Pork University for Small Farmers
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- Опубліковано 17 тра 2022
- How much does pork cost a small farmer to grow? What and how much of each cut can you expect back? What are the choices? What sells the best? What are the ordinary percentages between live weight, hanging weight, and finished cuts? How are we to survive as small farmers in the age of vertical integration? This is the advanced class, specifically targeted toward small farmers starting a pork enterprise of their own.
-We do not offer farm tours or accept visitors
-We do not sell from the farm
-We do not ship our farm's products
-We do not sell live animals
Mailing Address:
Just a Few Acres Farm
PO Box 269
Lansing, NY 14882
Instagram: justafewacr...
To order Pete's book; "A Year and a Day on Just a Few Acres:" www.amazon.com/Year-Day-Just-...
Very well stated, Pete.
If only our population wasn't so materialistic.
@@jackmorgan1677 incorrect
materialism is okay but it's the quality of it that is in question
Masteralistic people should care about the quality of the materials they are buying, right. Framing the issue as materialism is not that simple.
Your a wise man Pete, wish there were more like you
We need to stand up and do our bit ourselves. I am 61, disabled and grow food for me and my wife in a pollytunnel.🤗🇿🇦
Nobody shows what the small farmer goes through like you Pete. Thank You so much!
26k views only 4k likes. Let's support this true American man, hit the like and just say hello!!
Thank you for everything you do, educating the world in a well spoken, understandable way for everyone!
Way to go, Pete! I raised 1 pig for food. It was the best pork I had ever had. The roast were out of this world! I loved this video. You are spot on about the trips, R.V."s etc. I am for small farms!!!
Pete, Incredibly well said! Keep your passion for what you do. More Americans would be better off if they had this passion for their work and communities. Bravo, Sir.
Really enjoyed, and agree entirely with, your discussion of corporate/industrial food system and consumers prioritization of personal expenditures. In part because of your videos, we have been trying to confront this in our own life and go from our previous buying pattern of “supermarket for daily, local for occasion” buying to be more weighted to the latter. It is difficult from a cost perspective, but as you say it is about prioritization. One of the only effective political choices we have left as Americans, unfortunately, is to “vote with our dollars”. Thanks as always for the videos Mr. Larson. And by the way, also really like the new (?) t shirt! Would love to buy one but don’t see it in the store yet - hope to soon.
I hope I'm not out of line, but I'd like to give you a few suggestions, which may or may not apply to your situation. If you're like me, when I was buying more from the store I tended toward prepared/processed foods, and when I bought the more basic 'ingredient' items I doctored them with a lot of flavorings, because store food is nasty & needs to be doctored to be palatable. When you buy local foods, they can be prepared simply and still taste wonderful - so you can save money on processed foods & spice combinations. If you can't manage the expensive cuts of meat buy the cheaper cuts (especially roasts) and cook them 'low & slow' (heat & time) - that helps them become tender & they'll still be tasty, certainly better that store-bought. Get used to cooking at home, from scratch, in season - it will take time, and experimentation, but be worth it. If you're able, buy bulk when you buy local - there are four pints of honey in a half-gallon, but I can buy a half-gallon jar for only 2 1/2 times what I pay for a pint; same for maple syrup, and milk & cream. Learn to preserve the food you buy in bulk. Be willing to buy the 'ugly' produce that may be priced lower (I once bought beets for 10% of the usual cost because they were "leftovers" from a farmers market a few days earlier in another town and they'd gone soft...except only the golfball size were soft, the other 99% of them were just fine...I pickled the whole batch and they lasted me a full year! There's a lot to learn when buying local on a budget, but the journey is worth it - and you can get to know your farmer(s), and they're nearly always really wonderful people! I wish you well.
You are spot on with this issue, so many times people try to low ball the small farmer because they can get it cheeper from Walmart. The little guy is seen like a price gouger, and that's the way the corporations like it. With all the talk of food shortages in the near future, the local small guy should be your best friend.
For sure! I'd been buying from a local farmer for a few years when covid hit - suddenly everyone wanted to avoid stores & buy from local farmers - my farmers had more orders than meat to fill them - so they stopped taking new customers. Lucky for me I'd already been buying from them, huh?!
Love it Pete. People sometimes need a lesson in food economics and you just gave it!
