Hello from SE Michigan!

[autumnprairie]

Welcome to BYH I would say 5-10 is perfect, make a list of what you want and how you would want it set up like not putting pecan trees near the house because they self prune. Fruit trees not near goats. My Mom bought me a great book it is called The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery covers a lot of material. The other book I would look into is The Backyard Homestead because it shows you set ups and the why's. Good Luck and start a journal please. The other thing to consider is what utilities are already available and what it takes to get them there it is an added expense also.

 

[norseofcourse]

welcome to BYH! I moved to just over 6 acres a few years ago (in Ohio, go Buckeyes ). I have two ponies, one mini horse, and five sheep, three of which I hope are pregnant. I am slowly turning the overgrown fields/brush/trees into pastures, and I am guessing I'll have about three to four acres total fenced eventually. The rest is house/yard/gardens/buffer zone between my fences and the property line (20 to 30 feet).

Personally I'd take overgrown cropland or hayfields over wooded lots, I can clear out the brush and smaller trees, but the larger ones (and stumps) would be harder for me to deal with. My sheep love eating the brush, too, so they're helping.

As you look at properties, look at how the land lies - is it square, rectangular, or long and narrow? Are there low spots that will stay muddy when it rains? Flatter land is easier to put fences and gates on. Can you envision where buildings and run-in areas might go? It helps if you can get a large vehicle (tractor, hay wagon) right to the place you plan to store your hay. Make at least one pasture gate (or other way in) large enough for a big tractor or something too, for bringing building materials, brushhogging, or whatever. I like my electric roping, it's easy to drop a section to bring in a truck or trailer if I need to.

When I first starting looking, I wanted ten to 25 acres. After putting up a lot of fence, I'm happy with 6! lol

 

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