Well for starters, I'm going to be a small operation, just doing it for fun. Just wanting to start with a couple does and bucks. Looking for maybe 5-6 deer total. How big would the pens need to be to handle that many deer? I'm sure I'll have more questions down the road, but for now have to get the fence up first.
Help Support Deer Farmer Forum:
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
- Messages
- 2,617
- Location
- Edgar, WI
Midwest, Feel free to give me a buzz to talk about stuff if you like. And depending where you are in the midwest if you care to visit our place that can be done also. Farm visits are the very best way to learn tons of stuff.
We will be running deer through our system Nov 9th at 10:30am for A/I work if you care to see that action.
Pen size? Be ready to expand because deer reproduce and fast
But 6 does should be fine in a single pen of about 100x400 or so. If you have more than one buck you will of course need two pens. If you run a single buck and he is your breeder then the one pen is fine. Until you have fawns unless you sell off every fawn each year.
Make sure your pens meet the state laws. I recommend having them done by a pro so they last for many years and look good. Gates are like closets in a house, you never have too many.
Always plan ahead for expansion, and a handling facility. Right now you might be thinking you won't have one, but later you will want one.
Don't rush into the pen building without looking at some farms first.
If you care to call or visit, 715-212-5640 We are located in north central WI. About 20 miles west of Wausau, WI.
Good luck.
We will be running deer through our system Nov 9th at 10:30am for A/I work if you care to see that action.
Pen size? Be ready to expand because deer reproduce and fast
But 6 does should be fine in a single pen of about 100x400 or so. If you have more than one buck you will of course need two pens. If you run a single buck and he is your breeder then the one pen is fine. Until you have fawns unless you sell off every fawn each year.
Make sure your pens meet the state laws. I recommend having them done by a pro so they last for many years and look good. Gates are like closets in a house, you never have too many.
Always plan ahead for expansion, and a handling facility. Right now you might be thinking you won't have one, but later you will want one.
Don't rush into the pen building without looking at some farms first.
If you care to call or visit, 715-212-5640 We are located in north central WI. About 20 miles west of Wausau, WI.
Good luck.
Thanks for the starting info. I'm located in northern IN. I have stoped by a couple Amish deer farms and they all tell me I need to start with high dollar deer. I'm just going to do this for a hobby so making money off the start isn't what I have planned. I want to learn how to properly take care of them and see how it goes before I go investing big money in the herd.
HI Midwest , I would look at farms , get a plan , I would get some decent "starter deer" that are modest in price but with some potential . You are just like all of us and will have rookie mistakes and problems like dogs ect. Nothing like a disaster to kick you in the guts and if you spent all you have plus to start up and have this happen before you are feeling confident in you operation , then you might just drop out before you get established . Give it a year with at least one of breeding and raising fawns before rolling the dice with all of your money. You will find the deer business more enjoyable if everything isn't depending on sales to have some deer just for fun. You can raise some excellent deer without top breeding and costs and believe me , these deer are the most fun of all..... It is a great time to get into whitetails with good genetics for not as much money as most put into them and get a good result. Jim
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2009
- Messages
- 2,617
- Location
- Edgar, WI
Midwest,
Since your in IN you will have to watch who you buy from. IN doesn't allow deer in from all states. So don't buy something just to find out later you can't take it home.
Your in luck by the way. Chupps is having a sale Dec 9th, 10th, 11th, this year in Shipshewana IN. There is also the Midwest Select sale in Jan some time. I don't have that info yet for when it is. Those would be a great places to go and look around and talk with deer people. There will be booths setup of farms from all over the country. A lot of good people with a lot of great knowledge will be in the room those 3 days. And some very good quality deer will be sold as well. BUT don't just buy without some guidance from someone in the biz that you can trust.
I offered earlier that you could give me a call and come over for a visit to see our place and watch us run deer for A/I. Since your in IN and I am in WI that don't make much sense to drive that far. But there are some really great farms in northern IN that you could visit. You should contact NADEFA (651-345-5600) to join and get a directory to help you with names and phone numbers. NADEFA (North American Deer Farmers Association) will be having a conference in Toledo OH this year. That would be another great place for you to go and learn.
IN has a state deer org also that you should join. I don't have that info right now, but I am sure someone can post that on here for you.
These orgs will provide you with good info and they are a great way to meet people in the biz.
As to how much to spend when just starting out goes... well everyone has their own opinion on that one. I guess just I will just say what I was told many years ago. "Don't spend more than you can afford to lose."
Your dealing with a living creature and things can happen.
Again feel free to call and ask questions any time. You don't have to worry about me pushing animals on you since you can't buy from me anyway here in WI. But that way you know you will get the straight scoop talking with me. Look me up at the Chupps sale. I will be there with a booth.
Since your in IN you will have to watch who you buy from. IN doesn't allow deer in from all states. So don't buy something just to find out later you can't take it home.
Your in luck by the way. Chupps is having a sale Dec 9th, 10th, 11th, this year in Shipshewana IN. There is also the Midwest Select sale in Jan some time. I don't have that info yet for when it is. Those would be a great places to go and look around and talk with deer people. There will be booths setup of farms from all over the country. A lot of good people with a lot of great knowledge will be in the room those 3 days. And some very good quality deer will be sold as well. BUT don't just buy without some guidance from someone in the biz that you can trust.
I offered earlier that you could give me a call and come over for a visit to see our place and watch us run deer for A/I. Since your in IN and I am in WI that don't make much sense to drive that far. But there are some really great farms in northern IN that you could visit. You should contact NADEFA (651-345-5600) to join and get a directory to help you with names and phone numbers. NADEFA (North American Deer Farmers Association) will be having a conference in Toledo OH this year. That would be another great place for you to go and learn.
IN has a state deer org also that you should join. I don't have that info right now, but I am sure someone can post that on here for you.
These orgs will provide you with good info and they are a great way to meet people in the biz.
As to how much to spend when just starting out goes... well everyone has their own opinion on that one. I guess just I will just say what I was told many years ago. "Don't spend more than you can afford to lose."
Your dealing with a living creature and things can happen.
Again feel free to call and ask questions any time. You don't have to worry about me pushing animals on you since you can't buy from me anyway here in WI. But that way you know you will get the straight scoop talking with me. Look me up at the Chupps sale. I will be there with a booth.