All of our choices in life come at a cost. Supporting a small farm operation like yours is sustainable, healthy and has long term value and incalculable value for a community.
Not just a farmer, but a very smart man. I wish he would do more videos like this. Stay on your soap box Pete.
Totally agree with you. We've been trying to buy from local farmers as much as we can. We have moved to an area now that has even more access than we had previously. Very excited for quality, healthy food. Thanks for all you do to bring this important issue to the forefront. Keep it up!
We had a small farm when I was a kid and the fresh pork and beef after butchering….we ate like kings. Thanks for all you do Pete!
Thank God there's still people like you out there. You are exactly correct Pete. It's past time to get back to basics
Great video sir
Freaking beautiful speech at the end!! As a young man starting my own small farm I am extremely inspired by you and this. It's a difficult path but extremely needed for Stewarting any type of community, food is medicine! And animals deserve to have good lives! I am inspired.
Thank you for educating everyone about the process of small farm production. I have prioritized my food purchases and moved to buying more from local farms. The milk, eggs, pork and beef taste far superior to what I previously purchased in the grocery stores. This spring I am once again growing some of my own vegetables (onions, potatoes, tomatoes, squash). All organic! Thank you for your positive talks and outlook on life in general.
Just watched this video while eating a T-bone steak. The T-bone was processed by a local butcher and came from half a cow I bought from a local farmer who raised it about 15 miles from the little farm I’m about 10 months into starting.
I know a few things about the steak and the cow. I saw the cow in a field eating grass many times. The farmer did put it on grain the last six weeks before processing. The butcher called me to ask how I’d like it cut up (size of packages, how big the roasts, thick the steaks etc).
In regards to the steak, it was better than any steak I’ve purchased in a store, by a lot. It had the right amount of marbling, it was good, really good. I don’t know how much beef costs in a store but my all in cost was about $4 a pound. I’m having hamburger tomorrow night. All I know is that it will be better than anything I can buy in a store and it isn’t really a fair comparison, it’s that much better.
It's heartbreaking what has happened to the small farmers in this country. They used to be the backbone of this country. But it goes without saying the quality of your product is far superior to the corporate farm and the taste and goodness for our bodies is well worth the cost. Keep us the good work and God bless you and your family
Cannot stress how important it is to buy local! I have cattle farms near me, local chicken producer from all Amish farms, we are sustained nearly 100% from our local resources and rarely find a need to visit a walmart or big box store for anything. Keep it going Pete...love what you guys do!
I agree, but 'locally owned' is far different than 'local', many miss the point.
Perfect timing! Just came in from working with my 3 pigs. Their date is set for July 7th. I have throughly enjoyed this adventure and absolutely love the knowledge you share. This has definitely changed my outlook on cheap store meat, and my absolute gratitude for the farmers. Every time they drive by our new farm I find myself praying favor over them. And was super excited for the guy across the roadway to be tilling! Bring on the crops! Thanks Pete, for everything. ♥︎
I'm sorry Prof. Pete I didn't pay attention to the lesson, I couldn't help myself from drooling over the lesson material.
One of the best videos ever !!!!
In the early to mid 80s we grew hogs one of the largest in the area. Had 4 semi loads monthly leave out. They were butchered locally sold under a local brand. Then the big boys came in the Midwest....no way there was absolutely no we we could compete with them. We grew our own feed we bought soybean meal and swine premix. Our product was a good product.....the stuff you get now is honestly pure shit. But if you don't know any different what does it matter that's what the big boys are doing they are changing everything about us. How we shop. What we buy where when etc we buy.......during covid what happen one packing house shuts down and it throws a kink into everything. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMER...HOW CAN YOU NOT AFFORD NOT TOO!!!
Fascinating, anyone who wants to start a farm should watch this. Keeping it real. Well done
100% agree with everything you said! I raise pigs, sheep, cows and chickens up in Alaska and the prices to feed them is getting insane! People up here do love to support local farms, thankfully! We are definitely lacking in food security up here though!
You explained it perfectly! Most people have no idea what meat is supposed to taste like. Thanks for what you are doing and for sharing.
🙏
Well said. Hug your wife and tell the family you love them. Hard work and a good life. I’m happy for you.
All words in pure gold Pete..wish this wisdom gets noticed in this giant monster driven economies in countries like New Zealand
Pete your brilliant you are smarter than most professors I am learning so much from you. But most of all is your love the farm life
Your animals are loved and what a joy to watch you and your wife do what you do
God Bless!!
