Farm Animals

Whether you are judging for the 4-H, the FFA or just trying to pick the right cow to bid on at an auction, the more you know about what the professionals look for, the better off you'll be.

Fainting goats have a specific genetic disorder that causes the body of the goat to freeze up anytime the goat is startled. Fainting goats have slightly different physical characteristics to...

Even though goats are often depicted as virtual garbage disposals through cartoons or other sources, it is important to provide them with a nutritious diet. The fainting goat breed historically...

Fainting goats are also known as nervous goats, stiff-leg goats, Myotonic Goats, wooden-leg goats and Tennessee Scare Goats. Why? Because, when startled, the goat's legs stiffen and it falls over,...

The Holstein is one of the most popular breeds of cattle in the United States. Known for its coloring patterns and outstanding milk production, the Holstein cow is often what comes to mind when...

Donkeys are animals that have been with mankind since Biblical times. They are good-natured and hardy, and don't require much beyond basic maintenance such as worming, vaccinations and trimming of...

If you love donkeys, you may want to share that love with others by selling your donkeys. There is a growing market for donkeys, especially because donkeys are such hardy animals, and have a good,...

Donkeys are becoming beloved as pets because of their affectionate nature and intelligence. These sweet animals respond well to the right training, and will be faithful companions for life. Read...

Starting a cattle herd can be a lucrative endeavor, if done properly. As an authority on raising cattle once said: "Buy the cattle low. Fatten them cheaply. Sell them high." The formula for doing...

Raising beef cattle for profit is a little more challenging these days. Ranchers are finding it more and more necessary to think outside the box when it comes to selling their beef. Read on to...

Grass-fed cattle yields the best meat because the cattle are not filled with growth hormones. Generally, grass-fed cattle lead a very stress-free life and are filled with the most nutrients. Done...

Did you wish you could be a cowboy? Do you long to ride the plains, drive cattle across the plains, and wish you could rope cattle? Well, it isn't impossible, nor is it too late. You can start by...

The market for rheas is a more diversified one now--there is a market not just the meat but other parts of the rhea as well. This means a little more work on the seller's part getting your rheas...

Buying a sheep farm can be a great experience. Sheep farming is always a good way to make money whether as sole income or supplemental earnings. The wool from sheep is used in a variety of...

Raising and butchering your own cows is one way to be self-sufficient. It is also a way to gain some control over the production of the meat you will eat, as you control what the cow eats and how...

There is nothing quite like roast duck--the richness of the meat, the moistness of the texture. If you like duck meat and prefer to raise your own ducks, you could not only have the satisfaction...

Roast goose is very tasty and often preferred by some to turkey. The meat is darker and contains far more flavor, especially the domesticated birds. It is also not readily available and has to be...

Trimming a goat's hooves can be easier if you start doing it when they are kids. While it may be easier the first time to work with a veterinarian, you'll soon be able to do it on your own. Get a...

If you want to start a business, love animals and enjoy being outside then consider selling alpacas. These adorable creatures are helping people make a good living. Alpacas are sold for their...

Providing the proper environment for your emus is the best way to care for them. These birds, although much larger than you, are depending on your for their food, water and, in most cases,...

In the wild, female emus lay their eggs and male emus incubate them. Removing the eggs allows the emus to continue to breed and thus produces more eggs. Once you have removed your eggs from your...

Once your emu chicks have hatched, you need to closely monitor their behavior and move them to the proper environment. Emu chicks need warmth and exercise to develop into healthy adult emus....

Caring for your adult emu is a daily process. A natural environment for your emu farm is the best way to have healthy emus that become good breeders. You must make every effort to create a proper...

Providing a comfortable environment for your emus is essential to properly raising and breeding them. In addition to building a pen that allows your emus to run and exercise, you must build a...

Trying to move a 6-foot emu into a trailer is possible, believe it or not. It can be a dangerous endeavor because of the size, strength and speed of the bird, but you can control your emu and get...

