[BigPaddy]

I couldn't decide if this should go in The hen House. I thought posting here might get a broader response. Moderators do feel free to move it if you think its wrong.

So Cjhickens on the plot. My tenancy agreement says no chickens without permission. So I asked for permission. They said no. I asked why not. they wsaid no one is allowed to. I said why - they said 'the boss is off at the moment i'll ask hime when he is back.

Well the boss came back and said:

After speaking with xxxxxthe issue of chicken has been clarified.  Hull City Council do not allow chickens to be kept because we would have a "duty of care" under the Animal Welfare Act and I'm afraid this isn't something that we could accommodate (it would mean a qualified member of staff being employed by Hull City Council).
 
Hope this clarifys things abit.  

Anyone familiar with this explanation. Anyone worked through this?

Thanks for reading.

BP

[crowndale]

no, but in this day and age of health and safety gone mad and the tendency to sue everyone and anyone for the slightest little thing it does seem like a 'sensible' reason.  I can understand their concerns while thinking it can't be that hard to pass the responsibility onto the individual plot holder.  we're allowed them on our plots but no one does.  someone used to apparantly but he didn't look after them properly and everyone complained becoz of the smell!

[Aidy]

We have just had the opposite, after years of not being allowed the council are now allowing us to keep them, however there are very strict conditions and we have to prove our worth before granted permission.

[woodburner]

On my current plot/site I don't know whether or not I would be allowed, as I haven't had any paperwork yet.  
I haven't actually asked, but I assume I can't because when I had a plot on the other site, I was told no livestock.
However things may have changed, or they may not ofc
If you like I can find out why they aren't/weren't allowed.
It's not an issue for me personally, (at least at the moment) as I would rather keep them at home anyway.

[BigPaddy]

I have heard some real horror stories about health and safety on allotments including someone other in Staffs whose site had to wire up, or replace all their greenhouse glass with plastic after some yobs jumped the
fence and fell into a greenhouse.

I keep chickens at home with no problem.

Aidy do you know why they changed their mind?

[Alfie]

When I got the 'rules' for my plot, it states that chickens and rabbits can be kept. The rabbits bit confused me for a while, but then the more I thought about it, I guess rabbits are out of vogue now as a food source for the masses.

[nwalch]

No rabbits allowed on our plot. Doesnt stop them from trying to get in through  

[alfman]

I would have thought the welfare of livestock would be down to the owner and not the council, although its on their land. Two reasons I can think of not to keep them on lottie is other allotment holders objecting (smell mostly,) and rats, chickens are a magnet for them.

[Aidy]

No idea Paddy, we just got a letter and a little info sheet saying we can keep both Bee's and Chucks. Chatting to a few plot holders its looking like they may be a good few on next year.