I am starting a small farm for myself (expecting enough excess to get a little cash) on a small island of Washington in the San Juans without electricity or running water. It is about 40 wooded acres. I have a big one-room cabin with propane a propane stove and refrigerator/freezer. We have a fairly new and productive well on our property, and there is a natural spring running through it too. The contours of the land slope some but aren't steep, and covering the ground is Salal, stinging nettles, and a little grass.
I do not wish to clear more than 1 or 2 acres of land for the following animals: Dairy Cow (only one but will have a calf every year), Icelandic Sheep (2 ewes, 1 ram), Geese (5 or 6), Ducks (5 or six), Chickens (5 laying (Leghorn) 10 meat (Orpington)) , 5-10 Pheasant (Chinese Ringneck), 5-10 Purple Guinees, Rabbits (room for around 10 New Zealand does and bucks), and one male and one female Belgian Landrace pigs.
I gather Icelandic Sheep will graze on underbrush just as happily as grass, so I think they could have a fenced grazing area that extends into the woods. I will be possible to dig a small pond for the waterfowl which, with a dividing fence, could also be the water source for the cows, swine, and/or sheep. I think the Cow (a Dexter) would not be allowed much grazing.
So! What are people's suggestions for the layout of this operation? Which animals can mix? Which would most benefit from roaming, which could be caged?
I do not wish to clear more than 1 or 2 acres of land for the following animals: Dairy Cow (only one but will have a calf every year), Icelandic Sheep (2 ewes, 1 ram), Geese (5 or 6), Ducks (5 or six), Chickens (5 laying (Leghorn) 10 meat (Orpington)) , 5-10 Pheasant (Chinese Ringneck), 5-10 Purple Guinees, Rabbits (room for around 10 New Zealand does and bucks), and one male and one female Belgian Landrace pigs.
I gather Icelandic Sheep will graze on underbrush just as happily as grass, so I think they could have a fenced grazing area that extends into the woods. I will be possible to dig a small pond for the waterfowl which, with a dividing fence, could also be the water source for the cows, swine, and/or sheep. I think the Cow (a Dexter) would not be allowed much grazing.
So! What are people's suggestions for the layout of this operation? Which animals can mix? Which would most benefit from roaming, which could be caged?