What Animals Can You Raise on a 1-Acre Farm?

You might be thinking “What animals are best suited for my one-acre farm?”

If you have just one acre of land and are wondering how to make the most of it by raising animals, you’re in the right place.

While keeping livestock on such a small piece of land may seem challenging, it’s definitely possible with the right choices.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best animals to raise on a one-acre farm (ones that can thrive in limited space) so you’ll know exactly what animals to start with.

13 Best Animals to Raise on a 1-Acre Farm

These animals, which will be mentioned, are great options for smaller spaces. However, take note that it still depends on your needs, the weather conditions, and what works best for your location before choosing the right animals for you.

So, let's get started!

1. Chickens 

Chickens are the most popular choice for small farms, and for good reason.

They’re easy to care for and can provide a steady supply of eggs. If you’re raising chickens for meat, you’ll also enjoy having delicious, home-raised chicken on your table.

As a general guideline, allow about 4 square feet per chicken in the coop and 8–10 square feet per bird in an outdoor run.

If you’re a beginner, consider checking out our guide on raising chickens for beginners to help you get started.

Chickens also love scratching around in the dirt, which can help control weeds and even pests in your garden.

Just be sure to provide them with a warm coop and some space to roam, and they’ll happily forage and thrive.

2. Ducks

If you’re looking for something a bit different, consider raising ducks.

Ducks are hardy animals that thrive in wet conditions and are excellent foragers.

Did you know that duck eggs are richer than chicken eggs? That’s right! They make a great alternative if you’re looking for variety.

For space, plan for about 3–4 square feet per duck in the coop, along with an equal amount of outdoor space. For 4–6 ducks, a coop of 12–24 square feet should work well.

Keep in mind that ducks require more water than chickens, so having a small pond or water source is ideal for them.

3. Turkeys

Turkeys are another great option if you have some extra space. They’re primarily raised for meat, and their quirky behaviors can be quite entertaining (much like chickens!).

For turkeys, aim for about 8–10 square feet per bird in the coop and at least 25 square feet per bird in an outdoor run.

A small flock of 4–6 turkeys will need approximately 32–60 square feet of coop space.

If you’re considering adding turkeys to your farm, just remember that they require more room than chickens to thrive.

4. Goats

Goats are great animals because they provide not only milk but also meat. Isn’t that a good option?

They’re also natural lawnmowers, so in addition to their products, they can help keep your property tidy.

Goats typically need about 15–20 square feet of indoor space per goat in their shelter and at least 200 square feet of outdoor space to roam.

If you plan to keep 2–3 goats, a barn of 30–60 square feet, along with ample outdoor space, should be sufficient.

5. Sheep

You may also want to consider raising sheep. They are a great choice if you’re looking for both meat and wool.

Sheep are gentle animals that feed on grass. As grazers, they’re excellent for natural lawn maintenance, and their manure is also great for fertilizing the soil.

On a 1-acre farm, you’ll want to provide about 20 square feet of indoor space per sheep in their shelter, giving them a comfortable place to sleep and stay dry.

For outdoor space, aim for around 100 square feet per sheep to ensure they have enough room to move around and graze.

Once everything is set up, sheep are easy to care for and can provide you with both wool and meat while helping to maintain your land.

6. Pigs

Pigs can be a practical choice if you’re considering raising meat (pork) on your homestead. They’re known for efficiently converting feed into pork, making them a worthwhile investment.

In terms of space, each pig needs about 8–10 square feet indoors in their shelter, giving them enough room to lie down comfortably and move around a bit.

Outdoors, they should have at least 50–100 square feet to root around and dig—an activity they love. For larger breeds, you may want to provide even more space.

If you’re planning to raise a couple of pigs (perhaps 2 or 3), you’ll need around 30–40 square feet of indoor space for them.

7. Rabbits

Rabbits are a perfect addition to your 1-acre farm since they require very little space.

