In addition to typical farm animals like horses, cattle, and swine, there are number of exotic animals you can keep on a hobby farm. These animals can be simply for pleasure or for work purposes.

Some people like to keep alpacas on a hobby farm thanks to their wool production and guarding abilities. They like to be in groups with a typical alpha male, females, and young. They can be particularly aggressive towards dogs, coyotes, and foxes if they are used to guard sheep. One of their signature traits is their “spitting”. They mostly reserve their spitting to other alpacas but will occasionally target a human. The spitting is a result of their acidic stomach contents.

Llamas are often used on hobby farms as well. Llamas are great for both wool and meat as well as for guarding livestock. Llamas will typically protect against coyotes or feral dogs. Generally, just one male is used as a guard as multiple males tend to bond with each other and ignore the flock. Llamas are very social and smart animals – they learn commands rather quickly and love to be around other llamas.

Other farmers like to keep elk, bison and buffalo on their farms for meat. Though they appear similar, the bison is native to North America whereas the buffalo is native to Africa and Asia. Bison and buffalo are also different in appearance. Bison horns look like typical corn horns whereas buffalo horns are larger and more arc-like.

Camels and zebroids can be a popular addition to a hobby farm for entertainment or tourism purposes. Zebroids are a cross between a zebra and any other equine (like horses). Zebroids normally resemble their non-zebra parent but are also striped. Zebroids are preferred over regular zebras due to their practical uses. Zebroids are much easier to ride and have a better temperament than zebras. Camels are most often for entertainment purposes on a farm, but sometimes are used for milk or meat.

Hobby farmers can also keep emus on their farm. Emus are the second-largest living bird height-wise, behind the ostrich. Emus can be used for both their eggs and their meat. Ostriches can also be part of a hobby farm. They can be used for meat and eggs. Ostriches can also be used for their feathers or skin. Some use their feathers for decorative purposes or as feather dusters. Their skin can be used for leather purposes.

Guinea fowl are also of interest to some hobby farmers for their eggs and for pest control. Guinea fowl are wonderful for controlling ticks and fleas.

If you are looking for a different kind of pig for your hobby farm, you can consider the pot belly pig. Pot-bellied pigs are used for their meat as well as for their companionship. They grow to be very large and are often not fully grown until age six.

If you’re looking for a special addition to any hobby farm, don’t rule out adding an exotic animal!

Picture:	Breed:
	Alpaca: Origin: Unknown Coloring: Multiple Production: Wool Production Breed Note: There are different types of Alpacas
	Bison: Origin: The Americas Coloring: Shades Of Brown Production: Meat Breed Note: There are different types of Bison
	Buffalo: Origin: The Americas Coloring: Shades Of Brown Production: Meat Breed Note: There are different types of Buffalo
	Camel: Origin: Africa And The Middle East Coloring: Yellow And White Production: Entertainment, Tourism Breed Note: There are different types of Camel
	Elk: Origin: North America Coloring: Brown Production: Meal Breed Note: There are different types of Elk
	Emu: Origin: Australia Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs, Meat Breed Note: Second largest living bird
	Guinea Fowl: Origin: Africa Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs, Pets, Pest Control Breed Note: Can lay 25 to 30 eggs each time
	Llama: Origin: North America Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat Breed Note: The typically mate laying down
	Ostrich: Origin: Africa Coloring: White And Grey Production: Eggs And Meat Breed Note: Multiple Ostrich breeds
	Peacock: Origin: South Asia Coloring: Multiple Production: Ornamental Breed Note: Distinct feathers frow from the back, not the tail, contrary to popular belief
	Pot belly pigs: Origin: Vietnam Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat Breed Note: Usually weigh 100 to 300 pounds
	Rhea: Origin: South America Coloring: Gray, Brown Production: Feathers, Meat Breed Note: Related to the Ostrich and Emu
	Zebroid: Origin: Unknown Coloring: Multiple Production: Tourism, Pets Breed Note: Cross between a Zebra and a Horse