findiing the most productive mix?

[jvicars]

I have been reading and learning. I got a bit of everything to see what i like. so far i have:
turkeys - just for eatting this fall
chickens - eggs and some meat
rabbits - meat
4 heifers and one bull calf
3 goats - milking
5 pigs - breeding. eatting babies and selling

so far i think i am going to settle on:
chickens
rabbits
goats
pigs

i question whether the cows are worth the hassle with only 3 acres of pasture. i have 2 many now but i plan to eat a few.

what am i missing? I want my homestead to be productive and efficient. I have 6 acres. 3 pasture fenced, 2 woods and 1 house etc. thanks.

[travlnusa]

You have not shared were you live, but unless you are in a very unusual area, you dont have enough pasture to support 5 head of cattle. In NW WI where I am, I can run 1.5 pair acre with rotational grazing.

Also not knowing how large of a gang you are feeding, 2 cows will provide alot of beef.

[TxGypsy]

Bees and earthworms.

[bill not in oh]

Get the right breed of cattle (Highlands, Belted Galloway, Longhorn, etc) and you can run them in the woods. (You may have to thin the trees a bit - those horns are pretty long). You can also run meat goats (Spanish or Boer) with them. You won't be able to go crazy with stocking density, but it expands your usable acres.

[Wisconsin Ann]

I'd second the motion for Bees. they're real easy to work with once you get used to them. Don't take up much space. Just an out of the way spot with some sun to warm them in the mornings. A bit pricey to get started with, and you have to do some research to learn about them, but well worth it.

[bluebird2o2]

ducks ,muscovys for meat,even if you dont eat duck many areas get very good prices for duck.muscovys will get much of there own food.they are not the prettiest bird but they are great sitters and mothers.bluebird