I'm moving next July on between 5-10 acres to start living my dream of a hobby farm. The land is an empty slate for the most part so I'm definitely wanting to start out slow and not over work myself, but over the next few years I would like to raise dairy goats, meat and laying chickens, feeder pigs, and rabbits for healthier food. I'm planning to start out with Laying chickens as I've had a few before and know pretty well how to care for them. I would also like to get my dairy goats pretty soon after. My question for other small homesteaders, do you raise just enough to support you/ your family, or do you raise more to sell also?
Should I raise 3 hens or 15 hens and sell the eggs? Raise a few more does and sell the milk? Raise more meat chickens and sell them when they are older? I like the idea of living off the land but also know that's not really realistic on 10 or less acres, but it would be nice to make a little bit of an income to pay for some bills.
Should I raise 3 hens or 15 hens and sell the eggs? Raise a few more does and sell the milk? Raise more meat chickens and sell them when they are older? I like the idea of living off the land but also know that's not really realistic on 10 or less acres, but it would be nice to make a little bit of an income to pay for some bills.