Farmers face problems with making little money from their farm animals, causing them to lose interest in continuing farming as a viable business.
The world of farming is full of challenges. If you want to earn a good living, you’ve got to be able to deal with disease, unpredictable weather, and unreliable equipment among other things.
Raising farm animals is no different. While anyone can make a living raising cattle, sheep, pigs, or chickens it takes an experienced farmer and insights to turn a profit with these farm animals.
Do you want to make money with farm animals? If so, which ones are the most profitable? Here are the 10 most profitable farm animals to raise.
1. Rabbits
One of the most profitable farm animals to raise. Rabbits by themselves can make you a lot of money. They are easy to raise and are low maintenance. Many rabbit farmers will raise rabbits for meat and sell them for profit.
Rabbits grow quickly, up to 10 pounds in a year, and a mature doe is capable of producing five litters with six embryos per year.
Why should you consider raising Rabbits?
- Rabbits have high nutritional value
- They are clean and quiet
- Rabbits have a short gestation period and young are weaned quickly
- The profit margin is high
- They have a minimum space requirement
- High-quality meat for export
- Rabbits produce more offspring per year than almost any other farm animal
How will you make money?
- Buy and sell bunny babies for profit
- Sell Rabbit meat and feed
- Make money from manure and fertilizer
- Sell special products like bunny fur or crafts
- Market them as pets
How much money can you make?
The price of rabbit meat ranges between $1 and $2 per pound. Before butchering, raise the rates for 6 – 8 weeks. A pair of breeding rabbits can produce over $4,000 in rabbit meat per year, considering how fast they breed.
2. Chicken
Chickens are profitable farm animals, especially if you focus on raising strictly organic chickens. Chickens are an amazing investment. Not only do they give you fresh eggs every day, but they also provide manure to enrich your garden soil and keep it productive year-round.
Careful planning will bring you hens that lay many eggs and healthy chicks that grow into productive layers or hefty roasters. Raising chickens in your backyard might be the right addition to your sustainable, organic food plot.
Why should you consider raising chickens?
- Chickens are great for beginners
- Economically profitable
- They multiply fast and produce great manure for your crop
- Easily maintained
- Demand for eggs and meat
- Profitability – they have one of the highest rates of return of any farm animals
How will you make money?
- Sell eggs
- Sell meat
- Hatch eggs for other farmers
- Produce food for birds (like seeds, berries) and sell it to other farms
- Sell feathers
- Butcher chicken
How much money can you make?
The prices vary between $3 and $5 per pound and $15 to $25 for whole birds. It costs about $5 to butcher a chicken in some parts of the United States.
They lay an average of 2 eggs per day. If these eggs were sold for 50 cents each (which is below the average price), that would be $4,000.00 in 200 days. The amount of money you will also make from selling crates of eggs is impressive.
3. Goats
Goats are easy to raise, they are mainly browsers and will eat any type of tree or bush. They produce about 4 liters of milk a day and the cream sold can fetch about $8 a liter. Goats meat is also popular in some regions.
They’re naturally curious, creating a wonderful petting zoo effect with kids. They’ll happily munch on weeds, brush, and trees. If you have land that needs clearing, they’re an ideal solution.
Why should you consider raising Goats?
- Cheap to feed
- Goats don’t need a lot of room to live in, making them easy to keep in your backyard
- Little investment in fencing is needed
- High milk to meat ratio
- They are fast to mature
- Can resist pests and cold temperatures
- A sustainable source of protein, wool, milk, and fertilizer
How will you make money?
- Start with a small dairy goat herd
- Sell kids to get more money
- Sell goat’s raw milk
- Produce and sell goat cheese and yogurt from the milk
- Sell hide for leather
- Handmade goat farm products and crafts to sell: soap, leathers, yarns, etc.
How much money can you make?
The average price of an adult goat is $150 – $400 or more depending on the breed. In a short time, this proves profitable. Also, you do not have to buy a whole herd of goats to make money. According to some estimates, two goats will earn you $1,000 to $2,000 a year.
4. Sheep
In my opinion, sheep may be one of the most lucrative farm animals you can raise. These fuzzy, cute animals are popular to keep as pets and for their fleece.
Sheep are also very easy to farm and require little extra care, and maintenance than other farm animals. Raising sheep has a host of benefits.
Why should you consider raising Sheep?
