An apocolypse herd/flock

[sacrifice]

Quote:
In order to be further prepared for the forthcoming Apocalypse, I have started to check out the neighbors status as it relates to the subject in your post

I choose chickens because they are cold hardy and provide a variety of products (meat, eggs, feathers) and reproduce fast. Their food is fairly simple to grow or to find, even where I live. I have grown wheat in my garden, and am experimenting with oats, barley, and rice this summer. I also have 3 - 5 years of vegetable seeds and a good supply of grain that will see me through lean times. And, I have the means to provide security for my food........and for the safety of my family..

I would like to consider other animals, but I doubt they would work out well here because of the cold wet weather and lack of feed resources.

***IMPORTANTLY ***

If the whole raising animals/plants thing does not work out, I have enough grain and other material to make a lifetime of beer, wine, and mead to add to my already abundant supply (I've been planning!), as while I may not have food, I definitely intend to have a Happy, Happy Apocalypse.

 

[SourRoses]

Happy, Happy Apocalypse.

 

[Ms.Frizzle]

Ha ha, I'd also agree about the chickens. The don't require as much as say, a horse, to stay alive, and I could keep them in our basement while we wait out the end of all ends. I perfer zombie apocolypse, no zombie animals. Living in the country makes it not so big a deal, with tons of guns and ammo available, as well as a large house with small windows. Veggies in the upstairs via animal poop for fertilizer, our own well for water. Pending enough food/space, maybe also goats since they seem to reproduce well. And dogs. Keep the big ones for protection and eat any extras. : )

 

[hometoroost]

'K Haven't heard anybody say bees (no bees, no crops). do they count? Definitely chickens (meat, eggs) goats (milk, cheese, meat, field mowing, brush fire control), donkey (predator control, field mowing, meat if necessary); pigs, cows if available, although not required.

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
bees are only needed for some crops. there are many crops native to the Americas that do not need honey bees since honey bees are not native to the Americas, they evolved for other methods including using other native flying species of insects, and wind pollination (which is why you plant corn close together since it is a wind pollinated plant with heavy pollen)

 

[dragonlaurel]

For me it's a big garden, bees, chickens, a few dairy goats and maybe try some old breed cattle that can be used for milk and hauling. I'd have to get a grain mill cause I don't know if I want to be without pasta.

 

[gocrow77]

1. rabbits - they provide pretty much exactly one meals worth of meat for a family of 4-5 - no need to refrigerate leftovers and risk spoilage you just harvest one at a time instead of a whole litter like we currently do.

2. goats - they nearly take care of themselves as far as food/browse goes and put to it even a Boer gives milk - hides can be cured just like rabbit hides

3. miniature cattle - can't remember the breed name but they are about the size of a mini horse or large dog - more manageable and less feed.

4. would probably do pork, but go with a small or pot bellied breed because of manageability and feed requirements again

5. Would definitely need some kind of working dog like a LSGD or German Shepherd for protecting our herds and resources and managing livestock, many larger or giant dog breeds can or used to be trained for pulling a small load if horses or ponies are not available.

6. a few barn cats for pest/rodent control

 

[Cat Water]

Quote:

In case I didn't make it obvious enough, I think that's hilarious.

I'm out to get a big rooster to make more chickens, more vegetable seeds, and a whole herd of yaks!

 

[jason_mazzy]

based on survivability the 3 best choices are:

Goats (they can survive almost anywhere on very limited amounts of feed. They can survive almost any terain, and can be used for hair, meat and milk. Skins can be tanned and worn for clothing)

Pigs (edible from snout to rump, fat is high calorie, and pigs produce alot of fat. Can survive in the wild off very little. Can be tanned for strong leather products)

Chickens for cheap easily obtained proteins (eggs and meat. Feathers for primitive bedding)

Cows are a next step, but are not very good at feral living. They require much more work and maintanance, but are able to be used as a draft animal. Hardier than horses.

 

[jcf]

Brood-able, production in tuff situations ect ect... chickens, goats, Large Black Hogs(they eat pasture but if you want the 'tilling' kind, look else where),sheep.............maybe a donkey or two(mini or reg) oh and rabbits.