Keeping Chickens

WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND ALLOTMENT RULES ON

KEEPING POULTRY

  1. Permission from the allotment committee and Council

To request permission to keep poultry arrange to meet with a member of the committee. Send an email to westonfavellallotments@gmail.com with your details; name, plot number and mobile or phone number. A member of the committee will call to arrange to meet with you.

The committee in turn have to get permission from West Northamptonshire Council.

There are a lot of rules to adhere too especially since the latest Avian Bird Flu outbreaks. Keeping chickens is no longer a simple task. It would be a good idea before meeting a member of the committee to read the rest of the details below as these include the rules on keeping poultry at the allotment.

A list of the early basic rules is available from West Northamptonshire Council Allotment Rules and Regulations “Permitted Livestock and Pets Section 26”. A brief summary is below:

26. Permitted Livestock and Pets:

Livestock housing/runs’ are affected by the National DEFRA rule changes below. Should a registered Plot Holder give up their allotment tenancy the livestock housing/run must be removed.

Maximum of 25% of your plot can be used for keeping livestock.

Permitted livestock on allotment sites is restricted to hens, turkeys and rabbits, cockerels are NOT allowed.

Such livestock is considered a crop and areas used for livestock will be considered as cultivated land (unless for example areas are left to go to seed).

Written permission must be received before any structure or permitted livestock are brought onto a site and any fencing or structure must be approved (see section 19 of the allotment rules and requirements).

The Allotments Officer reserves the right to withdraw permission to keep permitted livestock if relevant welfare guidelines (local and national) are not followed or the rest of the plot is not considered to be cultivated.

2. DEFRA Rules. As of October 2024 Keepers of Poultry with less than 50 Birds must register.

    This registration is designed to prevent fresh outbreaks of Avian (bird) flu.

    See the link to the web site below which informs on how to register.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds

    You can download the form required from here: :https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66fc1a403b919067bb482a54/IRA82_Kept_bird_registration_form-_less_than_50_poultry_or_other_captive_birds.pdf

    To Register Complete the form downloaded by following these instructions:

    • Part 1 if you keep poultry or other captive birds (including game birds and pet birds)
    • Talk to your vet if you need help filling in this assessment. Keep a copy of your completed checklist. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) or your local authority could ask for it if they inspect your premises
    • If you do not have a printer, please contact westonfavellallotments@gmail.com who can provide you with the checklist.

    3. GOVERNMENT RULES ON KEEPING POULTRY

    By Keeping poultry you have a responsibility for taking precautions against Avian (Bird) flu and this is most important.

    The most recent series of Bird Flu outbreaks is unprecedented – the largest ever in the UK (and worldwide) – and has killed tens of thousands of birds.

    The Government Biosecurity Laws you must follow:

    Click on this web link for the rules and steps you need to take to prevent Avian Fly from spreading.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading

    AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) Rules on Bird Houses (Coops) to protect from bird flu. If you keep chickens, use this checklist to make sure you’re meeting the minimum standards to protect them against bird flu.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-aipz-checklist-for-poultry-and-captive-bird-keepersIf you have any questions or concerns please contact any member of the committee.

    4. Welfare of your Birds

      Here are a list of some of the Practical tasks you’ll have to carry out to meet the requirements above.

      • Keep free-ranging birds in fenced areas to minimise contact with wild birds, neighbouring poultry or captive birds.
      • make sure there is enough ventilation
      • make sure they have enough food and fresh, clean water (clean water-drinkers frequently and do not use standing water as it may have been contaminated by wild birds)
      • use good quality litter that crumbles easily – you can use damp-proof membranes for earth floors to help keep litter dry
      • provide enrichment items to prevent boredom like straw bales, shaving bales, low barriers, scattered whole grain, dustbathing boxes, pecking blocks, cabbages, rope and footballs
      • check them more than once a day to make sure they’re healthy and have enough food, water and dry bedding
      • Inspect outdoor areas, removing wild bird contaminants like faeces, feathers and wild bird carcases.
      • Fence off or put netting over areas of standing water or ponds.
      • Store food in secure, rodent proof containers
      • Provide feed and water undercover, so wild birds can’t access it.
      • Make your premises unattractive to wild birds. Use bird scares, foils or streamers.
      • Keep ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
      • Store bedding under cover to reduce the risk of contamination.
      • Clean and disinfect footwear before and after tending to your birds.
      • Clean and disinfect hard surfaces regularly.
      • Clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles to avoid disease spread between premises.
      • Minimise the movement of people, vehicles and equipment to and from bird areas and keep records of movements.
      • Keep records of poultry, captive bird and egg movements.
      • Maintain buildings that house birds to prevent water ingress
      • Ensure pest control is effective.

      Non-compliance with these biosecurity measures may be an offence and will certainly be evicted from Weston Favell Allotments.