[TheModfather]

Hi all. I would love to keep chickens and could easily get my hands on some from a mate. My question is am I actually, legally allowed to keep them in a normal UK back garden?

Practically, I believe the garden would be suitable. Its quite large and is surrounded by fences or hedges that are at least 4 ft high.

Thanks for reading.

[Roll Roll]

Some council houses won't allow it, but private houses I can't see a problem.

[TheModfather]

Yes, we own the house. I thought so too, it just seems all too easy though! 

[Sassy]

you may need to check your deeds. I have a friend who was most disappointed to discover there is a covenant that says she cannot keep poultry. However, you could always discuss with neighbours and as long as you do not have a cockerel they would be miserable to object!

[TheModfather]

Yes, I was talking to my neighbour yesterday. He wants them himself but didnt seem to think you were allowed. Im not sure if he knows something I dont about the deeds but he seemed pretty certain. Anyway, I'll look into it.

Do people often keep them in their back garden or more so on the allotments or at stables?

Cheers.

[danmegal]

My partner and I pondered for ages about keeping chickens,worried what the neighbours would think etc. Turns out to be one of the best decisions we made and luckily for us even the neighbour who hates our dogs barking loves the sound of our cockerel in the morning and the eggs are the best you will ever taste!

[Debz]

We live in rented accomodation (4 in a block).  We asked the landlord, the woman downstairs and the local council who all said that there would be no problem unless we had a cockerel.  Well as they don't lay eggs, we didn't want one anyway.  My neighbour downstairs didn't realise that the hens had arrived and only found out because we told her.  All her visitors are most interested and go out to talk to them!  We get lovely eggs every day and give her a couple now and again.  We don't have a huge garden but as long as the girls stick to my side, it's ok.

[poultrygeist]

Hi Modfather.

Your biggest concern next to the legality, is the size of your garden and keeping them safe from predators.

Depending on what you have, you may find 4ft too low. Most chickens can clear 4ft if they're startled, sometimes even if they have their wings clipped. Might be worth adding a bit of height if you can, especially if the neighbours have a dog !

You can get all the advice you need. Just ask away.

Rob

[TheModfather]

I suppose adding a bit of hight to the fence would be a good idea - the neighbours do actually have a dog. I would be keeping them in an area of around 25ft X 20ft. What do you recon???

[lottienewbie]

we have just got our first chooks,they are 9 weeks old,and i did phone the council first and they said that as long as they are healthy and kept clean then no probs,and they are brill to watch.

go for it

regards neil.

[poultrygeist]

The area sounds good. You can have a fair few in there but dogs are notoriously unpredictable and there's been several sad tales about dogs getting in with chickens.

I would certainly make sure the two can't mix either way. And think about foxes too.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=25998.0

Has plenty of useful info about how to keep them out.

Rob