For many people, moving away from the city is nothing more than a daydream. For others, their small farm ( Small Farm Livestock ) may be closer to reality. No matter which type of future farmer you are, deciding to add livestock animals to your plans is a big decision.

Owning livestock often represents the back-to-the-soil dream at its fullest – a true embodiment of Back-to-the-Soil Living . It can be a rewarding experience. Who can deny the satisfaction of filling your fridge and freezer with eggs and meat produced through Sustainable Meat Production from your own animals?

Of course, owning livestock is much more involved than feeding and cleaning animals (a vital part of Farm Animal Care) with the occasional call to the vet. Raising livestock is a full-time job full of risk and reward. Before investing in animals, set goals for this next step in your journey (consider these Livestock Management Tips). Learn more about the animals you're interested in to see if they’re a good fit for your farm.

5 Things to Consider Before Raising Livestock 

How Much Land Do I Need?

Raising cattle (Cattle Raising for Beginners) requires more space than raising chickens or rabbits, even if you only have one animal. Ask yourself: how much land do I have and how much do I need for raising different animals?

There is much to consider. Will the animals be both grain and grass-fed or grass-fed only? If grass-fed only, how many head of cattle can you keep on, say, an acre of grass? How many sheep?

Rotating livestock allows for more cattle on one acre for a shorter period of time. If you can’t rotate your grass-fed cattle, the number of cattle you can sustain will be limited. It may be you are simply not able to adequately support more than a few beef cattle on your land. Alternatively, you may have plenty of room to raise fifty or more chickens.

What Are the Local Laws in My Area?

Speaking of animals, you will want to investigate all local laws pertaining to owning livestock (US Livestock Laws and Zoning). If you plan to breed or sell your livestock or their byproducts, you may need to possess specific licenses or permits.

Similarly, you will need to know if your land is zoned for livestock/farming. A quick visit to your town office for a local zoning map should provide your answer.

Can I Afford to Maintain A Herd?

Yes, you'll have your initial start-up costs—buying animals and feed, construction materials, and perhaps licensing and permit costs (Livestock Startup Costs). But it doesn't end there. Feed, fresh water, veterinary care and other costs can quickly add up. Animals get sick and equipment fails. Would you be able to buy new animals if a disease decimates your herd?

If you are planning to sell your yield, keep in mind that markets fluctuate. If milk or beef prices take a dive, do you have the finances required to sustain your operation? Being realistic about your finances is important. Owning livestock may be an attainable dream, but with that dream come realities for which you'll have to account.

Am I Prepared to Manage Predators and Pests?

Sure, the in-laws will be curious and your friends might be stopping by to see how you're getting along. But so will other, less welcome visitors. Remember that fox you saw in the field across the street? Or that hawk in the tree with a squirrel in its claws?

Proper Predator Management for Livestock is crucial since your new flock of chickens is going to eventually attract the attention of predators. Keeping your animals safe will be an important duty and require constant vigilance.

In addition to predators, you may also attract skunks, possums, and other scavengers. These animals will be attracted by your feed stores and refuse.

Am I Willing to Give Up My Free Time?

Do you like to work? Do you mind getting your hands dirty? Do you like animals enough to sacrifice most (or all) of your free time for them?

You may be able to arrange a livestock sitter—someone to feed, water, and even milk your animals, if necessary. But what if you can't?

Cows don't take the day off. The horse isn't going to wait to foal until after the Super Bowl. Are you ready to repair the electric fence in the middle of July, even if it's 95° outside?

Owning livestock is an all-in proposition, 24/7, 365 days a year—a reality often highlighted in Small-Scale Farming Tips. Owning livestock makes travel difficult. You may not be able to attend that 3-day music festival you've been planning since last year. You will be at the mercy of the job.

7 Types of Livestock To Consider

Cattle - The Quiet Contenders

Raising cattle (Cattle Raising for Beginners) for beef can be an excellent livestock option. They can provide milk and meat and are fairly easy to maintain. Beef's health benefits have been questioned, but there is still a high demand for organic, grass-fed meat (Sustainable Meat Production).

Depending on the size of your herd, cattle can require a lot of land. An acre of grass can sustain about two head of cattle for a year. If you have an excessive number of animals, it is advisable to rotate them. This will allow the pastures to recover, which may require acquiring additional land.

Beef cattle don't require sophisticated buildings to keep them happy though organization can be a challenge for larger herds. Consider ear tags as an easy solution to save them from anonymity.

