Memsahib:
I just want to add a few comment toy our post “Dual and Triple Purpose Livestock, by The Memsahib”: My wife and I have raised many breeds of multi-purpose farm animals and have been members of the aforementioned American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) for years. A few comments for the prospective new animal owner.
Point #1 – about modern stupid animals versus older potentially smarter ones. Yes, many modern breeds have lost the ability to do many important things – like giving birth and nursing, egg sitting and brooding, foraging, defending itself of hiding from a fox, et cetera. But, don’t assume by buying an older breed you will automatically do better. Unfortunately, many of the older and historic breeds can have the same problems. If you want animals, and have a pretty good idea of what attributes you’d like in them – find a small-scale breeder that selects for those traits. Big hatcheries do not. Chickens present a prime example. Some older breeds, e.g. Speckled Suffolks, Dominiques, African Game Hens, etc. are known to be great all-purpose birds – or at least great sitters and brooders – with good survival instincts.
We have bought many from commercial hatcheries – like Murray McMurray – and had a very small percentage that were worth keeping – many were dumber than a rock. The ALBC keeps lists of small-scale breeders – which gives you the opportunity to call and find out what attributes they select for. This way, you have a much better chance of getting an animal that comes from a smart line – and not a dumb line that’s been on animal-welfare for generations.
Point #2 – Learn about disease. This can really ruin things. Many commercially raised farm animals live short lives. Very short if raised for veal or chicken meat, a little longer if for beef, chevon, egg laying, etc. And, maybe the longest if producing milk – but even then commercial operations often kill milkers once production begins to slow down. My overall point here is – many animals have chronic diseases that go undetected since these maladies often don’t show symptoms until an animal is 5 years old – or more. Since many never get that old – it’s not considered a big problem. But – if you buy one – it can be for you – in several ways. Many of these diseases quickly become entrenched in the soil and can survive for 10 years. If you get one bad animal – on your new farm – and the pathogen spreads to the ground – you’re stuck with it virtually forever unless you get rid of all animals and wait – many years. This also happens with certain vegetable crops – and is one good reason for crop rotation. I had to give up growing sweet corn in some of fields for three years – to get rid of ear worms.
If you are just starting out with animals you’ve got the advantage of virgin disease-free soil. The last thing you should do – is buy an auction animal. If you find a small-scale breeder with a closed-herd and proven history – you are way ahead. This goes back to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Using their published list of small breeders – you’ve got a good chance of getting good animals. Many have closed flocks and/or herds – meaning that they never take in outside animals unless the medical histories are known for years previous. Let me also say that I am not trying to be a spokesman for the ALBC. They do a good job – but they are not the only source for good information on this subject. – John from Central New York State