Starting an emu farm is a big decision that requires planning and preparation. Once you have created a budget and committed to farming emus, you are ready to prepare your land and buy your...

A cattle drive is the way ranchers get cattle from one place to another when there are too many cattle to load into stock trailers. Cattle are rounded up and driven to the new destination by...

People looking to thin their herds, get rid of an animal they don't want or wanting to get out of the livestock business bring their livestock to auction. You can find great deals at a livestock...

The Guernsey cow is named for the Isle of Guernsey, a small island in the English Channel off the coast of France. Monks developed the cow breed in the 10th century by inter-breeding the best...

Originating from the British Isle of Jersey in the English Channel off the French coast, the Jersey cow has been purebred since 1763. Settlers brought to breed to the United States in the 1850s....

Donkeys are usually mistaken for being an ill-tempered animal although its temperament is determined by the owner's treatment. A lot of care, foresight and knowledge are required in grooming this...

Raising grass-fed chickens is a wonderful hobby for those who choose to raise their own animals for food. The chickens can be for laying eggs only, or as a source of meat for the family. Letting...

A rhea is a large bird, similar to an ostrich or emu. Poultry farmers breed Rheas for their feathers, oil and meat. If you want start farming rheas, you should know how to hatch them in an...

A goat farm is a daily business—you won't get holidays or weekends off. But you will get the opportunity to be outdoors and enjoy working with animals. If you're prepared to put in the hard work,...

Mother Nature bestows instinct upon animals, enabling them to birth babies without human assistance—most of the time. Occasionally, even Mother Nature can use an extra hand. Cattle, for example,...

Compared to other animals sheep are relatively easy to raise if you choose the right breed. You will still have to devote some time each day to tend your sheep. However, that small amount of time...

Whether you want to build a chicken fence for chickens or another animal, you need to build one that is sturdy and well made. It is fairly easy to build a chicken fence, if you know what to buy...

When a pig's hooves become overgrown they can cripple him over time. A pig should have his hooves trimmed from an early age so he gets used to it and it isn't a battle. The foot of a pig consists...

When you own sheep, you have to make sure to trim their hooves on a regular basis. If a sheep's hooves become overgrown they collect dirt and manure, which can cause abnormalities, hoof rot and...

Most farmers raise guinea fowl for the purpose of insect control. They also make really good watch dogs by sounding an alarm whenever they are disturbed. Guinea fowl are useful for snake and...

Vaccines help reduce and prevent disease. Some diseases attack many kinds of poultry, others are more breed specific. Maintaining good sanitation facilities and procedures reduces the chance of...

Vaccines protect the sheep against bacteria and virus infections or diseases. They help the body's immune system develop antibodies to reduce the occurrence of certain types of illness. Vaccinate...

Raising emus is a fairly low maintenance type of farming. Emus don't require as much care as other livestock, but, like domesticated animals of all kinds, veterinarian care is important for...

You can breed chickens for consumption, shows, producing eggs or just as a hobby. But first you must learn the things to look for in each chicken before adding it to the breeding pen. The...

Though most people don't bother with grooming a donkey, the process is much like grooming a horse. Grooming a donkey not only allows you to clean him but to check him over for any abnormalities or...

Donkeys are working farm animals and need routine veterinary care just as horses do. Donkeys must be vaccinated regularly to stay healthy and prevent diseases. Learn how to vaccinate a donkey by...

Many people raise and breed donkeys with good confirmation and bloodlines so that they sell the animals for working or showing. You can learn how to breed donkeys by following these steps.

If you want to own a donkey, you are going to need a pen to house the animal. Your pen should include a fence strong enough to contain the donkey and to keep out predators. You'll also want a barn...

Buying any kind of livestock involves taking a risk to some extent, but you can cut those risks when buying donkeys by learning what to look for and how to deal with problems. Follow these steps...

Whether being purchased as regular family pets or as livestock for eggs or meat, chickens require special feed and housing and buying the right kind of chickens is important. If you've never owned...