Goats are fun and full of personality, it’s no wonder that they are growing in popularity! And the baby goats, they’re such characters! Here are the things you’ll need to know about getting started raising goat kids to have fun and be successful! Start with healthy breeding stock, both bucks and does. Keep back your…
This chart lists out some pig basics. More detailed explanations are available by following the links below the descriptions. Gestation length-this can and will vary a few days either waySow/Gilt Expecting Piglets 114 days Number of pigs in a litter-also important is her mothering ability: being careful to lay down slowly and producing lots of…
Having plenty of fresh real milk, making your own cheese and yogurt, knowing where your food comes from…all awesome! And all doable when you get a family milk cow. Now to the big question-How much is this gal going to cost? A family cow will cost between $1,000-2,500. In an area that does not have…
Thinking about getting a family cow? You’ll love the amazing taste of the milk and have plenty of fresh cream! How much will you get a day and what can you do to manage her production? Your cow will most likely milk between 2-3 gallons per day. This will vary with feeding, stage of lactation,…
Thinking about raising some pigs to sell? Before getting started, you need to have a plan. You can make money raising pigs, as long as feed costs are kept low and you are selling the type of pig your market wants. Starting a new business is exciting! I know it can be easy to get…
If you’ve never tried using oatlage to feed your sheep or cattle, you are missing out! They love it and it’s pretty easy to make. Plus, in a wet year it is easier to get harvested than dry hay. Oatlage is a fermented hay that is made from the oat plant, not the grain. The…
Raising a few pigs is a fun, beginner friendly start to raising your own meat. Here are 12 tips to make your pig raising adventure is a success! 1. Start with healthy pigs This is the most important tip, which is why I listed it first! Quality pays. That saying is 100% accurate. A high…
Wondering if artificial insemination is a good choice for your farm? Good news-it’s easy and you have a ton of choices of boars! And the best part? Depending upon which boar you choose, it can be very economical, as well! The cost to inseminate a pig currently ranges from $25-250 per dose. Each pig needs…
How much space do you need for pigs? The estimates vary widely, just in looking for the past few minutes I’ve found any where from 8 square feet to 10 pigs per acre. That’s a huge difference, which one will you choose? Pigs need 80 square feet (8 feet x 10 feet) each in a…
Need to purchase Lower cost Higher cost Feeder pig $100 $200+ Feed costs $96 $216 Total cost to raise $196 $416+ Thinking about raising your own pigs? You’ll get the highest quality pork with amazing taste and you’ll save some money, or so you’ve heard! How much total cost are we taking about here and…