What 3 barnyard animals go together?

[Britt007]

Our church, which is in a impoverished area, has community chickens for eggs and is hoping to add 3 small barnyard animals. What started as just eggs to go with a food pantry- has really turned into "chicken therapy". The location is right next to a halfway house and the guys wander over and de stress by watching the chickens scratch around.

Anyway, they'd like to add 3 small barnyard animals- like a small goat, a pot bellied pig and something else.

What 3 small animals would be hardy, friendly and happy to live together?


Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[Baymule]

Get 2 goats, one gets lonely. Sounds like a nice thing to do for the community.

 

[nzpouter]

Pigeons.

 

[DurhamDuck]

Two or three goats sound good. You can get de-horned wethers (castrated males) cheap. Pot-bellied pigs are also pretty friendly. You should get either two goats or two pigs, as they need the company of their own species. Be aware that they both need good fences!

There are also hair sheep that don't grow wool or need to be sheared. I don't think they're as friendly as goats though.

I thought about rabbits but those can get hot. If you want something small, maybe go for guinea pigs. They're a little better suited to the heat I think. One or two in a hutch will be happy, and they'll beg for treats (ordinary grass, or dandelions) as people walk by. You'd have to clean out their space often, and their feet aren't strong enough to live on wire like a rabbit. They just eat timothy hay or orchard grass, and pellets if you get young ones. Just make sure you get two of the same sex, or there will be lots and lots of guinea pigs in just a short amount of time!

I also thought about alpacas, since they're known for being good therapy animals, but they're probably too large, too woolly and some of them spit.

I think your best bet is mini goats or potbellied pigs, and maybe a guinea pig or two if there will be someone to check its water throughout the day.

Nice thing your church is doing.