Information on Small Livestock

Small livestock are common among most small and large farms. These types of animals can include any small domesticated animal that is raised for food or profit on a farm. Let’s take a look at some types of small livestock.

One good example of small livestock is domesticated sheep. There are over 200 breeds of this animal throughout the world. These animals are often raised on farms for fleece, meat and milk. The sheep’s fleece is harvested for wool, which is used by people around the world. The meat of this animal is called mutton when it comes from an adult and lamb when it comes from a young sheep.

Probably the most popular form of small livestock are chickens. Chickens are the most numerous bird in the world. These barnyard birds are capable of living anywhere from five to eleven years. Chickens are mainly raised for their eggs and meat depending on the breed. Some breeds can lay as many as 300 eggs a year.

The domesticated goat is also a type of small livestock that can be found on farms. There are nine primary breeds of this hoofed mammal in the world. The most common breed is the domesticated goat. Goats enjoy dining on grass, leaves, herbs and other forms of vegetation. They have a common and disputable reputation of eating anything in sight. These mammals are ruminant, which means that they swallow food without chewing it and later regurgitate it as cud.