Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
When people talk about homestead animals, they're usually referring to cows, goats, pigs, and other livestock. But in this video from Becky's Homestead, she talks about a few other animals that every homestead should have.
For example, cats are great to have around because they keep mice and rats away. Also, livestock feed tends to attract small animals like squirrels, and cats keep those away as well. Cats are very inexpensive to buy and feed (especially since they can catch a lot of their own food), so they're well worth the investment.
When you first start homesteading, it's tempting to want every animal at once. But animals cost money and time, so the smart move is to build up slowly and start with the ones that pull real weight. Here are three that earn their keep from day one, each with its own job to do.
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1. A Good Farm Cat
A farm cat is a must. Once you start keeping animals, you'll have feed scattered around on the ground, and that draws mice, rats, and squirrels. A good cat takes care of that problem quietly and constantly, keeping pests out of your feed, your coop, and your house.
They're easy to come by, they're low maintenance, and it doesn't hurt that they're adorable to watch lounging around the property. A hardworking barn cat really is worth his weight in gold.
2. A Good Farm Dog
A farm dog keeps the bigger nuisances at bay: raccoons, possums, foxes, and all the critters that would happily wander in and destroy the work you've put into your homestead. There are few things more disappointing than walking outside to find something ruined overnight, and a good dog prevents most of it.
The key is that a farm dog has to live outside 24/7. A dog that gets used to the couch turns into a couch potato and loses its edge. Give it a comfy, cozy bed outside, but keep it outside.
Working dogs that live outdoors stay healthy and strong, and their senses stay sharp. They'll hear the faintest rustle and go chase off whatever caused it. There's also a real sense of security in having an outside dog. If someone comes around when you're not paying attention, the barking puts you on alert.
One important caveat: not every dog makes a good farm dog. Most dogs want to chase chickens, so you need one that won't. Get that part right and everything works in harmony. Here are some of the best dogs for homesteaders.
3. Chickens
Chickens are everybody's favorite, and for good reason. The farm-fresh eggs are nutritious and delicious, and the birds themselves are easy to care for. They're a great animal for families, since even young kids can help feed them and collect eggs.
They come in all sorts of colors and breeds, so keeping them is genuinely fun. Eating eggs you gathered yourself is a real step toward eating healthier, more organic food that you produced at home.
Between these three, everyone has a job. The cat handles the mice and squirrels, the dog handles the raccoons, possums, and foxes, and the chickens hand you fresh eggs every morning. Add a garden and you've got a great start for just about any homestead.
So what would your fourth animal be? That's the fun part of building a homestead: deciding what comes next.
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