***UNDER CONSTRUCTION***
A more detailed list of our prices will be coming soon. For now please send us and email, or call and leave a message at 413-335-1506 to get a personalized quote.
What We Offer You
Fort Collins currently allows up to eight laying ducks or chickens on a 1/4 acre of land, two Nigerian dwarf or Pygmy goats in a minimum of 300 square feet, and bees to be kept anywhere in town limits. Our mission is to help residents achieve their goals of producing healthy food from their own backyard animals. We work to meet this goal in a variety of ways.
Our services fall into three main categories: education, design and construction of animal housing, and animal care, whether short-term or long-term. Regardless of what services you are interested in, you can call and get a free 30 minute assessment to determine how we can best help you.
The following is a breakdown of our services. You can choose any combination to suit your needs. For details on prices as well as discount opportunities check out our Pricing and Packages page.
Our services fall into three main categories: education, design and construction of animal housing, and animal care, whether short-term or long-term. Regardless of what services you are interested in, you can call and get a free 30 minute assessment to determine how we can best help you.
The following is a breakdown of our services. You can choose any combination to suit your needs. For details on prices as well as discount opportunities check out our Pricing and Packages page.
Education
Education covers a range of services, from group lessons to a private consultation in the comfort of your home. Whatever your interest, our mission is to provide you with the knowledge you need to be comfortable raising your own livestock.
Group and Private Lessons
For those who wish a more private or more individualized approach, we will also offer classes in your own backyard. You can either choose a private class or invite some friends and receive a group discount. We will discuss the topic beforehand and make sure you are prepared as well as determine how long the class will take. Topics range from building chicken or goat housing to milking your goats, how to increase egg production, inspecting beehives, composting with animals, introducing your chickens into your garden, or anything else you can think of. Contact us for more details.
Consultation
If you think you might need to take all of our classes before you feel comfortable keeping animals, or if you just don't have time to attend the classes, a consultation might be the perfect choice for you. In a consultation, I will come visit your home to meet you and your family, gather measurements of the property, and sit down and talk in detail about what you want, how it might work in your situation, and how I can help. We will . . .
* decide how to utilize your animals to their full potential
* settle on a house design
* discuss location of the housing and fences
* finalize what and how many animals you will get
* discuss what breeds you might want
* decide what your animals will be fed
I will then create a detailed plan including designs, maps, timelines, and instruction manuals for how the project will be carried out. We will meet as many times as it takes to make sure everything is correct. Once we are both satisfied we will conclude our consultation. Consultations are charged by the hour.
* decide how to utilize your animals to their full potential
* settle on a house design
* discuss location of the housing and fences
* finalize what and how many animals you will get
* discuss what breeds you might want
* decide what your animals will be fed
I will then create a detailed plan including designs, maps, timelines, and instruction manuals for how the project will be carried out. We will meet as many times as it takes to make sure everything is correct. Once we are both satisfied we will conclude our consultation. Consultations are charged by the hour.
Our Model Homestead - Coming Soon!
To provide a better location for classes as well as an ideal opportunity for people to see exactly what we are all about, we are planning on building a model homestead. Keep checking back for more information. Once we find a suitable location, we will begin the process of turning an empty lot into a flourishing home for chickens, goats, bees, and a vegetable garden. We plan to offer classes on an ongoing basis that will cover every step of the process.
Housing Design and Construction
Housing includes chicken coops, runs and brooders, goat sheds and playgrounds, and beehive set-ups. If you take a class with me on housing design, you will leave with a design that matches your needs and the space in your yard. If you hire me for a consultation, I will come up with a design for you. I can also design a house for you without going through the entire consultation process. Or maybe you already have a design in mind. No matter how you come up with the design, I can help you with the construction process. I will also install any electricity, feeders, and waterers required, to your specifications. Housing design and construction are charged by the hour and material fees are included in the final price.
Animal Care
Our animal care services fall into two basic categories: short-term and long-term.
Short Term Maintenance
If this is the first time you have raised chickens or goats, you may want to be assured that they are getting off to the best possible start in their new home. I can help you with that. Not only will I help you pick up and receive your new animals, if you find that you are not comfortable taking care of them yet I will come every day and help until you feel more confident. This service is also perfect for anyone who wants to travel out of town for a few days or weeks. You can travel in peace knowing your animals are cared for by an expert. This service is charged by the week.
Long Term Maintenance
If you want animals, but don't have the time, or the energy for the daily care, I will provide daily service at a monthly fee. I do all the daily, weekly and monthly chores, and you get to keep the produce. We believe in fair trade, so if you want to give us some of your excess we will gladly take it in exchange for labor.
Miscellaneous Services
Too Many Animals Service
If you get goats and want milk they will have to be bred and have kids. However city law allows only two goats per property once the kids are weaned. I can help find them a new home. In addition, eventually all animals get old and stop producing well. At this point there is no way to keep them financially viable. If you decide not to keep them as pets, I can take them and have them slaughtered in a peaceful fashion, and return the meat to you if you want.
Follow-ups
Follow-ups are simply visits to see how your animals are doing. They can simply be routine visits or one-time for instance if you are concerned about illness or need building or fencing repair. I will recommend follow-ups for key times in the animals' development such as moving chicks out to their new house after they grow out of their brooder, or checking on a pregnant goat close to her due date. Follow-ups can be purchased in packages if you know you want more than one in advance.