What animal would you raise for harvest - Page 2 - The Firearms Forum

jack404 · 11-21-2011, 08:06 AM

looking forward to the first "own grown" BBQ , that'll be a party ..

45nut · 11-21-2011, 09:24 AM

In order;

Chicken - you get eggs, an occasional fryer and an alarm clock

Rabbits - easy to feed & raise and they taste good. You should be able to advertise them for sale and sell them alive for both food and pets.

Goats - More work and trouble, but you can have fresh milk and cheese. Plus, when you grill a young one, they are great!

(read more work)

joncutt87 · 11-21-2011, 11:41 AM

There's a new algae setup that they're using in hawaii, that uses clear pvc tubes with the water pumped through the tubes, gas is collected at the top of each tube and pulled off by a pump. They're setting those up on rooftops. Did see a show on national geographic the other week on preppers. A family in arizona had an almost empty pool setup with duckweed to purify the water that fed their chickens that in turn released waste into the bottom of the pool to fed tilapia, and that water was pumped up to nurish other plantlife to sustain the family

armedandsafe · 11-21-2011, 04:25 PM

When we spent our last 2 years in SoCal, I had chickens, rabbits, lambs and cats. Ever tried to herd escaped chickens with the help of a couple of cats?

Pops

cow0man · 11-21-2011, 05:15 PM

Best to look at how much involvement you want and how much investment. You said you had chickens. Low cost, excellent feed to weight gain ratio, I think 1 lb of weight for 2 lbs of grain. Make you sure you have a rooster and keep him separated until you need to have some new chicks. Pigs have a 4 to 1 gain ratio. Can also easily multiple. 3 to 4 liters a year with 6-7 piglets on average/ liter. Goats, I do not not remember the weight gain ratio, but if you have one that you are going to milk, you are tied to ensuring that someone is there and willing to do the work. Easier to find someone to just feed than it is to milk.
Are you looking just because you want a new hobby or is it for an alternative food source?
Surprised I had not seen any advice on getting a buffalo, although it might get a little warm in La.
If you get animal waste, you can build your own methane digester and have your own source of methane.

langenc · 11-21-2011, 05:33 PM

Whatever it is-go with whatever you need the least help to market it directly to the consumer.

No need to have to pay butcher and several other hands. Keep as many hands out of the pot as possible.

cycloneman · 11-21-2011, 05:43 PM

Hoggs are out of the question. Too messy and nasty and turn your land into a mess.

I think its gona be goats. I also wouldn't mind a few rabbits. This is just for me to suppliment my food source. I want something that will turn my grass into protien for me and my family.

1. I grow grass and weeds anyway

2. I dont care if I hit the lottery or how much money i ever have, I will not be at the mercy of the grocery store and the govt.

3. This is a life change for me. I like comfort you know electricty, ac, heat, food but i am gona make dam sure i can live without big brother feeding me or making me sell my soul.

Bobitis · 11-21-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armedandsafe

When we spent our last 2 years in SoCal, I had chickens, rabbits, lambs and cats. Ever tried to herd escaped chickens with the help of a couple of cats?

Pops

I'd pay to see that.

I love rabbit, but it's too expensive to buy. And they're aweful cute to raise and butcher.

So I guess it would be goats fer me. PLUS... ya can rent 'em out as a 'green' alternative to land clearing. Win-win.

armedandsafe · 11-21-2011, 06:26 PM

Bob, check in with the local 4H. There are kids out there who have rabbits for sale, dressed and skinned for a reasonable price. Same thing with lamb (domestic whitetail.)

Pops

Bobitis · 11-21-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armedandsafe

Bob, check in with the local 4H. There are kids out there who have rabbits for sale, dressed and skinned for a reasonable price. Same thing with lamb (domestic whitetail.)

Pops

Local?

4H in Seattle?

Buying rabbit around here is like buying duck. 15-20 bucks a lb if ya can find it.
And ducks are the swine of the feathered kingdom. They'll eat anything.

armedandsafe · 11-21-2011, 08:09 PM

http://directory.kingcounty.gov/Serv...p?ServiceID=43

http://www.facebook.com/kingcounty4H

cpttango30 · 11-21-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joncutt87

There's a new algae setup that they're using in hawaii, that uses clear pvc tubes with the water pumped through the tubes, gas is collected at the top of each tube and pulled off by a pump. They're setting those up on rooftops. Did see a show on national geographic the other week on peppers. A family in arizona had an almost empty pool setup with duckweed to purify the water that fed their chickens that in turn released waste into the bottom of the pool to fed tilapia, and that water was pumped up to nurish other plantlife to sustain the family

http://gardenpool.org/

This is one hell of a set up.

millwright · 11-22-2011, 06:12 PM

You got a lot of really interesting input, CM ! Having grown up on a farm I'll add my $.05 worth ! Four acres is kinda small, so it pretty much rules out large herbivors and/or large poultry like emus, etc. If you have grain farmers in your area you might want to investigate buying their "gleanings" (i.e. cracks, dust, beeswings, etc) from their cleaning/storage operations to feed anything from turkeys to ducks/geese - all good small farm choices ! If hay is cheap goats are a good choice, yielding excellent milk, cheese and tender sweet meat (so long as you keep the billy in his own pen) !

What it gets down to is learning/deciding what feed sources are cheapest in your area and what animals you can husband with your available land/resources with them ? But never, never, never ever forget its a 24/7 undertaking that'll likely take all of your family]s time resources ! (IOW, there's a reason why farm families have so many children !)

