How to Choose the Right Livestock for Your Land and Lifestyle

lindsay Metternich
Jul 15
3 min read

By Lindsay Metternich | Harmony Helpers

So, you’ve got a patch of land (or maybe just a dream) and you’re ready to bring animals into the mix. But where do you even begin?

Cows? Chickens? Goats? Maybe alpacas? If the options feel overwhelming, you’re not alone. The truth is—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing livestock.

It all comes down to your land, your lifestyle, your goals—and your bandwidth. In this post, I’ll walk you through the questions to ask, animals to consider, and how to make choices that bring joy, not regret.

🧭 Start Here: What Do You Actually Want?

Before you Google “mini dairy cow vs. Nubian goat,” pause and ask:

Why do I want animals? (Eggs? Meat? Milk? Companionship? A teaching tool for kids?)
How much time do I really have each day?
What is my land like—pasture, forest, suburban yard?
What’s my budget for housing, feed, fencing, and vet care?
Am I okay with butchering—or do I want only non-meat animals?

Be honest. Your future 6 a.m. self will thank you.

🏡 Know Your Land: Big or Small, It All Counts

Different animals thrive in different environments. Here’s a general guide:

✔ Small Spaces (Backyard or Urban/Suburban)

Chickens – Eggs, garden pest control, compost help
Rabbits – Meat or fiber, low space needs
Quail – Tiny, prolific egg layers
Bees – Pollination, honey, great for tight areas

✔ Medium Plots (1–5 Acres)

Goats – Milk, brush clearing, companionship
Sheep – Wool, meat, pasture grazers
Pigs – Great for meat, need secure fencing
Turkeys/Ducks – Meat and eggs, unique personalities

✔ Larger Acreage (5+ Acres)

Cows – Milk or beef, need significant grazing space
Horses – Work, riding, or pasture management
Donkeys/Llamas/Alpacas – Guard animals, fiber, companionship
Pastured Poultry – Chickens or ducks rotated on pasture

🐔 Meet the Livestock (Pros & Cons of Common Animals)

Chickens

✔ Great for beginners
✔ Daily eggs
✘ Need predator-safe housing
✘ Can be messy (watch your porch!)

Goats

✔ Fun personalities, good for milk
✔ Clear brush like pros
✘ Escape artists—seriously
✘ Can be loud

Sheep

✔ Quiet, gentle, great grazers
✔ Provide meat or wool
✘ Need parasite control
✘ Less “bonded” than goats

Cows

✔ Milk or beef for the family
✔ Manure for compost
✘ Expensive to feed
✘ Need strong fencing and space

Pigs

✔ Efficient meat producers
✔ Can till garden space
✘ Need strong fences
✘ Not ideal for squeamish beginners

Bees

✔ Little space needed
✔ Pollinate garden + honey!
✘ Require calm, hands-off confidence
✘ Sensitive to weather, pests

Ducks & Turkeys

✔ Eggs + meat (ducks = great layers!)
✔ Funny and personable
✘ Messy with water
✘ May need more protection than chickens

💡 Key Questions to Narrow It Down

Do I want daily output (like eggs or milk)?
Am I willing to harvest animals, or do I want “pets with purpose”?
What fencing and shelter can I realistically build/afford?
Do I have a local vet who sees livestock?
Are my kids involved—and which animals are safest for them?

🗂 Sample Starter Setups by Goal

🥚 For a Family Wanting Food Security (on 1–2 acres):

6 laying hens
2 dairy goats
Backyard garden
Compost bin and rainwater barrel

🧵 For a Hobby Homesteader Focused on Fiber & Fun:

2–3 alpacas or sheep
4 chickens
Herb and dye plant garden

🐾 For the Busy Mom Who Wants Low-Maintenance Joy:

4 chickens or ducks
A rabbit hutch
One miniature goat or house-trained indoor bunny
Bees (optional)

✨ Final Thoughts: Start Small, Learn as You Go

You don’t need to add a full barnyard overnight. You don’t need to have it all figured out. And you definitely don’t need to raise what everyone else is raising.

Start with one animal that fits your life right now. Love it well. Learn from it. Then expand—slowly, intentionally, and with joy.

Because the right animals will enrich your life—not overwhelm it.

You've got this.

— Lindsay