What would you keep on 3/4 of an acre

[StormyIsland]

We've put an offer on a house that comes with a paddock that's just over 3/4 of an acre. I've always loved any kind of animals. DH dislikes any pets that live indoors and the thought of going out to feed the animals first thing in the morning and Pottering around in the evenings doing bits and bobs outside appeals to me. But what could I keep on this paddock? Some hens definitely, a Shetland pony? Or a couple of donkeys? Or a goat or two although are they as bad for escaping as you hear? Any advice or experiences? The paddock has got quite an overgrown pond in too. Will this be a problem? At the moment the nearby farmer keeps his sheep there to keep the grass short. Or is it not enough land and I should just keep it for my three kids to run around in?

I was going to say a pair of alpaca but I've just googled and they need at least an acre. I'm guessing (based purely on size of animals) that ponies, donkeys etc would need similar. What about pygmy goats?

That isn't going to be enough to feed most field living animals year round. If you're willing to supplement the food, then most of what you've listed would work.

Check which animals need companionship (I think a Shetland pony would?) and what fencing they need to keep them in - horses are surprisingly easy to keep in one place, goats less so. Though if there are sheep in there now, the fencing should be pretty good.

I was thinking of getting two of whatever we end up getting. Wouldn't want a lonely, sad animal. I think the fencing looks pretty good but I think goats are supposed to be good at jumping over fences. I wouldn't mind supplementing the food if it's not super expensive. I'd be quite tempted to go for pygmy goats or donkeys but know DD would like ponies. My experiences of Shetland's are that they are a bit grumpy. And to be honest I'm a bit selfish with this and would feel sad having a pony and not being able to ride it myself. Kids are desperate for a pet but this is as much for me as it is for them. It's way too small an area for a happy horse though :( there seems to be a lot of wildlife going through the paddock at the moment which is lovely.. pheasants, bunnies, herons, sometimes even deer. Wonder whether they might stop coming if we had animals there. At the moment the sheep are not there all the time.

I always thought of having a peacock if I had a bit of land away from others.

You could go crazy and have a guinea pig paddock. Just twenty odd piggies squeaking around

I'd have an orchard with free range chickens. 3/4 acre isn't that much when it comes to grazing animals.

Agree with chickens. They need more space than you think, I often reminisce about what it was like to have grass in our pre poultry keeping days.

Capybaras .

Goats!!!! I've always wanted a goat, they're awesome animals. Cheeky bastards too

Ooh yes to capybaras!!

Chickens, 3/4 of an acre is more a big garden than anywhere for raising livestock.

Goats are not easy animals to keep. Donkeys and ponies need to be kept with their own kind.

You could probably get a couple of orphan lambs and keep them as pet sheep on 3/4 of an acre. But bear in mind sheep are stupid and will try and kill themselves with monotonous regularity.

Please don't get a single pony. Of any sort. They are herd animals and it's incredibly distressing for them.

MeltorPeltor why are goats tricky? And would two donkeys be okay with hens about or do you mean strictly with their own kind and not even hens about? I don't massively fancy keeping sheep. Ideally I'd like a dog or a cat but that's a no go with DH. A horse would be next but not enough land (unless we go for another property we've looked at that's got 2,5 acres, big stables and a ménage but then I feel too much of a beginner for that). But ideally I'd like something that will like to be fussed over. 😂

Will Google capybaras.

Pygmy goats? They are still arseholes, because they are goats, but cuter.

I would get some hens and a couple.of Indian running ducks.

Rent it to someone like me with a massive dog and a small garden! Wolfiepup would love you forever!

I think we'll start with the hens and that way get used to having some sort of animals. Then proceed to something bigger next year when we're more settled.

Good plan. Deffo hens. I couldn't have anything unproductive! Or at least a pony my dd could ride!

Hens shit squidgy shit everywhere! Horse poo is much nicer to pick up! 2mini Shetlands would probably be okay for grazing as they are hardy little buggers that -for their own good- need very little grass, they might need more stimulation though so would you be prepared to take them for 'walks' as well?