Choosing the right livestock is one of the most important decisions you'll make on a lifestyle block. Whether you're keen on fresh eggs, meat, fibre or simply keeping the grass under control, each type of animal comes with its own set of benefits and responsibilities. If you're new to livestock farming, this guide from Clive Dalton offers a down-to-earth look at the pros and cons of common species.

The Pros of Keeping Livestock

• Companionship: Like dogs and cats, farm animals can become part of the family.

• Food and Fibre: Many provide meat, milk, eggs and fibre.

• Manure and Grazing: Stock can improve pasture and provide fertiliser.

• Income Potential: With good management, animals can generate extra income.

• Educational Value: Children learn responsibility, empathy and life cycles through hands-on care.

The Cons of Keeping Livestock

• Legal Responsibility: You’re accountable for their welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

• Limited Flexibility: Holidays and weekends away require planning.

• Hard Yakka: Stock need care in all weather, at all hours.

• Costs and Risk: Feed, equipment and vet bills add up, and returns aren't guaranteed.

• Life and Death: You'll need to handle slaughter, illness and euthanasia.

• Safety Hazards: Machinery, chemicals and large animals can be dangerous.

• Infrastructure Needs: Pens, yards and shelters are essential.

• Vermin Risk: Stock attract rats and mice, and poison can endanger pets.

What Livestock Suits Your Block?

Calves

• Easy to source and bond well with humans.

• Require a shed, hygiene and quality pasture.

• Costs around $300 to rear, not including labour.

• Can be sold young or grown on for beef.

Older Beef Cattle

• Need strong yards and loading facilities.

• Good for pasture management and generally easy care.

• Choose steers or heifers, not bulls.

• Heavy cattle can damage wet pastures so breed choice matters.

Sheep

• Often seen as high maintenance and prone to disease.

• Need yards for handling and shearing.

• Bond well with humans if hand-reared.

• Great for mowing hard-to-reach areas.

• Must be protected from dogs and rustlers.

Goats

• Highly personable but prone to footrot.

• Prefer browsing to grazing, and may damage trees and gardens.

• Can unbalance pasture if run alone.

• Meat and mohair are viable options, but bucks smell and require care.

Horses

• Best suited to experienced handlers.

• High accident risk and poor grazers.

• Need careful pasture management to avoid health issues.

• Dung collection and secure yarding are essential.

Pigs

• Intelligent and friendly but tough on paddocks.

• Require grain-based feed. Scraps aren't enough.

• Breeding boars can be dangerous.

• Weaner pigs are hard to fence and escape easily.

Poultry

• Hens quickly become part of the household.

• Need secure housing or they’ll roam and dig.

• Egg costs often exceed supermarket prices.

• Ducks need water and are seasonal layers.

Rabbits

• Must be securely housed to prevent escapes.

• Small markets for meat and fibre.

• Fast breeders and good pets if handled well.

Camelids (Alpacas and Llamas)

• Primarily kept as pets or companions.

• Fibre market is small.

• High initial cost and limited resale value.

Before You Choose…

It’s worth thinking long term. What will suit your land, lifestyle and skills not just today but in five years? What infrastructure will you need? And how will you manage when things get busy or go wrong?

If you're unsure, start small. A few hens or a couple of weaners can teach you a lot.

Want to learn more?

Check out our online courses to help you get started with confidence. Our most popular is What You Need to Know Before You Keep Livestock, which is ideal if you're bringing animals onto your block for the first time.