I totally agree with your analysis of the farm industry and that's exactly why we have so few family farms today and lots of corporate farms with 1000's of acres in production. But that is true of all industry in the US today as well. Corporations control the power and use it for their benefit only.
Absolutely love this channel so many ppl are scared of any competition they won't share any information
Another great video, Pete. Corporations have their place, but not in the food industry nor the health care industry. Profits come first, service and quality of product come 2nd.
Hi, don't even get me going about the corporatization in health care! I've always got some guy in a suit standing between me and my doctor.
@@JustaFewAcresFarm The guy in the suit is making sure the doctor is seeing enough patients to justify the doctor’s salary. And, making sure he will get his bonus. Good golly, what a country!
Sounds like you got the topic for another video here Pete 😂
@@JustaFewAcresFarm Pete, definitely would like to learn about health care for a small farmer. I still stuck in the corporate world with great health care coverage but I get to see the bills and I’m shocked when I see the prices they are charging for ER visits or other hospital services. I hope you can share some information without invading your privacy too much.
In 2020, when there were no eggs at the store, my phone rang a lot. Keep up the great work you do for common sense and local farmers
HI guys from Victoria Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 your making me hungry 😭😭 stay safe and well guys 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
@@cathybenson5119 im down in portland Victoria 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
I LOVE THIS CHANNEL! :) Thank you for producing such great content.
Well I’m sending this video to all my pork customers!!
PREACH IT BROTHER!!!
I grew up in agricultural areas in Kansas. I have watched family farms gradually decline and become something that could not be supported. I watched as my sister's in-laws had one of the largest swine production farms in western Kansas. It became harder and harder for them to maintain the level of production that their contracts called for producing. The cost to the "corporations" kept going down and the costs to the farmers were going up and the profit was nothing. They were shipping out around 200-300 piglets per week, then one day they just canceled everything (the farmer, not the corporation). They switched their fields, several hundred acres of irrigated land, to soybeans.
The farmer wasn't allowed to sell any stock to anybody other than the corporation. It's sad, just sad.
Thanks for sharing the stories that you share.
Thanks Pete as always your videos give hope for local small farmers. WE THANK YOU for working through your videos covering the cost and the stress felt by all farmers.
You tell 'em, Pete!! You're absolutely correct in every word that you say. Both good, bad, or indifferent. The saying I hate the most??!! It is what it is.....
Pete, You had my complete attention on this. Thanks for sharing your passion, it can make a difference one individual at a time.
Pete you are the man! I wish everyone could wake up and see what is going on in this country. We are doing what you are doing, but even on a smaller scale. I am butchering out own meat (pigs & chickens)...big garden and buying local what I can't raise. God Bless you and Hillary!
Great video Pete, I used to work with pigs when I was young, but never realized the cost to produce. Thank you.
YOU hit the nail on the head Pete I used to haul hogs for a big corporation and they have the farmers and employees by the balls they only care about how much they profit. I wish I was closer to you to buy your products. Great videos
Excellent videos Pete, I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get to see the loading process with this batch, but that's forgivable. I'm with you 100% on the locally grown food and the quality of the stuff we find in grocery stores today. When you look at all the self storage units going up across the country you can tell just how screwed up our priorities are. A good meal with good product goes a long way. Gives your body more nutrients and needs, keeps you Fuller longer so you eat less, and your animals have a great life until they come to the end of their purpose.
Keep up the great work I always enjoy your videos.
Thank you so much for your perspective sir! I also think small farms are the best foot forward to feed local communities and build resilience!
Excellent! How I wish there were more farmers like you.
Pete , I love it when your on the soapbox, your inspiring and spot on in your presentation , on the facts that that in my opinion is that corporate greed is a large factor in what we’re seeing take place in this country and the world , supporting the small farmers is paramount to consumers , food quality and availability is what built this country,all started at the local & small farm level , blessings to you and your family!! , I’m mad about it also , Jim !!
Very well explained sir. I hope your honest message is understood. People don’t realize how lucky they are to have access to you and indeed your neighbours at your market. Best of luck going forward to you both.
I've never heard of a local family farm option around us... Wish we had someone like you -- the world could use a lot more just like you! If we were local to you, I would absolutely buy from you (except organ meat, yech! sorry).