Chickens - The Near Perfect Animal

The ubiquitous chicken is a staple of many homesteads and hobby farms, ideal for Raising Chickens for Eggs. They provide nutritious eggs for the fridge and meat for the freezer.

Chickens need little space and time. Just a few hours each week to clean, feed, water, and collect eggs. They can also roam and will help keep tick populations down—a growing concern in many areas of the country.

Chickens come in a variety of breeds—some suited toward laying and others suited toward meat. Having a thought-out goal for your birds can help you streamline the process.

Goats - The World's Most Popular Dinner

Goats are a sturdy and fairly low-maintenance livestock option with diverse benefits. Goat is the most popular meat globally, with around 70% of meat-eaters regularly consuming it.

The popularity of raising goats for meat, milk, or cheese has increased dramatically in the last decade. Goat meat is lean. It has less fat than pork and chicken, and fewer calories than beef and chicken.

Additionally, interest in goat milk and goat cheese has grown as a specialty market item in the US and abroad. Goat meat is not as popular as beef, pork, and chicken in the US market. However, there are still opportunities to profit from niche markets. Goat meat is suitable for both Halal and Kosher diets. If you can connect with the local temple or mosque, you may have a consistent buyer for your meat.

Goats raised for high-end Angora and cashmere fleece can also be raised as breeding stock for fleece production. Another attractive benefit of goats is sustainability—goats are browsers, not grazers. If an acre of grass sustains a couple of beef cattle, it can sustain ten goats, maybe more.

Sheep - The Niche Market Specialist

Sheep have traditionally been a popular and valuable livestock option - particularly in the wool trade. In the past few years, fleece has become less valuable, with estimates putting its price between $0.87 and $5 per pound.

Now it may actually cost more to feed a sheep for a year than the fleece is worth. This has led many farmers to market their wool - hoping for better prices the following year - or actually to destroy it. But, markets fluctuate. If sheep are your choice of animal, you must be clear-eyed and resourceful.

Lamb is still a popular meat, especially in religious and niche markets. Hair (meat) sheep breed out of season and can produce marketable lambs to coincide with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious feasts.

Fleece still has value in the niche market. People who make felt and spin yarn by hand are willing to spend a lot of money on wool. However, they usually only want wool from certain breeds or from a very unique sheep.

Alpaca/Llamas - After The Bubble

Alpaca prices have decreased since 20+ years ago, but a pet alpaca still costs $250-$2000. Champion-level sires can be as expensive as $600,000. A mid-range price for a quality female is somewhere between $5000-$15,000. Llamas can be marketed as pets and pack animals, as well.

Alpacas like to be in groups, so it's best to have three to start a herd. You can keep up to six on one acre of grass. Alpacas and llamas are friendly animals that usually only spit at each other. They are somewhat exotic and can be kept as pets or used as attractions in petting zoos. They also produce valuable fiber.

Pigs - Do They Still Make Sense?

Yes, sometimes. While many commercial piggeries have closed, there is still the demand for organic and humanely raised pork. Pigs are easy to care for, eat just about anything, and don't demand a lot of time.

Pigs are friendly and useful for meat. They can be a good choice for your farm and provide enough pork for the year.

Rabbits - Always Cute, Sometimes 

Profitable

Rabbits are predominately raised as pets, for meat, or as show animals. Raising rabbits may make sense for you. One advantage rabbits have is sustainability. The environmental impact of raising rabbits is low compared to other animals and they consume a fraction of the food. Additionally, rabbits are small and don’t require a lot of space.

While not a powerhouse meat market animal, rabbit meat has more protein than beef or chicken of the same serving size. It also provides iron. If you want to raise meat rabbits, investigate whether or not a local market exists. If not, you may need to spend the time establishing relationships with local grocery stores or farmers markets.

Turning a Profit on Livestock

Commercial livestock owners understand that their ability to turn a profit depends on the market. Markets rise and markets fall. It's a good bet as cultural norms and tastes shift, farmers of traditional livestock will have to adjust to changing markets.

Most folks looking for back-to-the-earth livestock ownership do not have large commercial plans. But you can still make a profit with your livestock if you are savvy about marketing.

Niche and value-added marketing can help you turn your fleece, milk, meat, cheese, and eggs into profit. Sell your goat or lamb meat to local ethnic communities or around religious feast days. Instead of raising animals for meat, you can raise them for their by-products. These include milk for cheese and yogurt, as well as fleece and fiber for specialty mills. Check out our tips on how to prepare for a newborn animal. 

When you’re ready to start raising livestock, you’ll be glad for all of the preparation you’ve done. Research, planning, and realistic thinking will go a long way toward your ultimate success.