What’s a Good Animal to Start Raising?

Thinking about raising animals to provide healthy food for your family? Whether you’re aiming to be more self-sufficient, want to know exactly where your food comes from, or just want to teach the kids what it takes to care for livestock, you’re not alone. More folks every year are getting into backyard farming and homegrown food.

But before you hitch up the trailer and bring home your first animal, there’s one big question to ask:

What’s the best animal for you to start with?

At Elston Hay & Grain, we’ve helped plenty of first-timers get going. From raising their first batch of chicks to picking up a starter herd of goats. In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through beginner-friendly animals, like chickens, pigs, goats, and even steer, so you can choose what fits best with your space, goals, and time.

Chickens – The Gateway Livestock

Start here if you’re new.

If there’s one animal we’d call a great “first step,” it’s chickens. They’re affordable, don’t take up much space, and start giving back quickly with eggs almost every day. Chickens are a great way to dip your toe into livestock care without getting in over your head.

Why They’re Great for Beginners: Chickens are often the first animal people start with and for good reason. They don’t take up much space, they’re relatively low-cost, and they give back in fresh eggs and meat.

Things to Consider:

• Shelter: A secure coop is a must. Chickens attract a long list of predators including coyotes, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, weasels, owls, hawks, snakes, and even neighborhood dogs and cats. These animals can dig under, climb over, or squeeze through weak spots. Make sure your coop is sturdy, latched tight, and locked up every night.
• Feed: Chick starter, lay crumble, lay pellets, lay mash or feed specifically for meat birds, depending on whether you’re raising chickens for eggs or for meat. 
• Time Commitment: Daily feeding, watering, and egg collecting.
• Return: Eggs, meat, and small pest control in your yard.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your setup, Elston Hay & Grain is here to help guide you. Check out our tips on getting your first flock going and caring for your laying hens.

Pigs – Big Personality, Big Payoff

Pigs might look intimidating, but they’re some of the easiest and most rewarding animals to raise once you’ve got the right setup. They grow fast, eat just about anything, and one pig can stock your freezer with enough meat to last months.

Why They’re Popular: Pigs grow fast and efficiently. They’re smart, easy to train, and a well-raised pig can feed a family for a year.

Things to Consider:

• Fencing: Pigs love to dig with their noses, so it’s important to have strong, secure fencing that keeps them from escaping or damaging nearby areas.
• Feed: Pig starter feed, Pig grower feed, kitchen scraps, and grains. They’ll eat nearly anything.
• Space Needs: More room than rabbits or chickens, but still doable on small acreage.
• Return: High-quality pork, bacon, and sausage. Worth the work.

Need more of a consult? Great news! Our very own Shelly (Ramona) raises pigs, so give her a call for more tips and tricks. You can check out her personal advice on How to Raise Pigs Right on the blog.

Goats – A Source of Milk, Meat, and Pasture Cleanup

Goats are full of character and full of purpose. They can provide milk, meat, and even landscaping help by clearing brush and weeds. They’re social animals that bond with people easily but they also require some patience and solid fencing.

Why They’re a Homesteading Favorite: Goats are multi-purpose: milk, meat, and natural brush clearers. They’re also entertaining and bond well with people.

Things to Consider:

• Fencing: Goats are natural escape artists. They climb, jump, and push on weak spots. Use tall, sturdy fencing (4 – 5 ft high) that won’t bend or give under pressure. Woven wire with solid posts works great.
• Feed: Quality hay should be their main feed. They’ll happily snack on leaves, twigs, and weeds, but that’s just a bonus. If they’re milking or need a boost, a little grain helps.
• Care Needs: Trim hooves every 4 – 6 weeks to avoid foot problems. Deworming is a must, usually every few months.

Steer (Cattle) – Big Investment, Big Reward

If you’ve got the land and time, raising a steer for beef can be incredibly rewarding. It’s more work than smaller livestock, but the result: hundreds of pounds of homegrown beef is worth it for many homesteaders.

Why Some Choose Cattle: You’ll know exactly how your beef was raised, and one steer can stock your freezer for a year or more. It’s a great step toward food independence, especially if you’ve got pasture space to spare.

Things to Consider:

• Space: Beef cattle can be raised in a 24×24-foot backyard corral if zoning allows. Ideally, plan for 1–2 acres per steer for grazing. If pasture is limited, supplement with hay.
• Feed: Hay and grain. Grain promotes better marbling. Always ensure fresh, clean water, after all cattle can drink 10-20 gallons each per day.
• Fencing & Shelter: Strong fencing is a must! Barbed wire or electric works well. Provide shade and shelter for protection from the elements.
• Time Commitment: Most steers take 12 – 18 months to reach butchering weight. Daily care includes feeding, watering, and health checks.

And More Animals to Consider

Once you get the hang of caring for livestock, it’s natural to want to branch out. From birds to bees, there are plenty of options depending on your land, time, and goals.

• Turkeys & Ducks: Great for meat and eggs; require a bit more care than chickens but are still manageable.
• Quail: Small, quiet, prolific layers, even apartment dwellers raise these.
• Sheep: Perfect for meat and wool, and they graze quietly compared to goats.
• Bees: Not livestock in the traditional sense, but perfect for pollination and honey production.
• Fish (Aquaponics): Growing in popularity for backyard setups with limited space.

Final Thoughts from Elston Hay & Grain

You don’t have to start with a whole barnyard. One or two animals is all it takes to get going. Chickens and rabbits are great first steps. If you’ve got a little more room, pigs and goats open up more options. And if you’re ready to go big steer or sheep can feed your family for a year.

Whatever you choose, we’re here to help.

Stop by Elston’s for feed, supplies, and good local advice. Whether you’re raising chicks, your first pig, or you’re thinking about bees, we’ve got what you need to get started right.

Need Help Getting Started?

We’ve written a few beginner-friendly blogs to help walk you through the next step once you’ve picked your animal. Check out these helpful reads:

• How to Raise Pigs Right – A backyard guide to swine for the homesteader at heart
• Raising Your Own Chickens for Fresh Eggs – Everything you need to know to get your flock started
• How to Care for Laying Hens – A practical guide to feeding, setup, handling, and egg production

Visit us in-store or message us on Facebook for product recommendations, starter supplies, and good ol’ local advice.

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Elston Hay & Grain

For over 55 years, Elston’s has been San Diego’s go-to for animal care and rural living. We proudly support generations of horse lovers, livestock caretakers, pet owners, and home growers with top-notch hay, feed, and supplies. Rooted in ranching and built on friendly know-how, we’re here to I’m help you care for your animals with confidence. Whether you’re raising chickens, feeding a stable, or spoiling your pup, here at Elston’s we’ve got what you need.

Shop online or visit us at our locations in Ramona and Poway. We proudly deliver to all of San Diego County, including Escondido, Lakeside, Warner Springs, Julian, Ranchita, and South County. https://shop.elstonhayandgrain.com/home