I order baking supplies & such from Azure Standard, and our drop site coordinator has taken it upon herself to be a resource for locally available items. Is there any chance you have a local Azure drop, and could you check with that coordinator to see if they know of any local sources? Between what I found on my own & names she's given me, I can source beef, pork, lamb, goat, chicken, milk, cream, chicken eggs, duck eggs, maple syrup, raw honey, and all kinds of produce. Our state also has a website where producers can be listed on the directory for a small fee (last I checked I think it was about $100/year & included "Minnesota Grown" bags to put their items in when selling to the customer) - I can search for just about anything I want, and the site navigation is OK (not nearly as good as it was a couple of years ago, not sure why they changed it). However, because I live near the state line I also checked sites for a couple of neighboring states. I don't remember finding anything for one of them - and the other one listed pretty much everything, so you searched for "chicken" you might find a small local farmer raising 500 broilers a year to sell in a 25-mile radius, or you might find a giant commercial operation with a "local retail shop" that was all about public perception rather than offering good food. On a rainy day when you don't feel like doing anything, sit down at your computer and start searching - it's worth the time & effort!
I just love the way you tell it like it is sometimes the truth is hard to accept but it sure beats the false advertisements
Spot on observations on the industrial side of food production. I remember several companies that were local meat processing plants that not only provided meat for the local grocery stores and restaurants but local employment too. Our family bought our meat from both of my grandfathers. One had a small dairy herd, and we ate the culls. My other grandfather raised a few pigs every year, we ate one of them too. The cow was butchered locally, and we also rented a locker for storage for about half of the year. We gardened and raised chickens sometimes or bought locally from neighboring farmers. The common items we bought at the store were items not made locally and basic staples such as flour and sugar and coffee, spices and exotic food products like foreign foods such as 'Chung King Dinner" in the can. Did you ever try that? The foods were more flavorful as I remember from back then than now. Bologna was actually tasty and so were hotdogs. I live in Alaska now and it is difficult to say the least to buy farm fresh food year-round, but we treat ourselves to some fine local meats in the summer and lots of fresh seafood is available year-round. Good luck to you and your family in your continued small farm endeavors. You are definitely a skilled and savvy farmer.
If your a small farmer, it’s because you love what you do. Takes a special market place to make decent money.
no sour notes here pete. You speak the truth. we must support our local farmers and independent grocers
Great episode, thanks.
I am stunned that it costs 2x the grain bill to process the pigs.
I understand the need for food safety, but the USDA is too top heavy.
Please repeat these numbers with your farm processed chickens and compare it if you had them USDA processed.
Pete...you're a national treasure. Thank you for the education.
Another great video Pete. Very well explained break down of the cost of raising quality pork. I only wish we were living close to your marketing area to purchase your farm products. Thanks for all you do and keep up the good work. We're located in Southern California.
You are one of my inspirations for keeping on with my great pig experiment. Was able to get a larger sow for nothing. (Was selling a horse trailer and took the girl as partial payment. I was able to do that because the price of the trailer was not negotiated down!)
I don't think I'm going to keep a boar hog. I have 7.5 acres and a lot of it is down a ravine. I'm also raising goats for meat and dairy. And I have a horse, mule, and mini donkey. As well as chickens. But the pigs will be my money makers, I hope!
So, here I am, a middle aged, divorced woman, doing this all on my own with the help of another middle aged woman. We got this! :)
There’s a huge difference between negative and realistic. I won’t stay in business losing money and neither will you! We do this for a profit and living and no one should have to apologize or feel bad about that. Anyone working for any company in America is working to make the company money not to go broke. Thanks Pete.
Stumbled across your channel a year or so ago. Watching the effort and care put into the farming has made me search out small farmer meats. The taste difference is amazing. Well worth every penny.
I love your passion Pete. I wsh I lived closer to you in order to support your small farm.
Honor his process and find a small local producer in your area. I know I am trying to find one.
We have a local guy who raises lambs so that helps.
Agree 💯%. Because of you, almost entirely, I have shifted my budget to buy meat from the local produce store and try to completely avoid meat from a super market.
We've had our first two forest raised litters of piglets this spring. So glad to find your channel. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and great down to earth kindness. God bless you and your farm.
