What Are The Easiest Animals to Start With on a Farm?

Whether you are a new farmer, trying to figure out how to homestead that extra space in the backyard, or just dreaming of the farm life that you are working toward in the future, the first question is always “Where do I start?”. There are several choices to answer this question and we will explore some of those options here.

One of the first questions that you need to ask is “What purpose or need do you want your animals to fill?”. Do you want to raise different types of animals that can be used for meat either to feed your family or be sold live or after being processed? Or are you the kind of person that would rather raise and sell pets? Yet another option is raising animals so that you can benefit from what they produce, such as eggs and milk. My husband will be the first to tell everyone that any animal at our house that might be described as cute, cuddly, playful, or any other similar adjective is quickly labeled as a pet at our house! I prefer to raise animals whose purpose is something other than meat. For example we raise chickens that are known to be good egg layers and dwarf and miniature rabbits and goats for pets.

Chickens

Chickens are a great animal to start with. They do require and initial investment for housing but they are relatively easy to care for. I have always loved the idea of having chickens! Having animals that run around the yard and eat bugs is definitely an appealing idea. It is fun to watch the way they run around and interact with each other. Chickens are also very social animals that can be socialized and taught to sit with and interact with people.

Chickens should be provided with a coop for shelter and a run for daytime activities. This provides 24 hours a day protection from predators. Many people choose to keep their chickens as free range. This allows the chickens to roam around outside without the limitations of being in a run. If you choose to free range your chickens, you can either allow them to roost where they choose at night or provide them with a coop to roost in.

There are several different ways to profit from chickens. You can use the chickens and/or eggs to feed your family and sell whatever is extra or you can merely raise them to sell. Selling the unfertilized eggs for eating is a popular option. However, if you have a rooster, you can also sell fertilized eggs that people can buy to hatch their own chicks. Many choose to hatch their own eggs in an incubator and sell the chicks or raise them and sell the chickens as young adults. Many homesteaders who raise chickens for meat for their family use much of the byproducts to earn income. Feet and feathers can be used in crafts for example.

Rabbits

Farmers and Homesteaders can choose to raise pet rabbits or meat rabbits. Both are popular and profitable options. You will need to decide which direction you would like to go before purchasing rabbits as some breeds are better suited for one or the other. Like chickens, rabbits require an initial investment for housing. After that, most of the expense will be in food.

Since I chose to raise rabbits for pets, I decided to go with a few different breeds in order to be able to offer a better variety. All of the breeds that I chose are either dwarf or miniature but we have some with long hair, some with short hair, some with long ears that can stand straight up, and some with floppy ears. Altogether, they make for cute and cuddly overload!

Meat rabbits are also very popular and are a practical addition to any farm or homestead. They can be raised in smaller numbers to add variety to family meals. Many people also earn extra income from either selling the rabbits or from processing them and then selling the meat. Keep in mind that meat rabbits are a much larger rabbit, averaging about 8-12 pounds, so they will need a larger housing area.

Goats

Goats are a unique animal that I would highly recommend for any farm or homestead because of the wide array of uses for them. Goats can be raised as pets, for meat, for milk, and even to clear brush and weeds! You might choose to focus on one type or choose to have a variety, depending on your family’s needs.

Goat breeds that are primarily used for meat tend to be on the larger side. In most regions, the meat is highly sought after due to its qualities of being lean and low in fat and cholesterol. These goats can be sold live at local livestock markets or directly to consumers. It is also common to have the goat processed and sell the meat by the cut directly to consumers. This is the best way to maximize you profits margins on each goat.

Milk goats are also a popular option because the milk can be used to increase revenue in a variety of ways. Their milk can be consumed by families but it is most often used to make other items such as cheeses and soaps. If you go in this direction, make sure that you get a breed that is know for their milk production. Examples of this would be Nubian, Guernsey, and even Nigerian Dwarf.

Many people choose to have goats to help keep their property clear of brush and large weeds. Goats love to eat plants that other grazing animals will not eat. My Pygmy goat thinks she needs to be in my yard instead of her pen so she can follow us around like a puppy. She has thoughtfully trimmed my rose bushes as high us as she can reach, works diligently to make sure no low hanging tree branches have too many leaves, and has gotten me in trouble by eating my daughter’s strawberries. Some people even rent their goats out to other people or companies that need to trim back property that is difficult to mow.

Goats are a very versatile addition to any farm or homestead. Whether you want another option for meat, an easier to manage milk source, or just a pet that will keep those bushes trimmed back, there is a breed of goat that will suit your needs.

There are many options for what animals to choose when you first start your homestead. Chickens, rabbits, and goats are some of the easiest to start with and can offer some of the shortest time frames to start seeing a return on your investment. As you become more experienced and well established, you can decide if expanding to other types of animals such as cows, pigs, or other birds and poultry such as turkey or guineas.