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A 1/4 Acre homestead planning

 
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Hello!
I am planning out a 1/4 acre homestead (11 600sqft to be exact). It is on a larger property that has pastures for horses/cattle but on my little plot I want to fit a big big garden, pigs, rabbits, chickens, dog yard, kid's play area and 1000sqft home. How would you divide it up?

I would love to be able to let the chickens free range through the dog yard area (which will also be the backyard, fire pit etc), would it make sense to plant fruit trees there? That's about the only crop I can think of that the chickens won't destroy 😆

I will attach a map of the property shape. The circles around the outside are trees, each square is approximately 10x10, the arrow shows the current gate into the area however I could put another entrance gate on the bottom fence (SW fence line).

All thoughts and ideas are welcome 😁
PXL_20250407_183806690.jpg
[sketch_of_homstead_map.jpg]
 
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My suggestion would be to start with your design for the pigs as they will take up the largest space.  Plan for a pen and a shelter.

Next design your space for the chickens.  Depending on how many chicken are in your plan.  A pen, chicken run and chicken house.  The chicken will be able to free range in the garden area.

What space that is left over will be for the gardens.  I would suggest a kitchen garden.  Kids and dog area would be among the garden area.

I am looking forward to how your plan goes.
 
Thea Carmella
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Anne Miller wrote:My suggestion would be to start with your design for the pigs as they will take up the largest space.  Plan for a pen and a shelter.

Next design your space for the chickens.  Depending on how many chicken are in your plan.  A pen, chicken run and chicken house.  The chicken will be able to free range in the garden area.

What space that is left over will be for the gardens.  I would suggest a kitchen garden.  Kids and dog area would be among the garden area.

I am looking forward to how your plan goes.



Thanks Anne!  I'm thinking the pigs will go at the back as it is more shaded by all those trees.  In the past I've found chickens to be destructive to gardens ...do you let yours free range in the garden? I feel like I'd need to either keep them in a run or let the chickens free range on the opposite side of the house from the garden.
 
Anne Miller
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Our daughter ended up with our chicken house when we moved and the predator presence is too great here.

Our daughter free ranges the chickens though we used raised beds so that might make a difference.
 
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