what do to first: garden or livestock?

[thewarriorhunter]

i'm going to start gardening as well as raising rabbits for meat, maybe chickens instead but i'm not sure yet (FYI, i'm in a suburb). i don't want to start both projects at the same time because i don't want to get overwhelmed with the added responsibilities. i think slowly incorporating them into my routine will be better and provide for a smaller margin of failure.

i know they both will compliment each other once they are established. manure for composting, greens for food, etc... i have a line on cages for rabbits/chickens so set up won't be an issue there. for the garden i am going to try the 'square foot gardening' method. i've read a lot of good stuff about that method and it seems like it's right up my alley.

so what would you do first? or if you have done them or currently maintain them what would you suggest if you could do it over again? garden first or livestock? anything to avoid or make sure is a must?

[curtiscr79]

If it was me, I would start with the garden. Not sure of the weather in your neck of the woods, but you can setup livestock when the gardening season ends.

[thewarriorhunter]

i am leaning towards the garden, i am curious to see if anyone's reasoning sways me towards the animals first. i think i have missed the initial planting season, although i probably could get a fall planting in, but i know nothing of gardening so am trying to educate myself on both plans.

[curtiscr79]

If your seasons are anything like mine you should have a few weeks left. Mine has been in the ground for four weeks now and some of my seeds are just starting to sprout.

[Houseboat]

Start your garden..You may not have any control on the weather,but you can fatten your live stock up almost any time..We are currently eating kale,tomatoes,a few different types of lettuce,and are waiting on corn, potatoes,and melons..Hope to start canning tomatoes soon..We grow all organic and kill the pest off organically as well.

[nasty79z28]

Go with the garden. I know Houseboat said he grows organic but I'm partial to the Copper Dragon and I haven't died yet.

[agould27]

If you don't start your garden now it will be to late to get a good harvest and plant some fall plants like squash, peas, pumpkin and such. If you are doing chicken for eggs don't worry about a rooster. If you don't have a rooster they are virtually noiseless. Rabbits are easy too I have a few. If you are going to garden you need to plan on canning. This is costly at first for a good canner but is worth its wait in gold. I was still eating beans from 2010 till a few weeks ago. Might want to plant some fruit trees as well. We can a large amount of apple sauce every year from our apple trees. I would get the gardening down this year and try livestock maybe in the winter. Rabbits can be had for 2-3 dollars at most farm auctions. Chickens are just as cheap or a little higher depending on breed. Do your research and get a chicken that has high egg count/meat rate. I like my silver laced wyandottes.

[Breadman03]

Garden. It takes many pounds of produce/grain/etc to produce one pound of meat.

[dhunley1]

Echoing the other comments... Garden.

[john_bud]

Garden to feed the critters.