a shotgun. Plus doubles for home defense, coyote/varmint equalizer too.

On a more serious note

Geese are mighty tasty. Don't you have one heck of a smoker set up too? If you had the grass to pasture them on Id look at getting some since it would be VERY inexpensive to raise them. Im drooling now thinking about smoked goose.....

Rabbits can be cheap too. Quality meat rabbits should be pretty easy to find, talk to the local 4H kids. The 4H kids here sell them live or already dressed and sealed up already to go in the freezer here for a few bucks more in the fall. Lot of them have culls too that they want to part with and the only fault is color or ear set or something cosmetic. Would still make a great breeder just won't win any ribbons. Id get a couple of hutches and build a couple of rabbit tractors. The plans I saw had a part where the rabbits could get out of the weather, and the bottom was lined with metal strips to keep them from burrowing but spaced far enough apart to let the greens through. Once they are weaned into the tractors they go to finish growing on grass and some pellets and the doe gets a break from babies. Would help cut feed costs, and they will taste better. Very easy set up, and they don't take a lot of strength to dress and process. Make a bunch of smaller meals too, so its not like you've got a glut of food all the sudden that you have to make room for. Plus as mentioned their pellets are a cool manure so they go right into the garden.

Ive looked into it and we're going to take the plunge on rabbits here next spring. Was just too busy with everything else to get it done right this spring.

Only quail I ever raised were buttons and they were flighty and not overly bright.

 

[saddina]

Quail. easy to work, quick turnover, and hit me up for my bacon wrapped gouda stuffed quail recipie. They're also easy to move to the new location.

 

[Oregon Blues]

[[[[.......Australia has camels?....]]]]]

There were camels in the USA, in the deserts of the southwest for quite awhile.

The US Army had an experimental program where they were training a camel corp. They decided it wasn't going to work and they simply turned the camels loose in the desert.

I don't know if they are still out there. I never hear anything about them.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

thanks Jared & saddina
I do want the rabbits and the geese right now, but I'm a stickler about one thing a at a time, so I think I have decided for quail this year. Saddinna is right they will be easy to move and I think I can still get a full season under my belt with them. I WILL want that recipe and I may be bugging you with questions!

as for geese Jared, I do want to raise them and raise them for meat, no qualms about butchering what I have raised or hunting 4 legged beasts. But the one think I can not bring myself to do is shoot something from the sky. It just rips a part out of me. But the smoker is great and ready for the ones I raise

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Quote:
I read about this somwhere out near Quartzsite or Blythe, never saw them though . . . I do wonder if they are still out there???

 

[mommabrowncow]

Although not on your list I have to chime in and say pigs! I have 2 American Guinea hog girls and just adore them. They stay small, are friendly and are hillarious. Havent butchered yet but no doubt they will be delicious.

 

[jdopler]

Oh if only I had enough room for pigs.. I would love to raise Red Wattles!
In a few years I plan to try rabbits tho. Still new on the chicken front, only a year, so focusing on that for the time being.

 

[Tiffrz-N-Kidz]

Quote:
BACON wrapped GOUDA stuffed? Oh my, I need a cigarette.

 

[Grey and green feathers]

Rabbits are the best choice. If you have a good patch of lawn, put fencing around it, add a low bush that they can hide under, and provide water. Maybe supplement their food in winter but other than that, you dont getmuch cheaper than that.