Domestication of livestock is closely tied to the development of modern civilizations. Since their initial domestication, livestock have made a major contribution to human societies by providing food, shelter, fuel, fertilizer and other products and services. Importantly, they are a renewable resource, and utilize another renewable resource, namely plants.

Smallstock, or smaller livestock, are mainly comprised of sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. The most common poultry species are chickens but this category also includes ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys. Smallstock also include rabbits and guinea pigs. This toolbox is mainly concerned with the more common smallstock species.

Each has its own specific advantages and disadvantages. Smaller livestock, for example, are particularly adaptable to backyard conditions, they require little start-up capital, it is easy to sell them and they tend to reproduce quickly.