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About the Farm: Costs of Running a Sanctuary
Many people say to me "you're living my dream" - I suppose because people who love animals long to have the space to take in more animals in need.. or perhaps it's the country air. But running even a small sanctuary such as Star Gazing Farm is constant work, and very expensive. It means carrying 60 pound bales of hay up a long driveway in 2 feet of snow and hauling manure every day, learning to get over squeamishness over too many things to mention in polite company, and feeding and watering even if you have a temperature of 104.
It's gorgeous, though! And the animals faces tell that it is all worth it!
Did you want to know about costs? Here are some figures to consider:
Animal care:
Hooves
Equines must be seen by a farrier approximately every 6 weeks. The cost
is $30 per equine, which, with just Lucy and Dee Dee, translates to $480
a year.
Worming
All animals are wormed every 6 weeks. Worm medicine costs approximately
$6-9 per 1000 pounds, which translates to anywhere from $154 to $232 per
year.
Shots
This past year I had the farm vet do all the necessary vaccinations to
the tune of about $428. Regulations dictate that rabies and West Nile
Virus must be administered by a veterinarian - the other shots are ones
that I can do myself (and will, from now on!); however, the medicine still
costs!
Vets
And speaking of vets -- every time the vet comes out to the farm there
is an automatic charge of $60. Because of Lucy's illness earlier this
year, vet bills currently total $1800 (for the period of January to June,
2003).
Bedding
Barns must be kept clean. The barn at Star Gazing Farm is only 2 stalls
with a long corridor, and the doors remain open all the time for the animals
to go in and out (e.g. no one except the ducks is ever locked up). The
barn is picked out daily, and the entire barn is swept clean once every
2 weeks (or once a week if the weather is particularly bad). Refilling
the bedding each time costs approximately $20. That means $520 a year
for pine shavings.
Hay
Good quality hay is essential to the well being of farm animals. 2002
and 2003 were terrible years for hay, and so a square bale of hay was
running anywhere from $3.75 to $5. During the summer when the grass is
lush, the animals generally only consume approximately 1/2 bale of hay;
but in the winter, they eat up to 2 full bales per day. At an average
of $4.50 a bale, this means about $400 for the summer months and $1602
for the winter months. WOW.
Feed
Thankfully feed for most of the animals is inexpensive. Duck feed is $8
for a 50 pound bag, which lasts about 6 weeks. Sheep and goat feed costs
$9 a 50 pound bag and lasts a very long time, as they only get feed as
treats. Pig feed is $10 for a 25 pound bag and lasts about a month. Horse
feed is $9 for a 50 pound bag and lasts 10 days to 2 weeks. Other supplements
include: flax seed meal, black oil sunflower seeds, whole corn, kelp,
and of course fresh vegetables. Costs from January-June 2003 for feed
totalled $750.
Equipment and infrastructure
None of this takes into consideration sideline costs, such as repairing
fences and gates destroyed by Mr. Newman Goat, purchase of water buckets,
feed bowls, water troughs, halters, lead lines, muck rakes, hay racks,
and other equipment. We would gratefully accept any used farm equipment,
lawnmowers, hoses, rakes, ropes, lumber, etc.
