While chicken coops, horses and other mainstays of rural life are allowed in many communities, they aren't allowed in all. It is always wisest to check with your local township and/or county before investing in prized livestock or poultry. Even if your neighbors are doing it, don't be surprised if new rules on the books are now forbidding it; your neighbors may have been grandfathered in. Even after the fact, make sure you keep up with the local rules to make sure that nothing you do voids original agreements (don't lower your herd count before acquiring replacements).

One of the things you will want to be clear about is how much acreage you have and property clearances on structures such as chicken coops, barns and fenced yards. Some towns also may place restrictions on noise, which may preclude owning roosters as well as chickens. Normally there are no township restrictions on house pets such as dogs, cats, birds and fish so long as they are not in any way used commercially; other sizeable animals people consider raising as house pets include sheep, pigs and goats. The Big Cat Public Safety Act generally bans people from owning lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, cougars and jaguars as house pets. If you live in a homeowners association, the rules might be different but never less than local ordinances.

If you decide to raise horses, understand that a horse should never be raised alone; they should have the company of the same. Always consult an equine-veterinarian to make sure you feed the horse all that it needs nutritionally to include proper ratio of processed foods containing protein and roughage; the right foods from a young age will promote healthy growth. Horses will also need proper dental care starting between 2 to 3 years old, and certainly before being fitted with a bit. If your horse is, in any way, acting abnormally, it is a good idea to call the vet as soon as possible because health problems in horses, especially very young, can escalate very quickly.

Don't expect to ride your horse until they are at least 3 to 5 years of age; some breeds take longer to mature. Owning a horse can be an expensive proposition, but it may be easier and beneficial to board an individual horse. Boarding can cost a bit, however most boarding facilities offer a variety of services, which may include providing clean stables, the feeding of the animal, veterinary services, training and sometimes even trails to ride your horse. There are also self-care boarding facilities, which provide only the stable and require you to take care of your own horse daily. Always investigate the facilities' reputation, location and, of course, the cost before deciding to board your horse there.

If you are looking to raise cattle, and if it is allowed in your local ordinances, decide whether you want to raise milk or beef cattle. Milk cattle take a little more work to care for than beef cattle. If you want to raise cattle for beef, it would be best to choose heifers or bulls; purchase good-quality cows for dairy farming. All cattle need good feed and pasture, including hay, grass, grain and silage. Different breeds may require different feeds, so speak to an expert for advice. All cattle require proper and safe shelter, free from predators, and enough pasture to graze and roam in; allow enough room for the size of your herd. Be sure to maintain good herd health, including vaccinations, de-worming and de-icing, as health issues can spread quickly among herd members.

Chicken coops are lately becoming a suburban mainstay -- again, if allowed in your local ordinances. Because of noise limits, while chickens may be permitted, roosters may not be. Don't fret, though; if you are only interested in breeding chickens for eggs, whether to eat or sell, you won't need roosters. Chickens need nesting boxes, roosts and access to fresh water. Their coops should be fenced and protected from predators, such as foxes, raccoons, coyotes and wild cats. If your local code permits you to raise chickens and your neighbors still object, try offering them a few fresh eggs now and then; they might enjoy having your chicks as neighbors.