7 Farm Animals Perfect for City Living

If you’re learning the basics of homesteading, you’re probably interested in learning about farm animals perfect for city living.

Here is a list of seven farm animals that are perfect for small-space urban farming.

From chickens to rabbits, these furry and feathered friends are easy to care for and will provide you with plenty of fresh eggs or meat.

So, why not add one or more of these creatures to your backyard homestead?

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What Are The Best Small Farm Animals For City Living?

Not all farm animals are created equal. Some are better suited for city living than others. When choosing animals for your backyard homestead, you’ll want to consider the amount of space you have, the climate you live in, and your own personal preferences.

For example, if you live in a city with limited space, you may want to choose smaller animals like chickens or rabbits over larger animals like cows or pigs. If you live in a warmer climate, you’ll want to choose animals that are better suited for hot weather, like goats or hair sheep. And if you have specific preferences , like wanting animals that provide you with eggs or meat, you’ll want to choose animals accordingly.

Here are seven of the best farm animals for city living for those interested in raising livestock in your backyard.

Chickens

Raising chickens is a great option for city living or any small hobby farm. They don’t take up much space and can be kept in a small backyard coop. Chickens are also relatively low maintenance, although they do require some care and attention. But, the rewards of fresh chicken eggs make all the effort worth it.

 

Chickens don’t tend to be loud, especially if you avoid getting a rooster. And they aren’t too stinky, especially if you stay on top of coop cleanup.

Chickens, especially free range chickens, also make a great natural pest control and can keep down the bugs around your home, Homes with free range backyard chickens experience significantly fewer spiders, ants, and mosquitoes.

Our chickens even chase mice! Which is almost as good as these mouse traps for the homestead.

Another perk to raising meat birds or birds for eggs is the chicken poop. Chicken manure is great for gardens and you can add a lot of free nutrients to your plants just by cleaning out your chicken coop.

Ducks

Ducks are another poultry option that does well in small spaces. Like chickens, ducks also require a bit of care and attention but will provide you with delicious eggs. Plus, they’re fun to watch as they waddle around your backyard. Just give them a kiddie pool and some store bought feed and you’re good to go!

 

Eating pests is another skill ducks are good at so if you’ve got enough space (and some forgiving noses), ducks will keep bugs down without the use of nasty chemicals.

The biggest downside of ducks is definitely the smell. Most ducks are incredibly stinky. They are also messy so be sure you give them plenty of space in which to roam. However, if you can overcome these issues, you’re in for a fun and exciting adventure filled with rich duck eggs and delicious meat.

Rabbits

Rabbits are perfect for city living because they don’t take up much space. They can be kept in a small hutch and don’t require a lot of care. Rabbits are also relatively quiet, so they won’t disturb your neighbors.

Rabbit meat is delicious and tastes very similar to chicken. In fact, when we cook rabbit meat at our house, we cook it the same way we cook chicken and it always turns out beautifully!

One of the best parts about raising rabbits is they aren’t officially considered livestock so even if you live in an area that doesn’t allow farm animals, you can still get your hands on some rabbits and raise them for meat! (Just be sure not to process them in your backyard.)

If you have a garden, you’ll be happy to know that rabbit poop is some of the best manure for gardens. Your plants will be very happy if you stick some rabbit manure in your garden beds. And if you’re willing to invest in a bunny tractor, your rabbits can safely roam in your garden or yard anytime you want!

The downside of rabbits is that they require a bit more effort to care for than some other animals on this list. They need fresh water and hay daily, and their hutch needs to be cleaned regularly. But, if you’re up for the challenge, rabbits can make great pets and provide you with plenty of fresh meat for either you or your canine companions.

Goats

If you get the right breed, goats are another animal that can be easily kept in a small space. The Pygmy Goat and Nigerian Dwarf Goat breeds especially don’t require a lot of grazing room and can even be kept on a balconied city apartment. While goats are more work than chickens, they provide milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Some breeds are even a good source of goat meat.

Goat milk is a bit different from cow milk and many people prefer goat milk to cow milk. Additionally, many people who are lactose intolerant can enjoy goat milk without any issue making goats a great solution for many people who want their own fresh milk.

 

The biggest downside to raising goats is that they are escape artists. So, if you’re going to keep goats in a small space, you need to make sure their enclosure is secure. You also need to be prepared for some noise as goats can be quite vocal creatures. But, if you’re up for the challenge, and your neighborhood allows them, goats can be a fun and rewarding addition to your city farm.

Sheep

Sheep are similar to goats in that they don’t take up much space and can be kept in a small backyard. And if you get hair sheep instead of wool sheep, you won’t even need to worry about shearing! (Unless you want wool, of course, in which case opt for a wool sheep.) And regardless of the hair or wool status, sheep are a great way to raise your own meat.

The biggest downside of sheep is that they require a bit more care than some of the other animals on this list. They need to be vaccinated and wormed regularly, and their hooves need to be trimmed every few months.

Additionally, sheep fall under the category of livestock so many cities and HOAs don’t allow them. But, if you’re willing to put in the extra effort, sheep can be a great addition to your city farm.

And on that note, if you’ve got enough space for sheep, you might also consider adding some miniature cattle breeds to your backyard flock.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are a great addition to any backyard farm. They are small, quiet, and don’t require a lot of maintenance making them an affordable way to raise your own meat. Guinea pigs can be purchased for around $20 a piece and can provide up to 2 pounds of meat each. They can be raised on a small amount of hay and water and need very little space.

Guinea pigs, like rabbits, are not considered livestock so you can raise these animals even in areas that don’t allow other animals such as chickens, ducks, or honey bees.

Honey Bees

Honey bees are an essential part of any urban farm, especially if you have your own garden. Bees are great because they pollinate plants and produce honey. While they do require some care, honey bees are relatively easy to keep and don’t take up much space. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits (or rather, sweets) of their labor.

So, there you have it! Seven farm animals that are perfect for city living. Which ones will you add to your backyard homestead?

Why Add Low Maintenance Farm Animals To Your Backyard Homestead?

There are many reasons to consider adding low-maintenance quiet farm animals to your backyard homestead. Raising farm animals is an adventure most people truly enjoy.

 

• Teach kids responsibility
• Be more self-sufficient
• Food security
• Pest Control
• Extra income
• Healthy lifestyle
• Companionship

Keeping farm animals in the city is a great way to get fresh eggs, milk, and meat without having to leave the comfort of your home. With a little bit of care and attention, you can have a thriving farm right in your backyard. So, if you’re looking for a fun and rewarding challenge, consider raising some farm animals of your own!

You don’t need several acres of land to raise small livestock. All you need is a place to build a living area with proper fencing and a little bit of grazing space. Animals require food, water, and shelter but they don’t necessarily need dozens of acres worth of space.

Before you know it, your small flock will be providing you and your family with your very own food source. Keep food costs low by adding some farm animals to your backyard homestead today!

Tell me – what other farm animals would you add to this list? Share your experiences with raising animals on small hobby farms in the comments below!