Could Livestock Bartering Be in Your Future?

If you are in a position to raise cattle, sheep, or goats, with the necessary land and shelter required for your livestock, then do it. Providing dairy, meat and skins to sell or barter would be ideal, if you knew how to extract it, butcher it, or tan it.

If you are not willing to butcher your cattle, milk your cow, or learn how to make your own cheese, breeding might be more beneficial, if you know what you are doing. If you live close to a dairy as we do, find out what kind of neighborly discounts are available, or what type of bartering they would be willing to accept as payment for dairy items.

Before embarking on the livestock trail, you should get familiar with your neighborhood, and check local city ordinances, to find out what pets are sustainable, and allowed in your area. City folk might want to think small scale, as most of us today are considered fortunate if we still have our homes, or a front and backyard.

Raising Small Animals

Instead of large animals, what if you stretched your skills, and learned how to raise bunnies, ducks, or chickens? Chickens might be the best place to start, providing eggs, feathers, meat, garden fertilizer, and baby chicks to sell or trade. There is a lot of information available on raising chickens/poultry, and there are several varieties available, each better suited for laying, meat, etc. Ducks can also provide eggs, feathers, fertilizer, and meat, similar to the chicken, however certain breeds will be better suited to your garden needs.

Through a friend and colleague, I am learning just how beneficial ducks are to the garden landscape by eating unwanted bugs and cleaning produce spoils, encouraging new plant growth. There is much to be learned and I would urge you to start researching here with the article by Atlanta Page, "Are Runner Ducks a Good Choice for the Garden?"

Rabbits are extremely prolific, although they require as much care as any other household pet, unless caught in the wild. I remember many years ago offering to keep 10 beautiful white rabbits which had been rescued from medical experimentation, and within one month their population had grown significantly.

I was unable to keep or care for such a large, growing populace while working a full-time job, but instead found separate homes for each one. They made wonderful Easter bunnies, given out as gifts to friends and family members, even those who were not happy about receiving an Easter bunny wanted to help.

Wild Animals

Wild bunnies used to roam the mountains in our last Los Angeles area home in the foothills, and I know the wild ones do not want any of your attentions, as they forage around your yard for food. These wild creatures can be sold, or traded for their skins and meat, but may destroy your produce garden, if not fenced securely.

Wild Game

The Hawaiian mountains breed wild boar, and it is commonplace for residents to hunt, capture, and cook these animals buried in the ground, wrapped in sweet palm leafs, on hot coals or rocks, cooking overnight. The meat is so sweet and tender; it easily pulls apart for shredding, and feeds several families with the leftovers.

There are no laws that I am aware of preventing the Hawaiian people from feeding their families in this manner. However you might want to check with your local Fish and Game office for hunting licenses or permits, as well as designated geographic areas to hunt for game, before scouting your next deer or other wild-game food provisions for your family.