Gray Hobby Farm

26/03/2025

This is so hilarious!

I have been asked this more times than I can count. And yes we have a lot of chickens. Unlike a lot of farmers, we do not butcher our chickens when they stop laying eggs. We love our girls. Some are trained to sit while we pick them up. Some like to cuddle. And some just follow us around the yard. But we need to keep enough chickens to know that we get enough eggs since half of them aren't laying at any given time. Their production slows about half way through their life. Add in that they decrease their production during the cold months with the short days, so we have to have a bunch to accommodate for that. Thus, we normally have up to 60 chickens.

All the extra eggs that we don't use, we sell.

Having extra eggs is a good problem to have, especially now.

22/03/2025

Goat Yoga Announcement!!

Classes are now published on www.grayhobbyfarm.com
for opening weekend, May 31st, and for classes through June.

The early season classes always fill quickly! Hope to see you all at Goat Yoga this summer.

Rob and Mary

18/03/2025

She pecked at the door to get my attention. What a sweetheart.

17/03/2025

Mary and I were excited to get home from AZ yesterday. Our son, Sean, watched our farm while gone and took good care of the animals. A lot has changed in two months. I hadn't had organic free range eggs in two months. The difference in taste and health content is amazing.

The cats really missed us. Our first half hour was loving them up. The chickens and goats missed us as well. Cuddles were aplenty and then all the animals followed us everywhere. Motorcycle, my duck, was the only one a little cold at first. I think he was mad I left him this winter. But he eventually let me pick him up to cuddle.

Feeling so blessed to have this little farm.

07/03/2025

Goat yoga post!

Keep an eye out here. Our goat yoga schedule will be out in the next week! Don't miss out on the fun.

Our first class this summer will be Saturday, May 31st. Keep reading these posts so you see when registration opens. Classes always fill quickly early on when the babies are little.

01/03/2025

On our recent trip to CA to see Scott and Erin, we had to see some animals as we miss home when we were away. Being animal lovers, we know animals have personalities. And we have learned that animals can form bonds with humans. So we went to Sea World. The killer whales loved their trainers. The seals were playful. It was amazing. One of Mary's favorites was the sea turtle that seemed to hover up right next to her. While it wasn't goats and chickens, it still was exciting now we are looking forward to spring with baby chicks and baby goats! Keep tuning in for pictures.

19/02/2025

As you could expect, with the bird flu pandemic, our phone rings often with people wanting to buy eggs. Unfortunately, we cannot service most people during this time for several reasons. First, Shorter and colder days lead to less eggs being laid by the chickens. Second, we consume them ourselves, and lastly, we have some repeat customers who get served first out of loyalty.

For those thinking of getting chickens, there are several things to consider. First, it is hard, but not impossible , to make a profit. But with the current chicken Illnesses around, growing your own could make some financial sense. Personally, We lose about 2k per year on our chickens. Why? Mostly because we do not butcher our chickens when they stop laying eggs. They live much of their life consuming feed and not laying. While some butcher them at that point, we think of them as pets and let them life out their lives as happy birds that are loved. We have relationships with them. Secondly, we pay more to purchase organic feed. So you could say we lose money by choice by refusing to butcher and buying expensive feed. Without those two things, a profit could be turned. However, you still would have to decide what to do with the chickens long term when they stop laying.

This pandemic is sad. We hate that birds are getting destroyed and are fortunate it hasn't hit our farm yet. The good thing about chickens, is baby chicks start laying eggs about 6 months. So high prices in stores should be temporary unless this continues to last. We simply love chickens as animals and pets. They can definitely forge relationships with people. We have many that run to us, jump in our arms, or cuddle. For us, it's an expense that is worth it.

13/02/2025

This post explains our organic food cycle on our farm:

Today, RFK Jr. Got confirmed as a cabinet pick. And while I don't very often talk politics, I have to say that making food healthier in the US should be something everyone can agree on is much needed. I hope he can accomplish making America healthier.

Mary and I have known for years, as have the experts, that dyes, chemicals used in growing and preserving foods, as well as chemical uses in manufacturing, can have many Ill effects to people.

As owners of an organic hobby farm, we are blessed to be able to produce much of our own foods. And you can, too! Years ago, Mary and I began adding one thing every year. And while we snuck in goats about 8 years ago, every other year has been dedicated to food production adds, streamlined efficiency, etc.. In the months we are at home, we produce much of our own foods. Depending on the time of year, we produce about 25-50 percent of what we consume.

Every one of you can do something to improve the health of the food you are eating. We do not have to rely on government solely to do this for us. Between growing, canning, and vacuum sealing and freezing, everyone can do something. Below are things Mary and I grow on our farm to give you some ideas:

*Apple trees. We currently have 7 and are planting three more this year. We can apple sauce and freeze apple pie mixes with the apples, as well as just eating fresh apples.
*Pear trees - we have two that's be hope start producing this year.
*Chickens- farm fresh organic eggs for breakfast daily is my favorite food produced on our farm. We have egg layers and do not butcher them.
* Goats - the milk we get from the goats is not only very nutritious, and is low in lactose but it tastes phenomenal. Mary also makes organic goat milk soap from the milk. And while there are many other products we could do with it, yogurt and ice cream are the only other two things we have tried.
* Gardens
Asparagus
Rhubarb
Raspberries
Heirloom tomatoes - 24 plants last year
Cherry tomatoes - 5 varieties
Brussel sprouts
Jalapenos
Bell peppers
Carmen peppers
Snack peppers
Shisito peppers
Swiss chard
Squash
Potatoes
Carrots
Corn
Green beans
I'm sure I'm forget something.

