[emotion-2003]

hi
i just wonder that how many hens i can have and keep in my garden?because its my hobbie not as trade.
cheers

[JaK]

I guess that all depends on how big your garden is.
If you have 50 or more you must register with defra.

[splash101]

before i got any chickens i rang our local council who also reiterated that if you have 50 you have to rgister with DEFRA.

They also said that regardless of that, you should give consideration to neighbours regarding noise / smell / rats and strongly advised against a cockerel.
Any compaints received will be taken seriously. (although if you havent got any neighbours that shouldnt be a problem)

[YoungChickenLover]

50 means you have to get registered with Defra, but how many you can have depends on your space, neighbours, available time etc.

[loretta cluck]

I am rural residential, and as per deeds on my house, allotment act 1950 etc, allows me to have a maximum of 6 hens in my garden.

[splash101]

That is a very good point Loretta, our deeds specify that we are not allowed to keep pigs.

Although we live in a 3 bed semi in a small town so quite understandable, but our deeds go back over 100 years when this area was farmland and very little else.