New Here...Just A Few Question

[AnthonyF]

Hi everyone, just wanted to say Hello, I have been reading here for a fair amount of time, and finaly registered, and I just have a few question. We recently bought a home on 17 acres that is set up as a hobby farm in central British Columbia, and I want to get some animals to raise come spring time. I was thinking possible a cow for beef, and a couple pigs, as well as some broilers and possibly turkeys. I have been researching all these thing for the last year or so through books and internet, and although I have never raised farm animals before I am confident I get get started on the right foot. But any advice you all have on these type of things would be great. My one BIG question is do any of you have a hobby farm and work shift work. I work 4 days on 4 days off, 12 hour shift and am gone for about 15 hours with the drive. I dont have an issue with doing some chores after I get home, or before I leave, but just wanted to see who else is doing this. and how feasible this is mentaly and physically. Any advice anyone has would be great, thanks in advance.

[MO_cows]

Welcome. I would LOVE a schedule like that, seems like you could really get things done with 4 days off in a row and not just Saturday and Sunday.

You should be able to set things up to still care for your animals well on the days you work. Since you don't have any experience, suggest starting out with just the chickens and work your way up to the pigs and cattle. A secure coop and run and adequate feeders and waterers that won't tip over, spill or freeze while you are gone should do the trick.

[AnthonyF]

Sounds good, and actually we have some layers right now, 9 to be exact, and they came with the house, and all are doing well and survived the cold winter, thats why I am feeling ok with steping it up a level as I am confident with them.

[uncle Will in In.]

Whatever animal you decide to try, be sure they are ones you really enjoy being close up and personal with. You will find that buying the feed for animals that can't survive on grass or kitchen scraps will cost more than the value of the fattened animal or the eggs you get. One or two pigs or calves might be ok but not being around all day to conduct roundups when they escape can be like a jab in the eye with a sharp stick. You would need excelent fences. Putting them in the freezer before it gets into full fledged winter would also be a good goal to work toward. I hear it freezes in BC in the winter. Just do what you enjoy and skip the rest.

[Curtis B]

It can be done with work, you just need to be more prepared, than if you didn't work. I work 10 hrs a day, and drive about 1.5 round trip, 5 days a week. Winter time likes to kill you, with the lack of light. I have spent many hours working in the dark with a headlamp and flashlight, and it is miserable, especially when you are doing your count and are missing one and then have to go search the acerage in the dark for it. I thought about asking others that worked full time, and had a spouse that worked full time(if attached) and kids how they do it, since some days it can feel overwhelming and not worth it. But for me the ewes are lambing now, so I get to watch the lambs play in the morning before work, and the turkeys are laying as of yesterday, so egg hunts in the evening, and two steers go to the butcher Friday, so money and great beef are coming in. Although stressful sometimes, it is well worth it.

[Callieslamb]

I think you can do it - just choose your animals carefully. I would buy a feeder steer for that beef rather than a bottle baby. Bottle babies take time. Especially for that first one. Buy it old enough that you don't have to overwinter it that first time. Same with chickens - just buy some already started pullets rather than chicks. chickens are easy. Start slowly so you don't overwhelm yourself. buy one kind of animal - experience that, then move on when you are comfortable with the schedule. Do you already have barns or sheds? That's a big help towards raising animals. Is some of your land used for hay? How much is pasture? Any woods?

[motdaugrnds]

Since you will be fairly new to farming, starting slow is wise. You said you already have chickens; so I am guessing you have housing and adequate fencing for them as well. (I have been told adding turkeys to chickens can cause disease problems; so you will want to check that out. We do not raise turkeys for this reason.)

If you spend a little time putting up a quality fence, you will be glad you did. If I were in your situation and wanted "beef" for food, I would simply purchase one young steer each spring and slaughter it each late fall. In between you will learn a lot about caring for them. (We prefer to raise goats because they are easier to slaughter and prepare for the freezer. Plus ours are Nubians giving us quality milk; and goat milk is healthier than cow milk.) I know nothing about raising pigs; so cannot even make a suggestion relative to those.

Good luck with your new place and do give us some pictures and let us know what you decided on and how all is working out for you. We in here LOVE pictures.

[Tricky Grama]

Just wanted to say welcome, & good luck to you.

Patty

[AnthonyF]

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

I think you can do it - just choose your animals carefully. I would buy a feeder steer for that beef rather than a bottle baby. Bottle babies take time. Especially for that first one. Buy it old enough that you don't have to overwinter it that first time. Same with chickens - just buy some already started pullets rather than chicks. chickens are easy. Start slowly so you don't overwhelm yourself. buy one kind of animal - experience that, then move on when you are comfortable with the schedule. Do you already have barns or sheds? That's a big help towards raising animals. Is some of your land used for hay? How much is pasture? Any woods?

I do have a barn which is 30x40 with 3 smaller stalls and the rest is unfinished, I have a small(8x8) insulated shed which I think was used for the chickens or what have you when it gets really cold, I also have a kind of beat up large shed(12x30ish) which I am not too sure what to do with yet, I think it was previously used for turkeys or maybe rabbits, the our chicken coop. We have no land for hay, about 5 acres in pasture, about 5 is selectivly clear(previous owner did have horses and sheep in there for a bit), then about 4-5 acres is wooded, then the remaining is the home/yard/shop.

thanks everyone for your replys

[Callieslamb]

sounds like a nice set up. You will like that unfinished part of the barn. It can be made into temporary stalls, a place for animals to get out of the weather - or whatever. You can do a LOT with 5 acres of pasture. Best of luck to you!

[AnthonyF]

yeah I think you all are right, maybe this spring I will just start with some pigs and chickens, then go from there, as I am concered about the work load for when I am on shift.

[ronbre]

you can do it, just go slow and add as you are able