You know Pete, it’s more important to me to have a better quality meat to feed my family. I live in Louisiana and dang it, I want flavor! Lots of it too! Quality means everything to me. I know the things I have to give up when I buy from a farmer but if and when I can find the meat I buy it. I have to get on the internet and hunt them down and then drive almost an hour to pick up. Thanks for doing what you do Pete. I sincerely appreciate the farmer
That was one of the most honest and informative videos on Pork production for a small farm I've ever seen thank you
🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 ❤ 🎀 ❤
Your honesty is a credit to your beliefs, I support you and all similar farmers
Pete, You broke this down amazingly! I still want to raise pigs in the future. I expect we might struggle to make it pencil out. I would like to raise one batch per year, keep 1-2 hogs for my immediate family, and sell 3-4 to friends and other family at a fair price. My purpose is to provide better quality foods for my family, my extended family, and friends. I know I have demand, I lack the infrastructure so far to grow the pigs. We currently are paying top dollar for locally raised whole and half hogs, and I do love supporting local. I just know my purpose in life is a producer, not a consumer when it comes to animal based products.
Thanks for your comments Pete. You have given us a lot to think about. I need to re-evaluate my priorities.
Clear explanation of what farmers face and why consumers should care
I agree 100%. Where I live there isn't any small farms like yours. If it wasn't a 3 hour drive to get to you I would spend the extra money I have for that quality.
I love what you said. I feel bad for the ones that truly cannot afford small farm meats. The others do not know what they are missing. Stay safe up there and keep on growing 🤠
Get em Pete..... you're so right about the people making the real money on producing meat for the grocery chains....keep doing what you're doing.
I think the services and products you provide are an important part of the economy and the government should be able to help you in your time of need and realize that small farms are an invaluable resource and need to be preserved at all costs.
I agree 100 percent !!! We have NO IDEA what all the corporate farmers are putting in their feed ! I am not blaming the farmers (corp.) , Like you said they are getting pinched right out of business and they too are just trying to earn a living for their families ! I for one am going to buy from local farmers , an try to help my community !
Thank You Pete , for explaining this to everyone ! GOD BLESS !!!
Being an old farm boy from the '50s & 60's I understand the point you're making. We raised our pork and beef for ourselves only. I have always complained about the quality of meat for years until I did the research and found a local farmer, just like you, and I purchase all my meat from them. I know the meat is local Idaho meat, raised properly, and handled properly at the end in the slaughterhouse. (that's another subject altogether) I do pay more, but the quality of meat is beyond words. It's worth it to me and my family. I even feed my dogs the same meat.
This is another great teaching video you have presented to your followers, maybe some will take your advice and go out and buy local. They're out there, all they have to do is look. Great job, Pete, thanks.
We bought in on pigs on a small farm and i can’t forget when we finally got it.My wife went outside and got some eggs and made breakfast.One of the best breakfast i have ever had.There is no comparison
I agree! We need local farmers! We need to make sure they are not choked out by big businesses raising the cost of doing business while they lower theirs.
Cat: Boxes? Yessss! Party time!!!
Thanks Pete, you are a very good communicator and teacher! We raise Dexter cattle and try our best to keep the local community supplied with good healthy beef. I get the same questions as you do with regards to price. My feeling is that the beef we sell is a very different product, and we raise our cows in a relaxed and happy environment here on our farm. There are many reasons for people to ask why why why however the reality is if you want good quality local food it comes at a premium, and I remember that every time someone asks me about price. I also remember the early mornings in winter with the frozen water lines and freezing cold hands all before I eat my breakfast. Kind regards to you and your family Pete! Jay… Peterborough, Ontario 🇨🇦
To me this was riveting two sow video. I have been away from raising pig for quite a while and absolutely can’t believe what has happened to the economics of pork production. As a 4-H Swine Club member for just a few years from 1959 - 61 my club project was 2 sows and feeding out the piglets to butcher weight. When I decided to go University to enroll in Agriculture I discovered I couldn’t take my pigs with me so sold them all and with the profits I was banking from raising pigs bought a house for cash.
Thank you Pete for telling it as it is today.
I enjoyed listening to you describe what is happening to our nation's food chain my dad was a share cropper and he despised the day corporate farming started. He made a comment to us in the mid 50s that one day our nation would be ruled by lawyers and insurance companies.
Pete you are the best! Describing the issue so a 4 year old can understand!
