Livestock 101: Selection and Care

What is going on, fam? If you’re just getting into this or you’re looking to bring animals onto your land, you need to be ahead of the game. You can’t just go out there and buy whatever looks cute or what you saw on a "shiny" social media post. You need a strategy. We’re going to talk about how to select your stock, how to care for them when things get "uncomfortable," and how to build systems that actually work.

Prioritize Your Plate First

The very first thing you’ve got to do is prioritize your food.  Do you eat a lot of chicken? Then you need to look at getting chickens. Do you eat a lot of eggs? Then you need to figure out your egg-layers. If you’re a big meat-eater, maybe you’re looking at sheep or goats.

 Grow what you eat and then expand. Don't try to do too much at one time; master the animals that are going to put food on your table first, then you can try your hand at the other stuff later.

Breed Choice and High-Quality Stock

When you are ready to buy, you’ve got to understand that breed choice matters. You have to research your specific area. I’m down here in South Georgia, and it gets hot, and it gets humid. If I go out and buy a super woolly sheep, that animal isn't going to thrive; it’s going to struggle in this heat. But a hair sheep? A hair sheep is going to thrive down here. Now, if you’re up north in the negatives, you might need that wool.

Look into the parasites in your area, look into the climate, and make sure the breed is suitable. And please, buy high-quality breeding stock from the jump. Go to someone reputable. Don't go to the person whose animals look skinny, sick, or full of parasites. You want animals that put on weight well and are parasite-resistant. Don’t try to cut corners on your initial investment because if you do, it’s going to show up later down the line and cost you more in the long run.

The Reality of Full-Time Responsibility

I need y’all to hear me on this: livestock is a full-time responsibility. You have to take it seriously. It’s not a hobby you can just turn off when you’re tired. You might have an animal giving birth at 3:00 in the morning, and guess what? You’ve got to be there.

You’re going to have situations that require around-the-clock care. I’ll give you an example. I had a puppy from a previous litter get Parvo, which is a virus that attacks the digestive system and is really dangerous for puppies. I had to nurse her back to health, getting up every hour or two hours just to keep her hydrated with electrolytes because she wouldn't eat or drink on her own. That is the level of dedication it takes.

The same goes for your sheep or goats. When it’s lambing season, you’re constantly checking on them to make sure the mother isn't rejecting the baby. If she does, now you’re bottle-feeding, which is even more work. You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable because every day on the homestead ain't going to be a walk in the park. There are going to be "shenanigans" with livestock, and you’ve got to be the one to put out the fire.

Livestock 101: Become the Doctor and the Builder

On your homestead, you are the first line of defense. You have to learn the basic skills of a mechanic, a carpenter, and a veterinarian. You’re the one who’s going to be diagnosing problems first.

If it’s an absolute emergency, yes, call the vet. But for the daily grind, you need to know how to:

• Administer dewormers and vaccinations.

• Build your own shelters, chicken coops, and fencing.

• Handle and take care of the animals daily.

You’ve got to be able to work with power tools and handle your livestock with confidence. These are specialty skills that keep the whole engine running.

Track Everything and Build Systems

This is where a lot of people trip up, and I’ll admit, it was hard for me too, because I like to store everything in my head. But there is something powerful about taking information from your mind (the spiritual realm) and putting it on paper (the physical realm).

Track everything. Write down when an animal was born, who the parents were, and what their ear tag number is. Keep a log of every time they get dewormed or vaccinated—what medicine did you use? What worm were you targeting?. This isn't just for you; it’s so that if someone else has to take over for a day, they can look at your records and know exactly what’s going on.

And systems matter. Build repeatable systems for feeding and maintenance that are so streamlined and simple that they function with or without you. Label everything. Keep everything fully stocked. Have an appointed time for things like clipping hooves or shaving. The better your system, the more successful your homestead will be.

The Resourceful Homesteader

Finally, remember that nothing on the homestead goes to waste. Be resourceful. If you’re processing chickens, use the feathers for compost. If you’re processing goats, someone might even want the head for a specific dish. Nothing should be thrown away.

Even the poop is valuable for your compost to turn into rich soil. And if an animal unfortunately dies on its own, don't just toss it. You can bury that animal at the base of a fruit tree and let it fertilize that tree.

Look, fam, this lifestyle is about problem-solving and making the most of what the land gives you. It’s about getting those "nos" and failures out of the way so you can get to the "yes" that takes you to the next level.

I appreciate every one of you in the tribe for making this investment. Let’s keep growing, let's keep learning from each other, and let's keep it set apart.

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