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To start making money on your new farm, consider adding some of these farm animals to the mix!
Did you know that the US is home to approx2.1 million farms? That each farm produces enough food for 165 people every year?
It's true. And almost without these farmsa million peopledidn't want a job.
That's how important agriculture is to the American economy, and also why the rest of us enjoy plentiful, safe, and healthy food.
So if you've ever dreamed of raising your own livestock, there's no better time than now to do it. For example, even if you don't raise them for profit, you can raise them for your own moneyTexas farmto become more sustainable. These animals will provide you with a steady source of food, so you and your loved ones will never go hungry!
Ready to start your farm on the right foot? If so, here is a list of the easiest animals to breed, even for beginners!
1. Chickens
Experts say Americans will consumeover 220 poundsmeat and poultry per person this year. Nearly half of that – or 93.7 pounds – will consist of chicken alone.
That should tell you that these chickens are among the most profitable animals around. However, their meat doesn't just make money; their eggs can be an even bigger seller for your farm. After all, the average American eats approx279 eggs per year.
Chickens are easy to raise and don't need much space, so they are perfect for itfarm of one to five hectares. Plus, you can get up to five eggs from each chicken per week, so raising a half-dozen female chickens may be enough for your family. The downside is that predators love them as much as we do, so make sure you protect your garden with a fencing system.
2. Vee
Beef cattle are also among the best livestock species to raise, thanks to their hardiness. They may be big, but they require relatively little maintenance. By turning even a few heads, you can fill your freezer with quality steaks and excellent roasts.
Moreover, if you raise cows, you can also enjoy fresh milk or even sell it!
However, due to their size you need more space, e.gFarmhouse of 10 hectares or larger. If you decide to start a beef farm, there will be plenty of room for the stable and pastures.
3. Goats
Goat meat consumption in the United States is increasing and imports have reached a levelValue of $94.7 millionin 2014. That's a jump of $92.8 million from the $1.9 million in 1990!
Australia also reported that the US was its countrylargest buyer of goat meatin 2017. That year, exports of Australian goat meat products reached a value of a whopping $218 million.
That should be enough statistics to consider raising goats on your own farm. Plus, goats are hardy, require less space, and can even help you clear out spots in the ground. Even if you don't eat goat meat, you can sell it and keep their milk instead, which contains more calcium than cow's milk.
4. Turkeys
45 million turkeys-- that's the number of birds Americans ate on Thanksgiving Day in 2017. Make no mistake, though; it's not only a staple of this holiday, as Americans eat turkey all year round. In fact, the average Jane or Joe eats slightly less than that20 pounds of turkeyevery year.
If you raise animals for profit, turkeys can be a great addition to your farm. They are not as easy to raise as chickens, especially when they are young. However, it will be easier to care for them when they are adults.
5. Celebrate
Contrary to popular belief, pigs are actually clean animals. They love to dip and roll in the mud, but that's because it keeps them cool. Give them a cool, indoor living space and they will be as clean as possible.
Pigs will eat almost anything you give them, including corn, compost, feed and even bread. They are not picky when it comes to their food, making them easy to breed. Organic feed for pigs is also available, made from fresh and sustainable ingredients.
Organic food is more expensive than traditional food, but healthier and cleaner. Moreover, organic pigs are sold at higher prices. In fact, so did the American organic market$52.5 billion in total revenuei 2018.
6. Rabbits
Rabbits eat effortlessly, making them some of the best small pets to raise. Unlike turkeys, they require little attention, yet provide a huge amount of meat. In fact, you can already achieve this with a herd of eight deer and one buck690 pond fryersa year!
7. Honey bees
In 2017, people in the United States ate staggering amounts of food£596 millionof honey. Experts estimate that half of this was for manufactured food. The rest was for consumption of real honey.
Either way, honey bees are among the small farm animals you should consider raising as a new farmer. First, even if you don't want to sell their honey, it means you have a steady supply for your family. Second, because these insects are independent, they actually prefer you leave them alone.
In short, it is not that difficult to be a beekeeper! You still need to visit their hive occasionally, e.g. when you need to divide the hive to get busy. Furthermore, these clever creatures will feed themselves for most of the year.
8. Sheep
Sheep are perfect for small farms and ranches and are easier to work with than pigs and cattle. They are also not picky about their food: they like to eat grass and weeds that grow in poor soil. They are also docile, gentle and trainable, so you can even keep and raise them as pets.
Boost your farm with these easy-to-raise farm animals
As a new or prospective farmer, it is best to stick with these low-maintenance livestock. This way you have a better chance of making your farm a success. They also make great practice partners for farming, so once you get the hang of it you can start raising more animals.
Do you not have a farm yet, but would you like to invest in one? If so, you are very welcomeView our list of country properties! do not hesitate tosend us a messageAlso if you have questions about our offer.
