BYH Official Poll: What are the things that you should consider before buying herds?

[Support]

So you are planning to get you own herd of animals and is super excited to get started!

But, before making some impulsive purchases and biting more than you can chew, it is best to make a list of the reasons why you want to buy animals, where you are going to house them, how you are going to take care of them etc.


If you are a first time herd owner, what are the things you should consider first before buying your own animals?

If your answer is not listed below, please choose 'Others" and discuss it below.

 

[DutchBunny03]

Before even considering the idea, you must check your zoning ordinances. If not, you could run into a lot of trouble with the town, county, or even state. Make sure you have some extra money in the bank to help you get started. Vet visits can come up unexpectedly. You also need to establish a plan for when you are out of town. Who will feed and water your herd when you aren't there? Make sure you buy the animals from a reputable breeder, and preferably the animals should be pedigreed purebreds. You can expect optimal performance and get it with purebreds; with mongrels, you cannot expect what kind of results you will get.

 

[Baymule]

How about all of the above, plus what @DutchBunny03 added? BTW, that's a good post @DutchBunny03 !!!!

I would like to add
1. Predators and how to protect your herd from predators.
2. Possible theft and how to keep thieves away.
3. Livestock Guard Dogs!

 

[DutchBunny03]

Thanks!!! I have rabbits, so a LGD is not really neccessary. But I have heard that they are very useful for goats, sheep, and alpacas. Is animal theft a problem in your area?

 

[Ponker]

Also be sure to have test results in hand for the animals you're bringing home. Do not ever ever bring an untested animal to your property. Some diseases live in the soil for years! Demand test results for the prevalent diseases of the selected animal. Never take anyone's word for it. Walk away if a seller balks at testing.

You can expect optimal performance and get it with purebreds; with mongrels, you cannot expect what kind of results you will get.

Purebreds are not always the best choice. A cross has hybrid vigor and can be more resistant to disease that a purebred. Many purebreds have inherent breed specific problems while crossbreds do not. A purebred is not always the best choice depending on your goals. That being said, I did choose purebreds for my farm.

Understand the parasite resistce in your area and know which products work and don't work. Learn how to do your own fecals and take the FAMACHA class.

 

[DutchBunny03]

I don't know much about other herd animals, but with rabbits, purebreds are the best choice. Rabbits are usually bred for certain purposes, such as meat or fur. They are bred to meet that purpose. Hybrids are the next best thing, as long as they are carefully thought out and bred.

 

[Baymule]

Thanks!!! I have rabbits, so a LGD is not really neccessary. But I have heard that they are very useful for goats, sheep, and alpacas. Is animal theft a problem in your area?

We have sheep and 2 Great Pyrenees to watch over them. We also have a bodacious pack of coyotes that come REAL close, howling all the way. Theft is not a problem for me, but it might be for some others and needs consideration such as where to locate the animals night pens/shelter.

 

[Alexz7272]

Theft is something I worry about as we do butt up to a relatively busy road, (the only side non highway road to get to the city of Longmont). What do people do to prevent it? I have camera's all over the property and electrical fencing around the perimeter. Is there more precautions we could take?

 

[DutchBunny03]

I live in the last house on a back road in the middle of nowhere, so animal theft is almost nonexistent. But I have heard that a guard dog helps, or a motion light. Some people have used a recording of a dog bark that goes off if a sensor senses motion.

 

[NH homesteader]

I think you're good with cameras and electric fence @Alexz7272

We live on a back road and our house is set back from the road, no one can tell if we are home or not and we target shoot fairly regularly. No one will mess with my animals.

I do worry about coyotes. They've never bothered us but someone up the road had them sneak into their horse pen where the chickens hang out and take 15 chickens. One at a time. Eek.