First, I'll agree with everyone else that cold hardy chickens are probably your best choice to start out with.
However... llamas would also be a possibility. Around here people often give away llamas or sell them for very cheap ($100-$200). They are very cold hardy (they originate from the Andes Mountains!) as long as you don't shear their fleece. If you do shear them you need to do it in April or early May so their coat can grow back by winter. Llama fleece is becoming higher in demand as people learn how wonderful it is to use for making clothing. If you chose to get llamas for their fleece you want to make sure you get llamas bred for their fleece ... not all llamas produce good quality or even usable fleece.
Fencing doesn't have to be super overkill. Two strands of barbless wire between either T-posts or wood posts is fine as long as you don't get an intact male.
A three sided, roofed shelter would be sufficient although having the fourth side with a door would be the best for them.
Llamas can be used as guard animals for other smaller livestock (specifically goats and sheep) but again you need to get a llama bred for and proven as a protector -- they aren't all that way naturally.
Llamas are being used for packing (people take them on hiking trips, backcountry fishing trips and hunting trips to carry the load) more and more across the country. They've been used for packing animals in other countries for ever. There are many state parks where people are allowed to take a llama that you can't take a horse as llamas do not destroy the landscape like horses do.
Llamas are not expensive to feed. If you have good grass on your five acres and they have access to all of it you would probably only need to supplement them grass hay (never alfalfa as it has too high of protein for them - it can used as a special treat on rare occasions) through the coldest winter months or when they cannot get to the ground because of snow. That maybe often where you live so ... take the feeding into consideration. And that would be if you only had two. I feed mine llama chews when they are expecting and after giving birth to a cria while lactating. Otherwise they only get good pasture grass and grass hay through the winter when necessary.
You should not have just one llama. They are very social so you need to have at least two for company.
If you handle them from the time they are four months old or so they will become very easy to work with. You would be able to put a halter on them and lead them anywhere. They can be taught to jump up into a pickup truck bed to transport them. (It needs to have at least five foot sides on all sides though.) Llamas do not like to be petted and fondled however, so they wouldn't be the animal to have if you just want to cuddle but they will allow you to pet them if raised properly. I have several that will come up and kiss my nose anytime I go out to them.
And, finally, contrary to what everybody thinks. A well raised llama will NEVER spit on you or anyone else! I have been spit on only because I was between a male and female and she didn't like him and was letting him know about it. I just got in the crossfire. Llamas spit at each other to show who's boss.
If you have any llama questions I would love to help you.
However... llamas would also be a possibility. Around here people often give away llamas or sell them for very cheap ($100-$200). They are very cold hardy (they originate from the Andes Mountains!) as long as you don't shear their fleece. If you do shear them you need to do it in April or early May so their coat can grow back by winter. Llama fleece is becoming higher in demand as people learn how wonderful it is to use for making clothing. If you chose to get llamas for their fleece you want to make sure you get llamas bred for their fleece ... not all llamas produce good quality or even usable fleece.
Fencing doesn't have to be super overkill. Two strands of barbless wire between either T-posts or wood posts is fine as long as you don't get an intact male.
A three sided, roofed shelter would be sufficient although having the fourth side with a door would be the best for them.
Llamas can be used as guard animals for other smaller livestock (specifically goats and sheep) but again you need to get a llama bred for and proven as a protector -- they aren't all that way naturally.
Llamas are being used for packing (people take them on hiking trips, backcountry fishing trips and hunting trips to carry the load) more and more across the country. They've been used for packing animals in other countries for ever. There are many state parks where people are allowed to take a llama that you can't take a horse as llamas do not destroy the landscape like horses do.
Llamas are not expensive to feed. If you have good grass on your five acres and they have access to all of it you would probably only need to supplement them grass hay (never alfalfa as it has too high of protein for them - it can used as a special treat on rare occasions) through the coldest winter months or when they cannot get to the ground because of snow. That maybe often where you live so ... take the feeding into consideration. And that would be if you only had two. I feed mine llama chews when they are expecting and after giving birth to a cria while lactating. Otherwise they only get good pasture grass and grass hay through the winter when necessary.
You should not have just one llama. They are very social so you need to have at least two for company.
If you handle them from the time they are four months old or so they will become very easy to work with. You would be able to put a halter on them and lead them anywhere. They can be taught to jump up into a pickup truck bed to transport them. (It needs to have at least five foot sides on all sides though.) Llamas do not like to be petted and fondled however, so they wouldn't be the animal to have if you just want to cuddle but they will allow you to pet them if raised properly. I have several that will come up and kiss my nose anytime I go out to them.
And, finally, contrary to what everybody thinks. A well raised llama will NEVER spit on you or anyone else! I have been spit on only because I was between a male and female and she didn't like him and was letting him know about it. I just got in the crossfire. Llamas spit at each other to show who's boss.
If you have any llama questions I would love to help you.
