I'm interested in knowing if long expeditions on the oceans ever warranted bringing livestock on to ships for the purpose of supplying fresh milk, or eggs, or after butchering, meat.
I think, logistically, sufficient food rations would've been stored aboard for the crew as there would be ample space for even an extensive voyage on a brigantine for example.
I guess I'm just wanting to know if there was any documented accounts of live animals being brought along and used as a supplement to the rations.
Thank you AskHistorians!
Yes, usually cattle. For example invetories of Magellan's expedition list 7 cows and 3 pigs (to be distributes between his 5 ships) Source: image (or original).
Narration of expeditions of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros circa 1600 also mention goats and also pigs and fowls in various context usually implying they are being kept onboard.
I've talked about logistics of Magellan's expedition here, and more generally about food on Age of Exploration ships and related about fishing