All you need is a good-sized hutch that provides at least 6 square feet per rabbit, whether it’s indoors or outdoors (and even more if they’ll spend time outside).

Rabbits are social animals and can live together happily as long as they get along. When introducing new rabbits to the group, it’s best to do so gradually.

You'll also want to make sure they have enough space to move around comfortably to minimize any squabbles.

Rabbits are also easy to care for and can be fed kitchen scraps along with their regular pellets and hay, making them a low-maintenance and sustainable option.

8. Bees

Bees might not be the first animals that come to mind when you think of livestock, but they can be incredibly valuable for your homestead.

In terms of space, a single beehive doesn’t require much room—it's about the size of a large suitcase. You can easily find a spot for it in your yard or garden without it being in the way.

Just choose a location that gets some sun and is sheltered from the wind.

Caring for bees isn’t very time-consuming, but it does require some attention. You’ll need to check on the hive occasionally to ensure the bees are healthy and have enough food, especially during colder months.

It might seem challenging at first, but with a bit of learning, many people find it quite manageable.

9. Miniature Cattle

If you’re considering getting cows but are concerned about space, miniature cattle (such as Dexters) could be a great option.

Miniature cattle can provide both milk and meat, making them highly versatile and practical. They’re typically friendly and easier to handle than larger breeds.

These smaller cows require less space than standard-sized ones, making them a suitable choice for a one-acre homestead.

For indoor space, plan for about 100–150 square feet per miniature cow in their barn or shelter, giving them enough room to lie down and move around comfortably.

They’ll also need some pasture for grazing—ideally around half an acre per cow.

Remember, like any livestock, miniature cattle require regular care, including feeding, watering, and health checks.

If you want cows but don’t have a lot of space, miniature breeds like Dexters might be the perfect fit for your homestead.

10. Geese

Aside from chickens, ducks, and turkeys, geese can be a great choice if you’re looking for animals that provide both meat and eggs.

Each goose needs about 10–15 square feet of indoor space in their shelter to move around comfortably. Outdoors, they should have around 20–30 square feet to roam freely.

Geese really enjoy being outside, so giving them a grassy area to wander is a good idea.

One more thing to keep in mind: they can be a bit noisy, so consider that if you have close neighbors.

How Many Animals Can You Keep on a 1-Acre Farm?

The number of animals you can have on a one-acre farm really depends on the type of animals and how well you take care of the land.

Keep in mind that these numbers can change based on how you use your space.

If you decide to mix different kinds of animals, you might need to lower the total number you raise.

Animal	Number Per Acre
Chicken	300–400 chickens (if optimized for egg or meat production)
Ducks	250–300 ducks (considering additional needs like a small pond or water area)
Turkeys	25–30 turkeys (assuming sufficient grazing and shelter space)
Goats	10–12 goats (with adequate grazing and exercise areas)
Sheep	8–10 sheep (while maintaining a balanced space for grazing)
Bees	10–15 beehives (depending on your arrangement and other uses of the land)
Pigs	6–8 pigs (depending on their breed and the space available for rooting and grazing)
Rabbits	150–200 rabbits (assuming stacked hutches or well-organized space)
Miniature Cattle	2 miniature cows (allowing enough grazing space and rotational pasture management)
Geese	40–50 geese (with proper access to grassy areas)

How Can You Make the Most of Space on a 1-Acre Farm?

To manage your space well on a one-acre farm for raising animals, start by setting up different areas for each type of animal.

Go for smaller breeds that don’t need much room, like chickens, rabbits, or miniature goats. For instance, chickens need about 3-4 square feet each in their coop, while rabbits only need around 6 square feet per hutch.

Make sure they have enough outdoor space too, about 10 square feet for each chicken and a similar amount for rabbits.

If you have grazing animals like goats or sheep, rotate their grazing spots to keep the grass healthy and avoid overgrazing.

You may want to keep those shelters close together so you can save space and make it easier to care for everyone as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)