Homesteading provides an opportunity to grow food at home, and while most people start with growing fruits and vegetables, it’s not long before they start considering raising livestock on their property. Any size property can be used for livestock, depending on what type is raised, as long as the property is zoned correctly for livestock to be legal. Once property owners have purchased the land they need or determined their home can be used for raising livestock, the next step is to figure out what’s needed to get started.
Start Small
It’s always best to start small. It’s far easier to gather supplies, get everything set up, and learn as you go when you have a few chickens instead of a herd of cows. It is possible to start with any animal, but starting small means there is room to grow later on as you learn more about what you like and what you do or don’t want. Visit sites like preparedbee.com to learn about the supplies needed for the type of livestock you want to start with so you can have everything set up before you bring animals home.
Choose the Right Breeds
Regardless of the type of animal you’d like to raise, choosing the right breed can make a difference in how successful you are or how frustrating it is to raise them. If you’re interested in raising chickens, decide whether you’d like to raise them for meat or eggs, and look into the breeds best suited for that goal. If you’re interested in cows, check out the different types of cattle to find the right one to purchase first.
Make Sure There’s Appropriate Housing
Have the housing and fencing for the livestock set up before bringing them home. It is crucial to ensure the fencing around the property is in good condition and able to hold the type of livestock you’re purchasing. Shelter is needed so the animals have somewhere to go at night, when it’s raining, or when there may be dangerous weather conditions. Take the time to research their needs before making any purchases to ensure they will meet the animal’s basic needs throughout their lifetime.
Learn About Animal Wellness
Pests and diseases are a huge problem with livestock, so it is crucial to know basic prevention methods, signs something is wrong, and more. Learn more about animal husbandry before bringing home any animals so you know what to expect. It is also a good idea to look into options for veterinary care to ensure the animals can get the help they need if they become sick or injured.
Think About Long-Term Goals
What are the long-term goals for raising livestock? Are you planning on breeding and selling the animals? Do you want to raise animals to sell for meat or other purposes? Are you interested in using parts of the animal, like wool from sheep, to create your own products? Think carefully about what long-term goals you might have before making any decisions. While you may change goals over time, it’s a good idea to have an idea of what you want as you get started.
Raising livestock can be an exciting journey and bring joy to your life, but it can also be stressful if you jump in without any research or planning. Before bringing animals home, make sure you have everything set up to give them the best chance at life, so you can enjoy them without as much worry.
Photo Credit
Image by Franz W. from Pixabay
Guest Author Bio
Isabella Thomas
Isabella Thomas is a freelance writer, with 15 years of experience in the law industry. She is a “retired” lawyer and decided to focus on theory rather than practice. She loves promoting new amazing teams in the industry. She lives in Minnesota, Minneapolis with her family.
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