Where do I start?

[Poison Ivy]

First off,

Secondly, where are you located in NJ?

Flemington, NJ.

 

[Denim Deb]

You're a couple of hours away from me. I'm further south.

 

[Poison Ivy]

Thanks for the information
A few questions if you please, where does one start by purchasing these meat animals, where I grew up we would go out and hunt wild turkey, squirrels, rabbits pheasants and such. Raising them is a different story and I have never done that.
Also my husband is not on board YET with the whole killing our own food. You see he has never had fresh game, he does not appose it by any means but he still doesn't think he can kill his own food, maybe I will have to do all of that and that's OK with me!
You're right about the baby steps, I think right now I need to gather all the information I need to start a new wonderful life.
Thank you,
Ivy

Hey, just saw this post.....one step at a time....pick one or two things you really want to do and go for it! We moved so we didn't get to do a garden this year and that killed me! Next year it is ON!

You could probably do rabbits or quail with little or no impact. At least then you could produce some of your own meat. You could always go in with someone for meat birds and raise them on someone else's property and split the cost. We had clients for our meat birds this year but we do have someone that may want to do it with us next year and split the cost.

If you know you want to move then do things that are moveable. You could do chickens in a tractor. When you move you take it with you. Same with rabbit hutches.

You could look at getting a milk share with someone that has a cow or goat.

Winter is the time of year when we all dream on here so stick around and you can pick up all kinds of ideas from here!!!

 

[Poison Ivy]

You're a couple of hours away from me. I'm further south.

 

[CrimsonRose]

Here are a few tips I didn't see mentioned...

if you have a problem with finding a decent school for you kiddos... why not homeschool? There are a lot of great programs out there that basically walk you through the process and you get to spend more time with the kids and teach them skills and edict they would never learn in public schools!

As for "meat" animals... why not raise "pets" that you could easily cull the extras when no one was looking... Such as Rabbits... Super easy to raise, small space required, and if anyone asks... They are so very yummy pets! Another small animal is coturnix quail... They would be great for eggs and meat... take up very little space.. and again... They have a cute factor so could be classified as pets if anyone asks... you can even dispatch and process them in your kitchen so no one needs to know...

 

[Denim Deb]

Don't know about where you live, but make sure, if you're wanting to raise animals, what you're allowed to have, or what you can get away with. Where I live, you're supposed to have 1.5 acres to even have a rabbit! But, it's not enforced, unless a neighbor complains. So, those that have animals pretty much fly low.

And, if you live where there's a HOA, make sure you know what all it will allow.

 

[Poison Ivy]

Well homeschooling would be perfect, however our oldest is socially challenged (lack of better words) and he needs to be around other children, but I guess if we joined a homeschooling network then he could meet up with other children that way.
And the meat, I want it all! And I plan on slowly getting into that when we move, right now dogs are the only pets we are allowed
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom,
Ivy

Here are a few tips I didn't see mentioned...

if you have a problem with finding a decent school for you kiddos... why not homeschool? There are a lot of great programs out there that basically walk you through the process and you get to spend more time with the kids and teach them skills and edict they would never learn in public schools!

As for "meat" animals... why not raise "pets" that you could easily cull the extras when no one was looking... Such as Rabbits... Super easy to raise, small space required, and if anyone asks... They are so very yummy pets! Another small animal is coturnix quail... They would be great for eggs and meat... take up very little space.. and again... They have a cute factor so could be classified as pets if anyone asks... you can even dispatch and process them in your kitchen so no one needs to know...

 

[Poison Ivy]

Don't know about where you live, but make sure, if you're wanting to raise animals, what you're allowed to have, or what you can get away with. Where I live, you're supposed to have 1.5 acres to even have a rabbit! But, it's not enforced, unless a neighbor complains. So, those that have animals pretty much fly low.

And, if you live where there's a HOA, make sure you know what all it will allow.

New Jersey has very strict animal laws, well New Jersey has very strict laws about EVERYTHING! It's a shame I would have to do some research and find out what is allowed and what's not...
Thank you for the advice,
Ivy

 

[FarmerChick]

When are you moving Ivy?

I would not buy into alot of animals is you are moving soon......it would just be a pain lol

with the land you are getting in FL you can easily set up your own meat freezer and get eating lol

 

[Poison Ivy]

When are you moving Ivy?

I would not buy into alot of animals is you are moving soon......it would just be a pain lol

with the land you are getting in FL you can easily set up your own meat freezer and get eating lol

Well we have no idea as to when the "Big" move is going to be, we had planned on moving in November, but things change and we are really good at going with the flow. So as of right now, God only knows and that's fine by me. The latest this summer
We'll see???
Thank you for thoughts and I can't wait to start "Eating";0)