A hidden "plus" in your scheme is children introduced early on to responsibility and trust - as in caring for animals - turn out to be much better adults ! And isn't that the real objective of any "family" ? >MW

Bobitis · 11-22-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millwright

You got a lot of really interesting input, CM ! Having grown up on a farm I'll add my $.05 worth ! Four acres is kinda small, so it pretty much rules out large herbivors and/or large poultry like emus, etc. If you have grain farmers in your area you might want to investigate buying their "gleanings" (i.e. cracks, dust, beeswings, etc) from their cleaning/storage operations to feed anything from turkeys to ducks/geese - all good small farm choices ! If hay is cheap goats are a good choice, yielding excellent milk, cheese and tender sweet meat (so long as you keep the billy in his own pen) !

What it gets down to is learning/deciding what feed sources are cheapest in your area and what animals you can husband with your available land/resources with them ? But never, never, never ever forget its a 24/7 undertaking that'll likely take all of your family]s time resources ! (IOW, there's a reason why farm families have so many children !)

A hidden "plus" in your scheme is children introduced early on to responsibility and trust - as in caring for animals - turn out to be much better adults ! And isn't that the real objective of any "family" ? >MW

^Excellent post MW^

11-21-2011, 08:06 AM	#26
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest looking forward to the first "own grown" BBQ , that'll be a party ..

11-21-2011, 09:24 AM	#27
45nut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,428	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest In order; *Chicken* - you get eggs, an occasional fryer and an alarm clock *Rabbits* - easy to feed & raise and they taste good. You should be able to advertise them for sale and sell them alive for both food and pets. *Goats* - More work and trouble, but you can have fresh milk and cheese. Plus, when you grill a young one, they are great! (read more work) __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that. Shane Nemo me impune lacesset We recall the case of the Shoshone war band which showed up complete with one 30-30 rifle per man the week after Pearl Harbor, and simply wanted to have the enemy pointed out to them. "We hear there's a war going on and we want to go fight it." Jeff Cooper *KCCO*

11-21-2011, 11:41 AM	#28
joncutt87 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Kannapolis, NC Contributor Posts: 1,419	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest There's a new algae setup that they're using in hawaii, that uses clear pvc tubes with the water pumped through the tubes, gas is collected at the top of each tube and pulled off by a pump. They're setting those up on rooftops. Did see a show on national geographic the other week on preppers. A family in arizona had an almost empty pool setup with duckweed to purify the water that fed their chickens that in turn released waste into the bottom of the pool to fed tilapia, and that water was pumped up to nurish other plantlife to sustain the family __________________ Four words to live by: aequitas, veritas, decus, sacrificium Last edited by joncutt87; 11-21-2011 at 11:48 PM..

11-21-2011, 04:25 PM	#29
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest When we spent our last 2 years in SoCal, I had chickens, rabbits, lambs and cats. Ever tried to herd escaped chickens with the help of a couple of cats? Pops

11-21-2011, 05:15 PM	#30
cow0man Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 14	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest Best to look at how much involvement you want and how much investment. You said you had chickens. Low cost, excellent feed to weight gain ratio, I think 1 lb of weight for 2 lbs of grain. Make you sure you have a rooster and keep him separated until you need to have some new chicks. Pigs have a 4 to 1 gain ratio. Can also easily multiple. 3 to 4 liters a year with 6-7 piglets on average/ liter. Goats, I do not not remember the weight gain ratio, but if you have one that you are going to milk, you are tied to ensuring that someone is there and willing to do the work. Easier to find someone to just feed than it is to milk. Are you looking just because you want a new hobby or is it for an alternative food source? Surprised I had not seen any advice on getting a buffalo, although it might get a little warm in La. If you get animal waste, you can build your own methane digester and have your own source of methane.

11-21-2011, 05:33 PM	#31
langenc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 407	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest Whatever it is-go with whatever you need the least help to market it directly to the consumer. No need to have to pay butcher and several other hands. Keep as many hands out of the pot as possible.

11-21-2011, 05:43 PM	#32
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest Hoggs are out of the question. Too messy and nasty and turn your land into a mess. I think its gona be goats. I also wouldn't mind a few rabbits. This is just for me to suppliment my food source. I want something that will turn my grass into protien for me and my family. 1. I grow grass and weeds anyway 2. I dont care if I hit the lottery or how much money i ever have, I will not be at the mercy of the grocery store and the govt. 3. This is a life change for me. I like comfort you know electricty, ac, heat, food but i am gona make dam sure i can live without big brother feeding me or making me sell my soul. __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

11-21-2011, 06:26 PM	#34
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest Bob, check in with the local 4H. There are kids out there who have rabbits for sale, dressed and skinned for a reasonable price. Same thing with lamb (domestic whitetail.) Pops

11-21-2011, 08:09 PM	#36
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest http://directory.kingcounty.gov/Serv...p?ServiceID=43 http://www.facebook.com/kingcounty4H Last edited by armedandsafe; 11-21-2011 at 08:10 PM..

11-22-2011, 06:12 PM	#38
millwright Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,436	Re: What animal would you raise for harvest You got a lot of really interesting input, CM ! Having grown up on a farm I'll add my $.05 worth ! Four acres is kinda small, so it pretty much rules out large herbivors and/or large poultry like emus, etc. If you have grain farmers in your area you might want to investigate buying their "gleanings" (i.e. cracks, dust, beeswings, etc) from their cleaning/storage operations to feed anything from turkeys to ducks/geese - all good small farm choices ! If hay is cheap goats are a good choice, yielding excellent milk, cheese and tender sweet meat (so long as you keep the billy in his own pen) ! What it gets down to is learning/deciding what feed sources are cheapest in your area and what animals you can husband with your available land/resources with them ? But never, never, never ever forget its a 24/7 undertaking that'll likely take all of your family]s time resources ! (IOW, there's a reason why farm families have so many children !) A hidden "plus" in your scheme is children introduced early on to responsibility and trust - as in caring for animals - turn out to be much better adults ! And isn't that the real objective of any "family" ? >MW