It’s wonderful that your sister and your wife and daughters are also enjoying this way of living.

I can imagine that predators might also pose a problem for any livestock you might choose to raise. Especially chickens, quail, and rabbits.

I love your vision for food. I grew up on a farm. For a family of eleven, we raised chickens, pigs, had a dairy and canned or froze everything. The boys hunted. Sometimes, it got a little lean. Your thinking ahead with your family members! I applaud you. 👏

Do you eat ducks? My parents raised ducks. My parents never fed their ducks. Their ducks would browse the gardens, eating the insects and other pests. Yet, they never damaged my parents plants. The ducks also fed on water plants in their pond.

I think buying local meet to supplement wild game is the best idea, since you know your land and what its capable of.

The secret to success on Homesteads, is to accept what you have and adapt. If you bring your dreams and try to 'force fit', well those homesteads don't survive (my take). There are pluses and minuses to any piece of land. If you are grateful for what you have, you can prosper anywhere. Thanks 4 sharing. Health and God Bless!

Thanks for this upload.

As you mention, feed is definitely the biggest issue with keeping animals. I'm in a mediterranean climate so my feed issues are sort of the other way around in that food is abundant in our wet winters and springs and scarce in the hot dry summer and early autumn/fall. The other issue with animals is that you can't just leave them alone for a few days, you have to check on them every day.

In northern Alberta there are a lot of attempts to resolve the issues you are facing. They have tamed elk and buffalo along with some cross breeds of elk/deer and cow/buffalo and these are domesticated fenced in animals that do primarily sustain from grazing in terrain similar to yours along with some supplement of hay and grain.

Slowly but surely, I’m getting my land ready. I’m near an Amish community so I have so many resources. Thanks again for all you’ve taught me. I have much more confidence in myself now that I can do this…(at my age, I’m no spring chicken 😉🤭)

It's easy to see past the practicality of actual farming on a homestead. Animals are a lot of fun but they require incredible amounts of effort. The disgraceful neighbors at your last cabin were a blessing in disguise, keep up the solid work ethic and thank you for taking the time to keep us informed.

How nice to have a video from you today, I was so pleased, thank you 🙏

Keep having fun, mouth was watering looking at that grill full

I couldn't grow anything on my little quarter acre eleven years ago. Fast forward and I have developed rich productive soil by composting in raised beds. You will have the carbon at hand, but if you add pig manure, or rabbit manure, then you will also have the nitrogen necessary to build enriched soil. Always appreciate how much you are sharing with us. Thank you again, Liz

Mercury levels in northern ontario lakes aren't low. So one needs to be careful how much fish is eaten per week.

We were talking and laughing about you guys yesterday, and how the soundtrack is always so good.

Lookin good Shawn....glad you have such healthy food.

That’s a great start and an awesome idea Shawn and thanks for sharing. Blessings! 😎😎😎🤩🤩🤩✅✅✅💯💯💯🙌🙌🙌

Idk why but your voice makes me relax I’m a very high strung high anxiety person and I appreciate it !!

Shawn, I have been told many years ago when we went camping with the kids, that "smoke" follows beauty" ! So glad to hear you are going to have animals to feed your family. I have been watching several families that have goats and they really don't eat that much grass and they do like leaves and shrubs too.