Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the amount and type of vegetation on the acreage. In my area of northwestern Colorado, it seems like 2 acres per mini cow is a good estimate.

I started feeding an alfalfa grass mix small bale hay when I got a foot of snow on the pasture. This year it was after Thanksgiving. Where there is more acreage and more mini cows, round bales could be used. My girls are spoiled and get a small leaf in the morning and again before dark. Since I have a barn, I feed in the stall or the paddock. This lets me get hands on them frequently. It encourages them to come when called and they sleep in the stall so I don't worry as much about predators. Also, makes it easier for me when the weather is bad.

My cows enjoy the barn when it is very cold and windy. They have nice straw bedding and heated water. I have trained them to enjoy being in the stall (treats work wonders). The snow and rain don't seem to bother them at all. I think the short answer is "no, a barn isn't necessary". But they would benefit from a wind break in the winter and shade for the summer. The size and type will depend on the number of cows. It also gives a place for calving (fingers crossed as my first calf is due in the next week or so) and any care that might be needed.

I provide a good quality layer crumble for my chickens even when they are wandering around eating whatever catches their eye. I generally don't let them out of the run until after my morning coffee so they have time to eat something that may be more nutritious than what my yard might provide. I also throw scratch with dried bugs out in the winter since there are few bugs or green growing things. My chickens are spoiled so they also get the overgrowth of duckweed and snails from my aquariums. They love those treats. I do provide oyster shell and grit, in case they want it.

I built my coop and attached run in my fenced back yard instead of down by my barn. I have a rooster from the pullets (not guaranteed to be hens) I got. He has proved his worth against a border collie wanted chicken dinner. My dog (husky/poodle) loves the chickens and keeps predators out. I don't have any large trees that support raptors so that is less of a threat though I've seen eagles. My coop is 1/2" and 3/4" plywood. The attached run uses hardware cloth, not chicken wire on the sides and there is a foot of hardware cloth around the perimeter to keep diggers out. So far, so good. I plan to move the chickens out to the pasture this summer so I will have a strong coop for them there that is on wheels. It won't be as safe so I'll add any tips I have as the summer progresses.