It all started with 3 chickens.
This little quarter acre farm started in 2015 with just 3 chickens that I decided to get on a whim. I had no chicken coop, no experience with chickens, and no clue what I was doing. Fast forward 10 years later, and there are a multitude of chickens, ducks, rabbits, and a few pigs.
Of course a lot happened in these 10 years to bring the farm where it is today. There have been a lot of mistakes along the way, but those mistakes have shaped the way inwhich I manag this little piece of land.
I believe that it is important to give the animals here the best life possible. During the “grass growing season” all the animals, with the expection of the rabbits, are moved regularly to knew paddocks for fresh grass, roots, and bugs. They are given non-GMO, corn and soy free feed to supplement their diet.
The Face Behind the Farm
My name is Samantha. Part of the reason this little farm got started was partly due to my autoimmune disease, I began to see how little nutrition is being offered through the modern food supply. I found that in raising my own food and meat, my health improved, and I found the love for the satisfication of knowing where my food came from and what the animals ate while on the farm.
The Animals on the Farm
KuneKune Pigs
We keep 2 registered Kunekune pigs, Corey and Topanga. Corey is a deep ginger boar, while Topanga is a ginger with black spots. They are registered with the AKKPS. Once a year, this powerhouse couple will have a little of piglets which will be made available as soon as they are 8 weeks. A few will be registrable.
Why don’t we register all the piglets? Not all the piglets will meet the standard for a registered pig: straight back, legs not too close together, even teat line, and a nice short nose that kune’s are known for. Don’t worry, even if we choose not to register them, they will still be available.
Why Kunekune pigs? These pigs are the ultimate small homestead pig. They are gentle on the land, grazing much like a cow with just a little grain supplement. They have a wonderful temperament that allows you to pet them. Also, they have marbled meat with a lot of lard! The lard makes wonderful soap and lotion (which we make available to you when we can).
New Zealand Rabbits
In the rabbitry, there are 6 does (female rabbits) and 2 bucks (male rabbits). Each female give 2 litter of rabbits a year, once in the fall/winter and another in the spring. It is so much fun to see what colors we get each time!
New Zealands make great meat rabbits. They are ready to butcher around 8-12 weeks just depending on various factors.
American Bresse Chickens
Talk about the ultimate homestead chicken! These bad boys are the OG of dual purpose birds. They are fantastic layers, giving you tons of eggs. They also are ready to butcher for meat in about 15-18 weeks. Don’t be fooled, the Bresse chickens have excellent breast meat unlike other dual purpose breeds.
The American Bresse chickens also forage like crazy, making them easy on the pocketbook.
We have chicks available throughout the spring and summer, and we do make hatching eggs available.
Silver Appleyard Ducks
After trying the popular Cyuga ducks to get those amazing black/grayish eggs, I decided they were not for this property and landed on the Silver Appleyard duck. These bad boys are amazing foragers! They are fantastic layers giving eggs every single day, and will even lay in the winter their first year if you are lucky (I’ve had it happen several times).
Silver Appleyard ducks are great for meat! My favorite thing to do is can the meat and use it to make enchiladas! Not only does the meat taste great, you can render lots of fat from their skin.
We have chicks available throughout the spring and summer, and we do make hatching eggs available.
English Angora Rabbits
English Angora rabbits are the sweetest rabbits I have ever owned! These fuzzballs make amazing house pets and can even be trained as Emotional Support Animals. They are fed a non-gmo rabbit pellet and given timothy hay as well as fresh greens each day.
Here at A Midd Sized Farm, they are used for their fur. When they start shedding, their fur is harvest to be used for spinning yarn or making felt. It is so soft!
She-Ra (top) and Angelo (bottom) are breed once a year. They have most amazing temperament. They love their snuggles as well as lots play time in their playpen. Their offspring will be no different.