Let me share some insights about making money with farm animals, since this is something i've helped quite a few farmers figure out. Pigs are your absolute best investment (this is because they can find multiple truffles per day, which sell for incredible prices when processed into oil). You'll want to focus on getting their friendship up quickly, as this directly increases their truffle-finding ability.

For newer farmers starting out, i'd suggest beginning with regular chickens and cows, since they provide reliable daily income without much complexity. Once you're comfortable with the basics, ostriches make an interesting upgrade – each egg creates 10 mayo which really adds up (and they're surprisingly low-maintenance for their profit margin).

Something that might interest you: golden chickens are actually incredible money-makers if you can unlock them, but they require reaching 100% perfection first. The new golden animal crackers from the recent update are a game-changer, doubling most animal products, though interestingly enough, they don't affect pigs.

The dinosaurs have become much more viable lately, especially with the new treasure appraisal guide making their eggs more valuable. Keep in mind that while animals might not match late-game crop profits, they provide steady income even when you're busy exploring or mining (this is particularly helpful during your first year).

A really useful tip – if you're going the pig route, make sure to get the botanist perk. It ensures all your truffles are iridium quality, which significantly boosts your profits when combined with the artisan profession for oil-making.