Okay. You Have Chickens. What Else?

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I never thought to mention the house animals or garden. 1 small old JR terrier, two cats, about 15 fruit trees (pears/plums/apples/serviceberries/cherries), grapes, raspberries, rhubarb and we grow tomatoes/peppers/winter and summer squash each summer. And a pantry full of pressure canned meat/broth/preserves/sauce. I'm sure I'm missing something...

Oh! Every few years we tap the boxelder trees for syrup (they call it Manitoba Maple and it tastes like caramel). And we're starting to collect solar panels to farm the sun.

The *house* animals are more work and cost more than all my others combined. After owning dogs and cats all our lives, we've decided that these two are our last.

We do all of the gardening things you mentioned (fruit trees, berries, annuals, grapes etc) and I mentioned those because they require protection and care. However since the post is primarily about animals, I will say that we've tossed around the idea of meat rabbits. So although I said that we've no plans to add anything else, you know how that goes ha!

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Just 4 hen birds, 3 hives and 1 pup, it's enough.

 

[SkyAJK]

The *house* animals are more work and cost more than all my others combined. After owning dogs and cats all our lives, we've decided that these two are our last.

I shared your experience there. I used to keep a spreadsheet of cost on my chickens and dogs, it got to the stage where I don't want to know anymore.

I also have 2 dogs and thinking that these will be our last. After that I am thinking of doing foster care instead for animal rescue shelter.