Raising Animals On A Farm

So, you've decided to say adios and goodbye to life in the city and move to a country farm where you can live off the land.

It's a great plan for your health, longevity, budget, family life, spiritual growth and peace of mind.

Of course farm life won't support most of us. Some of us still have to work at the standard 9-5 job, but you can work from home now that we're in the internet age. (See a range of work at home options here.)

Yet, even if you can't swing the work at home lifestyle right away and save yourself the commute, you can still live in the country and raise or grow your own food on a small piece of land. All you need is some pasture, some form of chicken coop or barn, and a small garden plot.

Which Farm Animal is Right For You?

Chickens are relatively easy to grow and provide meat as well as eggs. Pigs aren't terribly demanding in their needs, space and time invested. How about geese? They're great as watchdogs, eggs (although monstrous), and meat.

Of course I'm leaving out cows and goats for the moment because they do require more time and care than any of the above mentioned farm animals.

As for me, I started small on my hobby farm. First I had laying hens, then meat birds and turkeys.

After all went well, it was onto raising pigs and goats, a dairy calf, then a beef bull, and an awesome horse for my daughter that was 1/4 Percheron and 3/4 pony - she turned out to grow to a mid-size horse with a comfortable gait that won many ribbons in horse pulling competitions.

So what's right for you? Surf around using the links at right and get a glimpse of country living and raising animals.

Feel free to email at any time to chat about country living, ask questions about farm animals, or inform me of your personal experiences. I'm always happy to receive your emails, lend a hand and learn something new!

Laura Childs

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