5 Best Homestead Animals to Raise for Small Farm
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Organic, homegrown produce is making a real comeback in the United States and around the world. If you run a small or mid-sized farm, there has never been a better time to raise micro livestock or hobby farm animals. On the commercial scale, no animal is as profitable as cattle and chickens. But when it comes to small operations, the easiest homestead animals for homesteading can be just as lucrative and a whole lot more fun!
Here are the top 5 farm animals for beginners to consider
1. Rabbits
If profit is your main concern, the first microlivestock to consider are rabbits. First off, their low-fat meat is a growing market. Demand for the organic rabbit is so high that prices have reached almost $20 per pound, double that of organic beef or pork.
And secondly, meat is just one of many products rabbits can produce. Their pelts are harvested to make hats, coats, and various crafts. Meanwhile, rabbit manure can be easily processed into valuable fertilizer. For simplicity, rabbits can often be the best farm animals for self sufficiency and the best animals for homesteading.
2. Pekin Ducks
Pekin ducks (What wine goes well with duck?) are the most beginner-friendly micro livestock on the market. All ducks are naturally hardy and don’t need much space to thrive. Pekins, in particular, are very enthusiastic foragers, which means they require minimal amounts of feed. And unlike chickens, Pekin ducks won’t ruin your garden by constantly scratching at the soil. Instead, they’ll peck away at weak-rooted weeds and eliminate large insects, that’s why it’s one of the best homestead birds or best birds for hobby farms to raise.
All y'all need to get started is a small water reservoir (about the size of a kiddie pool), a coop, and a bit of fencing if predators are in your area. Pekin ducks are playful and full of energy, and their eggs are considered a delicacy. So while some farmers raise them for meat, others prefer to keep the birds around as pets, while harvesting over 300 eggs per year. So, Pekin ducks are some of the best farm animals for self sufficiency, providing regular eggs and meat while only needing a minimal feed.
3. Pygmy Goat
The smallest cattle on our list, the Pygmy, only grows to about 20 inches tall. Thanks to their small stature, the tiny goats require minimal space and resources. And yet, the Pygmies can yield you half a gallon of milk every day. They can also provide anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds of meat if needed.
The only “problem” with raising them for meat, is that you’ll fall in love with the little creatures long before they reach maturity. Pygmy Goats are agile, adorable, and guaranteed to raise your spirits after a long day. In fact, they are so sociable that farmers pair them with more skittish livestock as companion animals. Pygmy Goats are unique animals to raise for profit, with their regular supply of milk and meat.
4. Berkshire Pig
With their black pot-bellies and friendly demeanor, Berkshire Pigs are a welcome addition to any small farm. These pigs are highly intelligent so they’re able to learn commands, recognize their humans, and express joy.
Mostly known as a “bacon breed”, Berkshires can produce all cuts of meat. After trimming, each pig yields about 160 pounds of pork. But what really makes them profitable is the Berkshire sows’ ability to breed large litters of healthy piglets.
5. Babydoll Sheep
As the name suggests, Babydolls are miniature sheep that stop growing at 24 inches. But contrary to common belief, that’s not how this micro livestock got its name. The breed was actually named for its docile and calm demeanor. It is often said that Babydoll Sheep brings a calming presence onto a farm, soothing all the other livestock.
Regarding profit, goats have a superior meat-to-bone ratio and can be almost self-sustaining when raised on a pasture. Babydolls also provide organic fertilizer and feed on windfall fruit, reducing the risk of pest problems on your farm.
More Fun & Profitable Microlivestock
6. Nigerian Dwarf Goat
Though they are a bit bigger than Pygmies, Nigerian Dwarfs are definitely the most popular micro-goats for small and mid-sized farms. These cattle are extremely loyal companions and unlike traditional breeds, the Nigerian Dwarfs are also easy to maintain.
These rare animals are mostly valued for their uniquely rich milk, containing up to 10 percent butterfat. And despite their miniature size, Nigerian Dwarfs can yield 2-3 quarts of milk each day, making them some of the best hobby farm animals.
7. Mini Classic Turkey
The Mini Classic variety offers all the benefits of its larger relatives without any of the complicated requirements. They are stocky, weather-resistant, and robust animals that prefer foraging to eating expensive feed. Most notably, their size gives you maximum harvest flexibility, ensuring your product is always fresh.
The Mini Classic thrives in pastures and small enclosures, producing around 100 eggs annually. At the fully mature age of just 15 weeks, these turkeys yield an average of 17 pounds of meat each, making them some of the simplest and best homesteading animals to manage.
If you need a larger turkey? Check out these farms!
8. Dexter Cattle
Dexter cattle are a true triple threat. The females produce surprising volumes of milk for a 40-inch cow, and the males can be trained as oxen. Plus, both yield about 300 pounds of delicious, marbled meat after trimming. This particular micro-breed is also very hardy, and able to thrive in almost any climate.
Healthy Dexter cattle produce five gallons of milk daily, almost as much as regular-sized cattle! So, unless you’ve got a heck of a big family, Dexters are guaranteed to be literal “cash cows”, and one of the contenders for best Texas farm animals, and best grazing animals for small acreage.
That wraps up our list of best homestead animals to raise for small farms. What’s your favorite miniature farm animal or what’s your choice for best animals for hobby farm? Do you have any tips for raising the livestock on our list? Don’t hold back now; share your thoughts in the comments! And make sure to click the subscribe button to stay tuned for all our future videos right here on TexasEats!
Don’t forget to check out our all-in-one guide for homesteading, farming, and ranching in Texas.
Sources:
https://www.zarebasystems.com/articles/profit-livestock-small-farm
https://mtcapra.com/small-farms-make-a-comeback/.
https://www.myerspoultry.com/product-mini-classic
