Unattended Livestock? (Besides bees)

I know this is an old thread, but I'll mention pigeons again here.

Build a pigeon loft and stock it with some breeding pairs of utility birds. Have some basic feed for them near the coop, but also let them free range. Over time you can select for offspring of birds that are strong foragers.

As I understand you will eventually be able to harvest squabs fairly regularly with very little management. Added bonus is that their dung is a really potent fertilizer.

I have a similar situation and have pondered the same question ken. I would build a pigeon coop if I were you. They spend most of their time eating on the ground, can take care of themselves completely even in the winter and you always know where they sleep when you want to harvest them.

Hi Ken, Coming into this a little late but I'd like to share some of my own experience. Get or build a mobile shelter and an electric net. Put the net around the shelter and charge it with a solar charger, or a battery powered charger where the battery could be changed each week. Now there is a roosting spot with protection from predators. Muscovies fly very well and will leave the fenced area during the day to forage. Mine do it all the time. Then, in the evening, they will return to roost for the night. You'll need to bond them to the shelter for a week or so first, like chickens. The shelter and fence can be rotated around to keep the poop from building up in one spot. Chickens will occasionally fly over the fence, but then seem to have a difficult time figuring how to get back in. Not the brightest. I've been thinking, however, how to facilitate a "step" over the fence for the chicks, too. Maybe a perch or a ladder, say, 3 or 4 feet high that the chicks could climb and jump out, that would also give them a "target" to jump on to get back in. I don't know how high a predator can jump, but if it's only a dowel or something, will a fox try to jump on it? The birds would, though, and maybe get back in for the night. Also, once the preds learn what electricity feels like, they usually avoid the area altogether. You would need large breed chickens to limit your hawk losses, since they like smaller birds. I don't have any problems with the ducks. Good luck!

I'm in the same situation. Have 50 acres 30 minutes away. Has a creek in the middle. I'm looking at geese to protect some ducks and a pair of donkeys to run off predators. We will be doing sugar cane along the creek and fruit trees/ shrubs . Havnt started anything yet. But no one has really talked about geese....any 1 with experience with geese have any idea if they would work? I want to use them for their fat also.

There are many variables involved. Location, predators ( be sure to consider wild dogs and humans), amount of land, and neighbors to begin with.  Normally, In my area, where a coyote is the biggest concern, it is common for cattle to be unattended.  

Another factor is if you have a dog (s) that can be trusted to watch over things.  

About a year ago I took on a rescue pup.  She has turned into ‘the pig whisper’.