Backyard farming questions

[WindyIndy]

Not really sure where to put this, I've already started a form on the sistersite backyeard chickens.

I really want to homestead but only could afford 5 acres right now. I already raise sheep but would like to get into goats, ducks, chicken, maybe even rabbits. I already sold my cow due to space (one of the hardest decisions). I know I may never come ahead of the money but hoping to sell enough that I break even. I need to feed hay 24/7 so that doesnt help.

I was considering renting out my ram and if I get goats the buck as another way for them to pay for themselves. My thing just is i dont want to hurt them in anyway or risk sickness to my flocks. I have a separate area for when they get back. I know i would need to write up a contract of some sort. I was wondering if anyone did this successfully, if i would need someone legal involved with the contract, how much to charge etc.

Also, i believe like my sheep if i just sell babies or at live weight i dont need any licences only if i was selling the pre packaged meat?

Thank you for any help you can give me!

 

[WindyIndy]

Ps: I was thinking nubian goats and I'm not sure on a rabbit breed yet, definitely a meat one though

 

[mystang89]

I'm partial to silver foxes for meat rabbits but if you can't find those then I'd say new Zeland whites out Californians

 

[Southern by choice]

Leasing out your buck only puts your herd at risk.
What testing will you require? What testing will you have on your own herd?

Many breeders that are well established will not lease bucks except to breeders that they have known and trust for years.

As far as contracts- lots to think about.
Who determines the health of the buck? Will you be running fecals to determine the status? Every time the buck is moved to a new property the stress bloom will need to be managed.
Those parasites will come back on your land as well.
Who will pay for vet care?
Treatment of lice/mites.
What if the person leasing isn't skilled?
What about disease?
STD's?
Protection from predators?
Injuries? Accidents?
Escapes?

I also think it really depends on dairy goats or meat goats. Leasing is pretty common in meat goats in herds selling for market. Dairy goats very different altogether.
You mentioned Nubian which is a dairy goat.

 

[Baymule]

No way would I lease out my ram and run the risk of getting him back with "extras" that I don't want, as per what SBC said in the above post. If you want to sell the lambs, then do that. If you take to slaughter and want to sell the meat, you have to use a USDA slaughter facility. If you sell the lamb before slaughter, you can transport the lamb to a custom slaughter facility as a service to your customer, but you cannot sell meat from a custom or non USDA slaughter facility.

Chickens and rabbits are easy to care for and take little space. Ducks have to have water in a small pool preferably. But you must dump the water and give them clean water regularly or it gets nasty.

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

Nubian bucks/wethers sell great on meat market and grade out better than most meat goat breeds. Milk is good and making yogurt and cheese is easy.

If you do not want to keep a ram, I would buy one, use, and then sell. You do not want the risk and liability of lease or taking in ewes to breed... Just no!!!

A happy medium would be if you could find three or four other like minded folks and share ram/buck. If all agree and stick to biosecurity protocols, works out. I do this with a buddy of mine now that I have downsized herd. He is young and still shows, has lot of goats. We are both on same page as to genetics and biosecurity.

BTW do not run sheep and goats together while breeding. The can crossbreed and will not carry to term.