Quality Vs Quantity Find The Right Balance Between Space And Comfort
There is little that compares to feeding and tending to baby animals and birds on a Miniature Farm. The smaller animals you can find, the better. Always get a few less than you think you have space for, and your little ones will be happy and content. One of the biggest mistakes of Miniature Farmers just starting out, is overpopulating their holding facilities.
For chickens and ducks you should have at least 10 square feet per bird and larger animals need even more space to stay strong and healthy. When too many animals are put together in close proximity, problems begin to arise. Many animals and birds instinctively know how much room they need to survive and will sometimes kill each other to make extra space. If they don't kill each other, they will pick on the smaller and weaker of the herd or flock.
The main problem is sanitation. Remember that you're the one that is going to have to clean up after your little ones, and the easier you make it on yourself, the more enjoyable your Miniature Farming experience will be. Once your babies arrive, you should already have planned for their happiness and comfort. The whole point of having a Miniature Farm is to have your herds and flocks produce for you, and if they are in a bad way, they won't be able to produce at their finest.
Shelter, Food, Water, And Attention
These are the four things the life on your Miniature Farm will need to live long, happy, healthy lives. So long as each is present, your herds and flocks, should be able to take care of themselves for the most part. They instinctively want to survive, but if you leave one of these elements out of their habitat, they will suffer. Don't end up on one of those animal control reality shows where they officers show up and take your feathered or hairy friends away from you due to negligence.
Shelter
Shelter is the protection your little friends are going to need from rain, snow, wind, cold, heat and predators. Sometimes special shelters will need to be put in place to provide your herds and flocks a safe place to bear their young. Keep cleaning in mind when you build your chicken coop or duck house, or when you build the little loafing barn or shed for your goats, cows, pigs or ponies. This is one structure on the farm that should always be a welcoming treat for the residents who live their. While it is important to make these structures cute and picturesque on the outside, don't forget that their practicality comes first.
If your budget can't afford that barn with the loft, you will be happier in the long run cutting back on the size of your herd or flock for the time being to be able to afford the nicer barn, than trying to cram too many little ones into a cramped, poorly planned structure. Another thing to keep in mind while planning the shelters for your Miniature Farm, is escapability and durability. Farm animals are expert escape artists and will try to get out every way they can. They are naturally curious and will push, pull and explore every nook and cranny. Build your structures and pens with this in mind.
They also like to rub and chew on things. I've seen structures with holes eaten right through a wall. This is usually because of deficiencies in diet or lack of exercise, but plan for it, and you won't have to rebuild later on. Farm animals and birds are a lot like little children and it is up to you to keep them from getting into trouble. You can only blame yourself, when your entire flock of chickens ends up in the neighbors yard.
Food & Water
How hard is it to feed your herds and flocks? As hard as you make it for yourself. The barns of yesteryear had lofts, not only to keep feed dry from the weather, but to also protect it from livestock tromping all over it, or bingeing. Yes, animals will get into the grain bin and eat too much if you tempt them with it. Another reason a loft is so wonderful, is because of gravity. Food above the mangers makes it an easy chore to gravity feed your herds. Not all of us are going to have enough room to build a barn with a loft, but I want you to study plans for making your chores an piece of cake.
Farm animals are messy, plain and simple, so it's your job to build feeders and waterers that help them be as clean about it as possible. The better you do this, the less wasted food and the cleaner your herds and flocks living conditions will be. I've seen farms where there is a big pond of water near the water trough, because the farmer failed to realize that cows and horses are curious creatures and will play with the float in the trough all day long, and even break it, if they have access to it. The float in a trough is the thing that regulates the water level. Once this is broken, your trough will overflow until fixed.
I've seen herds of goats, horses and cows tromping all over good feed, because they are fed on the ground. Now there is little wrong with feeding animals on the ground, but a feeder or manger that keeps their feet out of their feed is better than feeding them in their pen. A feeder or manger keeps the animals body out and allows their head in. This keeps poop and pee out of their food. Yes they will poop and pee on their own food, so it's your job to help them help themselves. Keep hay and grain free from moisture and rodents, by storing it in a shed or garbage cans.
Feed them high quality products, but know that some feeds might be too hot or too rich for certain animals, which can lead to much gas in their stomachs. This can lead to bloating and even death. Learn everything you can about what best to feed your livestock. Too much of a good things can lead to health problems down the road. Just like humans, animals and birds can get sick when they eat too much or too much rich food is fed to them. Keep garbage out of their habitats as well. Curiosity will eat that plastic bag or string and then you'll have animals with intestinal problems. I've seen metal and plastic inside of animals and it's not good. I've also seen the string that is used on feed bags wrapped so tightly around chickens feet, that it had grown into the flesh of the birds feet. It's your responsibility to clean up after them, not theirs.
Supplements and minerals are another important part of your herd and flocks diet and you'll need to understand what those will be depending on the species of farm life you choose to raise. Water is the most important thing your farm is going to need to make for happy, healthy, well nourished critters. If you are lucky enough to have a spring or creek running through your property, then this is the best source of fresh water for your livestock, but if you have to use well or city water, then make sure you have a system set up that will allow your animals a fresh supply of drinking water everyday.
There are automatic systems that can be set up, but don't rely wholly on your automatic waterers to water your herds and flocks. This is a sure way to kill your little friends on a hot day in the middle of the summer. Always check water levels every day. They may be drinking more than you might think. Water lines freeze solid in some climates and you'll need to water your animals manually. You might even have to invest in a tank heater to keep a fresh flow of water coming to your animals. I have seen all set ups and the best one is the one where the farmer turns on the garden hose and walks from pen to pen to fill up the water troughs.
Watering and feeding your Miniature Farm Life is the only way you will get good production out of your birds and animals, and these jobs can prove beneficial to your children in you have any. Chores are an excellent way to teach your kids responsibility and prepare them for the jobs or careers they will have later on in life. Remember in the end, that you are raising kids.
Attention
Aside from food and water, attention is the key ingredient to fully enjoying your Miniature Farm. If you aren't going to have the time to give your herds and flocks attention, then please don't start a Miniature Farm. I raised thousands of calves and chickens and while I could give attention to all of them, the ones I did interact with, were the ones who became the tamest and most enjoyable to work with.
Talk to your animals and touch your animals. Brush your horses, cows and goats every chance you get. They love getting petted and scratched in those hard to reach places behind their ears or tummies. The more you groom your herd the more beautiful and tame they will be. I would rather see one well groomed pony, then twenty-five ratty fur balls. Washing your herds periodically can also lead to happier animals. If your animals stink, you won't want to interact with them as much, and this is sad.
While you can't give your chickens baths, you can play with them often. With poultry, you have to tame them from the egg, or they will be wild. Different breeds have varying degrees of docility, but the amount of human interaction is the ultimate variable when it comes to having tame good natured herds and flocks. Show your children how to play with your farm yard friends and let the grow together. My little girl has always played with out chickens and one of them sits on her shoulder. There is no reason for owning a bunch of wild unruly birds and animals, in fact, I would discourage anyone from starting a Miniature Farm, if they don't have plans to physically interact with them.
