As an extension of a previous post, I got to thinking what sort of animal would be the most economically feasible to invest in for having around as backup food source? Since most folks really can't get around the stigma of eating fido or fifi, I was trying to think of others that might be suitable, yet still meet the classification of pets. The only thing I can think of now is a Vietnamese pot bellied pig.

Now if you had some room to work with, and the proper zoning, then I would think that goats and chickens would be a good choice.

This also sounds like I been dwelling on that "You might be a survivalist..." thread that Doug started. Still... food for thought?

I would think a lot of it would depend on your property and your environment. For example, the ancient Hawaiians built fish ponds right offshore to feed themselves. Very low maintenance and practically self sustaining. I think it could still be viable today except for the fact that the beaches and ocean cannot be considered private property. And since it is controlled by the government, it is not used efficiently. Need I say more? I have dived in fish ponds and spear fished around them. Lots of fish. They Hawaiians would probably have harvested with nets.

They actually lived from mauka to makai. From the mountains to the ocean. In the mountains, they would have their taro patches, fruit and breadfruit trees, medicinal plants, plants for ornamental and ceremonial use, as well as burial sites. Heiau's or "temples" can be found anywhere from the mountains to the ocean.

They would have livestock in their villages. The streams would supply water and other aquatic foods as well as provide for their irrigation systems. Closer to the ocean, there would be coconut trees (the tree of life). And the ocean provides food, sport, transport and conquest, and even fresh water if you know where to look.

So to answer your question, my guess would be fish. But it kinda depends.

Growing up dirt poor, we raised rabbits for meat. They didn't require much work or space and the meat was pretty good though very lean. We usually had five to eight bunnies of various ages in two raised pens five feet by four feet in size. The rabbit food must have been cheap, but I don't know what you'd do if the food weren't available, especially in winter. You can't let rabbits go free-range like you can chickens.

We lived in town so chickens weren't an option. If I were setting up a retreat I'd go with chickens. They'd supply fat and eggs as well as garden pest control. Of course around where I live now feral pigs are a huge problem (and wonderful source of food).

-Blast

Not sure how your city is, Blast. I grew up in Anaheim, CA, and some neighbors had a chicken coop. I'd have never known if I didn't get into their backyard one time. Probably about 20 chickens they had, and quiet as could be... That being said, check your city ordinances!

Actually, it's our homeowner's association. They even limit the number of house pets you can have. Animals considered to be livestock are completely forbidden. Alas, DW refuses to live somewhere where the neighbors are more than ten feet away.

-Blast

p.s. Hey, how about pigeons? They are small, will return to their roost, prolific and when cooked up right you can eat every bit of them (as experienced in China).

Like blast said rabbits, if there is no feed avalible any fruits and veggies will do, if their not avalible then thats what the rabbits are for. Also consider pigeons, and doves most cities that won't let you keep chickens will let you keep pigeons and dove. Eggs are good to eat if a bit small, and they provide everything a chicken does.

I have absolutely no personal experience with this, but I can tell you what I've seen. Look at what is commonly kept in the third world for hints. That would certainly have to be the goats and chickens originally mentioned, and usually both. Goats eat almost anything too, but a nice grain fed goat can be yummy.

Pigeons, aka squab, are very good eats. Just don't eat street pigeon- skyrats probably aren't good eats. Problem with pigeon is that it is little- best for the soup pot, casseroles, or by the platter. Remember, passenger pigeons were hunted to extinction becuase they congregated in massive flocks and were yummy.

One might also contemplate what my mother, who was raised in Africa, diplomatically calls "small meat". Hamsters, gerbils, and most especially, guinea pigs (big time in Peru). Breed faster than rabbits, take up less space, eat less- heck, they are as close to tribbles as reality allows! Again, best for the soup pot or casseroles, becuase you get about a big sandwich's worth of meat on one of those over sized mice. A big guinea pig might be two pounds, before being dressed; the others, smaller.

Or lab mice. They're already inbred to the point of being clones, so you don't have to worry about genetic issues cropping up in a long term, small colony kept for food.

Chickens. Chickens. Chickens.
We have 18 of them. They require minimal effort, if you have a rooster or two, they produce NEW chickens for you periodically, they eat bugs and table scraps, and even if you don't have a Rooster, they produce eggs. They are easy to kill and clean, the meat you get is tasty and fresh and it's the best thing we ever put into an old small shed.

I'll not get started on "homeowners associations" beyond the following statement, which is that these self-defined governing bodies represent a terrifying tendency toward what can only be described as a totalitarian state, like East Germany or any of the old Soviet Bloc countries. Committees of Bureaucrats inventing rules to please busybodies who want nothing but silent conformity and subservience to the rules.

