First Farm Animal Recommendation?

[Redgoatea]

I was in this same boat about a year ago. Now I have eight cows- 6 Highland 2 Dexter, six pygora goats, two angora goats, and a dozen chickens.

Cows are a lot of fun but typically need more space than you have. I got the Dexters because they're sort of a mini cow (a heifer weighs in at just under 800 lbs) they are very low impact on the land and pound for pound are supposed to produce more milk than a Holstein plus they're great meat. I don't milk mine cause she hasn't calved yet so I can't.

Goats- several of my neighbors raise goats for meat. Mine are for fiber and they're very friendly and fun. I don't milk them either.

Sheep- yes you can milk them some of my favorite cheeses come from sheeps milk. But I don't have sheep.

Chickens- severely over rated. They stink and make an absolute mess as they crap all over everything. But they're good eating.

Go to Petfinder.com. They have all kinds of animals from farm to domestic to exotic. That's where I got my goats and most of their animals are dirt cheap.

 

[dcyrilc]

I've been reading about quail the last half hour. I like quail eggs and they take up less space than chickens. Need to learn more about them.....

If you're interested in quail, grouse, or other such birds, this site has some good general information for starting to read and learn. Getting Started

Beyond that, the others here have given great advice.

 

[two_bit_score]

I've been reading about quail the last half hour. I like quail eggs and they take up less space than chickens. Need to learn more about them.....

I hear there is a good market for pen raised quail.

 

[arrabil]

Thanks to all. Gonna have to decide between chickens or quail. A little quail house sounds just perfect and I'm leaning that direction.

 

[dcyrilc]

I was in this same boat about a year ago. Now I have eight cows- 6 Highland 2 Dexter, six pygora goats, two angora goats, and a dozen chickens.

Cows are a lot of fun but typically need more space than you have. I got the Dexters because they're sort of a mini cow (a heifer weighs in at just under 800 lbs) they are very low impact on the land and pound for pound are supposed to produce more milk than a Holstein plus they're great meat. I don't milk mine cause she hasn't calved yet so I can't.

IMO you have the best species of cattle available. We started with Dexters and moved to Highlands. Both are great.:thumbsup:

 

[texasjohn]

Aarabil, I say again, quail have many pitfalls preventing quick success in raising them. Problems with hatching, raising and breeding are very real....note these problems and learn all you can about how to avoid them....

Chickens are much more hardy and much less stress/effort to raise and maintain.

Either way, I recommend, strongly, that you start small until you have several successful cycles of brooding/hatching/raising/breeding under your belt and your facilities are complete and successfully tuned to the process.

 

[dooleysm]

I vote for chickens. Very easy to raise and care for. The big thing is an air tight coop and intruder proof fencing. Get those two things out of the way before the chickens show up, then feed and water them every few days and sit back to wait for eggs. We've been raising them for 3 years now and having a blast. We've bought chicks from the feed store, bought them mail order, and had hens hatch and raise them. All 3 methods offer their own advantages and are worth doing, in my opinion.

 

[MikeD74T]

Pigs need only be a 6-8 month investment. Buy 'em, feed 'em', eat 'em. Won't stink if you give them some room. Will stay inside electric fence but they test the fence every couple of hours. Will root up a lot of food if they have enough room. Last years pig pen makes a good garden site. Pretty much predator proof in most areas, especially inside electric fence. MikeD74T

 

[bp fick]

Whatever you decide, and chickens are great, inexpensive place to start, begin slowly and learn as you go. Don't overwhelm your budget, experience or time by diving in the deep end of the pool.

We spent the first year on our homestead repairing everything, getting the house in shape, re-building fences and barns, etc. Our focus was our gardens and trees. Year two and we have expanded to chickens. There is only so much time and energy.

Take your time. See if you like this whole thing. You may find you hate it all. The romance of the idea fades. Reality of poop/chores/feeding/care sets in. Start slow. See how things go.

 

[blueriver]

It was said ..Pigs..stink...I would NOT suggest you mess with them.

THATS excatly why I have them. No one else wants to mess with them!! I sell all my pigs at weaning ... 30 days old and I never have enough I am always getting calls asking for pigs. Thus at weaning time they just fly out of here ...

I keep one ocassioanly for butcher. Not a big operation a couple sows and a boar ... At times I think I need more and then I decide its working well so don't flood the market.