Choosing the Right Livestock
B
for Your Homestead! WRITTEN BY NICOLINA FOTI, AGRICULTURE EDUCATOR, CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SARATOGA COUNTY
efore I get into things I want to give the “do your homework” disclosure. Before you buy any livestock, put up fencing or buildings, check your local town codes, and or livestock restrictions. Depending on where you live there can be regulations of the type, number, or size of livestock you can have. There can also be restriction on dumping animal manure in close proximity to property lines. So, make sure you do some fact checking. The best place to start is by looking to your town code or calling your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office to get help navigating the system. Whether or not you are starting the homesteader process with some specifics in mind, you want to realistically look at what you could “support” regarding livestock. What animals do I have room for? The larger the animal the more room you will require. This chart from the University of New Hampshire Extension is an excellent resource to give a general idea of the space you will need depending on your livestock choice. You will need to consider housing, fencing, and general care needs. Also, be realistic with your expectations on the services or products that animal will provide. For example, you cannot expect to sufficiently feed a family of four with six meat birds. I mean not for more then a few meals. When you are looking at keeping different types of livestock you need to consider fencing type and building materials. The saying, “Good fences make good neighbors,” can also be said for livestock. A good fence makes the difference between a good night’s sleep and waking up at 4 am because your animals are loose in the road! Depending on the animal you’re fencing, material height, and style will change. There is an old saying, “Fences need to be horse high, pig tight and bull strong.” As for shelters some livestock require more than others. A horse shelter can be as simple as a three-sided run-in shed to keep them out of the elements, but allows them to come and go as they please. While chickens need to be kept in a coop that can be locked at night while being predator proof. Each type of animal will require different housing needs and those needs will very from season to season.
Here is a great check list to organize your planning: • What restrictions, if any, does your municipality have on farming and or livestock? • What livestock do you have room for?
• What number of livestock can your property house sustainably? • What specific needs will the livestock choice require? o Housing o Fencing o Care 64 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | WINTER 2021
Remember there are resources like the Cornell Cooperative Extension offices to help with any of your questions along the way. In Saratoga County contact Nicolina Foti at 518-885-8995 or nvf5@cornell.edu.
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
