Choosing Livestock for a Small Farm

What should I decide before choosing any animal?

Start with your purpose. Do you want eggs, meat, milk, fiber, weed control, manure for the garden or simply pets? Each goal points toward different species, and some goals, such as milk, demand daily work that no vacation can pause.

Then look at your land. Count your usable acres, check how well they drain, and note shade, water and fencing already in place. A steep, wet or brushy site suits some animals and harms others.

Finally, be honest about time. Animals need care every day of the year, including holidays, storms and your worst weeks. If nobody can fill in when you are away, plan for that first. Writing your goals down helps. Two or three clear sentences, such as eggs for the family and a few meat birds, will keep you from buying animals on impulse at a swap meet or auction.

How do the common species compare?

Poultry are the usual first step. They need small space, secure housing against predators and daily care. Rabbits are quiet and small but need clean housing and careful handling. Goats and sheep are medium animals that need good fencing, shelter, regular hoof and parasite attention, and company of their own kind.

Pigs, cattle and horses need stronger fencing, more feed and bigger equipment. Most beginners do better starting small and learning one species well before adding another. Consider how animals fit together. Some species share space well and others bring disease or predator risk to each other, so ask your veterinarian before mixing them.

• Poultry: low space, daily care, predator-proof housing
• Rabbits: small footprint, clean housing, gentle handling
• Goats and sheep: strong fencing, shelter, parasite management
• Pigs and cattle: heavy fencing, bigger feed and handling needs

What does it really cost to keep animals?

Costs fall into categories rather than a single number. Think about purchase price, housing, fencing, water systems, feed and hay, minerals, bedding, veterinary care, hoof or shearing services, transport, insurance and processing if you raise meat.

Feed and fencing are the ones people underestimate. Ask neighbors and your extension office what feed and hay cost in your area right now, and build your own budget from local quotes instead of general figures. Keep a running record of every dollar spent in the first year, divided by category. That record is your most honest guide to whether your plan works and where to cut back.

What rules and local limits might apply?

Zoning, deed restrictions, homeowner association rules and health codes decide what animals you may keep, how many, and how close to neighbors and wells. These rules are local and vary by state, county and town.

Before you buy, call your county or town zoning office and ask what animals are allowed on your parcel, whether there are limits per acre, and whether any permit or setback applies. Ask your state department of agriculture whether animal registration or premises identification is required. Keep copies of every answer and permit with your farm records, since they may matter if you sell the land or if a complaint is ever filed.

How do I find a good animal and a good seller?

Buy from a seller who lets you see the whole herd or flock, answers questions plainly and shows clean housing. Ask about health history, vaccination practices and how animals were raised. Be wary of sellers who rush you or avoid questions.

Quarantine new animals away from your existing stock for a period your veterinarian recommends. Biosecurity and disease reporting rules vary, so ask your state veterinarian or extension office what applies.

Who can help me before I buy?

Find a veterinarian who treats the species you want, before you need an emergency call. Ask whether they handle farm calls in your area and how they prefer to be reached after hours.

Visit your county extension office for livestock publications and workshops. Talk with local growers, join a breed or club group and ask to see their setups. Their mistakes are cheaper to learn from than your own. Resist the urge to expand quickly after a good first season. A second species is easier to add once your routines, fences and records are solid.

What is a sensible first step?

Pick one species, buy the smallest number that makes sense, and finish fencing, shelter and water before the animals arrive. Learn their daily needs, warning signs of illness and normal behavior.

Keep records from the first day, including feed use, costs and health notes. After a season you will know whether to grow, change or stop, and you will have real numbers to guide you.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.