Growing those things allows us to store items in our root cellar that last until spring, freeze items to last all year. We also can freezer jam, salsa, pizza sauce, pasta sauce, applesauce, tomato puree for cooking or replacing sauces we run out of. We have also candied jalapenos before with our friends the Sanborns and that was good.

Lastly, we added aeroponic tower gardens. That is what is pictured. This allows us to grow lettuce, spinach, kale, oregano, basil, and much more.

So if you want to start making your food sources healthier, get started now. It's is a wonderful feeling to eat healthy, and the rewards of the labor feel good, too. In addition, fresh organic produce tastes better.

We do not use chemicals fertilizer. We use fertilizer pulled from our goat Barn and chicken coops. It is possible. Pick something and get started today. Please share with us if you do something now. We are always looking for more ideas. Thank you.

22/12/2024

The snowfall was not something the goats enjoyed. My highlight of the day, however, was going down to the goat Barn. When Glenda saw me coming she came prancing through the snow out to me. I was well dressed for it and lied down in the snow and she cuddled in and I pet her for about 15 minutes. It was a sweet moment. Soon after, all the others came out and ran into the porch. It was funny cause there isn't room. For all of them in there.

22/12/2024

Got 60 bales of alfalfa and the cats loved playing on it. They were up there in no time. We got it moved since but it was an entire day of fun for them. I asked Snowy to pose for a picture and she stopped and posed. I couldn't believe it. Those cats are so sweet!

11/11/2024

I saw this today and had to share. Many years ago, Mary would tell me we need to get fresh water to chickens everyday. We have continued to offer that. The reality, though, is that they are still instinctual animals. When it rains, they askew the fresh water and run right to the puddles. And while they will eat out of feeders, if you throw it in the ground they are much more excited. That is their instinct. Their instinct is also to be cautious as they know pretty much everything on earth is a predator to them. Yet, our birds have learned they are safe and treated well and many of them run to greet us, sit on command, and enjoy being cuddled. They are smarter and capable of more than they get credit for.

11/10/2024

This photo made me laugh. As many of you know, Mary and I do not butcher any of our animals. We think of them all as pets. If I want to eat chicken I'll go somewhere else to buy it. LOL. So we have a lot of free loading slackers. Haha. Chickens usually lay eggs starting at about 6 months and then they're pretty strong for 2 to 3 years before they start falling off. But a chicken can sometimes live up to 8 or 10 years. Often times the second half of their life produces no eggs. We get baby chicks every year to ensure egg production continues. So we often spend time tending to them and feeding them without getting any eggs in return. This is why we lose money selling eggs. Commercial producers butcher chickens when they're egg-laying primes are over. We Don't do that on our farm. We let them graze in the pasture and eat organic feed and enjoy life until it comes to a natural end. And we hug and cuddle them, even the freeloading slackers. 😊

10/10/2024

Mary and I typically post about our farm, our animals, while sharing our love and blessings with others. But every once in a while, I find something extraordinary, that is outside our normal realm of posts, that I feel is worth sharing.

For the past 3 years, we have taken a small petting zoo to the fall festival at Wildflower Early Learning Center on Burnsville Parkway. We have gotten to know the owners Josh, and Carrie, during this time. And we find this Learning Center amazing. Granted we are well past child-bearing, but every year, Mary and I talk about how if we had small children, this would be our place. The nature-based learning opportunities are so awesome to see. We met probably 200 people at the fall festival and many families that attend the school. These children are smiling and happy. The parents are engaged with their kids. The instructors at the school are there assisting outside normal work hours. They do fun runs, and exploratory learning. The kids love it. Learning can be fun. So if you have a young child, check it out if you want. We have truly been impressed by how hard they work and how much they care.

Send a message to learn more

13/09/2024

The last public goat yoga class of the year is Saturday, September 21 at 10am. It's already 60 percent full. So grab your spot quickly for one last goat snuggle. :).

05/09/2024

Mani/Pedi day for the goats was yesterday. We trim their hooves to keep them from splitting, getting hoof rot, or putting undue strain on their joints. We also give them their organic supplements, and love them up, pet their coats, etc. It takes a long time to do this to 15 goats, but Mary and I have a system down now.

23/08/2024

Thanks to Jenn who coordinated a private group goat yoga event yesterday. Clearly the goats love you!

15/08/2024

When you own a hobby farm, and provided services like goat yoga, farm classes for kids, and have to take care of the animals, garden, etc. it is a lot of work daily.

Despite the work, there is big upside. We eat healthier, we get more exercise, and we get to love our animals. Most importantly, we do as much of it together as possible. Here we are taking some time with our babies. The babies know they are loved and are always so excited to see us. We are equally excited to love them back. This photo captures their love and playfulness all in the same picture.

12/08/2024

Precious!
Beru is a first time Mom this year. And she had a set of twins (Jaden and Reid). Named after two of our favorite Timberwolves. She has been a wonderful mom and her babies are sweet and cuddly and lovable. Yesterday I was able to capture a photo of her letting her baby Jaden feed on her. She loves her babies. And she has done a good job of preparing them to be adults. But she still lets them nurse which is adorable. Thought I'd share. Reid is on the other side trying to get on as well.