| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| 1roosterhenhouse |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 10:13:55 AM
Hi Everyone.
Need your assistance. We are planning for our family farm and need to know the approximate cost of feeding a horse, goat, sheep, chicken, cow, rabbit etc.(Of course we plan on having more than one of each, but need an estimate) for a year.
Thanks
Trish
Proverbs 31; Titus 2 |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Cowgirl Cocinera |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 9:05:01 PM
A great place to get all this information is at your local Extension Office. They have all kinds of written information they usually give you at no cost and they have experts there you can talk to. Good luck, Dana
Cowgirl cookin' makes you good lookin' |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 8:17:00 PM
My 2 heifers are grass fed. So not any cost there. I do feed them hay in winter which can be pricey. I can get a round bale for between $10 and $25. And they can go through a bale in about 2 weeks. They are pigs.
I have 21 chickens. They are free range and I give them scraps but also a little scratch and laying mash. Yes I am still doing that. But not much now. So a bag last about 3 weeks at about $8.
Then the goats. I have 4 does in milk now. So I am back to 16% all grain wich is $12 for 50 pounds. I just bought 3 bags a few days ago. I'll see how long that lasts with feeding twice a day about a small coffee can full plus a little extra. Oh, and tons of hay for them. I got 120 square bales last year. They ran out in Feb. I have bought 15 more bales. I swapped eggs for 5 bales. 10 bales were $3 each. I have 5 bales left for rainy days. Grass id growing good now.
This isn't counting extras like meds, equipment, just everyday things. That can add up quick.
So I think my goats cost more to keep when they are in milk. But I get milk from them. And eggs from the chickens.
I hope you get your farm soon. Animals are great. A lot of work and sometimes a real headache. But I would not trade them for anything.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| sherrye |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 7:29:23 PM
there is also a rate for each animal for hay amounts. i think i remember a cow eats 3 percent of its body weight in hay a day. good hay... also if pregnant need higher food value. and supplies in your medicine cabinet for emergencies. cal-mag tubes la200 for cows and banamine for pain, i have cotton balls bagbalm todays for mastitus vaccines etc, just a thought, if they do not have a job on the farm they are not here. meat eggs milk etc.sherrye lots of reading of threads like these is helpful too good luck. i love our farm. we just bought another cow lol my friend calls us noahs ark sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 4:02:54 PM
I also wanted to say that of you free range your chickens feed costs are really low. I buy scratch and so e feed but they get most of their food off the land!!! If you keep them penned or if you have baby chicks you will have high feed costs. Good luck!!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 4:00:37 PM
The cost can vary so widely it's had to estimate. First of all fees price vary GREATLY between stores and from one area of the country to another. We grow our own hay but you will pay different prices for different types of hay or if it is square or round bails. I agree that you need to visit local feed stores and hay farmers and see what the cost is locally.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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| nancypo |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 10:46:33 AM
Amen. It can be a LOT more work, and expense if you're not really ready...
Be the change... |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 10:44:54 AM
Feed costs will also vary due to breeding and if you are going to use for meat. Also you would need to include vet costs, worming, feet timming etc. Then there is housing for the differant animals. Have you raised , cared for all these types of animals before? If not, please do extensive research, and make sure you bring a knowlegeable person with you to buy. There is alot of blood, sweat and tears raising livestock, so be prepared for that also.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| nancypo |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 10:40:35 AM
I would also say, in the interest of saving money, having more control over the quality- are you willing to grow some of your own feed? Have pastures, etc? How much acerage, water access, good soil, etc. do you have? How much do you want to work? Goats, sheep, chickens (raising mine right now), rabbits, can eat a lot of forage, household (appropriate) scraps, etc. If you're in a farming area, you can also buy locally from farmers direct, save money and be more independent of stores. You can buy supplements, minerals (salt licks, etc.) from feed stores, etc.
I would call around locally, get some books and do LOTS of research. I would suggest you go to some Homesteading web sites, you might get a lot more accurate and specific info there. Bearing in mind too, the feed, etc., like any other commodity, prices can go up and down. And there are always non-feed things- like medical care, vaccinations, gear, etc. Times being what they are, I would not rely too heavily on stores that might go under, but on yourself and local, reliable farmers/homesteaders... Good luck!
Be the change... |
| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 10:26:39 AM
I would go to a feed store and visit with a knowledgeable feed person. Look at the feed bags of each speciman and look at the amount of feed you need to give your animal in each breed and do the math. Feed cost varies from place to place so shop around then figure the feed. Animals also need hay, mineral, salt and some animals can not use the same mineral, will need products made just for them. Example( sheep can not have the same mineral as cattle due to the copper. Copper will kill sheep.)
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Laugh often, long and loud.
Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,
spend lots and lots of time with them. |
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