Written by: Emily Joswiak • July 6, 2022• Lifestyle

5 Small Farm Animals You Can Keep in Your Backyard

Have you ever thought of running a small farm on your property? You’re in luck; here are five small farm animals that easily fit in your backyard.

If you have a flexible budget and the space for it, you can run a small farm on your property. There are a few small farm animals that you can keep in your backyard, such as chickens, pigs, and rabbits.

Some of these animals help with lawn maintenance, and they also provide valuable byproducts like eggs or milk. With enough room to graze, you’ll provide space for animals who need a new home and gain additional company.

Chickens

If your property allows animals, one of the best small farm animals you can keep on your property is chickens. You’ll have easy access to fresh eggs and manure for garden compost. All you need to keep your chickens comfortable is a secure coop with nesting boxes to lay eggs and a roost area for sleep.

To keep your chickens happy, ensure that you have a fenced area for them to scratch around, foraging spots for bugs, and places to soak up the sun. An essential thing you can do to keep your livestock happy is to provide a stable diet and water for your chickens.

Rabbits

Rabbits make the perfect addition to your property if you’re limited on space. They’re not only quiet and won’t disturb the neighbors, but they also leave small messes with no odors. Rabbits will also gladly eat weeds in your yard.

Ideally, it would help if you didn’t have male and female rabbits unless you plan on using them for meat or fur. Otherwise, you’ll quickly become overrun with many rabbits.

Pigs

Pigs make fantastic backyard animals. While they can be confined, they’re much happier with space to roam. They take a full year to reach maturity, and you can sell grown pigs for additional profits.

If you plan on breeding pigs, they can produce an average of 11 piglets per litter, making for a sustainable farm animal.

Bees

Bees make for a low-maintenance addition to your backyard. After you make a hive and equipment investment, bees become less expensive to care for compared to other farm animals.

You only need to provide sugar water as a backup food source for their hives, but they mostly make their own food. Every few months, perform hive check-ins, cleanings, and inspections to prevent overgrowth and contamination.

Goats

Pygmy goats are fantastic companion animals and make for wonderful lawn maintenance. Additionally, they can produce about a half gallon of milk per day, so milk them twice a day for 10 months out of the year. You will need an estimated 50 square feet to live in, including shelter.

Farm animals make a fun addition to your backyard space. Ensure that you check in with your local rules and regulations before you decide to pick up your new furry friends.

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Last modified: July 7, 2022