Thank you Pete. Great comparisons and logical thought. I am a huge advocate and supporter of the small, independent, local (high quality) farmer. I love your passion and I do NOT think you or any of us should be working for free so raise your prices and stay in business.
I hear you Pete! Those of us that do small farming are faced with a lot of the same problems you are describing. The choice you talked about is something that each of us have to decide given our life style and needs. Those are all great points that you make! Thanks for sharing your information, have a great week, what's left of it.
Thank you for the honesty in the cost efficiency of raising your own meat, you won't save money but you'll feel better both physically and morally about what you eat.
One word. "AMEN" I'm a small farmer too.
I started raising cows and pigs this year and thanks to you and your videos for all the great info and guidance! Keep up the great work and small farms all the way!
Dear sir, my husband and I agree with you 100%. We currently live in Iowa, the largest pork production state in the nation. We constantly see haulers full of hogs headed to the processor. We have dreamed of starting our own farm, but unfortunately land prices around us are just ridiculous. So we are looking out of state for homesteading property. Even if land was affordable in our area, we simply could not compete with the corporate farms in our area. The corporate farmers are squeezing the smaller farms out of business, and we are forced to move hundreds of miles away to even get s foot in the door. We appreciate every video you share about on this subject. From us trying to get a foothold, to those who are already in the game, we all thank you.
Well said, Well said, Well said! Let’s start a movement...”PETE FOR AG COMMISSIONER!” Tim in northern TN
Because of watching your videos I went to our local farmer's market this week and purchased some locally raised pork and OMGosh !!! it was more expensive than I could have bought at the food store BUT the flavour was AMAZING and I liked knowing they are raised humanely and without all those questionable feeds, etc given to corporate pigs. So, I've adjusted our budget, gave up a couple meals out and maybe less spent for clothing so I can enjoy the awesome meat, going to purchase a lot, while supporting a local family farm. THANK YOU for sharing what you do and bless you and your familys' hearts.
It's all about choices and priorities. Always has been, always will be.
Just a few acres university.. so fitting. I always learn from you. Thanks Pete!
Well said. More people need to be educated on how Big corporations grow their meat and produce. It’s so crazy what they can get away with.
Wish I could buy your meat but I'm hours away in PA. Thank God for small farmers like you. Hope you make a profit somehow and sell everything you need to. Much love to you and lovely Hillary.
Good afternoon, never thought of it that way, I wish we had more people like you around. Steve from N.B Canada
I don’t see it as a sour note it was more so a reality check or a dose of what’s really going on in the world today! I love your passion and I’m routing you on all the way Pete! LOVED today’s video thank you so much Pete!
You mean sower note...?
@@marlan5470 yes I did typo on my part tech always trying to put what it thinks is best lol
When the back hatch opened I swore he was going to say run run run....
I understand what you are saying - I started with 90 sows in 1975 and finished the hogs - no grates for sows 20by30 feet pens for 50 hogs and in 1984 I quit because interest on my loan was 15 percent - I couldn’t compete with the corporations- but I’m happy - I enjoy seeing the mother with 8-10 pigs on her
Down South the pork liver would be sold before you got it back, there is nothing better for breakfast than country pudding and it's relatively east to make after buying the initial ingredients.
Most people love it and don't even realize it's liver.
i’d rather buy your pork than store pork. the last 3 years have changed my opinion on big box stores. please stay strong and keep going if you can. the future is yours
I live in western Pa. and if I lived closer to you, I would gladly pay the higher price, for good quality meat raised humanly and not loaded with antibiotics and growth hormones.
The farm where I bought my pork discontinued selling by the quarter, half or whole pig. So they obviously got squeezed out of the market.
You’re so right about the quality, taste, and appearance of the pork in the stores compared to the small farm raised pork.
I always think about the poor quality lives those corporate animals have to endure.
I buy free range chicken, and grass fed beef from a local farmer.
I have 5 chickens who free range during the day as bug control and as pets and the eggs they lay are a bonus,
I don’t save money by having them as I have to buy feed to supplement their diets but I enjoy taking care of them and the eggs are superior to those watery things they sell in the stores. It’s a labor of love.
Pete, you are so right in what your saying and if l lived closer to you I would enjoy trying all of your farm products. Keep up the fight for the small farmers , because bigger isn’t always better.