Now I can have the mini farm I want.. But now I just need to get my own place.. Im so happy.. I love this town even more now.. Before this law you were allowed 10 chickens, even allowed one rooster..
Brookings definition of pet changed to allow miniature farm animals
Written by Arwyn Rice, Pilot staff writer July 08, 2009 09:42 am
That cock-a-doodle-do youve been hearing in the morning may soon be joined by moos, baas, and whinneys.
Brookings City Council approved changes to the citys ordinance defining a pet to allow miniature farm animals in city limits.
Pets means dogs, cats, rabbits, domesticated miniature species or 10 or less poultry. Pets are allowed as an accessory permitted use in any zone, the new ordinance reads.
The new definition in the city ordinance was approved at the June 22 city council meeting and will go into effect on July 22.
The definition of pet was changed by citizen request. Leading the charge was Brookings citizen Jan Krick, who already has three chickens, and built a goat enclosure last year, but discovered that, while the city allowed her chickens, the Nigerian Dwarf goats she planned for were not allowed.
These are little backyard animals, said Krick. Theyre quiet animals.
It is too late to get baby goats this year, she said, but Krick plans to put in an order for a pair of goats next year.
Nigerian Dwarf goats are about the size of a terrier, 14 to 18-inches tall at the shoulder and can produce a quart of milk per week.
We have fresh eggs every day, Krick said. Once we have goats we will have fresh milk every day, too.
Another aspect of the miniature animals Krick enjoys is that they are bred to be dependent on people. They may be outdoor pets, but are very friendly and loving, she said.
Krick stressed the independence gained by having food-producing animals as pets, along with having an extensive vegetable garden in her yard.
Were taking care of ourselves, she said.
In the process of changing the ordinance it was discovered that several residents already had goats, said Brookings Planning Director Dianne Morris.
We never knew about them because we never had any complaints, Morris said.
The ordinance isnt anything out of the ordinary, said City Manager Gary Milliman.
Its not unusual for miniature animals to be considered household pets in other places Ive been, said Milliman.
Based on the lack of past complaints against the clandestine goats, Morris said she doesnt believe there will be problems in the future.
The South Coast Humane Society is aware of the change and, while the main shelter is not set up to take non-traditional pets, there are plans to deal with miniature farm animals if issues do arise, said SCHS Administrator Pat Malone.
Different kinds of miniature animals
Miniaturized domesticated animals include goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, mules and sheep.
Some of these animals are produced artificially, by breeding small animals to other small animals to create smaller offspring. Most are not dwarf animals and dwarfism in breeding stock is avoided. These methods produced many miniature dog breeds, such as the 6 to 9 pound miniature poodle, which was bred from the 60 pound standard poodle, a large water-retriever breed.
Others develop naturally, often due to harsh conditions where the breed emerged, or to being restricted to island habitats.
Many of the miniature species have been around for centuries, such as Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, which emerged on the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, or the Old English Baby Doll sheep.
Miniature cattle
According to the International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society and Registry (IMCBSR), there are 26 breeds of miniature cattle, including mini Texas Longhorns, Herefords, Angus and the newest breed, the Panda, which is marked similarly to Dutch Belt Oreo-cookie cows.
Milk-producing breeds such as the Jersey are available, and miniature Holsteins are being bred, according to the IMCBSR Web site.
Miniature pigs
Vietnamese potbelly pigs are one of the best known of miniaturized farm animals. Popularized in the 1980s, pot-belly pigs are less than a fourth of the size of their barnyard cousins and, some argue, more intelligent than a Border Collie.
Less known is the calico-colored New Zealand Kunekune miniature pig.
Although these pig species are categorized as miniature compared to their half-ton cousins they can grow as large as 200 pounds or about the size of a large Mastiff or St. Bernard dog.
Miniature sheep
Olde English Baby Doll sheep are among the oldest known miniature animals, and produce cashmere quality wool, according to the Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep Registry.
Small enough to fit in a backyard, these teddy bear faced sheep are used both as pets and as wool-bearing farm animals.
Miniature horses
Miniature horses are different than ponies, in that they have horse type proportions.
Horses have relatively thin bodies with longer legs and smaller heads, while most pony breeds have relatively thick bodies, large heads and short, stocky legs.
Less than 3 feet tall at the shoulder and sometimes weighing less than 100 pounds, miniature horses are bred to be indistinguishable from their full-size purebred counterparts, including Appaloosa, Arabian, and Paint types.
Miniature horses cannot be ridden, even by small children, but can pull a small cart. Miniature horses can even be housebroken and have been used as guide or therapy animals for individuals who are allergic to dogs.
Caring for miniature animals
Miniature animals eat far less than their full-size cousins and produce correspondingly less manure, but they are still barnyard animals and need enough space relative to their size to roam, said Krick.
Krick has a grassy fenced pen with goat climbing toys and a tiny, shed-like barn for her future goats, complete with a milking stand and feed bin.
Theyre very fastidious animals, Krick said. They wont eat off of the ground.
A bale of alfalfa hay awaits the goats. A 150 pound bale of alfalfa hay costs $28 at Del-Cur Supply Co-Op and will last a miniature animal several months.
Grass hay, better for miniature horses, is $20 for a 125 pounds bale.
Veterinary and other medical costs are the same as for full-size animals. Town and Country Animal Hospital charges $45 for a ranch visit, with an additional $84 exam fee.
Many miniature animals are small enough to fit in the back of a station wagon or SUV, so a transportation trailer may not be necessary.
Miniature horses and other hooved animals also need farrier (shoeing and trimming) services, every six to eight weeks, depending on growth and wear.
Miniature animals are not inexpensive. Krick expects to pay $400 for each goat.
