There are many uses for land in Central Florida, and keeping animals is one of the most popular. Raising animals can provide you with an extra revenue stream, a sustainable food source, or a new enjoyable hobby — not to mention the many therapeutic benefits.
To get started, all you need is enough land to support the animals, shelter or infrastructure for protection, and easy access to water on the land. The specifics really depend on the type of animals you’re planning to raise. Here are 5 of the most common animals residents keep on their properties around Central Florida.
1. Horses
Companionship, recreation, and even extra income – horses offer many benefits. Horses form strong bonds with their owners and these connections could have strong mental health benefits.
Horseback riding is tons of fun, and it can also serve as a convenient way to navigate your property without a vehicle. Horseback riding lessons, boarding, and training are easy ways to make some extra cash.
When it comes to space, you’ll need about two acres for the first horse, and an additional acre for each additional horse. Shelter, water, food, and regular veterinary attention are also requirements.
2. Cows
Cattle is one of Florida’s largest exports, so much of the land around Volusia County is suitable for raising cows. They serve as a sustainable food source and a major producer of dairy products, both of which can drive a significant amount of revenue for any farm.
When raising cows, the quality of the land matters. If you have irrigated pastures with plenty of grass and water, you may be able to get by with 1 to 2 acres for every cow. If your land isn’t in great shape, you may need more.
3. Pigs
Pigs are a great source of meat production. Homegrown bacon, ham, and sausage are delicious and sustainable. Pigs are also great for consuming agricultural byproducts and kitchen scraps, and their manure is an excellent fertilizer that can help improve land quality.
Pigs don’t need nearly as much space as cows and horses. You can generally get by with up to 25 pigs on a single acre. In addition to space, shelter, feed, water, and healthcare are all essential for keeping pigs on your Central Florida property.
4. Goats
In addition to providing excellent dairy products, goats have huge benefits when it comes to land management. Goats are grazers, and they can eat a lot. They’ll help prevent overgrowth, minimize invasive plant species, and even help reduce the risk of wildfires. Because they’re so great at maintaining land, they can also help you reduce your dependency on harmful landscaping chemicals.
One acre of land is enough to support between 6 and 8 goats. Having shelter and accessible water is important.
5. Chickens
Who doesn’t love fresh eggs? If you’d like a steady supply of homegrown eggs to feed your family or sell at a local farmer’s market, chickens are a fantastic option for your Central Florida property. Home-raised chickens also provide better quality meat as they don’t survive off of low-quality, commercial feed.
Chickens are also easy to maintain. You’ll need to build a coop with shelter, and you should generally allow 8 to 10 square feet of space per chicken.
Raising animals can provide income, happiness, and environmental benefits. If you’re looking to invest in a Central Florida property to raise animals, a quality land broker can help you find the right land to set you up for success. Contact Palmetto Realty today.