Second consideration that most people looking to buy horses is the upkeep and maintenance. Even a single horse requires the full-time attention of a caretaker and it needs regular exercise and meticulous attention. It has to have adequate space, not only in its stable, but as a “playground” as well. Horses need acres of land to be really happy and without this, you cannot really enjoy your horse as much as you could. Also, regular veterinarians just won’t cut it. Those dealing exclusively with household pets would not know what to do with a horse. Even the very common task of changing a shoe would be quite a challenge for someone who doesn’t know how. If owning a horse would be simple and cheap, many more people would have them.

With these preliminary tips to buying a horse, it is good to know beforehand what you will be getting into when you buy a horse. Buying horses is nothing like buying a kitten or puppy. These large, magnificent animals need specialize care and owner also need to undergo some training in order to get the most fun out of horse ownership. In the end, if you do your homework and do everything without shortcuts, you too will enjoy the hobby of kings.

I know what some of you are going to be saying, but I don’t live in an area where I can produce food food year round if I had a backyard farm. Well that maybe so, but I think everyone can learn a thing or two from this family. There are a ton of great ideas in this video that should help get the old gears rolling. There are lots of things that you can do to become self sufficient when it comes to food and energy. Just start out small and build on what you have already done when money and time are available, and before you know it your worries of what is going to happen when the stores close and the lights go out will be no more.

There is a great selection of books available on raising chickens as well as building chicken coops. Although I haven’t read the book on Free Range Chickens In The Garden yet, it is definitely on my list of must reads. I know a lot of Preppers don’t have a lot of yard space to work with, and are trying to make the most of the space that they have so raising chickens in a garden that is designed for them might be worth checking out.

If you don’t want the hassle or feel that building your own chicken coop is more than you really want to attempt then click on the above link. There are many different shapes and styles of chicken coops to choose from so finding the right chicken coop for your budget and your yard shouldn’t be too difficult.

Back Yard Chicken Coop Designs

When I saw this back yard chicken coop I thought what a great design in such a small space. This chicken coop belongs to a couple that live in Los Angeles, California. So if they can raise a few chickens in a city like that anyone can and a small chicken coop like this could be an excellent low maintenance source of food in an emergency.

Having a couple of hens and a rooster in a small chicken coop like this would make a great start at stepping up food production if you were looking at a prolonged emergency situation of little or rationed food. I don’t know about you but I think I would would enjoy a little chicken or egg to mix into my emergency stash of beans and rice after most of my canned food has been eaten. In the case that you have to raise more chickens than this small coop and pen can handle I would recommend adding a roll of chicken wire and some long wooden stakes to your emergency supplies. Unless you plan on letting them run free in your yard so that your neighbors and every other hungry critter can take them.

Most hens produce one egg every few days, but some special egg laying breeds can produce as many as 300 eggs a year. Chicken eggs take about 21 days to fully develop and hatch. In most commercial farms chickens are butchered at 6 weeks, but free range farms usually wait about 14 weeks.

The picture above shows what I like so much about this chicken coop design. Notice the nesting box with the easy access hinged lid. This will make cleaning the nesting box out and gathering the eggs so much easier. Also I thought the top of this coop was a really good idea. They put a water proof mat down with rock and soil with drainage holes on the top of this coop. This could serve two purposes. First the soil and rock will help shade and cool the coop in hot weather, and second this would make a great little garden. Maybe for herbs or something.

I found these pictures at BackYardChickens[dot]com stop by there if you want to find out more about chickens or to get some more great back yard chicken coop designs.