- Sheep are easy to raise
- Sheep are relatively cheap
- There is a market for meat and wool
- Sheep can be used to quickly clean up overgrown pastures
- The sheep’s manure is used as fertilizer
- You can buy a variety of sheep that best fits your needs
- Sheep do not scratch or gnaw at the ground and leave ugly hoof marks so they can be raised on grassland.
How will you make money?
Sell the following Sheep products.
- wool
- meat
- milk
- organic fertilizer
- hides and skin
How much money can you make?
Depending on their age, a young productive commercial ewe usually costs between $200 and $250. A typical full-grown mature sheep can be worth as much as $500 in the market.
In addition, a successful shearing gives a shearer between $35 and $75 per animal. Sheep prices vary greatly depending on the breed and quality of the wool.
5. Cattle
Cows are very popular animals to raise because they are easy to care for, have no hidden costs, and can be sold as a calf or humanely slaughtered for consumption at an older age.
Their meat is delicious and their hides make beautiful leather products. Cattle are one of the most profitable animals to raise on small farming operations.
Why should you consider raising Cattle?
- Cattle demand is high in developing countries
- Good income from the milk cow and calves
- The manure is valuable for fertilizing your soil
- The meat is delicious and satisfies many palettes thanks to the fat in beef
- Excellent investments for retirement and other income needs
- Cattle have a high resale value
- Nowadays Cattle are better protected from weather conditions and animal disease, so the business does not require such big costs on veterinary care
How will you make money?
- Raise cow for meat
- Use them as breeding stock
- Do not forget to sell the beef and dairy products
- Sell raw milk on the market
- Buy and sell calves
- Produce manures
- Sell butter, cheese, and yogurt, etc.
- Sell cowhide for leather products
- Grow grass for pasture or sell it as hay
How much money can you make?
Raising cattle can lead to monthly profits of more than $2,000 if you do it right. You can expect to earn from $10,000 to $15,000 from selling calves for $500 each at a rate of two a month.
Farmers can sell their cattle for, even more, making almost $20,000 per herd of 20 in half a year if they can sell them for $600 per head. These farm animals will make you a lot of money.
6. Quail
Quails are extremely prolific and a healthy female quail will layover 250 eggs in its lifetime. These birds are really easy to raise, and a popular food item around the world.
Quail farming can be profitable for those who are looking for alternatives to traditional chicken and turkey farming.
Why should you consider raising Quail?
- Quail eggs have a high protein content
- Little space required when raising quail
- Their meat is a delicacy
- Easy to raise and reproduce quickly
- Quail meat is very low in fat and cholesterol
- You can count on the market being there
How will you make money?
- Sell plucked feathers to be used in pillows, toys, and birdies
- Quail eggs sales
- Sell quail meat
How much money can you make?
Quail eggs are the main source of income for quail farmers. Depending on where you live, you may sell quail eggs for about $3 – $10 per dozen. You can expect quail to lay an egg a day.
Furthermore, the average quail farmer earns up to $1500 per year from just 20 birds with a sale price of only $9 per bird.
7. Pigs
Another farm animal you can easily raise on your farm is pigs, which can provide bacon, pork chops, ham, sausage, and spare ribs, to name a few tasty treats.
You do not need to buy them expensive food or the best caring facilities either. You can even turn their poop into compost for your crops and plants.
Why should you consider raising pigs?
- Value of the pork market
- They’re versatile
- Pigs provide more meat for the money
- As a pig farmer, you can produce your feed instead of purchasing it from an outside source
- Piglets are much cheaper than other animals; they have a good return per dollar invested
- The profit potential is high because pigs reproduce quickly and are easily sold at market
- They don’t require large amounts of land to thrive and aren’t picky eaters
How will you make money?
- Sell pork
- Breed and sell heritage pigs
How much money can you make?
Breeding pigs can produce eight to ten piglets every four to five months. It is possible to sell some pigs for more than $150 each, depending on the breed. In the case of selling 15 – 20 piglets per year, you will earn $2,250 – $3,000.
8. Fish
Over the last decade, fish farming has gained popularity quickly. More and more fishermen are getting into business to supply the world’s growing demand for high-quality fish for consumption and aquaculture.
Fish are very nutritious and are a good source of protein. You can make money by selling to restaurants or directly to customers. Fish hatcheries are also profitable businesses to run.
Why should you consider raising Fish?
