Do you want to start a livestock production business? Livestock products are the major source of animal protein for human consumption. In addition to that, we get other important materials from livestock. These are wool, skin, bones, etc. Here in this article, we list down the most profitable livestock farming business ideas that can be started with little money.
From the ancient age, domestic livestock keeping has been a lucrative income source for human beings. These days, livestock farming is a profitable business both large-scale and small-scale.
The demand for livestock products is increasing rapidly and is expected to rise in the future. The major reasons are the immense growth of population, income growth, rapid urbanization, and the production response in different livestock systems. Animal husbandry practices have varied widely across cultures and periods.
27 Livestock Farming Business Ideas
#1. Crab Farming
Mud crabs are most popular in Asian countries. Countries like India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and the Philippines are the major producers of mud crabs. However, the product has huge international demand too. The flesh of the mud crabs is delicious. With little money, one can start and run a mud crab farming business even at home.
#2. Dairy Farming
Cattle farming or dairy farming is widely popular throughout the globe. However, cattle have the most unique and complex lifecycle of any food. Additionally, it includes a variety of segments. Apart from producing milk and meat, the cattle provide high-value hides for the leather industry. Cattle farming is easy. However, it demands moderate capital investment and strategic planning.
#3. Duck Farming
The duck is a specific type of poultry bird. There are several meat and egg-productive duck breeds available throughout the world. If you want to start a low-cost livestock farming business, then you can consider duck farming. Even, you can raise ducks without any water. It is a less expensive business. As the ducks are very hardy birds, they need less care and management.
#4. Emu Farming
Emus are large-sized poultry birds of the ratite group and have high economic value. They produce valuable eggs, meat, oil, skin, and feathers. The USA, AUS, and China are the leading emu-producing countries. Emu is popular for producing low-calorie meat. Additionally, birds take less food and convert them into various types of valuable products. Even, you can raise emu with your other livestock.
#5. Fish Farming
Fish farming is a lucrative business for people who have sufficient water bodies in their locality. However, you can also raise fish in the tanks. Different types of carp fishes, catfish, prawns, salmon, and shrimp are very popular globally. In starting a fish farming business, it is important to conduct a market survey to understand local demand. Additionally, ornamental fish farming is also gaining popularity these days.
#6. Goat Farming
Due to its good economic prospects, goat rearing under the intensive and semi-intensive system for commercial production has been gaining momentum over the past couple of years. The business has a good return. In addition, the emerging favorable market conditions and easy accessibility to improved goat technologies are also catching the attention of entrepreneurs.
#7. Ostrich Farming
Ostriches allow the farmer to make higher and quicker returns on investment. These are big poultry birds. In recent years, several European and American beef producers have converted to ostrich farming because of its amazing profitability. An ostrich produces 40 eggs every year. Ostrich chicks usually reach market size in about 14 months. Apart from the meat, Ostrich provides leather and feathers also.
#8. Tilapia Fish Farming
Tilapia fish farming is getting huge prominence these days. It is a highly profitable business nowadays. This farming business demands specific knowledge and skill.
#9. Pet Birds Farming
This is another low-cost livestock farming business part-time also. You can start pet bird rearing at home. And there are numerous ways to sell the birds. Some of the most popular pet birds are pigeons, parrots, African grey, Amazon, Cockatoo, Macaw, Conure, Loris & Lorikeets, etc.
#10. Pig Farming
Pigs are a popular form of livestock. More than one billion pigs are butchered each year worldwide, 100 million of them in the USA. The largest pig-exporting countries are the United States, the European Union, and Canada. The majority of pigs are used for human food. However, it also supplies skin, fat, and other materials for use as clothing, ingredients for processed foods, cosmetics, and others for medical use.
#11. Poultry Farming
Any individual can start poultry farming for eggs and meat. Generally, egg-producing hens are layers and meat-producing hens are broilers. It is a profitable business. The demand for chicken meat is increasing day by day. Chicken meats are a healthier animal protein than red meat. You can start poultry farming both on a small-scale and large-scale basis.
#12. Quail Farming
The quail is a small poultry bird. Quail farming is gaining huge popularity these days. And definitely, there are several reasons behind it. The list may include rapid growth, early sex maturity, short generation interval, and prolificacy in egg production.
Quail meat has less fat and fewer calories, making it an ideal food for health-conscious consumers. Quail eggs and meat are renowned for being rich in vitamins, essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and phospholipids. All these are vital for human physical and mental development
#13. Rabbit Farming
Rabbit farming is both fun and profitable. You can raise rabbits for both pet and livestock purposes. Rabbits are small-sized animals. So, they require less space, feed, care, and management. You can easily raise rabbits on your farm, backyard, terrace, and even at home. Rabbit has a very high reproduction capacity. One female rabbit can give birth to kids every 30 days and 2 to 8 kids per delivery.
