Help....

[forever_frost]

I talked my wife into getting into the whole prep thing and now...now she has it in her head to get minature animals because "they'll be easier". Here's the email I got earlier:

http://www.minicowswest.com/

http://www.kunekune.co.nz/

http://barnscote.com/

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/bantam_chicken.htm

http://www.smhc.com/sheep.html

That's all it said. Minature cows?

[methusaleh]

Well, for starters, what kind of land do you have? Rural, suburban, or urban area? Do you know your local zoning laws pertaining to livestock, and are there any limitations they impose? Do you have any experience with livestock or poultry?

[Omegaman]

I am not a fan of minis, they seem to be more prone to health problems and they have their own mini breed health problems. I would say go with pure breeds or old stock breeds or heirloom breeds. I have raised rabbits, chickens, llamas, sheep, pigs and goats. All of these I can handle alone and butcher my self and they dont need a big barn. All are fast breeders except for the llamas and they are all cold weather hardy, they could all stand the maine summers and the are all free range grazers or browsers. Our llamas were raised for their fiber for my wife to spin or sell. Rabbits are the best bang for the money but you can't live on just rabbit because the meat is so lean. In old times people who only ate rabbit often died of rabbit starvation because rabbits are pure protien your body would use up all of its own fat reserves. I don't have a ton of property either.

[forever_frost]

I live in the middle of nowhere. Literally. The nearest town is 25 miles away. I used to raise cattle and chickens and even dabbled in horses at one point. I told her that if we got critters they were on the menu. I don't think she's getting the point yet, but health problems.....I'll look into that

[forever_frost]

After a quick "conference" (read: Getting hit with various things) she wants minature animals because they are cute. Still not getting the "we're going to eat them" thing yet...more things being thrown...back soon

[Loshali]

Dexter cows are about half the size and from what I've discussed on some of the homesteading boards I'm on, they are very healthy and hearty. Good for milk and butchering. I cant remember the name of the goats they raise, but I'll go back and find out. And the roll-around chicken coop is really cool, especially if you live in a wilderness area or you have predators. Kinda cheating on 'free range', lol.. But I'd rather have the chickens safe and roaming than roaming and dead.

[cwconnertx]

I am not a fan of minis, they seem to be more prone to health problems and they have their own mini breed health problems. I would say go with pure breeds or old stock breeds or heirloom breeds. I have raised rabbits, chickens, llamas, sheep, pigs and goats. All of these I can handle alone and butcher my self and they dont need a big barn. All are fast breeders except for the llamas and they are all cold weather hardy, they could all stand the maine summers and the are all free range grazers or browsers. Our llamas were raised for their fiber for my wife to spin or sell. Rabbits are the best bang for the money but you can't live on just rabbit because the meat is so lean. In old times people who only ate rabbit often died of rabbit starvation because rabbits are pure protien your body would use up all of its own fat reserves. I don't have a ton of property either.

This is why rabbit is a good candidate to either deep fry or pan fry in some bacon drippings. Adds some fat to the mix.

[Moira]

Smaller breeds make you less prone to injury.
Injury post peak will be a huge problem.
Just go for smaller breeds. She should be
prepared to eat them, or ease their suffering
if they get sick.

[ashelocoa]

Alternative cattle

Heirloom breeds are good choices, but with some of them and often with the miniatures you are looking at a HUGE up front cost in purchasing. A good all around breed are short horns. Good for meat, and you can get away with milking them once a day. You could also look into half breed cattle, they are cheap to aquire and tend to be hardier than many purebreds.

As far as getting hurt, breed size takes a distant second to temperament with me. Getting kicked by a 900# cow versus a 1500# cow really doesn't feel any different... Even a calf can knock you down if you're not careful. Be sure to do your home work on breed traits and talk to as many people as you can with first hand experience before buying, then spend a lot of hands on time with the animal after. Good luck!

ashelocoa