Great article, Nemo! Thanks for posting it. My thoughts are:
American Guinea Hogs
Re: "Given their smaller size... "
I'll comment on this later....
Re: "American Guinea Hogs do an excellent job of tilling up your garden and keeping rodents and pest at bay. Additionally, American Guinea Hogs will also provide your family with large amounts of
lard."
Excellent on the functionality. It occurs to me, however, that an animal that does an excellent job of tilling up a garden will probably also do an excellent job of ESCAPING.
American Miniature Brecknock Sheep
Re: "these little sheep are a great addition to any homestead." ... "Though they are small in stature"
I'll comment on this later....
Re: "they are well-known for their easy lambing and sturdiness, with rams weighing up to 100 pounds."
Re: "According to Off The Grid News, Brecknock sheep have gained popularity due to their liveliness and great personality."
Easy lambing... lively. I like that. Great personality? I'm not sure I want a great personality in something I'm raising for the dinner table. In fact, I was just telling my wife that sheep are probably a good thing to raise because they're so damned STUPID. It's hard to get too upset about killing an animal that's generally oblivious.
There's a reason, you know, why Democrats are often referred to as "sheep."
Dexter Cattle
Re: "Though they are one of the smallest cattle breeds in the world"
I'm sensing a theme here. Small... small... small. The article begins by talking about the difficulty that an animal's size presents to most people, particularly in the urban and suburban environments. I gather, then that urbanites and suburbanites are the targeted audience and that the author places great importance on livestock being small. What about us country folks? Are these breeds still great choices?
Re: "they can be farmed for both dairy and superior cuts of grass-fed beef. This versatile cattle breed, brought in from Ireland, thrives in harsh climates with poor feed. Furthermore, many farmers also train them as oxen to pull wagons and equipment."
These might be perfect. But what I've been hearing is that cattle should be obtained in the spring, raised for 18 months and slaughtered before winter to reduce the need for feed. I'll probably research a hardy cow that quickly grows large, so that I get as much meat per cow as possible. The meat from a large cow is probably something that I can split with a friend... or sell.
Faverolle Chickens
Re: "Next to producing hundreds of eggs each year, Faverolle chickens also have a nice-sized carcass. "
Sounds good!
Re: "Furthermore, they are a docile, easy to handle breed your kids will love to play with."
Do I really want my kids (or anyone else's) playing with my chickens? NO!!! In fact, I remember hearing a while back that one of the deadlier new flus had been traced to children playing soccer with the heads of recently butchered chickens. I don't think I need to say anything further.
Nubian Goats
Re: "Well-known for their high butterfat milk, Nubian or Anglo-Nubian goats also produce great meat "
Great, but I'm actually very conflicted on the idea of raising and killing an animal that is often described as "doglike in its behavior." I *like* dogs. Presumably, I will also *like* goats. So I'm kind of thinking 'No' on the notion of slaughtering goats. But I might still raise them.
P.S. See my earlier comments on 'stupid sheep'.
Re: "...due to their larger stature and weight."
"larger stature and weight." Uh, say what??? Wasn't the author just telling us over and over, ad nauseum, that SMALLER is better??? I do believe that I'm now getting a mixed message.
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