Gauteng Smallholder December 2015-January 2016 | Page 20

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Choosing the animals right for you

I

t's an issue that exercises
the minds of most
smallholders, especially
newly-arrived ones, as they
look out over their land and
wonder what to do with it. Is
it possible for a smallholder to
make money out of livestock
and, if so, what species
should he keep? And how

New to smallholding life? This will
help you choose the right animals
for your plot.

many?
For, keeping farm animals on
one's plot can range from a
few chickens scrabbling
around in one's garden to a
stable-yard full of horses. And
that doesn't include domestic
pets such as dogs, cats and
birds.
According to research
undertaken by the
Smallholder in 2012, most
(80%) Gauteng smallholdings
have livestock of some sort or
another, with a substantial
majority (63% of all plots)
having two or more species.
So, if you're newly-arrived on
a plot, what should you keep?
Your choice will be informed
by your interests and those of
your family.

K Poultry, mainly for their
eggs, are the most popular
farm animals, being found on
44% of plots in Gauteng.
These can range from four or
five hens and a rooster freeranging around the garden
and, hopefully, laying their

eggs daily in a chicken coop
rather than all over the yard.
Apart from providing
entertainment for the family
as they go about their day,
four or five hens should, if
they are good layers, provide
sufficient eggs for the family,
and there's nothing nicer than
a freshly-laid free range egg
with its deep yellow yolk.
Occasionally in the spring,

A few free-ranging hens will keep you in eggs

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