What animals do you not have that you wish you did?

We used to have a few Jerseys. We fed the excess milk to pigs and got some great pork that way, as well as vealing out a bull calf on it. I made butter and cheese and ice cream. I really REALLY miss the quality of Jersey milk. It has a lot more solids in it, and grocery store milk tastes cooked. I've been considering a miniature Jersey, but a dairy animal is a huge commitment. So I guess what I'd really like is a neighbor with a Jersey that would be willing to trade some, or sell it to me "for my cats."

I have horses, 2 Friesians, 1 retired HUS horse, a retired WP horse, and a cute little pony. And a handful of layers, three cats and two dogs. I'd really like to raise some meat birds again. Just gotta square away the housing.

I want some of those two-legged critters called "farm hands." We could use a few of those...

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Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/

LOL, I've had care of a spider monkey and now can't see why anyone wants one. Did you know they don't have to fling poo?
Yeah, when they get mad, they can just squirt you with it And they bite. That's why no one will let you pet theirs.

But if you really want to be around them, volunteer at a wildlife rescue (as they're not a dog or cat, they get dumped at the wildlife rehab place) or try a job as an exotic pet sitter. I've gotten to play with all sorts of cool critters. It's how I can tell you things like sea otters are ferrets squared, most pet rats are amazing and yes there really are people who crave deeply just one more tarantula.

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A ship in the harbor may be safe, but that's not what ships are built for

Miniature oreo-cookie cows & those Japanese chickens with the 12-foot tails :-)

A good horse to ride (hubby says over his dead body) and a dairy goat or two

Chickens and ducks eat bugs too and aren't nearly as obnoxious as guineas! You couldn't pay me enough to have guineas.
Not necessarily.
Keep a bum calf on her and you won't have to milk all the time. My father in law ALWAYS did this with their milk cow.
And DH and I had a cow out of the beef herd this spring (Angus who produced a lot of milk) that we'd grafted a bum on to. We'd milk her first thing in the morning and turn her calf out with her for the rest of the day. Her calf still got fat and sassy and we had fresh milk, cream and butter in the fridge.

Things I'd like:
Goats! I have no idea why. I've just always wanted goats. lol
More cattle. But we'd need more land for more cattle...
Predator-proof chickens

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~*~Erin~*~
SAHM, ranch wife, sub and quilt shop proprietress
the Back Gate Country Quilt Shop

I noticed rabbits mentioned several times on this thread. They are truly easy to have. We keep 12 to 16 breeding does and around 4 bucks.

Here in Central Florida, we have soil that looks like kosher salt. Hard to grow anything. Rabbit manure does the trick. We also keep composting worms in the rabbit manure beds(which just happen to be located under the rabbit cages). After the worms have had their way with the manure, it is jet black!

Nicest part is the time factor. Around 20 minutes a day to take care of them.

Rabbit poo is the BEST. My gardens this year were fantastic due to the addition of rabbit and goat manures.

Still want to till some more in before the ground freezes, and of course, both manures can be used "as is" - no need to compost.

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Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/

Never said it was a good idea, just said I wanted one......

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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi


Libertarindependent

We have pigs, draft horses, chickens, turkeys (midget white, they are the best!), dogs and a cat. Used to have highland cattle and really miss them. Still want a milk cow and some geese.