Livestock Guardian Dogs: Breeds and Training Guide
Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, Maremma, and more. How to choose, bond, and train a working guardian dog for your homestead.
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How to Milk a Goat: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
How to Milk a Goat: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners How to Milk a Goat: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners Key Takeaways A milking stand makes the process dramatically easier and keeps the goat calm and still during milking Sanitation is everything — clean hands, clean udder, clean equipment, and rapid cooling of milk prevent…
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Raising Rabbits for Beginners: The Quietest Homestead Livestock
TL;DR: Rabbits are low-noise, space-efficient homestead animals that produce meat, fiber, and manure. Before you bring any home, check your state’s RHDV2 status, find a rabbit-savvy vet, and set up basic biosecurity. Choose a breed matched to your goal (meat, fiber, or pets), house them in a well-ventilated hutch, and feed a hay-forward diet. Five…
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Raising Pigs on a Small Homestead: Breeds, Budget, and Butchering Timeline
🐷 Key Takeaways Kunekune and American Guinea Hog are the best pig breeds for small homesteads — they thrive on pasture with minimal grain Two pigs need about 1/4 acre of pasture and a simple three-sided shelter Realistic budget: $600–$1,200 for two feeder pigs, fencing, shelter, and 6 months of feed A pig raised on…
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Raising Goats for Beginners: Breeds, Costs, and What to Expect
🐐 Key Takeaways Nigerian Dwarf goats are the best beginner breed — they’re small, friendly, and produce up to 2 quarts of milk per day You need a minimum of 2 goats (they’re herd animals and get depressed alone) and about 200 sq ft of pasture per goat Realistic Year 1 cost: $800–$1,500 including shelter,…
