Somewhere in between. After years of uncertain growth, exotic animal farmers are finally finding that there is a genuine interest in the meat and other goods their animals produce. People choose to raise these animals to capture a market for exotic meat, leather, wool or natural oil. For example, the alligator is sold for its meat and for its skin, which is made into everything from suitcases to shoes. Because exotic animals are less available, the breeding stock can cost a great deal of money.
Farms can vary in size.
Some farmers fence in an acre or two to test out emu farming. Others go into large-scale commercial production. The investment required also varies. For example, bison farming just requires a tall fence. Once the fencing is done, the bison need little else.