What is your favorite farm animal to raise? Why?

[Beccazon]

I'd like to eventually have a couple goats. Would also like to raise a cow and a hog each year for the freezer. What animals do you raise? What to you enjoy the most or find has the most worth for your yard or family or just pet/entertainment value? Why do you like the animals you prefer? Sell me on your choice!

 

[N F C]

So far I've only raised chickens, meat rabbits and goats. Did have a horse years ago, but he was an adult when I got him.

Of the animals I've raised so far, I've enjoyed the chickens the most. Seeing them grow from tiny chicks to egg-laying adults is rewarding. The rabbits didn't really have much personality (although it was fun to see the little ones). They just weren't that interesting to me. The goats were cute when they were kids but overall, the goats were a lot of work...they were excellent escape artists and always into mischief.

 

[Beccazon]

I had rabbits once too and yup...pretty boring. Cute. But just...there. Lol

 

[Folly's place]

Chickens are easiest, and once housing needs are met, the least expensive to manage.
All others are much more difficult and expensive, and also social, so having only one is just wrong.
Will you name them 'Stewie' and 'Pot Roast' and stick to your plan, or start raising youngsters, and then have big pets?
Do you have any large animal experience??? Get that experience FIRST, and do more reading, not only social media reading.
We have horses and cattle here, and experience, and big critters are dangerous, needing expert handling.
No goats here, or hogs. They need different fencing than ours, so not here.
See if you can visit farms that actually have animals you are interested in having, and see if you can ride around with a large animal veterinarian, for example.
Contact folks at the county or state fair!
Mary

 

[Beccazon]

I do have limited experience. I ALWAYS research first. And I have friends nearby with a hog farm and neighbors/friends with dairy cattle and a beef herd. Not really looking for an informational thread as much as a opinions and preferences for conversation sake and to give me ideas to consider for the future growing a small hobby farm and family food. I know many people who raise a hog and or a beef cow each year with no herd. I would gladly have several of each if the hubby would let me! Lmbo but we do not have proper land (way too much sand) to house larger livestock here. Though we may sell soon and purchase a more animal accomodating property! (Crossing my fingers)!!
For now though I do love my ducks and chickens!! And you are right they are a pretty cost friendly farm animal to keep!

 

[Folly's place]

The smaller cattle breeds are expensive to buy at first, depending, but more cost effective to raise, and more pounds of beef per acre too. I like (some!) Dexters, and then there are the lowline types. Cute!
Hogs are neat animals IMO, but the poo smells BAD, a disadvantage for me.
Kids are cute and then grow into goats...
In part it would be a fencing and shelter comparison, and then go with who you like!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Sheep and goats are more of an issue with predators too.

 

[Beccazon]

Sheep and goats are more of an issue with predators too.

Good point. Very specific fencing needs or enclosed securely at night.

Cattle...What is a lowline breed? Does that just denote smaller breeds?

 

[Beccazon]

My cousin-in-laws own a 3rd gen hog farm. They are organic and the swine are so well treated! They have several breeds and some are so huge I am literally scared just looking at them! We had pigs when I was a very young girl so barely remember them. My mom stood guard when my dad tended them. My gramma used to stand over grampa with a pitchfork when he tended their's mom said. Cuz they can kill a man. If I got a hog it would be from the cousins and a smaller breed. The ones they sell to the 4H kiddos.

 

[Folly's place]

Never forgetting that hogs (and chickens!) are omnivores! 'Never have a heart attack in the pig pen'. I've heard that, and it does pay to be careful out there.
Lowline cattle are mostly very mall versions of normal sized breeds, and aren't the same as the Dexters, bred to be smaller for generations., and who don't come in two sizes.
Mary