We want to start a hobby farm

[EmAbTo48]

I also have to add that with hobby farms you might end up spending more money then actually making profit or even making ends meet with it. We have what we call a small hobby farm, chickens, rabbits ducks, geese, 2 meat cows, and 2 yorkshire pigs, (soon 2 Pot Belly pigs) and all these animals are eaten by us. Our cows our bred and we eat their young once they are old enough of course haha! We have a boar and sow Yorkshires and we breed them yearly and keep two of the piglets to eat, and sell the rest at about 90 bucks a piece. Chickens, ducks, rabbits and geese are all mostly pets, but we just killed our trio of geese for Christmas birds and were able to sell 2 of them to family members. So I will be getting more this spring.

Honestly we don't barely make anything for the cost of feed or anything off any of our animals. I think if your starting a hobby farm be prepared to pay a lot out of pocket, thus why its called a "hobby" farm

!!!

We both work full-time jobs and can pay for the amount of feed, vet care, housing, etc. So before jumping into just getting a ton of animals really make sure you can afford it. Plus you can always have a smaller hobby farm with smaller animals that are easier to maintain

!

Good luck! It is a lot of work, but for us its a lot of fun!

 

[trailchick]

EmAbTo48 pretty much said it well...

Have to have the customers to make it work,
preferably near a larger size town.

 

[zzGypsy]

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with small production this is key... you've got to be an effective marketer, and build a loyal following. and then you reeeealy have to hold your cost down and maximize production per $ to make it work as a business.

of course, as a "hobby" farm, it only has to cost you less than you have in available funds

that's what we had in CA. now we hope to actually make a little money on it... different game.

 

[MaryMouse]

Well said every one. Its dang hard to make $$ farming. You cant go on vaction, and you dont get a day off. This family members have a hard time with. Everything you do is wrapped around your farm, the animals, and their schedual. And outside jobs are a nessecity. I dont like to be a downer, and I like to encourage everyone to follow their dreams. Its just not the quaint green acres setting that Hollywood projects. Night chores in the blowing cold stink. But must be done with out fail. No matter how bad your flu is you have to do your chores. So definately start out slowly and make sure this is what you want to do.

 

[zzGypsy]

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yeah, that's the scary one... and a good reason to have excellent neighbors with teenage farm kids, just in case you need backup. on the other hand, it'll keep me from couch-potatoing, because what has to be done has to be done. sometimes it's good not to be allowed an excuse

 

[Avalon1984]

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X2 Well said.

 

[OldGuy43]

A man raises cattle for pride, horses for pleasure and sheep for profit.
Old Texas proverb.

 

[zzGypsy]

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hadn't heard that before but I think it's true!

especially since I don't think men in texas will admit to raising goats...

 

[Shayna]

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I agree with building up slow one at a time, learning about each and making sure you have everything you need for them. I notice you are in MN, and I'm not sure if you're interested in a potbelly or farm variety, but I was contacted by a rescue that notified me there is a potbellied pig in MN that they are concerned may not survive the winter. They think it may have been abandoned and are trying to find someone to get it, even to foster it. I am not able to help. Pigs are social, so two would be good, but they are also a lot of work. More than I can put in one post. If you're serious about getting pigs and learning how to care of them, and if you're interested in a potbelly PM/email me for details. I can give you the info I have.

There is some info on these thread about pb pigs: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=609725&p=1

Goats are a lot of fun, but very destructive! I would eventually like to have goats, but they're a handful! I have no experience to offer for cows or alpacas other than alpacas are cute and, my neighbors are cows who stare at me a lot with grass hanging out of their mouth.

 

[roocrazy]

It really does keep you working. there is always something to get done. And in the winter... it may be 20 below zero,(MN weather! at least not this yearbut them chores have to be done. they aint goon water themselves...