More and more people are discovering how much fun it is to have a hobby farm in their own backyard! When you’re ready to add some critters to your backyard farm, the good news is that there are plenty that can live contentedly in smaller quarters. They set the tone for the day, providing rhythm, activity, dung, and (ideally) revenue.
Of course, as an urban farmer, you may have fewer animal options. Space is a consideration, and in many regions, there are restrictions on the types and numbers of animals that can be kept. Here are six creatures that are well-suited to backyard living!
Rabbits – Rabbits are an animal often disregarded by casual backyard farmers who are uninterested in the rigors of raising breeding rabbits and processing meat. Many people, however, raise rabbits for reasons other than meat! Rabbits create a big amount of manure that is excellent for both flower and vegetable gardens, and unlike chicken dung, it does not need to be composted before use. If you want more “farmy” benefits than compost, maintain wool-producing fiber rabbits such as angoras, which can give you lots of fiber for spinning and knitting! They’re also a calm and quiet animal that you can maintain without upsetting anyone, even if you live in close proximity to your neighbors.
Chickens – For good reason, chickens are the most common farm animal among newcomers. They’re small, making them great for novices, and they don’t take a lot of maintenance or money to keep. Make sure they have fresh water, food, and a safe place to sleep, that’s all there is to it! And because eggs are such a common ingredient in most households, raising a few chickens and having a steady supply of tasty, fresh eggs is quite satisfying! Chickens also love to consume insects like ticks that wreak havoc on your yard, happily eat cooking waste like pasta and vegetables, and they provide you with loads of rich manure for your compost bin and garden!
Ducks – Ducks are an excellent backyard pet for a variety of reasons. Their eggs can be sold for more than chicken eggs, and they are normally larger and induce fewer allergic reactions. They have a larger appetite than chickens, but they are also excellent foragers who are gentle on your plants because they do not scrape the ground like hens. They’ll eat your weak-rooted plants while keeping the bugs away from the healthy ones. You may make them very happy by making them a miniature cottage and providing them with a kiddie pool to swim in. They are sociable farm animals who would make a wonderful addition to a larger farm or your own backyard.
Quail – Quail are an often overlooked animal on the backyard farm. Quail are more difficult to profit from than other backyard birds since they produce smaller eggs, requiring three to four eggs for each chicken egg, however their meat is considered of a higher quality than chicken or duck meat, and it can be sold for a higher price. Quail can easily live and thrive in smaller spaces as long as they are maintained, covered, and clean, so these tiny birds might be a perfect option if you have a small backyard!
Pygmy Goats – Pygmy goats are not only adorable, they can also be used as dairy or meat animals. Larger dairy and meat varieties may be difficult to keep in an urban location due to space constraints, but a pygmy goat requires less of everything, as they are typically 1/2 to 3/4 the size of a dairy or meat goat. You can also raise dwarf fiber goats, such as the Pygora or Nigora, which produce lovely angora wool. Of course, no one will hold it against you if you simply maintain several pygmy goats as totally cute pets.
Mini Cows – Mini cows make a fantastic, if unusual, addition to a backyard barnyard. Most mini cows require 12 acres per cow, so they aren’t suitable for small yards, but they can be managed in smaller spaces. Simply add 12-15 pounds of hay to their feed on a daily basis. Because cows are larger animals that are more difficult to “manhandle,” so you’ll also want to learn how to herd them. Several types of tiny cow can give excellent milk, and almost any breed can be utilized for meat. They can also be fantastic garden manure producers!
Farm animals, including those you can keep in your own backyard, can be used for a variety of tasks regardless of whether you want to raise them for profit or as pets. I hope this list has aided you in deciding which animal would be ideal for your backyard, and I’d love to hear about your experiences raising your own mini-farm!