Have you ever dreamed of one day owning a farm? Well, owning some livestock can give you the same rewarding feeling. Livestock consists of animals such as cows, pigs, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, and mules. Whether you want an animal to provide you with fresh eggs in the morning or one to ride through your pasture, livestock animals are your best bet to give you what you are looking for.
Choosing what livestock to raise relies heavily on how much space you have, if they need fencing, how much they eat, state and local property laws, and more. You should also consider what type of veterinary care your livestock will require to avoid the spread of diseases and external parasites. Your veterinarian can recommend the best vaccinations for your livestock so they stay as healthy as possible. Continue to the articles below to learn how you should care for each livestock animal.
-
Handling and Restraint
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Rabbits, Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals
Improper handling may cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Fractures and dislocations of the back, most often resulting in paralysis of both rear legs, are the most common injuries. These injuries occur when rabbits are suddenly frightened and attempt to escape from a small enclosure.
A rabbit's
Read more
-
Ferret Health
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Ferrets, Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals
You will need to take your ferret in to your veterinarian twice a year for a medical checkup and yearly vaccinations. Ferrets require yearly inoculations against canine distemper. They are highly susceptible to canine distemper and it is always fatal. Do not forget to inoculate against this every year!
Read more
-
Food and Housing
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Rabbits
Food
Feeding pet rabbits is easy because nutritionally complete and balanced commercial pelleted diets are readily available. One of these pelleted diets and fresh water are all a pet rabbit requires. The pellets should be offered at all times unless overeating and obesity have become problems. The pellets
Read more
-
Behavior and Training
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Ferrets
Ferrets have powerful, distinct and engaging personalities, and a playful and fastidious nature. Ferrets are diurnal creatures with their periods of greatest activity just before sunrise and shortly after sunset. They sleep about eighteen to twenty hours of the day, waking up twice a day for very active
Read more
-
Food and Housing
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Ferrets
Food
Ferrets are exceptionally playful, so expect your ferret to tip over his food and water bowls. Check on them often, tape them down, or use an unspillable bowl. Rodent water bottles are not recommended as a ferret may damage his teeth on the spout. Because ferrets have such rapid metabolism, they
Read more
-
Selecting a Puppy or Older Dog
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Dogs
Selecting A Puppy
A new puppy can be a terrific addition to a family, but with the fun comes responsibility for its care and well-being. Consider and prepare for your puppy's needs before you adopt! Pick a puppy that is active, friendly, and inquisitive. Avoid the one that appears to be afraid of everything
Read more
-
Breed Characteristics
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Cats
Each cat breed has certain characteristics. Although every cat is unique, certain breeds tend to be more inquisitive, lively, placid, vocal, or gentle than others. Veterinarians, cat-fancy clubs, pet stores, and cat shows are good sources of information about the personalities of various breeds. When
Read more
-
Pet Shop
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Finding Your Pet
A pet shop is a place where dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, reptiles, rodents, fish, and other animals not born and raised on those premises are kept for the purpose of sale to the public. While many people are very satisfied with the pets they acquire from pet stores, critics of pet stores argue that there
Read more
-
Rescue Agency
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Finding Your Pet
Rescuing an animal is a wonderful option for some families. Animals find their way into rescue agencies for a variety of reasons. Some may have been accidentally lost or abandoned. Others may have been given up due to their owners' illness, death, or other change in circumstance. You may not be able
Read more
-
Pigs
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Pigs
Did you know that pigs are a lot cleaner than the reputation they have? While they do roll around in the mud, this keeps them cool. They're actually one of the cleanest animals. They, however, require care, just like any animal. Before you take on more than you can handle, you should educate yourself
Read more
-
Goats
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Goats
Maybe, you've heard that goats will basically eat anything they can put in their mouth. This might give you the impression that they're simple animals to take care of, but this isn't the case. Goats need proper nutrition and enough space, among other things, to grow strong and healthy. Therefore, before
Read more
-
Donkeys, Horses & Mules
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Donkeys, Horses & Mules
There are many benefits to owning a donkey, horse, or mule. However, it is important to know that these animals (all belonging to the sub-family called equus) require special housing, feeding, and care for a healthy life. Here are a few important considerations to make before bringing a new animal home.
Housing
Read more
-
Cows
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Cows
Are you thinking about getting a cow? Before you do, there are a few considerations you need to make. These large and gentle animals need a considerable amount of space, have special dietary needs, and have certain health needs you’ll have to pay attention to. Plus, they can live for up to twenty-five
Read more
-
Sheep
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Sheep
Sheep are adorable with their naturally wooly coats. With all that wool comes responsibility, though. If you're considering raising sheep, you should know what it entails to take care of them. That way, you're prepared for their arrival and aren't overwhelmed after you adopt them.
Housing
What type
Read more
-
Chickens
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Poultry
Choosing a Pet Chicken
Maybe, you want the luxury of freshly laid eggs. Maybe, you think chickens are interesting animals and would make good pets. Before you rush out and purchase a coop and chicken feed, you should understand what's entailed in keeping them healthy and safe.
General Information
Make
Read more
-
Turkeys
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Livestock, Poultry
While all animals have unique personalities, turkeys are usually docile animals. They can be interesting pets to have. However, like any pet, they require a certain level of care to remain healthy and content. Before you decide to purchase turkeys, you should understand what the care entails.
Housing
Keep
Read more