garlicscapes Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I am looking for a list of cities where it is legal to keep backyard hens throughout Europe. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspurs Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Throughout Europe? What are you researching for? In England at any case, the law of the land doesn't specifically disallow/mention it afaik, however council byelaws can prohibit it and further deed covenants can expressly disallow. Maybe it's similar throughout Europe. Interesting question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Many people relied on keeping poultry (or rabbits) for food until around the end of the 19th Century. (I'm guessing at dates here). I would expect that keeping 'backyard' chickens would be the norm, and the question is probably 'where has it been made illegal to keep them?' As Larkspurs says, it's only illegal here if there's a local byelaw preventing it, or if the original seller of the property imposed a restriction (usually put in to protect the occupiers of adjoining properties). I'm not actually aware of any local byelaws that specifically say you can't keep chickens, but no doubt if there are any, someone on here will know of them. If there are any, I'd expect them to be in areas of high-density population. Hope that helps! What is your research for, it would be interesting to know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Actually just thinking about that I think that there is a limit to the number of chickens you can have or you have to register it as something different (a poultry farm I think..) Not sure what the limits are...just a matter of calling the local council I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 You have to register with Defra if you have more than 50 hens. Is that what you are thinking of, Puffball. Fewer than 50 and it is voluntary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 You have to register with Defra if you have more than 50 hens. Is that what you are thinking of, Puffball. Fewer than 50 and it is voluntary. Fewer than 50 it may be but something is going on up here When I went to buy layers pellets last year my supplier insisted that DEFRA needed the name and address of everyone who bought poultry food. Maybe it was something to do with needing to know who keeps poultry in the event of bird flu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccroft Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 My council told me that they don't normally count laying hens as livestock. So allow a few hens in the garden and only take an interest if poeple keep mopre than a reasonable amount. My chicken keeping friend, also in Bristol, has a neighbour who complained about her four hens but the council didn't take any action nor did the other agencies involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Our pet suplies store does that, but it is incase there is a faulty batch of feed. I'm up to 20 chickens already - I will have to register in a few years time! Our deeds say we can keep anything except a donkey - so we can have pigs if we want! Our house is built on a old farms land though & our garden used to have a pit - wonder what they threw in there? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garlicscapes Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hi everyone, Thanks for the responses. I'm looking for a list of cities where the bylaw specifically permits backyard chickens. I am part of a group working to legalize backyard chickens in Toronto, Canada. It seems there is something in the media every few weeks in the U.S. regarding changes to ordinances to allow chickens. The U.S. list of allowable cities is very long. The Canadian list is very short. It would be nice to add information about Europe. Here's the website: http://www.torontochickens.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hi As far as I know, by-laws generally prohibit activities, here in the UK (rather than expressly allowing activities). Our house deeds restrict the keeping of animals to non-breeding purposes. I don't think any other local rules apply. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
