What is the most efficient farm animal to raise for meat on a very small scale?
Question by Stephen O: What is the most efficient farm animal to raise for meat on a very small scale?
I have a large backyard and I want to raise a small number of animals for meat. Chickens, rabbits, chucker partridge, are some that I am considering but I do not know about feed costs and disease resistance. I have a 2 story barn that is empty. It is 16′ x 12′.
I have raised goats, chickens and ducks many many years ago,but I need to buck up my knowlege.
What do you think? Answer below!
5 Responses to What is the most efficient farm animal to raise for meat on a very small scale?
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Chickens because they grow to butcher size quickly and the feed is cheap.
jakeb
February 4, 2012 at 4:00 am
I would agree – Chickens.
Your turn-over rate (eggs to chicken; then chicken to egg) is rather short. Unlike cows which would talk at least a years!
As with Chicken I would keep Breeder Hens and Roosters ( number of rooster depends on number of hens) about 15:1.
Also with chickens you can eat the eggs – (try doing that with a cow!!)
Lundee
February 4, 2012 at 4:14 am
Well Rabbits are slightly less efficient at converting feed into protein as chicken (23% vs 20%) however I suspect that you can’t beat Rats. Rat meat is real popular in parts of China, Thailand, and France. It is said if you try it you will swear it’s the best tasting meat ever (I suppose if it’s properly seasoned maybe…) It can sell for more the double the price of Beef according to Snopes. I couldn’t find any data on how efficiently rats convert food into protein, but I’d bet money it’s more efficient than Chicken.
Also worth mentioning is that rats would have cheaper feed. They will eat ANYTHING, whereas chickens are a little more picky. Rabbits might be cheaper to feed than chickens I suspect
After further research I discovered that by eating rats you are more prone to getting Leptospirosis (whatever that is) more research is needed before you start Rat farming.
Otherwise if you are looking for Really efficient protein, have you considered bug farming?
Rick
February 4, 2012 at 4:49 am
Chickens or better yet Guenna hens. They are more prolific and table scraps as well as all kinds of bugs and snakes and the feed is the same as for chickens. They also taste a whole lot better and do not required to be penned in ( they will get out anyway ).
t s
February 4, 2012 at 5:29 am
Chickens , ducks or geese. guineas are to darn noisy!! Geese make darn good watch dogs too! Just don’t chase them!!!! They’ll get cha!!
bluebonnets1952
February 4, 2012 at 6:12 am