Miniature horses are available for $2,000 or more, while miniature cattle start at about $1,500 and a miniature sheep costs $500.
Brookings definition of pet changed to allow miniature farm animals
Written by Arwyn Rice, Pilot staff writer July 08, 2009 09:42 am
That cock-a-doodle-do youve been hearing in the morning may soon be joined by moos, baas, and whinneys.
Brookings City Council approved changes to the citys ordinance defining a pet to allow miniature farm animals in city limits.
Pets means dogs, cats, rabbits, domesticated miniature species or 10 or less poultry. Pets are allowed as an accessory permitted use in any zone, the new ordinance reads.
The new definition in the city ordinance was approved at the June 22 city council meeting and will go into effect on July 22.
The definition of pet was changed by citizen request. Leading the charge was Brookings citizen Jan Krick, who already has three chickens, and built a goat enclosure last year, but discovered that, while the city allowed her chickens, the Nigerian Dwarf goats she planned for were not allowed.
These are little backyard animals, said Krick. Theyre quiet animals.
It is too late to get baby goats this year, she said, but Krick plans to put in an order for a pair of goats next year.
Nigerian Dwarf goats are about the size of a terrier, 14 to 18-inches tall at the shoulder and can produce a quart of milk per week.
We have fresh eggs every day, Krick said. Once we have goats we will have fresh milk every day, too.
Another aspect of the miniature animals Krick enjoys is that they are bred to be dependent on people. They may be outdoor pets, but are very friendly and loving, she said.
Krick stressed the independence gained by having food-producing animals as pets, along with having an extensive vegetable garden in her yard.
Were taking care of ourselves, she said.
In the process of changing the ordinance it was discovered that several residents already had goats, said Brookings Planning Director Dianne Morris.
We never knew about them because we never had any complaints, Morris said.
The ordinance isnt anything out of the ordinary, said City Manager Gary Milliman.
Its not unusual for miniature animals to be considered household pets in other places Ive been, said Milliman.
Based on the lack of past complaints against the clandestine goats, Morris said she doesnt believe there will be problems in the future.
The South Coast Humane Society is aware of the change and, while the main shelter is not set up to take non-traditional pets, there are plans to deal with miniature farm animals if issues do arise, said SCHS Administrator Pat Malone.
Different kinds of miniature animals
Miniaturized domesticated animals include goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, mules and sheep.
Some of these animals are produced artificially, by breeding small animals to other small animals to create smaller offspring. Most are not dwarf animals and dwarfism in breeding stock is avoided. These methods produced many miniature dog breeds, such as the 6 to 9 pound miniature poodle, which was bred from the 60 pound standard poodle, a large water-retriever breed.
Others develop naturally, often due to harsh conditions where the breed emerged, or to being restricted to island habitats.
Many of the miniature species have been around for centuries, such as Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, which emerged on the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, or the Old English Baby Doll sheep.
Miniature cattle
According to the International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society and Registry (IMCBSR), there are 26 breeds of miniature cattle, including mini Texas Longhorns, Herefords, Angus and the newest breed, the Panda, which is marked similarly to Dutch Belt Oreo-cookie cows.
Milk-producing breeds such as the Jersey are available, and miniature Holsteins are being bred, according to the IMCBSR Web site.
Miniature pigs
Vietnamese potbelly pigs are one of the best known of miniaturized farm animals. Popularized in the 1980s, pot-belly pigs are less than a fourth of the size of their barnyard cousins and, some argue, more intelligent than a Border Collie.
Less known is the calico-colored New Zealand Kunekune miniature pig.
Although these pig species are categorized as miniature compared to their half-ton cousins they can grow as large as 200 pounds or about the size of a large Mastiff or St. Bernard dog.
Miniature sheep
Olde English Baby Doll sheep are among the oldest known miniature animals, and produce cashmere quality wool, according to the Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep Registry.
Small enough to fit in a backyard, these teddy bear faced sheep are used both as pets and as wool-bearing farm animals.
Miniature horses
Miniature horses are different than ponies, in that they have horse type proportions.
Horses have relatively thin bodies with longer legs and smaller heads, while most pony breeds have relatively thick bodies, large heads and short, stocky legs.
Less than 3 feet tall at the shoulder and sometimes weighing less than 100 pounds, miniature horses are bred to be indistinguishable from their full-size purebred counterparts, including Appaloosa, Arabian, and Paint types.
Miniature horses cannot be ridden, even by small children, but can pull a small cart. Miniature horses can even be housebroken and have been used as guide or therapy animals for individuals who are allergic to dogs.
Caring for miniature animals
Miniature animals eat far less than their full-size cousins and produce correspondingly less manure, but they are still barnyard animals and need enough space relative to their size to roam, said Krick.
Krick has a grassy fenced pen with goat climbing toys and a tiny, shed-like barn for her future goats, complete with a milking stand and feed bin.
Theyre very fastidious animals, Krick said. They wont eat off of the ground.
A bale of alfalfa hay awaits the goats. A 150 pound bale of alfalfa hay costs $28 at Del-Cur Supply Co-Op and will last a miniature animal several months.
Grass hay, better for miniature horses, is $20 for a 125 pounds bale.
Veterinary and other medical costs are the same as for full-size animals. Town and Country Animal Hospital charges $45 for a ranch visit, with an additional $84 exam fee.
Many miniature animals are small enough to fit in the back of a station wagon or SUV, so a transportation trailer may not be necessary.
Miniature horses and other hooved animals also need farrier (shoeing and trimming) services, every six to eight weeks, depending on growth and wear.
Miniature animals are not inexpensive. Krick expects to pay $400 for each goat.
Miniature horses are available for $2,000 or more, while miniature cattle start at about $1,500 and a miniature sheep costs $500.
