Homesteading Burned Out

You know I feel very guilty because unlike the rest of my family (we've been on the farm since 1836) I am a night owl. I do NOT get out of bed before 9am. (Aren't I a TERRABLE homesteader??? grin) We have dairy goats, rabbits, chickens, bottle calves, ducks, and one annoying turkey who WILL be eatedn THIS thanksgiving come hell or high water. grin. BUT we are working to make it easier on ourselves.....How many animals can I keep in the big hoop greenhouse all winter???? I can store feed in there and have automatic waterers hooked up to gravity fed 55 gallon barrels. I only have to fill them once in a while. Everyone keeps warm and dry (including me) during winter. Makes it easier than getting soaked or sleeted on or snowed on while feeding.
Dont worry so much about being wonderwoman! (I have that complex. giggle) Figure out what you can't do without and then simplify!!!! GET SOMEONE TO WATCH THE FARM FOR A WEEKEND AND GO ENJOY YOURSELF!!!! (We recently did that and we came back relaxed, rejuvinated, and ready to EXPAND. giggle. It was JUST what we needed!!!!)

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Joy Alba
Oak Hill Ranch
since 1834
Bedias, Texas

10 years ago I had a FT job (midnight shift), my 2 young kids, and the Ex's younger daughter... 77 milking goats (and all the kids that they produced, ALL individually hand bottle fed), 2-4 hogs, 9 horses (some were broodmares), 3-5 beef steers of various ages, who knows how many chickens, a 2 acre garden... ya get the drift. Now.. I have 9 dairy goats, a "small to medium sized garden" (maybe 1/4 acre), a couple hogs and will have chickens in the spring. Guess it's what ya can handle/enjoy "at the time". Life is what you make it... if it's not enjoyable, then it's just a stressor, and not wanted/needed in your life. I do agree that a short get-a-way may help though. And for the record... I am also dreading wintertime chores. lol

Kaza

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I think it's a matter of having to adjust to what we can handle for our individual lifestyles and abilities. Who cares what others do? Do what works for you.

I started my homestead "dream" 6 years ago. I really wanted to try it ALL!
Hubby wasn't thrilled with wanting to try it ALL but didn't complain TOO much.

Anyhoo, the horse got hit by a car, the cow was waaay to much work, the dog (border collie)
was too high maintenance without sheep and I made gardens waaay to big for my energy level.

So what worked? The chickens and turkeys and one low maintenance dog.
I learned that smaller gardens in raised beds were just as productive.

My hubby is happier and so am I, now that I've learned my limits. Well, I hope I've learned my limits....I'm thinking about rabbits next spring.... :baby04: