Goats
We actually had a lot happen last month in the goat department. Hubs built me a new milking stand to accommodate the Pygora goats (and their large horns). Lately I've been training them to get up on the stand. One goat, Alex (female) is fully trained. Yay for me! Robin is next on the list. Instead of backing out of the head lock, she thinks it is cool to push her whole body through the front in order to exit. I had Hubs help me with her... it's a work in progress.
Back in December, we bought 20 bales of hay for $3.50 each. This should last us through the winter. Currently the goats are going through two or so bales per week, and about $10 worth of grain per month (we use a general sweet mix for cattle, half and half with shelled corn).
Cost per month: $10.00 grain + $21.00 hay = $31.00
Cost per goat, per month: $3.88
One problem area I discovered last month was goat lice. Thankfully it doesn't really harm the goats, but Robin is itching some of her beautiful locks off. This is not cool if I intend on selling the wool. I made some lice-deterrent with olive oil and tea tree essential oil, which seems to help.
Chickens
We've reached a milestone with my chickens, and that is... they are almost paying for their keep! In February I was able to sell 14 dozen eggs. Chicken feed is still costing us about $30 per month.
Cost in February: $30.00
Eggs sold: 14 dozen x $2.00 = $28.00
Net cost of chickens = $2.00
Cost per chicken, per month = $0.07
We were only one dozen away from eating free eggs last month!
My goal in March is to sell 16 dozen, or four dozen eggs per week. This will completely cover the cost of feed for chickens. Sales are pretty much guaranteed, IF my chickens can lay enough eggs! Currently it's been cold and snowy, and production dropped to about 8 eggs per day. At this rate they are laying 56 eggs per week, and selling four dozen eggs only leaves eight eggs per week for us to eat. This is doable, but it means I can't eat eggs for breakfast every day. :( Hopefully when the weather clears up next week they will go back to laying 10+ eggs per day.
I asked Hubs what is worse: Paying $30/mo. for feed and having far more eggs than you can eat, or not paying anything for feed and only having a few eggs to eat? Hmm... Four dozen per week is my goal, but we may be sitting at 3-4 dozen per week until the chickens start laying again.
Bottom Line for February
Net cost for goats: $31.00
Net cost for chickens: $2.00
Total hobby farm cost: $33.00
Great News!!!
In order to help make up this $33.00 difference, I've set up an Etsy shop where you all can purchase quality goat milk soaps for gifts or personal use. My favorite scent is Peppermint Patty.
Visit the Renaissance Farm Shoppe here!
Until next time,
-Bethany