How to Raise Farm Animals

The prospect of raising farm animals is an exciting and challenging one. A novice should plan on starting small and possibly expanding over time. Once the choice of animal is made, the farmer needs to consider all aspects of what it means to raise farm animals, which includes sheltering, feeding and ensuring the safety and health of the creatures.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Buy your stock of animals. Start small scale with only a few animals to raise, especially if they are large, like cattle. Find your animals by searching the want ads, consulting with your local feed company and checking out auctions in your area. Take along an experienced friend to help to select the healthiest stock.

2. Build a shelter for your animals. You need a roomy enclosure that is draft free. This can simply consist of three sturdy frames for walls and a strong roof. In cooler areas, you may need to purchase heating elements (such as tank heaters) for the winter months.

3. Enclose your animals in secure environs. Make sure you have solid-wood fencing for large animals, with a "hot wire" (that gives a small electrical shock) for keeping the heavy stock from damaging the fence. Smaller animals generally need a simple, small enclosure with sides high enough to keep them inside. Cattle should have access to pasture land, and all the animals should have the ability to find shade during the day.

4. Use a system of identification for large farm animals. Branding has been a common way of "marking" stock, but most now prefer to use ear tags, and some responsible farmers also microchip their stock. Many farmers do not bother to identify the small animals they raise, such as chickens, but these can be tagged (a band around the ankle for example) as well.

5. Buy feed specially developed for your animals. Beware of "cheap" feed, consisting mostly of filler, and instead purchase a high-quality product to help keep your animals healthy.

6. Provide plenty of clean, fresh water for the farm animals. If you need to fill troughs or tubs, remember that large animals need approximately 12 gallons of water per animal, per day. Keep several shallow pans of water available for small farm animals and monitor them closely during the day for replenishing.

7. Take into account the need for breeding as your establishment grows. Large animals need to be either artificially inseminated or mated under supervision. This is not necessary (usually) with smaller animals, as you just need to make sure not to overbreed them and crowd your enclosures.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying stock before spring, when prices generally soar.
• Seek a veterinarian if an animal appears ill and separate it from your other stock immediately.
• Never allow animals to drink from stagnant water or an unfamiliar water supply.

Resources

• Farm animal feed from Manna Pro
• Farm animal food from Higby's Country Feed