Livestock is an important part of human life. It has contributed to the fulfillment of a lot of human needs. Man has used livestock for food as well. While they have used livestock for protection, and clothing as well. Even in today’s modern world, many countries economy is truly based on livestock.
People think that livestock can be raised and prosper in a dedicated space only. The land with trees and woods is of no use for the livestock. But it is not the case. The land filled with wood can be used for livestock efficiently and effectively.
What Is Silvopasturing?
Silvo pasturing is the activity in which you are engaged in mixing or integrating the grazing animals in the wooded area. This practice was quite common before world war II. After the war passed, people moved to commercial farming and left the Silvo pasturing.
Nowadays, again this term is gaining attention among the masses. It has been evident that man is capable of using the space for maximum benefit. Now that the people have the wooded area in their lands, they are thinking of using it for more and more benefit, rather than just for firewood.
Why Go For Silvopasturing?
People usually have left the wooded space for firewood only. They think that it cannot be used for any other purpose until the wood is removed. Getting animals that can thrive well in the wooded areas will not only add to the farm income, but it is also a new way of getting alternative business in the same field of farming.
Silvo pasturing will not only add to the income in terms of the sale and purchase of animals. But it also has other benefits. You would be able to secure your food supply as well.
Along with that, your forest will be clean, and manageable and also it will thrive because of the organic waste created by the animals kept there.
You can say silvopasture, keeping the animals in the woody area is one of the most efficient commercial farming you would need to properly grow the food supply and other livestock by-products from the animals on the farm. Also, the space will be designed and designated for them to keep them and help them survive.
But keeping livestock in the wooded area will make you free of many things. You would be able to feed them, as well as keep them in the specified area with little or no effort. However, in harsh weather conditions, you might need to do something extra to help them survive.
Which Livestock Is Best For Wooded Area/ Silvo Pasturing?
Now as you have understood, you can use the space of a woody area and can keep things working. You must be thinking about the ideal animals or livestock that can be kept in a woody area. And they should have abilities to survive in the woody areas easily.
Otherwise, you can have a commercial animal farm, where you can keep them if you have to put in the same effort.
As we all know, the word livestock encompasses a variety of living beings. Most of them cannot survive only on Silvo pasturing. However, after studying the grazing and eating habits of different species experts have categorized the species that can survive and thrive easily in the Silvo pasturing.
Goats and Sheep:
These are ideal livestock for the Silvo pasturing or the woody area. They get a lot of benefits from the trees. First of all, goats and sheep are small. They can be kept in good quantity. Also, these species multiply easily and quickly. You should expect a good overturn from them.
Looking at the grazing patterns, goats and sheep do not go for a particular grass. They can eat grass, shrubs, bark, and sometimes the fruit of different trees.
Their digestive system is such strong that it can handle all of the input. This quality of goats and sheep makes them ideal for woody settings.
One thing you need to take care of is the fencing. Goats are good at escaping. They can jump quite well. So, you need to make sure that they remain in the specified space.
Other things are good. Woody areas will keep the temperature right and will protect them from harsh air, and sunlight.
Cows:
Cows are usually kept commercial. These are not made for Silvo pasturing. Some people might suggest that you can opt for cows to keep in your woody areas. You will get good returns from cows but they don’t eat everything that grows in the forest.
Also, you will need proper cultivation of food for cows. But also you will need a proper space to keep them safe from harsh conditions. A good amount of goats and sheep can be adjusted in a limited space. But not the cows. So, try to avoid it if you get the idea of cows for Silvo pasturing.
Rabbits:
Rabbits are one of the best livestock to keep in the wooded area. Actually, like goats and sheep you would be amazed by the qualities and growth of the rabbits. Rabbits can survive easily in wooded areas. They can eat multiple types of grasses.
Moreover, the rabbits multiply with great speed. You would be able to secure food supply, as well as you would be able to supply rabbits too.
Deer:
Deer is again very profitable livestock, that can be kept and grown best in woody areas, the same as keeping goats. They can thrive on multiple types of food available in the woody area. Also, these animals are loved in terms of eating.
You would be able to secure a good amount of food supply, as well as you would be able to get a good return from it. You will enjoy it if you decide to keep deer in your woody area. It might attract a lot of attention as well.
Birds:
Birds fall in another vital category to keep and grow in woody areas. They can eat grass as well as insects in the forests. They also fall in the spectrum of livestock. It is important to note that you might need to build a small shed for their safety.
The beauty of this livestock is that you can keep it alone, or along with other livestock as well.
Keep Reading:
- Best Animals For Small Homesteads
- Best Animals To Raise On 1 Acre Of Land
- Cheapest Animal To Raise For Meat
Chickens and Ducks:
Chickens are simple. They multiply easily. They also lay eggs which are good sources of protein. You can have the breakfast supply maintained, or you can sell it as well. They are easy to feed. They can maintain themselves. Also, you would be able to get meat supply easily from chickens.
Ducks are the same as chickens. You might need to build a small pond as well. Because ducks love water. They also lay eggs and can create a steady supply of eggs and meat. Ducks are easy to maintain. They can eat a variety of feed from the area filled with trees.
Ostriches, Turkey, and Others:
You can keep ostriches, and turkeys as well in the woody areas. They thrive well in the forests. It is important to note that they might need special attention as they are different from chickens and ducks.
As we know, they provide a good food supply. You can secure your food supply as well as you can earn from them.
You can add other birds like emu, quail, etc. based on the availability and whether they can survive in the area or not.
Donkeys:
You can add donkeys in the woody areas. Add it along with other cattle. It is because donkeys are good at sensing danger and good at reacting to danger. They can survive easily in woody areas as they eat multiple types of grass as well. They will keep the site safe from predators as well.
In a nutshell, it is easy to take care of the animals in the woody area. You just need to make sure animals are not overcrowded. In harsh and muddy conditions handle with care.
Just keep them rotating in the space so that space is aligned with the season and also uniform in shape, size, and growth.
This will not only add to your income but will also create a sustainable food supply for your family as well. You would be able to get a good return from it.