If you are thinking about running a small farm as more of a hobby, but also want to make a little extra money on the side, then you need to think about your land and how you can utilise it the best. There are many different ways to do this, but one path that many go down is purchasing livestock for breeding and raising on your farm.
There are many different animals that you could purchase for your farm, but it is important that you understand which ones are the best for your farm and any of the other costs associated with them. Once you get a clearer picture, then you will know which animals are the most profitable for your small farm.
Every farm is slightly different, but when speaking generally, have a read on below at some of the most profitable animals you should consider purchasing for your small farm:
Chickens
Chickens are great on a small farm, and they have many different uses, from the meat itself to eggs. Eggs are obviously very popular when used in cooking, so there is always a large demand for them. More and more consumers are looking to go more organic and supporting small business, so this is the market you should be looking to tap into.
You could sell the eggs to local grocers or even at the local market. Hens are great because of their egg-producing capability, but also for their breeding. So, you have the ability to breed more chickens and grow your small farm, or even sell your chickens to others and make a profit that way.
Sheep/Lambs
Lamb is a notoriously expensive meat, so there is a lot of potential here, as people are usually willing to pay more for this type of meat. Sheep or lambs do require a lot of work and potential adjustments to your farm, like with any animal you will need proper fencing, so they don’t escape and the right food to keep them healthy.
You can also use sheep for their wool. There are a few different tools and other pieces of equipment you’ll need to ensure you can sheer the sheep correctly and get all the wool you need. Wool sheds, for example, are a great way to keep the wool safe from the elements before it gets sold.
Bees
If you are looking for an animal that is easy to maintain but still get a little profit for your small farm, then you really can’t go past bees! If you do get bees, they will provide a lot of different options for you.
For example you can rent your bees to other farmers so they can help with pollination, or you can use them for pollination of your own crops, and obviously for the production of honey. There is a pretty big market out there at the moment for locally sourced honey.
Cattle
With cattle it is important that you do have a big enough farm of the livestock to roam comfortably. If you do than cattle can be a pretty good option, as beef is one of the most popular meats that people choose to consume. Not only do you get meat from the cattle, but also there are a few other uses, like milk and cheese.
Cattle are actually pretty low maintenance as well, which means as long as you have the space, you don’t need much else, like tools or equipment, to keep this type of livestock on your property. Obviously, like with any animal, you will need proper fencing, so they can’t roam off your farm.