I really want some farm animals

**forestdale** · 07-21-2004, 07:08 PM

I haven't told anyone this yet, but I really want some farm animals. Even seeing it written here seems weird as I never thought I'd want them. I read an article about keeping jersey cows a few months ago and the thought's been festering since then.

I'd like a jersey cow and calf - jerseys are small cows, from them I'd get fabulous manure for my garden, fresh milk and cream and lovely animals to pet and fuss over.

I'd like two donkeys. I think you should have animals in pairs. Donkeys are so cute! They'd give good manure and would be a joy to keep.

I'd like a ewe and lamb. They'd give me manure, wool and milk. They'd look lovely and I think they'd fit in well. Ever since I saw Maggie's sheep in HG I've added them to my list.

All of these animals would keep down the grass and we wouldn't have to mow! BIG bonus.

The problems? We only have one acre. We already have chooks, dogs and a cat. The cost of buying them. The cost of building shelter for them. The cost of keeping them in good health. The cost of food. The look on DH's face when I tell him.

Sigh.....

**Katybird** · 07-21-2004, 07:34 PM

We recently bought a a cow to fatten and have processed for beef. We are splitting the cost of the cow and the feed and processing with my inlaws. I can not go and see him, (he is at their house) because I know if I see him, I will not be able to eat him.

We will have a few animals when we get moved to our land, we ended up with 2 1/2 acres so we will be able to have a few head of livestock. I don't know what we will have yet but I am sure that DH will have some ideas.

**forestdale** · 07-21-2004, 09:45 PM

Lucky you, Kathy! I eat no meat so I can understand that you don't want to see the cow. How old will he be when he's eaten? Will you get some manure for your garden?

**Missy** · 07-21-2004, 10:03 PM

I really, really really want some chickens. Dh really really doesn't want some chickens, lol

**forestdale** · 07-22-2004, 04:43 PM

Chickens are the best!! Try to talk him into them when all your other renovations are finished. they are hardly any work at all, they're cheap to feed and they give back so much - including the best eggs you've ever eaten.

**Sara Noel** · 11-02-2004, 08:32 PM

I have this crazy dream of having a few goats. I honestly don't know why since I'm not sure that I'm a goat's milk type. I'd love a few different farm animals and yet I am not sure I could eat them. Pets? It just seems silly to me to really want a pig as a pet vs. for food purposes.

**kimmee** · 11-02-2004, 08:48 PM

Goats milk is good for cheese. Aimee wants a few goats for Christmas -
I know my sheep would be happy if we lived in an apartment with just a patio!! People who keep bulls ( for beef) keep them in a tiny little pen - I don't think an acre is too small as long as they have play room and plenty of hay (purchased) and PLenty of water!! I have to be able to play with my animals, so they need to be able to run around, a few split hooves don't really require tons of room. Horsies do though...

**homesteadmamma** · 11-02-2004, 08:56 PM

I want some farm animals too. Chickens, goats and possibly a horse. Were the same as you Bethany - the cost, not enough space. Were still talking though about land, so you just never know.

**QuilterMom** · 11-02-2004, 09:51 PM

We're in the same dilemma (sp?). We have 1.47 acres and although we are zoned for any animal we want and no restrictions on how many (except pigs - there is a limit of 5 on those), I just don't know where we would put them!

I think donkeys are adorable. There is one nearby, but we haven't figured out where yet. It must be behind a house because we've never seen it, but we hear it when we're outside sometimes and we all just get big smiles on our faces and start laughing. Dh and I have talked lately of how it amuses us (just part of the country experience).

We'd love a couple of horses, but decided that in addition to cost that we need to wait until ds is a bit older.

I'd like a cow or some goats for milk to cook with. We don't eat meat and I could never eat any animal that I raised (it would have to be one that I had no interaction with and then it would still freak me out knowing that the animal had been on my property).

I'd like some chickens for the eggs. Once again, I do not think I could eat one but they aren't as cute as cows and goats (in my opinion) so who knows? LOL The thing that freaks me out about chickens though is snakes being attracted to them.

Ds wants some ducks and I think they are adorable. I definitely could not eat one of them.

Cost is a huge factor. We barely have enough money to purchase monthly heartworm preventative and flea/tick treatment for the dogs! The price on the flea/tick treatment goes up every time we buy it!!! The poor cat hasn't even been to the vet

(since we've owned him), but we do put flea treatment on him. I just don't know how in the world we could afford any more animals.

Another thing we've discussed is that once we took the plunge and got animals, we'd never be able to take vacation ever again because there would be no one to look after the animals while we were gone.

**kimmee** · 11-02-2004, 10:01 PM

Yep - when you have farm dudes there are no vacations!! Most Tx for animals can be done homeopathically - as far as chickens not being cute - you'll just have to see - they have their own little personalities and I cry quarts when I lose one. I have noticed that as big of a softie as I am - with multitudes of animals things happen, and stuff dies, and you just start kindof shrugging and moving on - I am not discreditting their specific lives but I do see how farmers can become indifferent - i have picked up enough dead animals now that I don't even bury them any more - I still feel badly for them - but in time I think I will be able to deal with eating our pig or our bull. I don't think I will ever be that way with the cats or weezils but then I sleep with them!! Aimee said she could eat Sammee in a heartbeat - but we don't eat LAMB - we will be eating HER first!! (this is what happens to little girls who read over your shoulder!

)

**DaisyLady** · 11-03-2004, 06:38 AM

Bethany, I'm with you. I really want animals too. We can't have any here but once we get our farm property I would like to have at the very least; chickens for eggs, a couple of goats for milk (soap) and for the hair (to spin), a cow or two for milk and for beef (I'm not big on meat but DH loves it) and a couple of collies for company. We don't eat very much pork so no pigs. Oh and can't forget some cats for the barn

since I'm not allowed to have those in the house.

I have two trips in mind I would like to take. England and Australia/New Zealand. So I will take those first then buy my animals. DH loves to go home to Jamaica so he can go once a year and I can stay home with the animals

(I'm a homebody for sure)

**forestdale** · 11-03-2004, 03:41 PM

Woohoo, Chriss is coming to Australia!

**DaisyLady** · 11-03-2004, 03:49 PM

I have a secret slush fund that I put a dollar or two into whenever I can. Once it is enough for a plane ticket and some cheap accomodation I am on that plane.