Best animal to get into as business?

[exotica]

If we arent into the meat business is there any type of livestock that is easy to keep that we can make a decent living on or any combination of small livestock? Are alpacas still a good choice in canada?

 

[BrownSheep]

I don't know about Canada but in Idaho alpacas and llamas have really lost their value. You can easily get them for cheap or free. A lot of these come from really expensive stock but the demand and supply have really suppressed their value.

I would say beef cows could be a good investment. It's easy to sell a steer for 500 for most people around here.

 

[exotica]

yeah id do anything but get into meat animals or large animals

any kind of sheep still hold value? Im shocked at alpaca i thought they still had a good market because of the fleece.


I just hate the business i am in looking to invest in something i love (animals) with saved $$

 

[goodolboy]

Katahdin hair sheep are hot right now. Stick to the good stock and sell breeder ewe. I'm a farmer, and have a full time job. Not sure what you mean "Make a living". LOL

 

[Roll farms]

Almost all of the 'big' alpaca herds are dispersing...the 'new' has worn off and folks are selling out like crazy. Animals bought for $20,000.00 a few years ago are selling for $1,000.00 at dispersal sales.
I dunno 'bout you, but that kind of loss would kill my business.

I used to own a guard llama I got for free. He was of absolutely fabulous bloodlines, and the guy imported his sire, paid like $10 g for him. 10 yrs later he's GIVING away the offspring.

The price was jacked way, way up on those critters when they first opened imports again in the late 80's or early 90's. The fleece just isn't worth what the animal costs. It sells higher than sheep wool, but not that much higher! They're also pretty high-maintenance (we did that - keeping weak stock and babying it b/c who can offord to let that kind of investment die...?) compared to 'wild' stock.

Sheep or goats.

 

[Four Winds Ranch]

Ya, here in Alberta, Canada, Alpacas go pretty cheap! There are alot that can be picked up anywhere from $200-free! Llamas are the same. But, they do taste good!

 

[BrownSheep]

Ok so NO meat animals. So, fiber or milk. Unless you plan on getting quite a few milk and fiber animals can be difficult to make profit on.
I'm not certain what spinners favor but notice a lot of Blue Faced Lancaster wool floating around eBay and etsy. Several member here raise Jacobs for spinning. Milk could make you a little bi of money but ultimately leads into the meat buisness as well because of excess kids and calves.

 

[PendergrassRanch]

I don't know about Canada but in Idaho alpacas and llamas have really lost their value. You can easily get them for cheap or free. A lot of these come from really expensive stock but the demand and supply have really suppressed their value.

I would say beef cows could be a good investment. It's easy to sell a steer for 500 for most people around here.

Big time. I know someone in Idaho who just got almost 30 llamas for free. The owners even delivered them!

 

[BrownSheep]

Yep, I know food banks that serve llama meat because the owners donated them. Llamas just aren't worth the feed any more.

 

[exotica]

can you have a small amount of beef animals and combine it with some kind of fiber animal and poultry and make a good living ?


Beef like highland or longhorns something strong hardy with horns? If that is where the profit is