Hobby Farming, Choosing Heritage Breeds

Please forgive the increase in posts related to hobby farming. My dogs are all happy and fit, except Ike has had a bought of painful acne/folliculitis on his chin that I noticed late overnight when he was rubbing his muzzle with his hand. It's probably from the puppies always licking his mouth as an appeasement gesture. Poor guy is really embarrassed by it and he gets a quick trip to the vet in the morning. Also, Farrah has graduated Level 1 puppy class, and will be trying for her CGC soon.

Back to hobby farming, I'm laying out some landscaping options and I see that I definitely have enough space for 2 pigs for meat, a calf for meat, and 2 goats for milk based on their recommended space requirements. I think the ideal setup is having 1-2 meat animals each year, and keeping a smaller milk producing animal that will not be used for meat. Here is a good livestock guide for hobby farms. This will involve more time and management to keep things clean and in order, and there will be extra cost for vetting and feed, so this will take some time to actualize.

They should all be hardy and thrifty enough to survive outdoors. Size is important. It would also be ideal if these animals can all share the same paddock, which will make it easier on my electric bill this coming winter so I don't have to heat 3 separate outdoor areas. However, after further reading, I don't think swine are the safest animal to run with goats or chickens. They may eat them if not attended.

Here are some animals I am considering: Berkshire pigs, the Mulefoot Hog, the smaller, but much rarer Guinea Hog, and another smaller hog, the Ossabaw Island Hog. I think the Berkshire, although much larger, will be the easiest to find. I really like these little Dexter cattle, and here are some heritage goat breeds good for rural homesteaders, along with additional reasons for choosing heritage breeds. I like the Nigerian dwarf, which is a good milker.

The Backyard Homestead

@ Inu Baka-I took the Shibas for an outing to Del's today, my local feed and seed, which has been my chicken supply depot. I bought a really neat book, The Backyard Homestead:

Apparently all you need is a 1/4 acre, which could produce, if in the right climate and with the correct care: 

• 1,400 eggs
• 50 pounds of wheat
• 60 pounds of fruit
• 2,000 pounds of vegetables
• 280 pounds of pork
• and 75 pounds of nuts

The book has lots of neato layouts and dimensions needed to help give us visual learners a better idea of what to build and where. There is also schematics for those on 1/10th of an acre, which is probably nearer the size available for most of those who live in a larger city. I have hope that on 1 acre, I can at least put up some raised beds and raise a pig or two, or have a couple small dairy goats. Heck, that is more than sufficient space to raise a calf or lambs for meat as well depending on grazing. The dogs would still have enough open running spaces if I lay the beds and paddocks out cleverly. Oh, and my new favorite term now is "Rural Homesteader".