What Kind of Animals to Start with?
If you know me well enough, you probably know that I’m not really an animal person. I have dogs growing up but I admit I could do better. Then again, everybody can do better. So let’s not judge or be harsh, even to ourselves. When we decided we wanted to embark on this self-sufficient journey, we knew it’s not really called a homestead if we don’t raise animals right? Cos the point of self-sufficiency is also to create an ecosystem or food chain that works for both our family and the environment. We know that part of creating a more self-sufficient lifestyle includes raising animals, but it’s important to choose the right ones for our climate, lifestyle, and space. Especially when we don’t have a big land, most importantly, especially for people like us, non-animal, lazy (or tired), super busy parents that constantly chasing 2 young kids, forcing them to shower. Plus, with Malaysia’s humid weather, year-round rain, and sometimes limited land, not every animal makes sense. Thankfully, after some research and speaking to some experienced fellow homesteaders, we found that there are a few types of animals that are well-suited for beginners and small-scale homesteaders like us, and here we are sharing it with you.
Chickens are usually the first animal people start with — and for good reason. They’re easy to care for, don’t require much space, and provide a steady supply of eggs. Local breeds like ayam kampung are tough, used to our heat, and can forage on their own if given some space. They eat bugs, weeds, and leftovers from the kitchen, and their droppings make excellent fertilizer for your garden. Just be sure to provide some protection — biawak (monitor lizards), snakes, and even stray dogs can be a threat if the coop isn’t secure. I already have a simple economical coop design in mind and will be sharing it later once we’ve built it.
Rabbits are another great option, especially for those with limited space. They’re quiet, clean, and their droppings can go straight into the soil as fertilizer. A simple raised hutch and shade are all they need. They eat common local greens like kangkung, banana leaves, and vegetable scraps. Many families now keep rabbits both for practical use and as gentle pets. Just keep an eye on the heat — make sure they have proper ventilation during the dry season. For our case, we just need to keep it from our dog so we are still in the process of thinking where to place them safely and still give them enough space to roam.
One animal that’s becoming more popular among Malaysian homesteaders is the stingless bee, or more popularly known as lebah kelulut. These native bees don’t sting, are easy to manage, and are great for pollinating fruit trees and vegetables. Their honey — madu kelulut — is known for its health benefits and has a unique sour-sweet taste. You can keep a small hive in a shaded corner of your land, and they’ll pretty much take care of themselves. We will definitely try this in future once we have settled down as from what I understand, keeping bees are a different ballgame altogether. Will keep you all updated when we have them.
Another tip we got from other homesteaders is to consider freshwater fish like tilapia or catfish, if you have a bit more space and access to water. Many small-scale farmers and homesteaders use concrete tanks or repurposed ponds to raise fish for home consumption. The advantages of raising fish is that you can create an ecosystem for plants called aquaponics — where fish and vegetables are grown in one connected system. Just be ready to monitor water quality and temperature, especially during dry spells. We are not considering this at the moment as we have a lot on our plate but if you are a fish enthusiast, you can definitely check this out as I believe raising fish is quite low maintenance especially for talapias and catfish.
Don’t forget the role of everyday pets like dogs and always adopt, not shop. Personally we prefer to have mongrels (mixed breed), not just because they are lower in maintenance but my personal experience with them is that they make excellent guard dogs as well and loyal as hell. They can help guard your property and livestock, especially at night. They’ll bark at intruders — human or animal — and can keep pests like wild boars and monkeys or even birds away especially if you have fruit trees. Dogs are really men best friend. They love and protect you with everything they have. Just need to remember to keep the rabbits away from them.
One more living addition that’s often overlooked is earthworms. Setting up a simple vermicomposting system using red worms is a great way to turn food waste into rich compost for your plants. All you need is a recycled container or polystyrene box and some vegetable scraps. It’s clean, doesn’t smell if done right, and your garden will thank you.
What About Permissions or Legal Issues?
Before bringing in animals — especially if you live in a residential area or near other homes — it’s a good idea to check with your local Majlis Perbandaran (Municipal Council). Some areas have restrictions on keeping livestock like chickens or fish due to noise, hygiene, or zoning laws. In most kampung or semi-rural areas, keeping a small number of animals for personal use is generally accepted and not heavily regulated, but in urban or suburban housing estates, you may need permission — especially if your animals might disturb your neighbours. As for us, we are only planning to keep hens instead of rooster to minimize the noise and we are very mindful about it, not just for our neighbours but for ourselves as well – we deserve to sleep in on weekends 🙂
Remember, if you’re planning to sell animal products (like eggs, honey, or fish), you might need to register with the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar – JPVM) or other agricultural authorities. For kelulut beekeeping, some state agricultural offices also offer training and support, and registering your hive might help if you plan to sell madu kelulut commercially. But for us, we only do it for own consumption and sharing with our neighbours and friends, we don’t plan to have anything commercial yet. I think if you’re just raising a few chickens or rabbits for your family, you’re usually fine — but always double-check with local authorities to avoid surprises later.
Homesteading in Malaysia doesn’t require a big piece of land or a huge investment. You can start small — a few chickens, a rabbit hutch, or even just a worm bin and a few herbs. Over time, you’ll get the rhythm of it. These animals not only help you produce your own food but also connect you to the land in a deeper way. Whether you’re collecting fresh eggs in the morning, feeding kitchen scraps to your rabbits, or harvesting honey from your own kelulut hive, there’s a quiet joy in living closer to nature.
Do you have any experience with raising these animals mentioned above? Happy to hear your experience and what are the do and don’ts. Share them with me in the comments section.
Thank you and hope you find this useful!