I'm done now

Keep in mind that it is possible to starve to death from eating rabbit. Used to be called rabbit fever , but that is something different. You might also read King Rat ...

Yup. Always check the CCR's before buying a home. Some will not even allow you to park your $50,000 P/U in your driveway...

Fish are a great idea. You could build a koi pond or similar and stock it with cat fish, they can't blame you if you happen to like ugly fish.

Also, no one's mentioned ducks. They've got plenty of fat and meat on them and they'll keep you're garden free of slugs and other pests. Noisier then chickens, but more like pets then livestock.

Goats and chickens. I'd say goat milk rivals cow milk and is even tolerable to those who are lactose intolerant. You can also use it to make really good cheese and yogurt. The meat is lean. They can prune your overgrown brush. (Around here they use goats to keep fire breaks clear.) And of course chickens are good for eggs and meat and you can feed them table scraps.

chickens..here in Minneapolis you are allowed to keep them in
your backyard..there is a group of "chicken keepers" that
has meetings and info swaps..

I've got to agree with Martin's opinion of homeowners' associations. There's always a Little Hitler in charge, and the rules are insane. I wouldn't live in a place like that.

Chickens are great. My 'girls' are very quiet except after they've laid an egg, then they cackle (odd, to announce the arrival to predators). They will eat practically anything, including roadkill, and they consider maggots a feast. The larger breeds don't fly much, and can usually be contained with short fences, esp if you move short fencing around for them to weed, debug and scratch up specific areas.

Keep in mind what natural feed you already have: if you have a lot of grass, consider a sheep. If you have a lot of brush, think goats.

If you can have a deepish pond or maybe even an above-ground swimming pool, think fish.

Sue

"...if you have a lot of grass, consider a sheep. If you have a lot of brush, think goats..."

Having never had such critters, I am wondering, since we are thinking of a goat for our stick home, why sheep instead of goats for grass (which we have a lot of)? I always assumed that a goat would eat anything...

Goats,like deer, are browsers, and prefer leafy vegetation, although, like deer, they will graze from time to time. Sheep are like elk. They like to graze, and are fairly particular about it, though occasionally, like elk, they will chew on brush and such. Goats are probably better backyard livestock because they will eat just about whatever is available, whereas sheep will not do without grass for long unless you give them pellets or hay. Goat milk is far more preferable than sheep milk, unless you have a Riccota fetish. Ducks and geese will take your grass right down to the roots, but are damned hard to milk. Duck eggs are much richer than chicken eggs. Ducks and geese almost always need a water source, like a pond, a pool, or at least a watering trough.

SUPPOSEDLY if you also eat the eyes, liver, kidneys, and bone marrow of a rabbit, you will not suffer these symptoms. No personal experience; just something I read once, so take it for what it's worth.

Frank2135

"...Ducks and geese will take your grass right down to the roots..."


Hmmm, that sounds like what we want! Water in the hot CA summers will require some plumbing tho, our creek goes dry...

FYI-

Actually, rabbits breed faster and have larger litter sizes then guinea pigs.

Rabbits are sexually mature at 5-6 months of age, the female are induced ovulators, have a 32 day gestational period and produce a litter between 7-8 offspring.

Guinea pigs are generally sexually mature at 3-4 months of age, have a 15-17 day breeding cycle, have a 59-72 (65 day average) day gestational period and produce a litter of between 2-5 with 2 being the most common litter size.

Pete

Very intersting...

It happens when ALL you eat is rabbit and squirrel. If you get some other, fattier meats, fish, or poultry, and some plant matter in your diet, you should be ok. If you are stuck above the tree line in winter and all you can get is bunnies... yeah, you're hosed, but most of us would be a little crazy before your body shut down.

I wonder how many people got the Star Trek reference in there.

I just saw that episode again on late night television a few weeks ago. I swear the original shows just get better as time goes by. Yesterday I watched the one where the kid with blue eyes can make things and people disappear at will. He'd be the perfect solution to the tribbles episode.

If you use a deep litter (like straw) for the floor of your chicken pen and change it periodically, they shouldn't stink. You could also move them around every few days in a chicken tractor.

Noisy chickens are generally called 'roosters', and are generally not allowed within many city limits. Maybe a Rent-a-Rooster could solve the multiplication problem if needed under SHTF conditions.

Sue

"...Rent-a-Rooster..."

You do crack me up!!!

Hmm, I've never heard of a chicken stud service, I usually just went up to the local feed store if I needed to replenish the stock. I suppose someone must be studding out to keep the feed store well-stocked.

As in "somewhere there is a rooster with a big smile on his face"...