Fresh eggs, sharp goat cheese, rich honey — raising animals definitely comes with it’s own set of benefits. However, if you’re looking to supplement your farming efforts with a bit of animal husbandry, there’s much to know before you get started. No matter what animal (or animals) you’re looking to keep, ask yourself the following questions:
Is it Legal?
Farming livestock is regulated at the local, state, and federal levels, and each animal type faces unique regulations. The first, of course, are the city and county codes. Contact your local zoningboard or zoning office to find out how your property is zoned. Once you know your property’s zoning category, you will identify the permitted uses for that category. For instance, if your zoning category is agricultural, it’s quite likely you’ll be permitted to raise animals. If your property is zoned as residential, you should expect certain restrictions.In addition to zoning regulations, you may also run into restrictive covenants. A restrictive covenant is a clause in your home’s deed imposing a constraint on how you’re allowed to use your property; and is designed to protect the value and enjoyment of adjoining land. These
covenant are commonly enforced by a homeowners association. If your property is controlled by a restrictive covenant (or other homeowners association rules), you’ll need to determine if there are conditions surrounding the keeping of farm animals. If there are rules against animals, there are some clever ways to create an HOA friendly urban farm if you get creative.If all else checks out, it’s common courtesy to speak with your neighbors before bringing any animals onto your property. You’ll find your neighbors will be far less angry if they’re aware of what’s going on — and you can always sweeten the deal by offering up eggs or honey as a way to thank them for their patience. It’s far easier to keep your neighbors both informed and happy than to deal with being taken to small claims court if they should decide your animals are a nuisance.
What Predators Will You Be Dealing With?
It may surprise you to know that animals kept in a suburban setting will face predators. Depending on what region you live in, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, birds of prey, snakes, and even domestic cats and dogs are all dangers to be on the lookout for. Start by finding out what urban wildlife exists in your area. Then, research and identify the best way to protect your animals from said predators. Certain predators can be repelled with nothing more than a solid fence. Others, such as raccoons, are incredibly clever, and can get through even the most reliable security methods. It’s important to prepare yourself for loss. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work to protect them, you lose one or more of you precious animals. It’s never easy, but it very much a part of animal husbandry.
Can You Contain Them Properly?
Containing some animals is far easier than others. Chickens, for instance, need little more that asturdy coop and run. Goats, however, will amaze you with the lengths they’ll go to to break out of their pens. Containment serves two distinct purposes, A.) keeping your animals in one area — and away from anything they might eat/harm, and B.) keeping predators out. While some containment systems serve the first purpose well, they may not focus enough on the second. It’s incredibly important to approach containment on both fronts in order to keep your animals safe and healthy.
When building coops, pens, and fences, keep the following tips in mind:
● Goats will climb on anything — so keep toys, buckets, trees, etc. away from the fence line.
● Goats tend to rub on walls and fences, they need to be extremely sturdy.
● A good rule of thumb for goat fencing is that if the goat can get their head through it, theycan get their body through it. Keep openings small.
● Goats have been known to open hook and eye, lever, and bolt latches. A padlock is the best option to keep them in — just make sure it’s placed on the outside of the gate.
● Hardware cloth (wire mesh) is the best option for chicken runs as it protects against small and medium sized predators such as rats, snakes, minks, and raccoons.
● Chicken fences should be at least five feet tall, and covered with wire mesh fencing or game-bird netting to discourage birds of prey from grabbing your chickens.
● Poultry netting placed around your apiary will deter skunks, as they don’t climb fencing like other members of the weasel family.
● For all animals, solid fencing is almost always better than netting.
● Electric fencing provides added protection against predators, and can be use alone or in conjunction with solid fencing.
● When used alone, electric fencing should reach at least shoulder height on the animal it contains to prevent them from jumping over the fence.Containment will be one of the most trying aspects of raising animals. You will have to adapt it tochanging needs, and make adjustments as your animals puzzle their way out of their pens.
Can You Commit to Their Care?
Last, but certainly not least, is the care aspect of animal husbandry. Chickens and goats live up to ten years, so keeping them calls for a serious investment of both time and money. Food, containment, accessories, and protection from weather and predators will cost a pretty penny. Also, much like cats and dogs, they will require periodic veterinary care for vaccinations, illness, and injuries. Outdoor animals require dedicated, consistent care, even when soaring temperatures, rain, snow, or ice making going outside a nightmare. And since they require daily care, you’ll need to arrange for someone to come to your house and care for them when you’re on vacation or awayfrom the house for a long period of time. While adding animals to your backyard farm can result in joy as well as fresh foodstuffs, it can also end in frustration and heartache if you’re not sufficiently prepared. Do your research, know what’s required, and plan for every possible eventuality. Happy farming, friends!
Liz Greene hails from the beautiful city of trees, Boise, Idaho. She’s happiest when cuddling with her dogs, eating cheese, and re-watching her favorite Marvel movies. You can follow her on Twitter @LizVGreene.