#14. Sheep Farming
This is another lucrative business for livestock farmers. You can raise sheep for milk, meat, and fiber. However, you have to select specific breeds depending on the agroclimatic condition of your area. Some of the major sheep-producing countries are mainland China, Australia, India, Iran, and the former Sudan. Before commencing the business, you must craft a clear business plan including financial costs and revenue.
#15. Snail Farming
Heliciculture or snail farming is a lucrative business. Additionally, it is a low-cost livestock business that you can start from home. Snails prefer a wet atmosphere. And they become dormant in the dry season. And you will need to start the snail farm with the right species. Generally, the big-sized giant snails fetch more revenue than the smaller ones.
16. Broiler Poultry Farming
Poultry meat is an important source of protein. There are several developed varieties. They are popular for quick growth and high feed conversion efficiency. Also, poultry manure is of high fertilizer value. You can use it to increase the yield of all crops. furthermore, processed meat has a very good market opportunity both domestically and internationally.
17. Camel Farming
Camel milk has similar chemical characteristics to cattle milk. They provide milk, meat, and hair for textiles, or goods such as felted pouches. Camel farming is commercially profitable. It is popular in Australia, North America, Africa, and Asia Pacific countries. However, Africa and Asia depend on camels to supply most of their needs.
18. Carp Fish Farming
Common carp farming is a very profitable business. However, you must maintain the right fish management system. Carp fish means domestic and foreign fish like Rui fish or other species like this. Katla, Mrigel, and Kalibaus are South Asian species. The foreign species are silver carp, grass carp, bighead carp, black carp, common carp, etc. are famous.
19. Catfish Farming
The demand for catfish is increasing rapidly. Also, these are very nutritious. Catfish farming is possible with a very small piece of the water body. However, You must maintain the commercial farming method and feed management.
20. Cattle Farming
Cattle farming is profitable. It gives milk, meat, and leather. However, cattle farming for milk and cattle farming for meat – the two are different. You must choose the right hybrid variety for a specific purpose. Furthermore, you must maintain the right farming methods.
21. Ornamental Fish Farming
Ornamental fish farming is a financially lucrative project and also self-rewarding. In addition, keeping aquarium fish is one of the oldest and most popular hobbies in the world.
22. Pearl Farming
Pearl farming is a long-term business. However, the business gives good returns. Pearl farming is grafting pearl molluscs and producing cultured pearls. It demands skill and knowledge about farming methods and practices.
23. Deer Farming
Every country doesn’t allow deer farming. However, it is a profitable business. Even you can start from your backyard. Compared to traditional livestock, the deer industry is booming. Also, raising deer maximizes land potential so that even small tracts of marginal property can become extremely profitable.
24. Emu Farming
Emu farming offers great scope and business potential. Because it gives supplementary income, additional employment, and simplicity in operation. Major emu-growing countries are the USA, Australia, France, China, Japan, European countries, Malaysia, and India.
25. Shrimp Farming
Shrimp farming is an aquaculture business. You can do it in freshwater or as a marine culture. Due to the high market demand for products and the low acquisition cost of land, shrimp farming is commercially profitable.
26. Layer Poultry Farming
Layer poultry farming means raising egg-laying poultry birds for commercial egg production. There are various types of highly egg-productive layer breeds available throughout the world. They start laying eggs commercially from 18-19 weeks of age. Even they remain to lay eggs continuously till 72-78 weeks of age.
27. Tiger Prawn Farming
Brackish water tiger prawn farming is a very profitable business. It demands moderate investment. In addition, you must have water-sufficient bodies. However, you will need to have adequate knowledge about the pollution management system.
How to Start A Livestock Farming Business?
If you have some backyard areas you can start farming there. Otherwise, you can acquire a space for rent for farming purposes. In the USA, some of the major potential items are cattle, poultry, pigs, catfish, and sheep.
Always select an animal that has demand in the local market. Because whenever you carry them for a long distance it will increase your cost.
Livestock is the only means of converting natural ingredients into protein products for human consumption. Any individual can start livestock farming from his or her backyard. However, large-scale commercial farming assures more profits. Even commercial small-scale farming is also possible.
In starting any of these businesses, you must craft a business plan prior. You must understand the cost related to it. Additionally, you must calculate the break-even time. We hope this list of the most profitable livestock farming business ideas will help you in starting your own business.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
