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FRENCHIE FARM

Modern Homesteading & Sustainable Farming

in Chickens· Goats

Raising goats and raising chickens – we’re officially farmers

It’s official. Ben and I crossed over into “weird” territory and are the proud owners of 2 goats, 10 chickens, and 4 bee hives!

Want to know more about raising goats and raising chickens? Well we’re officially farmers! Well, kinda… 

Farm living

Okay, so you’re probably wondering why we decided to become homesteaders and start raising goats and raising chickens. When Ben asked me to move to his family farm a few years ago, I thought he was crazy. I reluctantly agreed to move to the farm with the agreement that if I wasn’t happy in a few years, then we would sell the house and move.

I quickly fell in love with our dream farmhouse,but our backyard was a complete disaster. The family farm was no longer in operation, so Ben and I started to jokingly make long-term plans to having a homestead of our own. We never actually thought that it would happen..

Becoming farmers: raising goats & raising chickens

Our diets have completely transformed over the past few years. I developed a cow’s milk intolerance during adolescence, which led me to primarily follow a vegan/plant-based diet for around 7 years.  Shortly after our daughter was born, she began to experience digestive issues, which led us to suspect a milk and soy allergy. Even our frenchies started to experience challenging symptoms associated with food allergies.

Although I have slowly started to incorporate more animal products into my diet, I don’t want to buy cheap, highly processed foods from the grocery store. We decided that the best way to ensure that our food is coming from high quality sources is to grow it ourselves.

Chickens, Goats, Bees, & Babies

Ben initially wanted to start by purchasing 6 chickens. Me, on the other hand, figured that we might as well dive head first and get 10 chickens and 2 goats. We’re also planting a 600 sq. ft. garden and have 4 bee hives. I’m also pregnant and due with baby #2 this July 2018…

new baby announcement

 

raising goats raising chickens

honey

Most people think we’re crazy

Although some of our family and friends were excited by our decision to become farmers, most people were a bit confused. Conversations typically went like this…

Us: “We’re raising goats and raising chickens this spring!”

Them: “Oh, uh…. why?”

Us: “Because we want to grow our own food and know where it comes from, plus we think it would be fun.”

Them: “But you can buy food from a grocery store…”

Us: “But we don’t how it was grown, and the quality of the food sucks.”

To be honest, this whole homestead thing is pretty new to us and we don’t really know what we’re doing. We’ll be sharing our experiences as new farmers along the way!

So tell me friends, on a scale of 1-10, how crazy do you think we are?

 

 

6 Comments

Previous Post: « The Frenchie Farm: meet our baby goats
Next Post: Backyard farming plans – what to do when your plans fail »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kat Ryan says

    April 17, 2018 at 11:29 pm

    This is awesome! I come from a long line of farmers on my mother’s side of my family. Good luck with your adventure. I look forward to reading your blogs.

    Reply
    • frenchiefarm says

      April 18, 2018 at 9:15 pm

      Thanks for your support, Kat! Hope is well 🙂

      Reply
  2. Cindy Rogers says

    April 18, 2018 at 5:49 am

    I’m first in line if you find yourself selling eggs!
    I love what you are doing.
    I strongly believe that processed/packaged Foods are bad. I feel they are the No. 1 contributor to the abundance of cancers and medical issues alike.
    I appalaud you as it not easy to take this route.
    Looking forward to enjoying your blog; especially photos of Finley and Baby #2?

    Reply
    • frenchiefarm says

      April 18, 2018 at 9:15 pm

      Thank you, Cindy! Definitely agree that processed/packaged food contributes to quite a few health issues. We’re hoping to have more than enough eggs to feed our family AND sell the rest, so we’ll keep you updated! 🙂 Thanks again!

      Reply
  3. Sandy Larson says

    April 18, 2018 at 6:48 pm

    I love your whole thought process and concept. I also agree with Cindy that processed foods are contributing to causing so many forms of cancer. I love my garden and am jealous of the size of your garden. Maybe you will have a produce stand??? I would be interested in eggs, if you find yourselves selling them. Best of lucky with farm life. I think it is awesome. Also congratulations on your growing family. Finley is just a doll and will be a wonderful big sister❤️

    Reply
    • frenchiefarm says

      April 18, 2018 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you! A produce stand may be in our future … we’ll keep you updated!

      Reply

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Colleen 🐐🐓🐶
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Do you prefer the heat or cold fall days?
After such an emotional weekend, I woke up feel ex After such an emotional weekend, I woke up feel extra drained today. I wanted to press snooze when my alarm went off, but I decided to get up early for a quick workout and chores instead. And gosh, isn’t it crazy how those simple decisions turn your day around right from the start? Plus, seeing these boys run toward me every morning is simply the best.
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Today was hard. . . Today was processing day for o Today was hard.
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Today was processing day for our first round of meat chickens, and I’ve spent much of the last 24 hours crying. I said my good byes this morning, and I feel grateful for Ben taking care of the logistics. Does it get easier? Is it supposed to? I don’t know.
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Homesteading is just really hard.
Tomorrow is the day that I’ve been dreading for Tomorrow is the day that I’ve been dreading for quite some time - processing day for our first ever round of meat chickens. As a previous vegan, I’m struggling. I’d be lying if I said that I’m not tearing up typing this, or that I didn’t tear up while walking by their pasture during chores tonight. This part is really hard.
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But here’s the thing - I don’t think “hard” is a bad thing. Actually, it’s a good thing. Because if we don’t have a level of guilt and appreciation for animals, then there’s something seriously wrong ... and that’s exactly what’s wrong with our current food supply system. 
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So I’ll continue to feel guilty, because I SHOULD. And I’ll continue to feel grateful, because I SHOULD. And I’ll continue to feel really sad knowing that I’m responsible for loss, because I SHOULD.
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And the second I lose sight of that guilt and gratitude? Well, that won’t happen. Trust me ❤️
Nope, that’s not my incredible white farmhouse, Nope, that’s not my incredible white farmhouse,  but maybe one day ours will looks similar! 🙌🏼 Have you met my friend Maddy over at @addisonfarmssc? We’ve been friends on these little squares for quite some time, and holy moly, she’s definitely #onetofollow ! 
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When the new @beekman1802 Bloom Cream is incredibl When the new @beekman1802 Bloom Cream is incredibly moisturizing, formulated with goat milk, AND packed with probiotics, the goats can’t help but check it out! #ad 🐐 I’ve been using the newest Bloom Cream moisturizer for the past few weeks and I’ve been LOVING it! It’s an incredible mix of super hydrating, gentle, and light weight all mixed into one. Perfect way to re-hydrate after long days on the farm.
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@beekman1802 also recently launched at @ultabeauty, so it couldn’t be any more convenient to try out a few new clinically kind goat milk skincare products! Shop in store or online - you’ll thank me later 😉 What are some of your favorite skincare products? @beekman1802 @ultabeauty #beekmanblooms
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