Backyard farming has become one of the ideal options for people who wish find ways to sustain themselves to simply enjoy working outdoors with nature. Farmers often include a small number of livestock along with the crops that they wish to grow as well. However, some animals are much more ideal for a backyard farm – while others might require more work or expenses. It’s still important to learn about the different kinds of livestock that can be included in your farm. There are detailed resources available online including books that will give you good ideas on what animals you can raise.

Goats

Goats are quite beneficial for a small farm since they can be ideal sources of dairy and meat. If you are short of space, consider getting pygmy goats or dwarf Nigerian goats which are both smaller breeds. But they can produce enough meat or dairy – and they make great pets too. Goat milk is extremely nourishing, and of course the quality of the milk that is produced will depend on the animal and the quality of their feed.

Rabbits

These animals don’t just make adorable pets, but rabbits are also a good source of meat – and they also have a quicker growth rate too. You won’t need much space for them or the rabbit feeders and waterers and you can easily provide vegetables, grass and more them from the farm itself. You will need to build hutches for them or let them roam free in an area that is protected with a wired fence. The care and feeding for rabbits generally costs much less than it would be for other farm animals. 

Chickens

When it comes to poultry, these birds are probably the most useful livestock that you might even find in the smallest farm since they provide both eggs and meat. You can assemble a coop with chicken drinkers, or purchase a pre-built model. The amount and quality of production will depend on the breed of the chickens, so find out more information from online resources or from other farmers on which ones are the best.

Honey Bees

It’s quite rewarding to get fresh honey from the bees that you can keep, and the maintenance is much lower than expected. You can install hive boxes with feeders that contain water -and you will need to get protective gear such as gloves and a bee suit too. With just a few hives, you will be able to get a good amount of honey that you can start selling if you like.