Other pets and livestock
Get tips on how to take care of livestock, including what to do about waste, noise, shelter and fencing.
What animals are considered livestock?
In Brisbane, these animals are considered livestock whether kept for farming or as pets. This includes variants and miniatures.
Caring for horses and livestock
Horses and livestock need daily care to stay healthy and happy. This includes access to water and shelter, and a safe enclosure.
The Animals Local Law 2017 (the Local Law) sets the rules for owning horses and livestock, including when you need a permit.
Responsible ownership of horses and livestock
As an owner, you have a duty of care for your animals. Horses and livestock have basic needs you should meet when taking care of them.
Horses and livestock need:
- clean, fresh drinking water at all times
- good-quality feed for grazing throughout the day (e.g. pasture, hay)
- food that is kept in a dry place and bit exposed to direct sunlight or rain.
Horses and livestock need shelter from the sun, wind and rain. Some animals will need to be indoors for the night.
Stables and yards must be kept dry and in a clean, sanitary condition. They should be free from:
- vermin
- flies
- offensive odours.
Animal enclosures should stop animals from wandering. Keep fencing in a good condition to prevent injury or escape, particularly if you own a stallion.
All livestock waste must be disposed of in a way that doesn't cause:
- an offensive odour
- environmental harm
- breeding of pests
- a health or safety risk to a person or another animal.
Your horse or livestock's noise level should not disturb your neighbours.
Disruptive noise from livestock can be reported as a nuisance under the Local Law.
Under the Local Law, you'll need a livestock permit to keep a horse or livestock in a residential area.
Keeping a racehorse
Horses used for racing or trotting require specific approvals. These apply specifically to where the horse is kept, including stabling facilities.
Permits and approvals
Under the Local Law, you'll need a permit to keep a racehorse.
If keeping a racehorse is authorised under a development approval issued by Council, no permit is required.
Keeping chickens and poultry
Chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry make useful pets. They can supply fresh eggs and compost for your garden, while also providing natural pest and weed control.
The number of chickens and poultry you can have depends on the size of your property. Households with a total area of:
-
less than 800 square metres can keep up to 6 poultry
-
more than 800 square metres can keep up to 20 poultry.
Responsible ownership of chickens, ducks, geese and poultry
Chickens and other poultry need daily care. Taking care of poultry includes feeding, water checks and coop cleaning.
By law, you need to:
- have approval to keep chickens, geese and other poultry
- keep the animals in a way that does not disturb your neighbours or impact people’s health or safety.
Under the Local Law, you need a livestock permit to keep chickens, ducks and other poultry in a residential area.
Chickens and poultry need a constant supply of clean water. They enjoy a varied diet of kitchen scraps, some fruits and vegetables, and chicken feed.
Ducks and geese have more specific diet requirements.
You need to provide shelter to protect chickens and poultry from extreme weather.
Coops or enclosures must be at least one metre away from a boundary fence. The enclosure should have a strong frame and be completely sealed at night to protect your animals from predators.
Chicken and poultry like to roam free during the day. Make sure your backyard fencing is secure.
Cleaning up after your chickens and poultry helps to keep pests away. It also supports your animals' health.
Don't allow manure to accumulate. Chicken waste makes food garden compost; reuse it.
Regular cleaning of your animals' coup or enclosure is a must.
While clucking, cackling and honking is normal poultry behaviour, excessive animal noise can disturb your neighbours.
Under the Local Law, you cannot keep an animal that causes a noise nuisance. If your poultry is causing a disturbance, you may have to respond to an animal noise complaint.
When choosing chickens or poultry, remember that some breeds are noisier than others. Regardless of which breed you choose, poultry animals are usually quiet when they feel safe and content.
Check your animals regularly to ensure they're active, eating well and have clean eyes and nostrils.
Address any signs of illness or disease as soon as possible. If you're concerned, consult your vet.
Keeping animals that are regulated
Under the Animals Local Law 2017, an animal may be investigated and regulated if:
- it seriously attacks a person or another animal
- an authorised person believes it could seriously attack a person or another animal, based on its past behaviour.
Requirements for keeping a regulated animal
If an animal in your care is regulated, you must follow certain restrictions.
We will advise you about the conditions for keeping your regulated animal. These will relate to the animal’s enclosure.
You may also need to take measures to warn people that you have a regulated animal at your property.
Fees for keeping a regulated animal
You must pay an annual fee to keep a regulated animal.
| Fee payable | Amount |
|---|---|
| For the first year or when keeping conditions are not met. | $956.15 |
| For every subsequent fee when keeping conditions are complied with. | $261.70 |
Frequently asked questions
The number of chickens you're allowed to have in Brisbane depends on your property.
Households with a total area of more than 800 m2 can have up to 20 chickens. Households with a total area of less than 800 m2 can keep up to 6 chickens.
You can't own a rooster in a residential area.
You can keep a lamb or a goat in your backyard if you meet the legal requirements for keeping livestock.
The Animals Local Law 2017 sets the rules for owning livestock.
They include:
- having a livestock permit
- having a secure enclosure and fencing in place
- ensuring your animals aren't disturbing neighbours.
You can get approval to keep livestock at a business as part of your development application.
Read more about approvals when setting up a business.