An apocolypse herd/flock

[KristyHall]

this is interesting. there is a critically rare breed of cattle known as the Florida Cracker Cow and the smaller version which is the Guinea Florida Cracker Cow. They are small, and extremely disease resistant, parasite resistant, heat resistant, insect resistant, and designed to forage in the harshest of scrubby Teranes (spelling?) and can live off of extremely poor food sources. The smaller ones can be as small or smaller than a dexter, and are far hardier.

 

[GnarleyDogFarm]

So yaks it is!, for me cuz I'm, way up north.

There is a ferocious defender of the young ones! I like sturdy critters, not ones that will break. hehe.

 

[feather and mountain man]

Well we would stay on our farm but we would stay the course we are on only adding the animals we intend to add anyway. We have chickens and ducks for eggs and meat now. We raise our on veggies, fruits, and berries now too. We are adding goats nexts year. In a few years we plan to add Dexter and Kerry cows as they are more addaptive to our type of landscape and some miniature zebu too. We also have rabbits and turkeys now too. However we would move to the back of the farm instead of being up here on the highway. We have a natural spring on the place that feeds down the hill into a pond for watering the livestock and we already enjoy using our wood burner and oil lamps and have made efforts to live more self reliant anyway so this would be right up our alley with the exception of giving up our satellite TV, satellite internet, and AC the rest we can manage without.

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
what are kerry cows and miniature zebu like?

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
what are kerry cows and miniature zebu like?

Don't know anything about Kerry's but Zebu are miniature Brahmas. Used to raise them.

 

[country freedom]

Quote:

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

So here's what I am gathering from your comments-

Definites-
Chickens (given the site, duh

)
Goats

possibly add-
rabbits
pigs
sheep
quail

if room/facilities-
dexter cows
fish pond

So what breeds would you pick for the following?
goats- need something dual purpose that is fairly easy to care for. Are there heritage breeds?

Rabbits- I know nothing of them other than they eat my garden and make my dogs crazy. Angora are the long hair. Have no idea of the others. I'm supposing some are better for meat than others?

Pigs- the only ones I have ever had contact with are pot bellied. I'm pretty sure they are meant to be pets. What are the other options?

Sheep- Personally I am quite fond of the southdown babydolls, but that is mainly because of size and cuteness. I'm told they are useful for both wool and meat, but I don't really know. Thoughts?

quail- I know nothing of poultry other than chickens. Are there different sorts of quail and which is best?

 

[SourRoses]

You forgot.. There were two definite votes for horses! And two possible votes! Thus, horses should be on the possible list!

Horses-
To get where you're going faster than a walk... and ride, in a practical sense. Hardy breeds, such as Gypsy Vanner (proven for heavy loads, sparse forage, temperament).. Mustangs.. Older lines of Arabians.. & some Baroque type breeds would do well too.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I would love a horse! I did consider them on the list. They seem harder to care for though. They are more intimidating to those of us unused to them. My main use would be for transportation and I can walk most places. A goat cart would help haul stuff.

We can add them to the possible list for sure though. I'm not sure buying a horse would be at the top of my list, but I wouldn't say no if one showed up.

 

[GnarleyDogFarm]

Horses- go for the Morgan. Small, work horse, lots of power for a small horse, and rides like a dream! Small means less feed.

Yaks- are a very good arguement, may be a better choice than Dexters.

Quail- we have wild here, so catch them on the hoof, not domesticated.

Wild turkeys, Wild pigs, Wild Bison, Elk, Fish, ... the wild animals become food.