Do any of you raise your own hog/goat/steer/etc... for meat?

[Guest USMC 2013]

I don't have the land to raise any of the above animals, but will start raising meat rabbits this spring. The reason I ask is that it would be nice to be able to trade. I also hope to be doing a LOT of jug fishing in the spring and would be able to trade catfish fillets as well as the rabbit for fresh butchered hog, goat, steer, etc...

My ration of thought is to get to know some other people and be less reliant on chain grocery stores for what I need. Basically using community for what my family needs to be more prepared if SHTF.

Joe

[Timestepper]

We have two pygmy goat does with the idea of eventually milking them after they've been bred once each. Have no intention to raise goats for meat, although Lord knows I've threatened 'em a few times.

We also have chickens - both Bantams and Rhode Island Reds who give us more eggs than we know what to do with. Some of the eggs we eat, some we trade and some we just give away to friends and family. Absolutely love the little Bantam eggs, they're so much richer than store bought eggs!

...TS...

[Guest Baron]

I have tried a few things at my folks ranch, but I have had little luck. Goats were a disaster and kept running off to other peoples fields. Chickens wouldn't last a week before something would get them.

Geese seem to do OK (ducks do as well as the chickens) and the pond is overpopulated with catfish and other fish.

My brother is trying to talk the family into raising Alpaca, but they are of no value as far as food goes.

[Jonsaiga]

We raise goats for dairy not meat(had some meat goats in the past), rabbits, ducks, chickens and just butchered our hog(getting more after the holidays) a few weeks ago.

I've been toying with the notion of doing a S&P CSA(community supported agriculture) type deal. Basically it would work like this........ for those who can't raise the animals on their own land due to lack of space, zoning laws, township regulations, etc. A person could purchase animals either from my stock or bring some in from else where(after I have inspected them for disease, parasites, etc) and board them on our ten acre homestead/farm. Animal owner would have to either supply or pay for feed and occasionally (one day a month or something) come do chores on the farm such as mend fences, improve pens, shelter maintenance, clear brush for paddocks, etc. The person will either have to haul them off to the butcher or they can be butchered here. While I would assist with every animal butchered, the owner will have to actively participate in the whole process including disposal.