Insights About Hobby Farming and Homesteading

United Country Midwest Lifestyle Properties is invested in making your hobby farming/homesteading dreams come true. Part of our job as your United Country Midwest Lifestyle Properties Real Estate Agent, Land Pro, or Land Specialist is to give you real-life expert experience. Hobby farming and homesteading take a great deal of hard work and fortitude. Today we’re going to share some insights into hobby farming and homesteading.

Who would want to do this?

That’s a question for every person considering hobby farming or homesteading, “Who would want to do this?” Having grown tired of the work-a-day-world rat race, most people are looking for a way to be self-sustaining. They want to be able to grow their fruits and vegetables, raise their protein (chicken and beef), and perhaps even go as far as to “live off-grid”, trying new ways to be less dependent on electricity and more environmentally conscious.

Many folks like the family-orientated way of life, and the peacefulness of country living. 

Where do I start?

The first thing you need to do is to decide what animals you will raise on your hobby farm or homestead. Animals require shelter, water, and food. How will you meet those needs with what is available on the property you’re looking at? Will you be making money with the sale of the food they produce, or are you looking to be self-sustaining?

Research and understand each animal’s needs and life cycle. Talk with a local veterinarian and join a hobby farming or homesteading group.

Decide if you will be producing feed for your animals or if you will be purchasing through a feed store. Calculate the annual cost of purchasing versus growing.

Chickens

People like chickens and enjoy farm-fresh eggs. Chickens need a chicken coop. Does your prospective property have a chicken coop, or is there an appropriate place to build the coop? If you don’t have a coop, how much will it cost to build? Could any building on the property possibly house your chicken flock?

Researching the breed of chicken for either egg or meat will be a factor in the size of the coop and run. How much will you spend on feed for the number of chickens you have? If you are selling your eggs, keep in mind chicken’s molt. During molting chickens do not lay eggs.  You’ll need to plan ahead for yourself and your customers.

Milk cow

Unlike chickens, who lay eggs daily whether or not a rooster is available, a milk cow needs to give birth to produce milk. Milk cows have an early, mid, and late lactation, followed by a “dry” period. Cows get milked twice a day. Will you be milking by hand, or is there a simple milking system you could have in place?

Having pregnant cows means you’ll need a bull. Have you thought about the dangers of keeping a bull? If you don’t have a bull, how will you keep your milk cow-producing calves and milk?

Beef cow

The breeds for beef cows vary. Perhaps you’d like to get into specialty breeds and raise breeding stock? Whatever breed you pick, you will need to know how much pasture you have available for grazing and hay production. The average grass-fed beef cow is ready to be slaughtered between 28-32 months. 

Were you thinking of selling your products as “organic”? Raising organic meat animals, eggs, and produce have strict practice rules. Know and understand how organic farms operate and the practices that they maintain to certify their organic label.

Showing up every day

There are no days off for bad weather or sickness. Animals need to be fed and checked on often throughout the day. Responsibility and hard work create a successful hobby farm or homestead and keep your animals safe and thriving.

United Country Midwest Lifestyle Properties real estate agents are working twenty-four-seven-three sixty-five to bring you the best hobby farming and homesteading properties. We take great pride in providing our clients with exceptional service each day. United Country Midwest Lifestyle Properties a call at 608-742-5000.