Small Livestock Options for Small Spaces

In elementary schools around the country, images of farm animals are an integral part of educational tools. Children´s books and songs routinely use the imagery of the family cow, a barn filled with chickens and ducks, and sheep wandering through green pastures. However, most of these children, especially those in urban areas, have never seen, let alone interacted with, the farm animals that were part of our agricultural heritage. Today, most farm animals live in wretched conditions on factory farms. According to one estimate, “70.4 percent of cows, 98.3 percent of pigs, 99.8 percent of turkeys, 98.2 percent of chickens raised for eggs, and over 99.9 percent of chickens raised for meat are raised in factory farms.”

At the same time, seven out of every ten Americans state that they want better treatment for the farm animals that make up a significant part of our diet. Supporting local, organic farmers at farmer´s markets or participating in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program is one way to find healthier, more local sources of ethically raised meat and dairy products. However, homeowners can also consider raising small poultry and livestock in their backyards as a pathway towards greater food autonomy.

Why Raise Farm Animals in a Backyard Setting? 

In the 1970s, the United States Department of Agriculture encouraged farmers to “get big or get out.” This policy and mindset led to the decimation of small, family-sized farms and the corporatization of agriculture. Whereas small farmers of the past would raise a few heads of cattle, poultry, and livestock for their use and sale in local markets, today, animal farmers grow thousands of animals in confined lots and cages to maximize profitability.

This type of factory farming certainly raises concerns about animal welfare. Factory farms create artificial environments where disease and contamination are genuine concerns. The abundant use of antibiotics in these factories has led to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It could lead to “super-germs” threatening public health. Whereas manure from animals on a diversified family farm can easily reincorporate into the soil as a safe source of fertility, the same cannot be said for factory farms. The sheer volume of animals leads to an accumulation of toxic waste that negatively affects air quality for residents who live near these operations. The runoff of this manure waste also contributes to the contamination of local waterways and the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico.  

Raising your animals for healthy, organic meat and dairy products can help you and your family avoid some of the authentic health and safety concerns associated with the factory farming of animals. Below, we offer simple ideas for raising chickens, rabbits, and sheep in small spaces.