As you consider farm animals, cows, horses, and pigs might be the first thing that comes to thoughts. While these specific farm animals should be left to farmers who have plenty of space to graze, there are a few farm animals that you could keep within your backyard. A lot of them assist with lawn maintenance and provide valuable products such as eggs or milk.

Consider Local Zoning Ordinances

You might think it's your right to have a small number of sheep or chickens; however, where you live will determine what kind of farm animal you can have. For instance, certain jurisdictions limit roosters while allowing the keeping of hens. Some have strict regulations regarding hoofed animals.

To make sure that you don't get into problems with the animals that you bring home, make sure to check the local zoning regulations and decide whether any of the allowed animals are of interest to you. If you do decide to bring in animals that are permitted, you'll be required to comply with particular rules concerning:

• You can keep animals on your property.
• The requirements for sanitation, such as the proper disposal of animal waste
• Animal control situations in which it is possible to intervene, such as animals that have been abused, injured, abandoned, or sick animals

Consider the Responsibilities of Owning Farm Animals

The ownership of chickens, sheep, or rabbits is a lot of the same responsibility as having a dog. You have to provide the following:

• A space that is confined where the animal can be able to sleep, eat, and live.
• A consistent supply of bedding, feed materials, pest control products, and other materials
• Checkups and vaccinations
• Spend a bunch of time taking care of your pets.

If you're living in a suburb, the neighbor's home is only a few steps away. Be sure that your pets don't cause trouble for the neighbor next to your door. This is about keeping noise and odor levels to low level.

Choose Your Farm Animals

Chickens

If you live in a place that allows backyard chickens and you're lucky enough to get fresh eggs as well as an inexhaustible quantity of manure to use to make compost to fertilize your garden. Chickens need a safe chicken coop that has nest boxes to lay eggs as well as an area to rest in. You should ensure the chickens are provided with a secure area where they can scratch to forage for bugs and enjoy the sunshine. To make sure that your chickens are suitable for your area, purchase chickens at a local farm-supply retailer.

Rabbits

In small areas, rabbits are a great choice. They're quiet and leave a fairly small mess and don't leave a scent. If you're seeking rabbits to share the food that grows in your backyard, make sure you don't pair male and female rabbits together. Otherwise, you'll be in a plethora of kitties that will be running around in no time! However, if you plan to keep rabbits to eat or for fur, the presence of two breeding females and males assures that your supply will never be exhausted.

Goats

Pygmy goats make wonderful companion animals, and they're the lawnmowers of nature. They can produce up to a half gallon of milk each day, so make sure you're prepared to feed your goats twice each day for a minimum of 10 months throughout the year. Two goats require approximately 50 square feet to reside in, with a shaded space to keep them from rain.

Sheep

They prefer to graze in grasslands. It is possible to add grains to the diet of your sheep. If you're interested in sheep to make wool, it is necessary to shear them each spring. If you'd prefer just to enjoy the milk, go for hair sheep that sheds naturally every year.

The raising of farm animals can be enjoyable but also educational and rewarding. It is likely that your location allows you to raise some or all of the animal species featured in this list.