You have some land and want to learn about raising livestock. Is it for you? There’s much to learn, including the best animals for larger acreage or more compact farms and backyards.
Livestock
With firsthand experience raising animals, we discuss the importance of choosing the right animals for your space, property, time, and goals. We provide extensive information on miniature cattle, goats, pigs, and other livestock.
Some Factors to Consider
Before bringing animals to your hobby farm, consider:
Shelter – You will need to consider protection from cold or hot weather, rain, and more. Animals also need protection from predators and somewhere safe to sleep.
Feeding – How much do they eat and how often to feed them.
Guarding – This includes information on livestock guardian animals and guardian dogs; fencing; and their overall area to live and roam.
Overall health and wellness
Many homesteaders choose to raise animals for milk or meat. They may want them for a more off-the-grid lifestyle or to earn money. Others keep animals as part of a larger survival or prepping plan.
Whatever your reasons for considering them, learn what you need so you can make an informed decision.
How much does a goat cost? The answer to this question depends on several things. Main factors include breed, sex, and whether or not the goat is registered. Other factors will include the age and … Read more
In a ram vs goat fight, there’s a good chance that the ram comes out on top. This is because rams tend to be bulkier in size and, in many cases, stronger. These are just … Read more
Why do goats faint when they are startled? As you can imagine, every animal is born with a fight or flight instinct, and for prey animals like goats, the flight instinct is often stronger than … Read more
It might sound strange to many city folks, but learning how to milk a sheep can be a highly profitable skill to acquire. While there are many different kinds of milk today, from almond milk … Read more
Ouessant sheep, known by many other names, including Ushant, Mouton d’Ouessant, and Breton Island Dwarf, is a dwarf sheep breed originating from the Ile d’Ouessant, which is a small island just off the coast of … Read more
Columbia sheep were bred specifically for their fine wool production capabilities. They also produce excellent meat. It’s considered lean and succulent. Being dual purpose, many hobby farmers choose Columbias to help them reach their productivity … Read more
There are few beef cattle breeds so resilient and disease-resistant as Ongole cattle. This hardy breed is mostly found in India and comes from the Ongole region. There are several good reasons why this breed … Read more
Here I explain how often do goats go into heat and the signs. As a goat keeper, knowing when goats are in heat will allow you to either get your does bred, hopefully resulting in … Read more
On average, how long do pigs live? The answer to such a question in regards to any animal, not just pigs, is often dependent on a number of factors. Some of the key determinants of … Read more
Have you ever wondered how cold is too cold for goats and how to keep goats warm in winter? While they are technically cold-hardy animals that can survive low temperatures, some temperatures are unhealthy for … Read more