Homesteading has become increasingly popularin recent years. Many people are leaving the city and suburbs behind for alifestyle that brings them closer to nature. Despite the surge in popularity,there are a lot of misconceptions about homesteading.
Before you spend time and effort starting yourown homestead, learn more about the best homestead animals to invest in on yourhome farm.
Think Small: Small Farm AnimalsFor The Homestead
Chickens
Chickens are the go-to homestead poultry. Theyare hardy and abundant while providing eggs and meat.
As far as small farm animals go, chickens arealso versatile. There are many breeds available, with options more suitable foryour specific climate and need (egg vs meat production). For example, the RhodeIsland Red was originally bred in Massachusetts, making it a great choice incolder climates.
Chickens offer other benefits as homesteadlivestock, including:
●Relatively low-cost, making themless of an upfront investment
●Require less space than largeranimals
●Generally more kid-friendly andsafe around pets or non-livestock
Overall, chickens are a great go-to for lifeon the homestead.
Ducks
Another type of poultry, ducks make excellenthomestead animals. Like chickens, ducks can be raised for eggs, meat, or both –although they’re more often raised for meat production.
Despite the fact that they’re more common formeat production, ducks nonetheless lay an ample amount of eggs, making them asuitable option for a sustainable food source.
Ducks are equally as hardy as most chickenbreeds, and generally more resistant to diseases – but not entirelyunsusceptible to illness!
However, ducks have several drawbacks fromchickens:
●Ducklings are more expensive andless widely available than chicks
●Ducks require more water thanchickens, not only for drinking but also for dunking their heads and bathing
●More space is required to raiseducks, as they prefer a free range lifestyle
Regardless of their disadvantages to chickens,ducks still make an excellent addition to the backyard farm or homestead.
Turkey
Turkeys are another popular homestead poultry.As livestock, turkey are less popular than chicken, and large scale turkeyproduction in the U.S. has gradually declined in recent years. However, turkeyscan nonetheless be a good fit for your homestead.
On the homestead, turkey can be used as asource of both meat or egg production. While slightly larger, turkey eggs don’tdiffer much from chicken eggs. Still, turkeys are most often raised for theirmeat, which, as anyone who has enjoyed their share of Thanksgiving turkeyknows, is plentiful and filling.
There are drawbacks to raising turkeys,though, namely:
●Turkeys require more of everything– water, feed, and space
●Poults – or baby turkeys – are moreexpensive than chicks or ducklings
●There are fewer turkey breedsavailable, making them less versatile than chickens
Still, turkeys can be a fun challenge for anadventurous homesteader.
Whether you’re raising chickens or turkey,Farmer Boy has all of the poultry supplies you need for a successful homestead.Shop our poultry supplies for feeders, waterers, and more!
Big Plans: Large Animals For TheHomestead
While less common than small animals, largelivestock can also be a sustainable food source on the homestead.
It’s important to note that larger livestockrequire a much larger investment – both in terms of cost and care. Be sure to fullyunderstand the commitment and risks of raising these animals on your homesteadbefore you make such a considerable investment.
Pigs
When considering a larger livestock animal fora homestead or small farm, hogs are a common choice.
Pigs are hardy and an efficient source of meaton a homestead. Sows can have litters with as many as 11 piglets, and pigs canproduce an adequate amount of meat in as little as a year. However, there are afew drawbacks to raising pigs on a homestead:
●They require a larger amount ofspace than smaller livestock
●Strong fencing is required to keeppigs from getting loose
●While they can eat a wide range offeed, including food waste, they require a lot of it to grow healthy
●Pigs are susceptible to diseasesfrom humans
Overall, pigs are a great source of food andare relatively straightforward to raise.
Find all of the equipment and supplies neededto raise piglets and care for your sows. Shop our full selection of swine equipmentto get started raising your own homestead hogs.
Goats
Goats are another excellent choice for thehomestead. They are versatile, able to supply both milk and meat production.Less space is required to raise them. Goats can even help keep grasses low byclearing the land as they graze.
As herbivores, goats rely on hay, grasses, andother vegetation for nutrients, supplemented by salt licks. Their refined dietmakes them simple to feed, and they require less to eat per pound than growingpiglets.
However, goats will need protection frompredators, so secure housing and fencing is also a must. Nevertheless, goatsare a top homestead animal for many obvious reasons.
Dairy Cows
Unlike beef cattle (which we’ll discuss next),dairy cows are not raised for meat but their milk production. When it comes tomilk production, dairy cows are the top livestock for the task.
Cows produce significant quantities of milk,but they require a significant investment of time and money to purchase andraise. In order to optimally produce milk, dairy cows must also regularly birthcalves, which creates an additional layer of complexity.
While they’re a great livestock option, dairycows may not be the greatest choice for a novice homesteader or first timefarmer. Nonetheless, for those with animal handling experience, a cow might bea great sustainable source of dairy.
Beef Cattle
Beef cattle are a similar investment to dairycows, but can require less water, feed, and attention depending on the breedand whether the cattle is able to graze.
Grazing cattle require a significant amount ofspace, so they’re less suited for smaller homesteads with less acreage or pastureavailable. However, beef cattle can be fed hay, requiring less space. Pasturespace can also be leased, making this an accessible option for at least part ofthe year.
The biggest benefit of beef cattle is thatthey produce several hundred pounds of meat, making them a great option as afood source. A single cow can feed an entire family for the year.
Before purchasing cattle for your homestead,take the time to fully research the needs of the breed you’re considering. Thisis especially important if you plan to breed them.
From housing to handling equipment, Farmer Boyhas everything you need to raise cattle on your homestead. Shop our fullselection of cattle and dairy equipment for your farm.
Don’t see what you need for your homestead orunsure where to start? No problem! Give our expert customer service team a callat 1-800-845-3374and we’ll help you get started!
