5 Reasons To Have (More) Backyard Animals

Follow your own road to backyard happiness

By Patrick Biggs, Ph.D., Purina backyard nutritionist

From chickens to goats, cattle to horses, there’s no shortage of animals you can bring home. Here are five reasons to expand your homestead haven.

1. Fresh food

If you started your backyard farm with chickens or ducks for the benefit of eggs, you’re not alone. Just-from-the-coop eggs have an undeniable freshness and are a great source of protein. Goats or cows are excellent animals for a fresh milk source. You can also make your own cheese. Many animals can also provide fresh meat sources.

1. Sustainable living

Living from the land can be a way to get back to the basics, connect with your food, and shorten your grocery list. Not only are you helping reduce your carbon footprint by raising your own animals, but composting manure and other waste can create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Chickens are also great for natural pest and weed control.

1. Family bonding

Raising backyard animals is a chance to teach the next generation where their food comes from, the importance of caring for animals and a way to bring everyone together through shared responsibility.

Whether it’s cleaning out the stalls, collecting eggs, feeding time for everyone on the farm or simply giving a little love to each animal, sharing this time quickly brings the family together.

1. Emotional support

Backyard animals can also become our pets and beloved animals. Our animals provide emotional support on those hard days, or a way to relax after a long day.

There’s nothing a horse nuzzle, chicken lounging on our lap, goat hug, or hand lick from a calf can’t fix.

1. Beyond the backyard

Caring for animals is also an opportunity to build strong relationships within your community. You can share eggs, milk and meat with neighbors or trade gardening tips with other backyard farmers. You can give farm tours and share with others who are considering dipping their toes into raising and caring for animals.

We’re here support your journey to enjoying the many rewards raising animals has to offer.

Visit purinamills.com/education to learn more.

What is the first livestock you should bring in?