This post may contain affiliate links.
Dreaming of a backyard filled with the sound of happy animals? Even the smallest homestead can be transformed when you get some livestock on board, turning your patch of land into a lively, productive paradise.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy fresh eggs, homemade cheese, home-reared meat, or simply the joy of caring for a few creatures, the difference a few animals can make in your life is incredible.
But where do you start on a homestead that is one acre or less? If you are looking for animals to raise on your homestead beyond chicken, here are 14 that we’ve rounded up.
Ducks
- Recommended area: 4-6 ducks per 1/4 acre with a water source.
- Housing needs: Simple shelter with nesting areas and access to a water source for bathing.
Ducks are quirky and fun little birds that are a great addition to small homesteads. They’ll need a small pool or bathtub to splash around in, and be aware that they will turn any grassy areas to mud in a matter of days. However, in return, you’ll get an exceptional pest control team and a steady supply of tasty eggs and meat.
Bees
- Recommended area: 1-2 hives per acre.
- Housing needs: Custom-made beehives placed in a sunny area away from people.
Keeping bees is not as simple as many of us expect, but learning this specialist skill will reward you with an ample supply of honey and
How to Get Started with Beekeeping and Start Raising Bees
Turkeys
- Recommended area: 2-4 turkeys per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: Secure coop or pen with space to forage and roosting areas.
Turkeys are excellent foragers and will enjoy browsing outside during the day, but require a large shelter overnight and during bad weather. Remember to check your local zoning laws before purchasing turkeys or any other livestock, as restrictions may be in place.
Sheep
- Recommended area: 2-3 sheep per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: Shelter from extreme weather and fenced pasture for grazing.
Sheep are a great idea if you’ve got spare grazing land on your homestead. Smaller sheep breeds, like Babydoll Southdowns, can produce wool, meat, and milk, as well as keep your grassy areas neatly mown. Just remember to budget for extra feed at times when grass growth is poor.
Quail
- Recommended area: 10-15 quail per 1/10 acre in stacked cages.
- Housing needs: Small, predator-proof cages or aviaries with proper ventilation.
Quail are tiny, shy birds that like to spend most of their time hidden away from potential predators. This makes them ideal for smaller homesteads as they take up far less space than other types of birds. Quail eggs are small but considered to be a delicacy so can create a handy income stream for your homestead.
Goats
- Recommended area: 2-3 small goats per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: Sturdy shelter and fencing, plus secure outdoor areas for browsing and climbing.
OK, so I adore goats, but I’d just like to warn you that they’re not for the fainthearted! These mischievous creatures are notorious escape artists and can get into all sorts of trouble, so make sure your fencing is extra-secure. In return, goats will eat all manner of vegetation and can be used for milk and meat production.
Pigeons
- Recommended area: 6-8 pigeons per loft.
- Housing needs: Elevated, weatherproof loft with nesting boxes and perches.
The joy of pigeons is that they don’t take up any space on the ground at all! They’re happiest living in an elevated loft from which they can fly free during the day to exercise and forage.
Cats
- Recommended area: Suitable for any homestead size.
- Housing needs: Shelter in barns, sheds, or cat houses; minimal additional care required.
Barn cats are independent animals that can be invaluable for rodent control on the homestead. However, many cats also prey on beneficial wildlife, so the pros and cons of adopting a feline friend need carefully weighed up.
Geese
- Recommended area: 2-3 geese per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: Secure shelter with nesting areas and access to open grazing space.
Geese are fantastic for weed control, guarding other animals, and providing meat and eggs. However, their territorial nature and noise might not make them suitable for all homesteaders.
Alpacas
- Recommended area: 5 alpacas per acre.
- Housing needs: Shelter from rain and extreme heat, plus a secure grazing area.
Alpacas are gentle animals that are valued for their soft, luxurious fiber. They are also very protective and can act as guardians for smaller livestock.
Guinea Fowl
- Recommended area: 6-8 guinea fowl per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: Simple coop or roosting structure and plenty of roaming space.
Guinea fowl are natural pest controllers for the land, devouring ticks, bugs, and even snakes. They are famous for their flighty nature so need a secure fence to prevent them from roaming.
Pigs
- Recommended area: 2-3 small pig breeds per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: Sturdy, secure pen with shelter and access to a wallow.
Provided you have plenty of food available, pigs take up very little space. They’re also excellent at turning over soil and clearing land ready for growing crops.
Dogs
- Recommended area: Suitable for any homestead; exercise space varies by breed.
- Housing needs: Shelter like a kennel or access to indoor areas, depending on breed.
In my opinion, no homestead is complete without a dog! A small homestead probably doesn’t need a livestock guardian or herding dog, but smaller dog breeds are invaluable for keeping rodent populations down.
Rabbits
- Recommended area: 6-10 rabbits per 1/10 acre.
- Housing needs: Predator-proof hutches and a secure outdoor run.
Rabbits can be reared for meat on a small area of grassland, producing a steady supply of protein-rich nutritious food for your family. If the idea of eating rabbits puts you off, a few pet rabbits will help keep the grass trimmed short and generate crop-boosting manure for the vegetable garden.
Chickens
Although this topic is about animals outside of chickens, chicken still made the list. Chickens would be my top pick for any homestead, no matter how small. In fact, it’s perfectly possible to rear a few chickens in a small backyard or garden!
- Recommended area: 6-10 chickens per 1/4 acre.
- Housing needs: A secure coop with nesting boxes and roosting bars, plus a fenced outdoor run.
Rearing chickens has many great advantages – they produce eggs, eat insects and weeds, and produce incredible nutrient-rich manure to fertilize your vegetable crops. The main issue with chickens is keeping predators at bay, so be prepared to invest time and money in secure fencing for your feathered friends.
How to Raise Your Own Chickens
19 Things You Should Know Before Getting Chickens
Before you jump into the world of chicken-keeping, there are a few essential things to know. Here’s our comprehensive guide of 19 essential tips to help you become a confident and successful chicken owner!
19 Things You Should Know Before Getting Chickens
Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
