The_Black_Log Foler
Stock Pals Senior Vice President
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Well, this thread is all about farm animals and how to raise them.
I've been looking at different options. Some animals to actually produce food and others just as pets.
I have a ton of predators. Like a ton.. black bears, bobcats, coyotes, red shouldered Hawks, and foxes. I've heard rumors of Florida panther sightings but have yet to catch one on camera on my property.
I also have a shit ton of deer that come through my property daily along with wild turkeys.
I'd really like something I can free range near my house during the day. The only predators I see during the day are the Hawks, bear and rarely the coyotes although I've caught a bobcat on video a few times during the day. The black bears I don't think I need to be super concerned about... They're primarily opportunistic scavengers that feed on berries and trash that neighbors leave out. They only seem to be a problem if provoked (your dog goes after them, they will defend themselves).
Looked at guinea hens but they apparently wander too much and I don't want to piss of my neighbors.
A donkey seemed like a great one because I have trespassers and could raise a guard donkey. Problem is my neighbors dog always comes on my property which I don't mind one bit, it's a great dog... I just don't want to risk a guard donkey TKOing the thing and having to deal with the fallout from my neighbor.
Llamas seem like a good option. From what I understand they are good at protecting herds and grow big enough to fend off coyotes etc. May be a good alternative to a donkey for defending other herd animals like maybe alpacas. I have plenty of room to fence off a pasture for them. They may require a little more upkeep than alternative options so I'm not sure they will be my starter animal.
Chickens.... I think I can build a pretty large predator proof chicken run and have a coop inside. I really want to be able to let my chickens just free range around the house during the day. Obviously I don't think this is possible when they are young due to my huge red shouldered hawk population. Red shouldered Hawks are pretty small raptors so I'm wondering if they would be an issue with full grown chickens?
My only other concern is my wild turkeys harassing them - those turkeys are territorial and mean as shit. I've seen them attack packs of bucks.
I also don't want to disrupt the nature I have coming through my property... I.e. I'd still like to see my deer and turkeys roam through as they don't really have anywhere else to go due to development.
I'd like ducks as well - I live on a river but I've never seen ducks in it, I imagine because it's a river? My section of the river only has one alligator who's still small. I could just make them a small pond so that's another idea.
So right now I'm thinking of starting with chickens and maybe ducks. Should I be concerned about free ranging them once they're adults?
Any other suggestions to livestock (can be for pets or slaughter) is welcome.
I've been looking at different options. Some animals to actually produce food and others just as pets.
I have a ton of predators. Like a ton.. black bears, bobcats, coyotes, red shouldered Hawks, and foxes. I've heard rumors of Florida panther sightings but have yet to catch one on camera on my property.
I also have a shit ton of deer that come through my property daily along with wild turkeys.
I'd really like something I can free range near my house during the day. The only predators I see during the day are the Hawks, bear and rarely the coyotes although I've caught a bobcat on video a few times during the day. The black bears I don't think I need to be super concerned about... They're primarily opportunistic scavengers that feed on berries and trash that neighbors leave out. They only seem to be a problem if provoked (your dog goes after them, they will defend themselves).
Looked at guinea hens but they apparently wander too much and I don't want to piss of my neighbors.
A donkey seemed like a great one because I have trespassers and could raise a guard donkey. Problem is my neighbors dog always comes on my property which I don't mind one bit, it's a great dog... I just don't want to risk a guard donkey TKOing the thing and having to deal with the fallout from my neighbor.
Llamas seem like a good option. From what I understand they are good at protecting herds and grow big enough to fend off coyotes etc. May be a good alternative to a donkey for defending other herd animals like maybe alpacas. I have plenty of room to fence off a pasture for them. They may require a little more upkeep than alternative options so I'm not sure they will be my starter animal.
Chickens.... I think I can build a pretty large predator proof chicken run and have a coop inside. I really want to be able to let my chickens just free range around the house during the day. Obviously I don't think this is possible when they are young due to my huge red shouldered hawk population. Red shouldered Hawks are pretty small raptors so I'm wondering if they would be an issue with full grown chickens?
My only other concern is my wild turkeys harassing them - those turkeys are territorial and mean as shit. I've seen them attack packs of bucks.
I also don't want to disrupt the nature I have coming through my property... I.e. I'd still like to see my deer and turkeys roam through as they don't really have anywhere else to go due to development.
I'd like ducks as well - I live on a river but I've never seen ducks in it, I imagine because it's a river? My section of the river only has one alligator who's still small. I could just make them a small pond so that's another idea.
So right now I'm thinking of starting with chickens and maybe ducks. Should I be concerned about free ranging them once they're adults?
Any other suggestions to livestock (can be for pets or slaughter) is welcome.
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