Best Homestead Animals: What Are Your Options and How to Choose

Since the beginning of time, animals have been roaming the earth providing food, fur, byproducts, transportation, and more for their human counterparts. In the same way that our ancestors knew that raising animals was good for their health, getting a few friendly beasts for the homefront is still one of the best ways you can keep your land well-balanced and productive. 

Whether you’re new to homesteading and are looking to introduce farm animals for the first time, or you’re rethinking your current lineup of animals to be more efficient – this article will help you choose which animals are best suited for your particular homesteading needs. 

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Livestock

Before jumping into a list of the best farm-friendly animal options – it’s important to consider whether or not raising animals is right for you in the first place. Even though homesteading and raising animals often go hand in hand, when you’re talking about living, breathing creatures, it should go without saying that the occupation is not for everyone! 

First and foremost, save yourself the hassle of undoing any work by first checking whether or not you can legally have livestock on your property according to your local laws. Animals like chickens are normally well tolerated by most counties – especially if you have a decent amount of property (we’re talking 1-2 acres or so, though it can be even less than that). 

Even if you find that you can have animals on your property, it’s important to ask yourself why you want to have them on your farm. We love a cute and furry companion as much as the next guy, but the reality is, they suck up your time and cost you money. So, consider what you want to get out of your animals – even if it’s as simple as manure for your gardens. 

Speaking of time and money, also be prepared to spend more than you probably expect when it comes to raising livestock. While you don’t need a degree in animal husbandry, the prepper in us needs to be ready to take on unexpected vet bills, reproduction, predators, and so much more, especially early on in your animal-raising adventures.

6 of the Best Homestead Animals 

Now that you’ve considered the responsibilities that come with raising livestock, perhaps you’re wondering which animals are best suited for you and your needs. Below, we’ll take a look at the costs and benefits of owning different types of farm animals.

Chickens

Chickens are ideal animals for all levels of farming. They are also one of those rare farm animals that provide a decent handful of different benefits – from fresh eggs to meat, feathers, and fertilizer. 

The other great thing about chickens is that they’re relatively self-sufficient creatures and aren’t very noisy. They even help keep your yard free of weeds and bugs.

When it comes to chickens, eight to ten of the featherbrained pets can provide more than enough eggs for the average family. Keep in mind that you’ll want around two to four square feet per chicken in a coop. 

It’s also important to realize beforehand that the cost of keeping and maintaining chickens can’t compete with the price of eggs from your local grocer. Even though chickens may cost a little more in the long run, though, nothing can compare to farm fresh eggs (especially when pandemics like the coronavirus hit and the supply chain dries up.)

Want to learn more about raising chickens? Check out our Definitive Guide For Backyard Chickens for the whole scoop.

Rabbits

Rabbits are another great option for a four-legged homesteading companion. They are one of the easiest farm animals to raise and are fairly low-maintenance creatures that don’t require a ton of space. Plus, the startup cost and ongoing maintenance of owning rabbits are great for those homesteading on a budget. 

Another benefit to owning rabbits is that they can provide quality meat, which believe it or not, is higher in protein than pork or beef! Their fur can be profitable, and their droppings make excellent fertilizer for gardening, too. 

Pretty impressive for a small farm animal, right?

The downfall of rabbits, however, is that they are creatures of prey and need a great deal of protection to stay safe from predators. They also “breed like rabbits,” so you’ll want to cage them accordingly so your numbers don’t get out of control.

Honey Bees

Keeping on track with the best farm animals for self-sufficiency theme, bees aren’t just good for your homestead, they’re pretty much at the top of the list of productive, self-sufficient candidates. We understand that bees can get a bad rep for being dangerous, but trust us when we say they are generally safe and well worth keeping around. 

After all, who doesn’t want to help save the planet and have an endless supply of honey, to boot?

Do keep in mind that there are a few beekeeping basics you’ll want to consider – the biggest being location. Bees need privacy, as well as the perfect amount of sun and shade. They also need fresh water and protection from the wind. If you have those things lined up, you’ll be sure to make a happy home for your hive.

Pigs

Ah, pigs – they basically eat anything and turn it into delicious meat, making them simultaneously a garbage disposal and a source of food — specifically, bacon. 

Now, you’ve probably heard that pigs are dirty animals, but we’re here to tell you that they are actually one of the cleanest animals on the farm. Sure, pigs roll around in the mud to cool off from time to time, but, unlike other animals, they actually won’t defecate near areas where they sleep or eat. 

Pigs like a dry, warm location of about eight to ten square feet per 250-pound pig. You’ll also want to give him or her a companion, as pigs are quite social creatures. They’re also very smart and are notorious for escaping from their pens, so you’ll want to build them a secure home. 

Goats

If you’re thinking bigger but you don’t have room for something like a dairy cow, consider owning a goat. Not only are they a lot cheaper to feed, but they take up significantly less space and provide a handful of benefits including milk, meat, cheese, butter, soap, lotion, and yarn for knitting or crocheting. 

However, it’s our painful duty to inform you that if you commit to cohabiting with the three billy goats gruff, you must be aware that goats, when left to their own devices, get into things they shouldn’t. This can lead to both ingesting poisonous plants and easily succumbing to parasite infections. Because of this, you’ll want to keep them in an area with a secure fence – a good rule of thumb being 250 square feet per goat.

Cows

We’ll be honest. Cattle, much like horses, are quite the responsibility. 

Not only do they need about an acre of pasture to graze, but they can face a number of health issues like worms and lice. However, if you’re up for the challenge, cows can make one of the most profitable farm animals of them all. 

Cattle provide plenty of meat, and unpasteurized milk and butter. Plus, you’ll have a ton of compost for your crops and can pretty much say goodbye to mowing your lawn. 

Which Animal Best Suits Your Homestead?

Animals can provide a homesteader with endless benefits — but of course, these benefits are offset by a fair share of unique (and at times disgusting) responsibilities. 

Take a look at the list above and then consider your own situation. Do you have a good idea of which animal will best suit you and your family’s needs? Let us know what direction you’re thinking of going with your husbandry efforts. 

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