Homesteading With Livestock: Tips and Tricks
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Collapse ▲In recent years, homesteading has experienced a major revival. More people are becoming interested in being self-sufficient, growing their own food sources, and a simpler way of life. A key element of many homesteads? Livestock. Whether you own 5 acres or 50 acres, including animals can provide meat, eggs, milk, and fertilizer.
Before you buy your first bleating goat, clucking hen, or oinking pig it’s important to do some homework. Here are essential tips and tricks for successful homesteading with livestock:
- Start Small and Learn as You Grow
Tip: Begin with one or two species that match your goals and lifestyle. Chickens are a great starter livestock—they’re low-maintenance, affordable, and provide eggs regularly. Goats are another manageable choice, especially for milk or brush control.
Trick: Don’t add multiple types of animals all at once. Learn each species’ quirks, needs, and care routines before expanding.
- Match Your Animals to Your Land
Tip: Consider your acreage, fencing, water access, and shelter when choosing animals.
For example:
- Chickens need minimal space and can be housed in mobile coops.
- Pigs need sturdy fencing and like to root, so avoid placing them near gardens.
- Cattle require ample pasture, strong fencing, and a reliable water source.
Trick: Use rotational grazing or mobile pens to protect pasture health and reduce parasite loads.
- Prioritize Predator Protection
Tip: Livestock attract predators—from foxes to hawks to coyotes. Secure fencing, covered pens, and secure nighttime shelter are non-negotiable.
Trick: Consider guardian animals like Great Pyrenees dogs, donkeys, or llamas to patrol your property and deter predators.
- Feed and Water Are Half the Battle
Tip: Balanced nutrition is key to animal health. Invest in quality feed, especially if pasture is limited. Fresh, clean water must always be available.
Trick: Use automatic waterers to save time.
- Understand Animal Health Basics
Tip: Learn the signs of common illnesses, how to trim hooves, deworm, and handle minor injuries. Find a livestock vet before you need one.
Trick: Keep a livestock first-aid kit stocked with essentials like wound spray, syringes, electrolytes, and gloves. A binder of vaccination schedules and health records will save you headaches later.
- Get Comfortable with Compost
Tip: Livestock produce manure—lots of it. Learn how to compost it safely into rich fertilizer for your garden. Chicken, goat, rabbit, and cow manure are excellent soil amendments when handled properly.
Trick: Use deep litter methods in coops and barns to manage waste, reduce odor, and produce compost with less frequent cleaning.
- Respect the Learning Curve
Tip: Mistakes will happen. Animals escape, feed gets spilled, and plans go sideways. That’s part of the journey.
Trick: Contact your local Extension agent and get involved in Extension programs. Learning from others can save time, money, and heartache.
- Let the Animals Work for You
Tip: Livestock can fill multiple roles:
- Chickens eat food scraps, fertilize gardens, and control bugs.
- Goats clear brush.
- Ducks gobble slugs in gardens.
- Pigs till soil.
Trick: Observe your animals’ natural behaviors and think creatively about how to use them to your advantage.
You don’t need hundreds of acres to start homesteading with livestock. With a little planning, a willingness to learn, and a bit of daily commitment, your homestead can become a thriving, living system—one cluck, moo, oink, or bleat at a time. Please contact your local Extension livestock agent if you have any questions.