Livestock for small farms. Page: 1
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LIVESTOCK FOR SMALL FARMS
By RALPH ERSKINE, information specialist, Agricultural Research Setrvice 1
Kinds of Livestock for Small FarmsTHE OWNER OR OPERATOR
of a small tract should consider
raising some kind of livestock in
addition to the customary garden.
Almost any kind of livestock will
supplement his income, but he must
take into consideration the initial
cost of the stock, the availability
and cost of feed, and the labor
necessarily involved. He will find
in many cases that certain kinds of
livestock are not suited for small
farms. The chief advantages in
having livestock on small tracts are
to provide food for the family and
salable products, to utilize wastes,
and also to supply manure to build
up soil fertility.
Such animals as chickens or other
poultry, rabbits, hogs, and, in some
cases, milk goats or cows are well
suited to small farms. Although
some kind of mechanical power will
be needed for plowing, the owner of
a small tract can usually hire this
work done. However, the opportunity
to do odd jobs about the
neighborhood, such as hauling, cultivating,
or similar work, may in
some cases justify keeping a horse
or a mule.
Chickens
Almost any small farm can provide
facilities for a flock of chickens.
A flock of 10 to 25 birds may be
large enough for a beginning.
1Acknowledgment is made to various
specialists of the Bureaus of Animal Industry
and Dairy Industry for their cooperation.With good care they will supply
fresh eggs and meat at a low cost,
especially if table scraps are used to
supplement other feed. Even a
small yard can usually accommodate
enough hens to supply eggs
and table poultry for the average
family. The manure may be used
on the garden, thus reducing the
outgo for commercial fertilizer. A
flock may become a source of income
where there is a good local
demand for fresh eggs and homedressed
poultry. In the average
family there is usually someone who
can do the routine tending of the
flock, and the heavier work may be
done at intervals with the aid of
other members of the family.
A building about 8 by 10 feet,
suitable for a flock of 25 laying
hens, may be built for as little as
$35, provided some or all of the
materials can be obtained secondhand
and some member of the family
builds it. If the climate is such
that a more substantial and warmly
built house is required the cost will
be closer to $50. There may be additional
outlay for fencing and for
brooders.
Starting A Small Flock
Many breeds of chickens are suitible
for small-farm flocks. For a
flock primarily for egg production,
one of the lighter breeds, such as the
Leghorn, is advised. High fences
are required to confine these birds,
however, because of their tendency
to fly.
1
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Erskine, Ralph, 1889-. Livestock for small farms., book, November 1953; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc6170/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.