Alternative Livestock

"These guidelines are a reference to help you...design, build, maintain, and operate a facility for specific types of organisms-- in particular, nonindigenous snails...). "While snails may not require a containment facility, their great reproductive potential and ability to escape coupled with their plant feeding activities means that great care should go into developing plans to house and contain them."

Summarizes steps to apply for a PPQ 526 plant pest permit needed to import and move snails and other mollusks that feed upon plants.

Describes how to design, build, maintain, and operate facilities for nonindigenous snails.

Outlines USDA requirements and restrictions for ratites such as emu, ostrich, and rhea.

Examines how to meet warm weather challenges pertaining to rabbits.

Overall benefits from a backyard rabbit enterprise include nutritious and wholesome meat, educational experiences for young people, an enjoyable occupational activity, rich manure for gardening or flower beds, and the potential for extra income. This document covers topics such as commercial meat stock, housing and ventilation (particularly through the winter months), heat stress management, and basic housing equipment.

A list of specialty livestock resources.