Homesteading has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many people are leaving the city and suburbs for a lifestyle that brings them closer to nature. Despite its increasing popularity, many misconceptions exist about homesteading.
Before you put the time and effort into starting your own farm, read up on the best farm animals you can invest in on your farm.
Think small: Small livestock for the farm
Chickens
Chickens are the best poultry on the farm. They are hardy and plentiful and provide eggs and meat.
Like small pets, chickens are also versatile. There are many breeds available, with options that better suit your specific climate and needs (egg versus meat production). For example, RhodeIsland Red was originally grown in Massachusetts, making it a good choice in colder climates.
Chickens offer other benefits as pets, including:
●Relatively cheap, so they do not require any upfront investments
●Requires less space than larger animals
●Generally more kid-friendly and safer around pets or non-pets
In general, chickens are a good choice for farm life.
Ducks
Another type of poultry, ducks make excellent pets. Like chickens, ducks can be raised for eggs, meat or both, although they are more commonly bred for meat production.
Despite being a more common meat production, ducks still lay an abundant amount of eggs, making them a suitable option for a sustainable food source.
Ducks are as hardy as most chicken breeds and are generally more resistant to disease – but not completely immune to disease!
However, ducks have several disadvantages to chickens:
●Ducks are more expensive and less available than chickens
●Ducks need more water than chickens, not only for drinking, but also for submerging their heads and bathing
●More space is needed to raise ducks as they prefer a free-range lifestyle
Regardless of their disadvantages to chickens, ducks are still an excellent addition to the backyard or garden.
Turkey
Turkeys are another popular poultry farm. As a pet, turkey is less popular than chicken, and large-scale turkey production in the United States has gradually declined in recent years. But turkeys can still be a great fit for your business.
On the farm, turkeys can be used as a source for both meat and egg production. Although slightly larger, turkey eggs are not much different from chicken eggs. Yet turkeys are most often raised for their meat, which, as anyone who has enjoyed a Thanksgiving turkey knows, is plentiful and filling.
However, there are disadvantages to raising turkeys, namely:
●Turkeys need more of everything: water, food and space
●Feathers – or baby turkeys – are more expensive than chickens or ducks
●There are fewer breeds of turkeys available, making them less versatile than chickens
Still, turkeys can be a fun challenge for an adventurous homesteader.
Whether you raise chickens or turkeys, Farmer Boy has all the poultry supplies you need for a successful farm. Check out our poultry supplies for feeders, walkers and more!
Big plans: Big animals for the house
Although less common than small animals, large livestock can also be a sustainable food source on the farm.
It is important to note that larger pets require a much larger investment, both in cost and care. Make sure you fully understand the liabilities and risks of raising these animals on your farm before making such a significant investment.
To celebrate
When considering larger livestock for a ranch or small farm, pigs are a common choice.
Pigs are hardy and an efficient source of meat on a farm. Sows can have litters of as many as eleven piglets and pigs can produce enough meat in just one year. However, there are a few disadvantages to raising pigs on a farm:
●They require a greater amount of space than smaller livestock
●A strong fence is necessary to prevent pigs from running free
●Although they can eat a wide variety of food, including food scraps, they need a lot of it to grow healthily
●Pigs are susceptible to human diseases
In general, pigs are a good food source and relatively easy to raise.
Find all the equipment and supplies needed to raise piglets and care for your sows. Check out our full range of pig supplies and get started raising your own farm pigs.
Goats
Goats are another excellent choice for the farm. They are versatile and can provide both milk and meat production. Less space is required to lift them. Goats can even help keep the grass down by clearing the ground as they graze.
As herbivores, goats depend on hay, grass and other vegetation for nutrients, supplemented with salty snacks. Their refined diet makes them easy to feed and requires less food per litter. kilos than growing piglets.
But goats need protection from predators, so secure housing and fencing are also a must. Nevertheless, goats are one of the best farm animals for many obvious reasons.
dairy cows
Unlike beef cattle (which we will discuss next), dairy cows are not bred for meat, but for their milk production. When it comes to producing two milks, dairy cows are the best livestock for this task.
Cows produce significant amounts of milk, but purchasing and producing milk requires a significant investment of time and money. In order to produce optimal milk, dairy cows must also regularly feed calves, which creates an extra layer of complexity.
Although they are a good option for livestock, dairy cows may not be the best choice for a novice or new user. Nevertheless, for people who have experience in handling animals, a cow can be a great sustainable source of dairy products.
Slaughter cattle
Beef cattle are a similar investment to dairy cows, but may require less water, feed and attention depending on the breed and whether the cattle can graze.
Grazing cattle require a significant amount of space and are therefore less suitable for smaller households with less land or pasture. However, beef cattle can be fed hay, which requires less space. Grasslands can also be rented, making this possible for at least part of the year.
The main benefit of beef cattle is that they produce hundreds of pounds of meat, making them a good option as a food source. A single cow can feed an entire family all year round.
Before purchasing livestock for your farm, take the time to fully research the needs of the breed you are considering. This is especially important if you plan to breed them.
From housing to transportation equipment, Farmer Boy has everything you need to raise livestock on your farm. View our full range of livestock and dairy equipment for your farm.
Can't see what you need for your home or don't know where to start? No problem! Call our expert customer service team1-800-845-3374and we will help you on your way!
