Hello Nick and Marlene, welcome to the exciting world of rural living! You will love it!
One advice I would like to give is: Take your time! Starting with Chooks is a good idea but take it slow with other animals. Visit other farmers and look what they are doing. Most of the people here would be happy to invite you for a cuppa. I still remember the time we spent at one for the forum members places . Must be ages ago, eh spoook? [

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We just moved from a small place to a bigger place and even then you need a year to learn about wet paddocks, climate, wet spots, cold spots, lay of the land, neighbours[

], River Flatties [}

], hill people, trolls, hobbits and ogurs (Ogurs?[xx(]

) etc. Having land is a bit like having a new girlfriend/boyfriend. Get to know each other. See what the other likes and doesn't like etc. And then your love for each other will grow and prosper.

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Cheers
Peter