toreeat.blogg.se - Best animals for a hobby farm

Many people raise Southdowns for meat or as pets, too.

They’re also great foragers who can help keep the grass trimmed. They produce a fuzzy white or black fleece that can be spun into fiber. The ewes sit at just under two feet tall, with the rams coming in not much taller. This absolutely adorable sheep is one of the best sheep breeds to raise on a small farm.Īgain, you probably won’t be raising a flock of sheep if you live in the middle of the city but if you live outside of town and just don’t have a lot of acreage, you might want to consider this sheep breed. They have a dark coloring that protects them against sunburn and thick hair that protects against the cold – so you don’t need a full-fledged barn to protect them from the elements like you might with other pig breeds. They are incredibly hardy and forage well. It’s considered a luxury menu item in Japan!īerkshires thrive on small farms. This breed is prized for its meat producing juicy pork that marbles well. The Berkshire’s roots can be traced back to England in the 1800s. One of the best breeds for limited space is the Berkshire.

You probably won’t find yourself raising pigs if you live in downtown Manhattan, but if you only have a couple of acres and think you don’t have enough space to raise hogs, think again. They are energetic and animated, making them a delight to be around. Pygmy goats rarely get more than two feet tall and weigh just 60 to 70 lbs (probably about the size of your dog). These animals can produce up to two quarts of milk per day. They are great alternatives to larger goat breeds that require more space, and take up about half the area. In addition to being raised as pets, these animals can also be raised for meat or dairy. Pygmy goats are just about as adorable as they get – which is why they’re found on practically every hobby farm with limited space.

My friend Jess has some great info about raising quail in detail here.

The best part is they are also Kosher, so they are a great choice for everyone. Quail is another great way to get quality meat in a small space because the eggs are considered a delicacy and bring in more money than chicken eggs. Here are some great tips on raising rabbits for your homestead: These breeds are born small – and stay pretty small, too. Some of the best breeds of rabbits to consider raising if you live in close quarters include the Netherland Dwarf, English Angora, Lionhead, or Jersey Wooly. They are quiet, easy to care for, and so cute as well! Of course, you can’t go wrong with bantam species or those that are naturally on the small side (like Silkies) either.Įven though we personally do not eat rabbits (due to religious reasons), many have found rabbits to be an easy source of quality protein. There are just a few things they need, like quality feed, clean water and room to move about a bit.īelieve it or not, we are able to raise up to 150 meat birds on our little homestead, and since they only take about 6-8 weeks from chick to freezer, they are a short-term commitment.Īlthough you can really raise any kind of chicken in smaller spaces, there are a few breeds that are better than others.Įaster Eggers, Barred Rocks, Welsummers, and Orpingtons are all good options. Raising meat chickens isn’t difficult, truly.

Here are some great ideas that anyone can do, even in just a little bit of space. So, even if you aren’t a “full fledged” homesteader, there are things you can do to feed your family. If you were to look at our yard in the early Spring, you would see nothing but barrenness. The first thing we had to do was decide that a manicured lawn just wasn’t as important as knowing where our food comes from. Please know that even though our situation may be different, as we do not have any zoning laws against farm animals in our town and our neighbors are quite supportive in what we are doing, that you can still raise quality meat. I would love to share with you how we raise meat for our family. We live on 1/5 acre, smack dab in the middle of a little town, and are able to raise our own chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits.

Have you ever wanted to raise your own quality meat but don’t think you can in a small space? Please know that it can be difficult, but it’s not impossible.