Thanks for accepting me

[Blackgold05]

Hey I recently joined and I’m really set on my future goals of buying a small farm and keeping some livestock. I was wondering how much could you keep on less than 5 acres

 

[Lizzy733]

Hey I recently joined and I’m really set on my future goals of buying a small farm and keeping some livestock. I was wondering how much could you keep on less than 5 acres

What are you interested in and how do you intend to use what you get? Focus on food and productivity, lifestyle?

Is there a specific property you have in mind and is there any established infrastructure like fences, water collection etc already there?

Poultry is a great gateway drug that can pay off relatively quickly with meat and eggs. Depending on how much of that 5 acres is dedicated pasture\animal space, there's lots that can suit.

 

[Baymule]

5 acres or less is usually not enough for large livestock. You could keep a small flock of sheep or goats. You will have to supplement them with feed and hay, especially through the winter.

A lot depends on the land. Rocky, dry? Good soil, plenty of rain and grass?

 

[farmerjan]

Ditto to all of the above....

 

[Blackgold05]

What are you interested in and how do you intend to use what you get? Focus on food and productivity, lifestyle?

Is there a specific property you have in mind and is there any established infrastructure like fences, water collection etc already there?

Poultry is a great gateway drug that can pay off relatively quickly with meat and eggs. Depending on how much of that 5 acres is dedicated pasture\animal space, there's lots that can suit.

I plan to mostly produce vegetables and keep stock as a hobby. I’m jyst trying to understand what can be kept on small inner city acrage. I’m definitely interested in animals like goats, donkeys, pigs, alpacas but I’d love any advice you’ve got.

 

[Baymule]

First of all, find out what animals you can have in the city. Most cities have animal zoning laws, practically none allow pigs.

Which animals listed are the most important to you and start there. Don’t run out and buy a bunch of animals and overload the land and yourself.

 

[Finnie]

First of all, find out what animals you can have in the city. Most cities have animal zoning laws, practically none allow pigs.

Which animals listed are the most important to you and start there. Don’t run out and buy a bunch of animals and overload the land and yourself.

Ditto!

Which begs the question, what city are you in? If you edit your profile to include your general area, that will help folks later on when you have climate affected questions.

Welcome!

 

[Blackgold05]

First of all, find out what animals you can have in the city. Most cities have animal zoning laws, practically none allow pigs.

Which animals listed are the most important to you and start there. Don’t run out and buy a bunch of animals and overload the land and yourself.

Surprisingly in Decatur Ga a lot of livestock is legal within city limits but potbelly pigs are the only pig breed legally kept. Miniature horses and donkeys as well as emus and goats are legal. Even roosters and guineas are allowed here

 

[Blackgold05]

Ditto!

Which begs the question, what city are you in? If you edit your profile to include your general area, that will help folks later on when you have climate affected questions.

Welcome!

I’m currently in Decatur ga and I personally don’t want to have to move too far away from the city!

 

[Baymule]

Then what is most important to you, animals that you can raise for food, or pets? I make pets of most of my breeding stock. I either name the offspring Dinner or Auction Barn. LOL

With feed prices and hay cost headed for the stratosphere, you might want to think on that. Start off small with maybe chickens and a breeding trio of pot belly pigs.

Can you butcher them yourself? Can you watch piglets born, raise them and eat them? That can be hard o do. No point in breeding them to just have more mouths to feed.

If you want pets, go for it. Make sure male donkeys and mini horses are gelded unless you want foals. Then be prepared to train them and teach them manners. Donkeys and mini horses, join the full size horses at the auction barns and get put on a truck to Mexico for slaughter. So if you want the experience of having a foal, be prepared to keep it or think about where it will wind up. They can live up to 30 years, some even longer. Selling them because you can’t keep them any longer is gut wrenching.

Not trying to be discouraging, just being real and point out a few things that maybe you haven’t thought about. I don’t want to offend you, so please don’t take it that way. You have 5 acres in the city, most people can only dream of that. Animals just make it better.