Getting Started - Land Issues

Do you have the space to house livestock, poultry or other animals you plan to raise? If you do, what type of housing will your animal need? This section will help guide you through this first step of animal husbandry. 

Zoning

The first thing to investigate is whether raising livestock or poultry is allowable where you live. Contact your local jurisdiction’s planning department for this information. If animal production is allowed, the species, numbers, and genders of animals may be restricted. 

Facilities

You will need to restrict animals to your property to keep them and your neighbors safe. Fences are an obvious option but costs vary greatly and can be significant. Inexpensive options are possible for some species, but some animals (especially cattle) require substantial fences to contain them. Rabbits and poultry can be kept in smaller areas, even dry lots or elevated cages. For the larger species, you must have a way to restrain animals safely and humanely if they need treatment or a procedure. Animals do not necessarily need to be kept in a barn, but they require access to a roofed shelter for protection from the weather to address animal welfare requirements.

Space 

Some decisions about the type and number of animals you can have on your property will depend on the size of your property. Refer to your county extension educator and the sources listed on the references page for recommendations about livestock space requirements, including stocking density for different systems (pasture vs confinement). Determining the number of animals your land or facility can support is important to reduce competition for resources and long-term damage to the property.

Pastures

Pasture management is a complicated topic that can take a lifetime to learn well. If your animals will have access to pasture, feed costs can be reduced compared to animals that must be fed hay year-round.
However, poorly managed pastures can become dry lots, mud lots, or weed patches. You can take pasture management classes from conservation districts or county extension programs.
Effective pasture management will improve soil quality, protect water quality, increase pasture production, and expand the useable life of pastures. Some land will require extensive rehabilitation before it can be a useable pasture. All pastures should be inspected for toxic plants before and during use.