When we first started out on this wild journey called hobby farming, we were full of enthusiasm, plans, and Pinterest boards. And while some of those dreams did come true, many of them… well, let’s just say they didn’t quite go as expected. Andersen Acres has been a labor of love, a test of patience, and one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever done.
After years of raising goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, barn cats, turkeys, quail, miniature horses, and livestock guardian dogs, we’ve learned a thing or two. Some lessons came gently. Others were delivered with mud-covered boots and a face full of feathers.
Here are the top ten lessons we’ve learned the hard (and occasionally hilarious) way on Andersen Acres.
1. Animals Will Always Keep You Humble
You can read every book and follow every expert online, but at the end of the day, animals don’t read the manuals. Your goats will escape, your ducks will lay eggs in the most inconvenient places, and someone will find a way to injure themselves the moment you look away.
The lesson? Stay flexible. Farming isn’t about perfection—it’s about adaptation. Learn your animals. Watch them. They’ll teach you just as much as any blog post ever could.
2. Fencing Is Everything—No, Seriously, EVERYTHING
We thought we had good fences once. We were wrong. Goats laugh in the face of fencing. Ducks wiggle under gaps you didn’t know existed. Mini horses? Surprisingly crafty.
Investing in quality fencing and checking it regularly has saved us countless hours of chasing escapees down the driveway. One of the earliest things we learned was this: build it stronger than you think you need, and always have extra zip ties and wire on hand.
3. You Can’t Do It All—And That’s Okay
When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to try everything. Bees, pigs, vegetable gardens, a milk cow, incubating your own chicks, making soap, canning tomatoes—all in the first year.
Spoiler: burnout is real. We had to learn to prioritize. Just because something looks fun or useful doesn’t mean we have to add it right now. Saying “not yet” doesn’t mean never—it just means keeping your sanity.
4. The Farm Will Change You—In the Best Ways
We’ve gotten tougher. More resilient. More patient. You learn to laugh at things that used to make you cry. You learn to work in weather that would send most folks running indoors. You also learn how to slow down, appreciate the rhythms of the natural world, and celebrate the small wins.
Nothing compares to that first egg, that first baby goat, or that moment a shy animal finally trusts you.
5. Community Is Invaluable
We wouldn’t have made it through some of the rough patches without fellow farmers and hobbyists who lent advice, encouragement, or a much-needed reality check.
Whether it’s local farm groups, Facebook communities, or that one neighbor who’s been raising chickens for 40 years—find your people. You’re not in this alone.
6. Death Is Part of the Process—But It Still Hurts
No one tells you just how much loss comes with raising animals. It’s one of the hardest parts. Whether it’s a chick that doesn’t make it, a rabbit that passed overnight, or an old favorite goat you had to say goodbye to, death is never easy.
But it does teach you deep compassion. And it reminds you to celebrate life while it’s here—something our animals are very, very good at doing.
7. Routine Matters (But Be Ready to Break It)
Animals thrive on routine, and so do we. Having a predictable schedule helps keep everything running smoothly. Feeding times, chores, clean-ups—they all follow a flow.
But… the unexpected always happens. A goat goes into labor early. A duck disappears and reappears with babies. A storm rolls in and floods the pens. You learn to adjust. Consistency is the goal—but flexibility is the survival skill.
8. You Will Never Stop Learning
Every year brings new challenges. New animals. New questions. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you’ll meet a chicken breed that behaves differently or a goat with an issue you’ve never seen before.
The best farmers we’ve met aren’t the ones who know everything—they’re the ones who stay curious and keep asking questions. We’ve learned to lean into that mindset and stay open to growth.
9. It’s Not Just About the Animals—It’s About the Lifestyle
Sure, we talk a lot about our animals. But hobby farming is also about family. About teaching our kids where food comes from. About slowing down and spending time outdoors. About connecting to something real and grounded.
Some of the best memories aren’t dramatic at all—they’re quiet. Sitting in the barn during a snowstorm. Watching ducklings follow their mom. Hearing the rooster greet the sun.
This life changes your pace. And once you adjust, you realize how much you needed it.
10. You’ll Fall in Love—Over and Over Again
With each new birth. With every weird animal quirk. With the way the animals all recognize your voice. With muddy hooves, feathered cuddles, and nuzzling noses.
You’ll cry. You’ll swear. You’ll wonder what on earth you’ve gotten yourself into. But then something small and magical will happen, and you’ll remember exactly why you chose this life.
It’s not easy. It’s not clean. It’s not perfect.
But it’s yours.
And we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If you’re just starting out on your own hobby farm journey, take this as a warm hug from Andersen Acres. The road is bumpy, and sometimes it smells a bit funky—but it’s filled with joy, laughter, and more love than we ever imagined.
Whether you're raising ducks in the backyard or managing a full farm, know this: you’re doing great. Learn as you go. Make space for mistakes. And above all, enjoy the ride.
