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.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

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.

Foster care is nearly always a good idea! My concern is that livestock-friendly dogs aren't common, so if I have to train (if possible) each foster, I'd spend all my time doing that. It's the time suck that's needed with the animals that need training and attention. Give me a nice pastured sow and hens any day over a cat or dog lol!

Oh gosh, no spreadsheets of costs. I don't EVEN want to know!

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

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

Smart smart smart! I'm working on attaining that kind of wisdom. I'm close but not quite there yet.

 

[SkyAJK]

Foster care is nearly always a good idea! My concern is that livestock-friendly dogs aren't common, so if I have to train (if possible) each foster, I'd spend all my time doing that. It's the time suck that's needed with the animals that need training and attention. Give me a nice pastured sow and hens any day over a cat or dog lol!

Oh gosh, no spreadsheets of costs. I don't EVEN want to know!

Oh...training dogs?? I thought foster means I just care for them, and give them a family environment before they find a forever home. I will look into that when I get there.

My thought when I started the cost spreadsheet was to know how much it costs to keep 6 chickens and so later it can be used to compare to cost of buying eggs. Soon I realised that it was a bad idea to have this as the cost of keeping chicken rises. I don't want to know.