- Fish have a high rate of return
- It can be done anywhere and anytime
- They reproduce quickly
- You can sell them live and fresh or frozen
- Farmers can use fish ponds for irrigation
How will you make money?
- Process and sell fish food
- Process and sell living fish
- Breed full-size fish for aquariums
- Breed an unusual pet fish
- Harvest and sell live baitfish
- Harvest and sell algae grown as an ornamental plant
How much money can you make?
The fishing industry is booming. Whatever your interests are in the industry, whether it is tropical fish, ornamental fish, or shellfish, it will surely draw your attention. If you follow best practices, you will be able to make about $25,000 a year from breeding.
9. Alpacas and Llamas
Alpacas and Llamas should be included in a complete guide to making money with farm animals. They are highly profitable, friendly, and they have very low maintenance costs. In fact, if you’re raising them intending to sell, you’ll likely make a profit from day one.
Why should you consider raising Alpacas and Llamas?
- Alpacas and Llamas are in high demand
- Alpacas and Llamas are easy to raise
- They produce a lot of meat
- Less maintenance than other animals, and attracts more interest
- Alpacas and Llamas are adaptable to different climates
- They are quiet
- They do not eat too much
- There is a lot of money to be made
How will you make money?
- Sell baby alpacas
- Sell wool and fiber
- Use your Llamas or Alpacas for entertainment
- Breeding services
How much money can you make?
You can make a lot of money from alpacas and llamas by keeping them as farm animals. A female alpaca can cost $1,000 – $2,000, and a higher-end alpaca can cost between $10,000 – $30,000.
10. Honey Bees
Honey bees are farm animals that will make you money. Even though they are often overlooked as a possible money maker on farms or ranches, they are one of the most profitable farm animals.
Bees are essential pollinators for numerous commercial crops. They are easy to raise and provide a very nice income with honey, pollen, and queen bees.
Why should you consider raising Bees?
- Beehives are not as risky as they seem
- You can make good cash with beekeeping if you do it right
- They not only provide honey but also beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly
- The benefits of organic honey and beeswax are numerous
- There is always a market for honey
- Business opportunities
How will you make money?
- Produce and sell natural honey
- Sell beeswax
- Bee colony rentals
- Sell beeswax products such as candles or soaps
- Run a beekeeping school
- Sell service of queen bee laying eggs
- Offer bee removal service
- Sell beehive kits
How much money can you make?
As honey serves many different purposes, the amount of money you can make selling it alone depends on how well you can market yourself. Additionally, each colony or hive will bring you about $750 in revenue.
In that case, 10 hives would generate $7,500 per year. Nevertheless, you have to recognize that these are good results based on favorable circumstances.
FAQs
What are the biggest challenges of farm life?
Farm life is challenging, but the rewards are great. Challenges include weather, predators, health issues, animals getting hurt, machines breaking down, and trying to run too many things on a farmer’s income.
How do you market an animal product?
Well, you market it the same way we do vegetables or other products online. Talk about its features and benefits first and foremost.
Besides, merchandising, auctions, animal reproductive facilities, and many other opportunities exist to get your products in front of the right people.
You’ll need to adapt to whatever market you’re in. If you live on a farm or ranch that has animals, you’ll always have products available – so think outside of the box.
Are farm animals profitable?
Yes. You can make money with farm animals. Nonetheless, farm animals are a long-term commitment. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year to see the first profit from our farm animals.
But with good care and proper upkeep, your farm animal investments won’t require much further investment in feed, healthcare, or housing for years after they are purchased.
Final thoughts
Farm animals are used for their meat, wool, milk, eggs, or simply as pets. For many people, farm animals are a hobby. However, some people make money by breeding them.
What type of animal should you raise to have the best chances at profit? This article has outlined the most profitable farm animals to raise. I’m sure you’ve figured out by now what is the best farm animal to invest in to make money.
There’s something else related that you may find interesting as well if you enjoyed reading this post. If you have a farm and you’re stuck on ideas on how to make money with it, check out my post on how to make money with your farm.
Likewise, if you have an uncultivated plot of land sitting on your property, you can make money from it as well. Check out my post on how to make money with your land.
In case you are also interested in real estate, you can check out the article that outlines proven ways to make money in real estate.
Tosinajy teaches you how to make money online, the software you’ll need, and also guides you on how to deal with common issues you may encounter.
Thank you for reading.
