What Animals Should I Raise?

If you're just starting out in farming or homesteading, you might know you want to raise animals of some kind, but you're not sure where to begin. This is a collection of the most relevant information on raising different animal breeds - what they need as far as housing, food, fencing and attention.
Keep checking back, as I'll be adding information for additional animals, like rabbits, ducks, gamebirds, cows, and more.

Laying Hens

Keeping a flock of laying hens is a great place to begin when starting your small farm. Chickens are relatively easy to leave for a few days with full waterers and feeders and are also uncomplicated enough to entrust to a neighbor for longer vacations. If you keep them for eggs, you don't have to face slaughter day, but you might have to euthanize old or sick hens.
Chickens require a coop with ventilation and roosting poles and nest boxes. They can free range, but you'll have to deal with chicken poop on your lawn. They can't be trained to poop in certain areas. With enough acreage and the right setup, you might not be bothered by them free ranging, but most people will want to enclose the hens in a fenced-in area.

• Should I Keep Chickens?
• How to Keep Chickens
 

Article Source: http://smallfarm.about.com/od/designingandplanning/tp/What-Animals-Should-I-Raise.htm