There’s something magical about hobby farming. The fresh air. The satisfaction of growing your own food. The connection with the land and animals. And of course—the chaos. If you’ve ever tried to do chores in a thunderstorm with a goat on your heels and a duck in your boot, you know exactly what I mean.
Welcome to a day in the life at Andersen Acres, where we embrace the muddy, messy, utterly ridiculous reality of hobby farming—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Morning Comes Early (But Not Quietly)
The day begins before the sun’s properly up and way before I’ve had enough coffee. One of the miniature goats has decided the hay feeder is obviously a launching pad, and the ducks are conducting a full-volume meeting in their kiddie pool. Somewhere, a chicken is screaming. Why? No one knows. Chickens just do that sometimes.
I pull on mismatched boots—because who has time to find a matching pair when a bunny might be giving birth—and step outside to the symphony of honks, bleats, and crows that is our morning routine.
And then it hits me. The smell.
Yep. It rained last night.
Mud: The Fifth Element
Mud isn’t just a part of farm life—it’s a way of life. There’s mud in the pasture, mud in the barn, mud on my shirt, and inexplicably, mud on the ceiling of the feed shed. I don’t even ask anymore. I just accept it like one accepts gravity.
But it’s not all bad. Mud means the ducks are thrilled. They splash around like it’s their birthday. The goats, however, act like they’ve been personally insulted by the weather. Shadowfax (our white mini horse and part-time drama queen) stands on a single dry patch, refusing to move. He looks at me like this is my fault.
And maybe it is.
Chores Wait for No One
Rain or shine, farm chores never take a day off. There are eggs to collect, waters to change, bottles to feed, bedding to fluff, and fences to inspect (again). Always with the fences.
Today, we discover that one of the rabbits has kindled—meaning there are tiny, squirmy, brand-new babies in a fluffy nest. This is one of the few farm moments that brings everyone to a complete halt. Even the goats seem intrigued.
The kits are healthy, warm, and snuggled in tight. Their mom, Deli (a glossy black Rex rabbit), munches her hay like she didn’t just bring a whole litter into the world overnight. Honestly, the rabbits are some of the most chill mothers on the farm.
Meanwhile, in the Garden…
With spring in full swing, the indoor lettuce experiment is in motion. Yes, I’m growing lettuce in a jar. No, I’m not just trying to be quirky. Okay, maybe a little.
The truth is, our outdoor garden is still in the “pre-spring mud pit” stage, so growing greens indoors means I can get a jump on fresh salads while waiting for the raised beds to dry out. Plus, there’s something satisfying about watching little roots stretch through the glass like botanical spider legs.
Some of the kids think I’m just growing science experiments. They’re not entirely wrong.
Escape Artists and Goaty Shenanigans
If you’ve ever owned goats, you know they come with a PhD in Escapology. Today, Arwen (our spotted white goat and queen of calm) manages to slip out of her pen without unlocking the gate. I still don’t know how she did it.
She’s not causing trouble, just quietly chewing cud on the porch like she lives here now. And honestly? She kind of does.
After relocating Her Majesty back to the barnyard, I check fences (again). Goat-proofing is a myth. You can only goat-delay, never goat-prevent.
The Great Egg Mystery
Every few weeks, one of our hens goes rogue and decides the nesting boxes are so last season. She finds a new, secret spot to lay eggs, and I get to play “barnyard Easter egg hunt” while muttering about chickens and their dramatic tendencies.
Today, I find the hidden stash under the hay bale stack. I retrieve a dozen warm, unwashed eggs and feel like a triumphant archaeologist.
The hen watches me from her perch, looking distinctly unimpressed.
Midday Mayhem
Lunch on the farm is often a team effort. Today’s special is “whatever’s in the fridge,” plus a slice of leftover sourdough and goat cheese (homemade, of course). The ducks beg for scraps. The mini horse glares through the kitchen window. He has a nose for carrots and the eyes of a seasoned guilt-tripper.
This is also when I usually film a quick clip for our YouTube channel—Andersen Acres—updating our lovely viewers on the latest animal antics, garden experiments, and sometimes, just me laughing at my own chaos. It’s part diary, part how-to, part reality show with goats.
Afternoon Projects and “Just One More Thing…”
There’s always one more thing on the to-do list. Fix the drip on the hose bib. Start seeds for the next garden bed. Trim Shadowfax’s forelock so he can see again. Bake something because the eggs are piling up.
Today’s “just one more thing” involves trying to get the Cayuga ducks into their night pen before they realize it’s bedtime. Cayugas are beautiful, with their iridescent black feathers, but they are also wily. They know the bedtime routine and they will absolutely pretend not to.
After several loops around the barn and a few well-placed bribes (peas), everyone is safely tucked in.
Sunset and the Slow Down
Evenings on the farm are magical in a way that’s hard to describe. The animals settle. The sky turns cotton-candy pink. The barn lights flicker on. There’s a peace that settles in, even if my boots are still muddy and I still haven’t found my left glove.
I take a moment to breathe, to scratch Shadowfax behind the ears, to tell Arwen she’s a good girl (even if she did escape again), and to count the ducks before closing the gate.
Why We Do It
Farming isn’t glamorous. It’s not always Instagram-worthy. Some days it’s poop and panic. Some days it’s baby bunnies and sun-warmed tomatoes. But every day, it’s real. It’s meaningful. And it’s full of heart.
At Andersen Acres, we’re not just raising animals. We’re raising experiences, stories, laughter, and memories. One muddy, goat-filled day at a time.
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Make sure to follow along on YouTube for daily farm vlogs, tutorials, animal spotlights, and more behind-the-scenes fun. Drop us a comment—tell us your favorite farm animal, or share your own hobby farm story!
