Alternative Livestock

Find the Breed of Livestock That Fits Your Operation

This page is focused toward the small or hobby farm type of operation. That's not to say you couldn't turn it into a large enterprise. Several of the sites listed here are for the miniature breeds, smaller livestock, heritage breeds and endangered breeds. Find a livestock breed that fits your farm and maybe help save a breed in the process. This is a small sample of the opportunities out there.

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy:    The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect nearly 100 breeds of cattle, goats, horses, asses, sheep, swine, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys from extinction.

International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society and Registry:    We provide information on all 26 breed categories of miniature cattle. The Beginners Guide to Owning Your Own Miniature Cattle Business is a guidebook currently available, bursting with information. The Beginners Guide consists of a 24 part article series. Advertise to the world - you can place classified ads for your product, services and cattle on this web site.

Miniature Hereford Breeders Association:    Our website was created to provide information regarding all aspects of the Miniature Hereford business for both the general public and our members.  To gain access to Members-Only articles and information, please join our association!  Otherwise, feel free to browse the links provided to learn about the amazing Miniature Hereford.

American Guinea Hog Association:    The American Guinea Hog Association was formed in 2005 to preserve this rare breed for future generations of farmers and ranchers wanting a smaller pig to produce pork for the family on farms and homesteads.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association:    The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature dairy goat of West African origin. Nigerian Dwarf goats are enjoying a rise in popularity due to their small size, colorful markings and dairy characteristics. Their small stature means they do not require as much space or feed as their larger dairy goat counterparts and their gentle and friendly personalities make them good companion pets. The milk is also higher in butterfat and has a sweeter taste.

North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association and Registry:           If you are new to Babydoll Southdowns, get ready to fall in love with these impish creatures, just as each of us has before you. Learn about the gentle temperament of these critters. Their diminutive size makes them perfect for hobby farms, mini farms or rural homes with smaller acreage but they manage just fine on large farms too.

National Pygmy Goat Association:    The Pygmy Goat is hardy, alert and animated, good-natured and gregarious; a docile, responsive pet, a cooperative provider of milk, and an ecologically effective browser. The Pygmy goat is an asset in a wide variety of settings, and can adapt to virtually all climates.

American Poultry Association:    APA mission; To promote and protect the standard-bred poultry industry in all its phases. To continue the publication of the American Standard of Perfection with the breed and variety descriptions for all the recognized purebred fowl. To encourage and protect poultry shows as being the show window of our industry, an education for both breeders and public, and a means of interesting young future breeders in taking up poultry.

Poultry Pages:    Poultry Pages aim is to provide you with all the resources you need to raise and care for poultry whether it is a community project, in your backyard or on your small holding. We offer advice and assistance on Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese and Turkey.

Heritage Turkey Foundation:    Raising Heritage Breeds is more costly and time consuming than raising White Breasted Toms. While supermarket turkeys grow to an average of 32 pounds over 18 weeks, Heritage birds take anywhere from 24-30 to reach their market weight. But those who have tasted Heritage Breeds say the cost-and the wait-are well worth it.

Purely Poultry:    Purely Poultry provides baby chicks and poultry books at great prices for the best poultry experience. Purely Poultry offers over 300 breeds shipped nationwide with a live guarantee from our NPIP breeders to your local post office.

American Rabbit Breeders Association:    The ARBA is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry whether it be fancy (for exhibition), as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by our organization.

American Miniature Llama Association:    The American Miniature Llama Association was formed in 1999 to provide opportunities to share information among owners, breeders and persons interested in miniature llamas, to provide input to national llama associations regarding issues vital to the industry, to encourage and support events to expand awareness and market potential and to provide social contact among owners, breeders and persons interested in miniature llamas.

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