Farm animals: how to buy a cow, pigs, goats or poultry at a fair price
Work out what you really need
People buy farm animals for milk, meat, breeding or work, and everything depends on that: species, breed, age and price. Cows, goats, pigs, sheep, horses, rabbits and poultry have different needs for housing, feeding and care. Newcomers are often advised to start small: a few hens, rabbits or piglets for rearing, and then expand the farm.
Remember that buying an animal is not enough: it needs feed, water, shelter, a vet and your time every day. Count that in advance, because the cost of keeping an animal is often more than the purchase.
How to choose the right category
This page covers general requests for farm animals. For a more detailed choice there are separate subcategories where you can give more specific details:
- Large animals, such as cows and calves, need serious investment in a shed and feed, so check yield, pregnancy and age.
- Pigs and piglets grow fast but are sensitive to disease, including African swine fever, so do not buy without a vet certificate.
- Goats and sheep are herd animals, and need company and grazing.
- Poultry (hens, ducks, geese, turkeys) starts with a small investment and gives quick results.
- There are also specialised subcategories for rabbits, horses and bees.
What to put in your request
- species — cow, calf, goat, sheep, pig, rabbit, poultry;
- breed and age;
- sex and number of animals;
- weight of one animal, for example up to 25 kg;
- purpose — milk, meat, rearing, breeding;
- productivity — milk yield, pregnancy, egg laying;
- district or village and budget.
Example: “I am looking for 5 goat kids for rearing, up to 6 months old, weighing up to 25 kg, with a vet certificate. Near Wellington, I can collect them myself. Budget up to $620.”
How to compare offers
Keep a few rules in mind. Compare the price per head and per kilogram of live weight. Check the papers: the vet certificate, vaccinations, tests and ear tags. Inspect the animals in person or ask for a fresh video. Find out what they were fed, because a sudden change of diet causes stress.
Do not pay in advance until you have seen the animals. For transport you need a suitable vehicle and, depending on the species, veterinary papers.
How BlaBlaPrice works
You write your request once on BlaBlaPrice, and farms in your region reply in the chat: which animal, the price, the papers. The platform shows the best-fitting offer first, and sellers compete with each other. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose a seller. Details are on the “How it works” page.
For decorative and home pets, see dogs and cats.
