For many people the point of having a homestead is being able to get as much as you need from your very own property. This means that you need to choose livestock that will provide you with plenty of food. However, choosing livestock can be challenging when you are just starting out. That's why these five livestock may be your best option.
Five Livestock To Consider When Starting Your Homestead Include:
1. Chickens
Chickens are super simple to take care of. They need little space, and so if you are just starting out with a few chickens, you won’t need much room. Five hens will produce approximately four eggs per day.
2. Ducks
Ducks are also great starter animals for your homestead. Like chickens, they don’t require a lot of space and are quite happy as long as they have water to bath in and food to eat.
3. Rabbits
They cost little to feed, eating mostly hay and pellets, but they enjoy garden scraps as well. Rabbits take up very little space; a 4×4 enclosure is perfect.
4. Goats
Goats can be a meat source, a dairy source and are excellent brush-clearers. Remember that goats are natural herd animals, and so owning more than one will be best. Goats are also climbers; having a high fence or even an electric fence will keep your goats safe. They will provide you with approximately one gallon of milk per day.
5. Pigs
Pigs only need a pen with strong fencing, but if you have the land, you may consider free-ranging your pigs. This can reduce the amount of food they eat. Keep in mind that sows can have litters up to 10 piglets and can have as many as three litters per year.
All of these livestock are fairly easy to care for. Chickens, ducks are rabbits don't require much space. Goats can provide meat and diary. If you are able to have free range pigs you may not have to buy as much food. They will do fine in a pen with a good strong fence though if you don't have much space. These livestock will give you a nice start to your homestead without being way too much for you to do.
To find out more about livestock to have when beginning a homestead, you can go to:
Tanasia Valdez
Good list, one question, is that a gallon of milk a day per goat? Anybody recommend any other animals?
Thanks for this. My husband and I will be starting a homestead in a number of years once we save up and get the land and the house.
Jodi
hell ya!!
I have 4 pigs and they eat $20 of corn and soybeans a week. That’s 120 lbs of food. Have 20 chickens and pick up 6 – 18 eggs a day. We don’t buy much from a store.
Hello Robert is that $20 a week for each pig or for all 4?
Scott Nass
Thanks, Jess. A farms needs animals.
Angie Schoebel