Best Farm Animals for Beginners- No Matter the Reason

Starting a little farm can be something quite addicting, BUT it takes a little bit of patience, practice and knowledge.

When I was a teenager, I was out volunteering to take care of animals at a petting farm. I’d rather ride horses and play with pigs than most things.

Being able to have my very own animals in my own backyard is a dream come true.

No matter what the reason is, if you want to raise farm animals, some animals are easier than others.

And heck, if you have this option and you don’t want to get overwhelmed, take it.

I don’t like to give myself a label onto how we do things here on the homestead. I wouldn’t say we are homesteaders, but others may think so. The point is there are some animals I can tell you from experience that are best to start with.

If you want to layout ideas for your one acre homestead check out these inspiring ones!

Chickens

Yep. It was our first choice, and SO glad it was. They are the best farm animals to introduce to your homestead. Why? They are easy to purchase and don’t cost a ton.

Plus, you do NOT need a ton of space for the chickens. It’s best to start with six chickens. You can always add more to your flock.

And you are going to get something in return for such little effort. Those fresh farm eggs will be so worth it.

If you want to raise chickens for meat, that’s even easier. As meat birds you only need around for a shorter amount of time. You can read how to raise and butcher your own meat birds here.

Chickens are a great option for kids in 4-H. As one of the only animals young 4-Hers can show and enter in the fair.

Now if you were like me and terrified of birds, I’m here to tell you I have OVERCOME this fear. 5 years later. I’m even able to handle the Roosters like a champ now too.

You will get over the fear and it is SO worth the meat and or/eggs.

Care Tips for Beginners

Provide clean water, layer feed, and protection from predators (hawks, raccoons, that one nosy neighbor’s dog—you know who I mean). For winter? They handle cold like champs if their coop is dry and draft-free.

Bonus tip: Toss kitchen scraps their way, and they’ll love you forever.

Space Requirements

Chickens don’t ask for much. Plan for about 2-3 square feet of coop space per bird, plus 8-10 square feet for a run (if you’re not letting them free-range). Want to keep things ultra-simple? A flock of 3-5 hens is plenty to get you started.

Read or Pin: How to Get Perfectly Boiled Farm Eggs

If you want to know how much it costs to get started with chickens read this.

• How to Trim Goat Hooves
• How to Stop Chickens From Eating Their Eggs
• Do Pool Noodles Actually Work on Goats? How to Cover Horns
• How to Prepare Your Goats for a Successful Breeding Season

Be sure to read this on how to raise chickens like a pro and this if you want to do it for cheap.

Ducks

Next up is my next favorite ( besides my mini pigs) ducks. After raising a few different flocks of ducks, I almost wish I could have 20 ducks instead of chickens.

And listen I would, except for the fact we have a 1/2 acre pond that is common place for the coyotes to come. I have NOT learned how to master the sadness that comes with losing animals.

They are absolutely adorable as babies. Your kiddos will LOVE having them take their first swim in your bathtub.

You can easily get ducks from your local feed store too. They don’t cost a ton and you do NOT need a pond to raise ducks.

I’ve explained all my best tips for raising ducks here.

And I’ve shared the biggest mistake we made when raising ducks here.

Rabbits

Rabbits are a great option to a beginner because they do not require much room and cost little to feed. Plus they are a great project for the kids to start with 4-H.

My daughter showed her rabbit at the fair and it was a great learning experience. This is also a cost-effective farm animal for meat purposes too. We haven’t ventured into that, and not sure we could with the girls being rabbit lovers, but who knows right?

Space Requirements

Rabbits thrive in hutches or cages with at least 4-6 square feet of space per rabbit. For a breeding trio (one buck, two does), a 4×8-foot setup should do the trick. Bonus points if you give them playtime in a secure run area.

Benefits

First up, poop. Rabbit manure is basically garden gold and doesn’t need to be composted before using. Plant yourself a bumper crop of carrots or tomatoes, and thank your bunnies later.

If you’re open to raising meat rabbits, breeds like New Zealand or Californian are popular for their quick growth and temperament. Not there yet? No judgment—rabbits make fantastic pets, too.

Care Tips for Beginners

Keep them cool in summer (heatwaves can be fatal). A frozen water bottle in their hutch is a lifesaver when temps rise. They thrive on hay, leafy greens, and rabbit pellets. Oh, and secure their enclosures—rabbits and escape artistry go hand in hand.

That’s the beauty of living this homestead, frugal, simple, whatever you want to call it life.

The possibilities are endless.

Bees

I know bees might sound a little intimidating at first. But if you’ve got a soft spot for honey (and who doesn’t?), they’re totally worth looking into.

Space Requirements

A single hive takes up barely any space—about 2×2 feet on any sunny corner of your lot. Plus, bees don’t need daily care, so they’re perfect for time-strapped homesteaders.

Benefits

Where do I even start? Bees pollinate your garden, which means more veggies and fruits for you. They also give you honey, beeswax (think candles, lip balm, DIY lotions—if you’re feeling ambitious), and an incredible sense of accomplishment. I mean, you’re helping save the planet one hive at a time. That deserves a fist bump.

Care Tips for Beginners

Start small, maybe with one or two hives. Look for a local beekeeping group—they’re great for support. And read up on bee behavior. You’ll learn to anticipate their needs and keep them happy.

Pro tip? Avoid synthetic pesticides in your garden; your bees will thank you.

Honorable Mentions

If you still have a little space to play with—or feel like going all-in—here are a few honorable mentions for the small homesteads of the world:

• Quail: Take up even less space than chickens, lay adorable eggs, and don’t make much noise.
• Koi or Tilapia (if you’re feeling fancy): Perfect for aquaponics setups, where fish waste fertilizes your plants.
• Goats (Mini breeds): Nigerian Dwarfs can thrive in tight spaces and produce creamy milk—but they’re mischievous. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

If you are feeling like possibilities are not endless, let me ask you if you are feeling a financial struggle? If so check out some of my post popular tips to help you get started on a path to financial freedom. It has changed our lives forever.

What’s the first animal you are going to venture with? Or what was your first farm animal?