[Onlooker]

Hello, I have a 6 acre private island on fresh water in a Maine like climate Mostly spruce growing 10-12ft high, green nearly to the ground.

What animals might thrive/survive on such a place, least likely to swim/fly away; and be harvest-able by winter (8-9 months before lake freezes). Predators would mostly be owls/hawks I would expect; depending on the willingness of others to swim(Bears, lynx, coyote, foxes,everything) that distance(feels pretty far).

My first thoughts are Pigs(~2), goats(~2), chickens.. I hear some pigs swim quite well; how likely is that in those distances; those with experience; are there particular breeds(pigs/sheep/goat/chickens) with aversion to open water. Other tasty or profitable suggestions? Idea is minimal feed/treats, raw or filtered lake water(clean as it comes; minimal human use)

 

[Onlooker]

Thanks for the replies, I continue to be interested in this *idea if anyone has any experience with specific breeds/animals and related considerations: Water as barrier, LARGE predator/livestock proof auto-feeder would seem to be necessary.

I know of more remote salt water islands(few hours away) grazing livestock until harvest.

Disease is usually introduced is it not? I would think uninhabited island would potentially be healthier.
I'm considering the quality of life in industrial farming vs 2-3 animals on 6 whole acres; predator risk or not, I would argue it gives them a better(if sufficient food) life quality for whatever time they do have.

I am only going by web searches so far, goats, pigs, rabbits would seem to eat spruce needles/bark; what percentage of diet that could make up, I wonder... I suspect it is also breed specific; have heard about 'pasture pigs' being developed to not be supplemented with any* grain...

A couple of pigs are at top of the list so far, they seem to be most predator/disease resistant, mostly (250lb) grown in < 8 months; super tasty. Depends on tendency to swim... Or maybe see how long 6-12 chickens fair; I expect not long with the predator birds.

I do plan to build a little cabin/cottage there, but at first, realistically I'm thinking visit every few weeks.

 

[Onlooker]

6 acres for a industrial pig farm on an island? So you boat the pens pigs food out? What do you do with the pig****t? Dump it in the lake? Don't think DNR will like this idea. How would you control breeding litters. Do you have electric or solar power? How would you set up waters for pig farm, fans or timed feeders. Even living on site would be a stinking nightmare. Sure large auto feeders are available expensive. But man you got to boat the ton of feed out there. stock wild pheasants?

I would never do that, I was comparing the quality life to a pig in an industrial operation to that of 2 or 3 having their own 6 acre island to call their 'pen'. I was trying to imply Animal Control/DNR should have no reasonable issue by comparison... Taking the 1000+lb of feed over to raise a couple of pigs(presuming they could forage some) might still be worth it.