Gallina Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I just think that people should know where they stand. You know that your neighbours are fine about it, so you are safe. But other people are talking about not saying anything to their neighbours and getting hens anyway, even though their deeds forbid it. I think this is risky. I like my neighbours, but if they contravened the clause in their deeds that says that no fence must be more than 2 yards high and built an enormous one that cut out all the light into my garden, I am afraid I would invoke the deeds. There are some people who are repelled by chickens and would do the same. I just think it is wrong to say casually, "It will be all right", because with some people it won't be. I must get my letter finished, because six or fewer pet hens should not be classed as poultry or livestock. This would solve the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 House deeds are a different matter. If you have house deeds banning hens, then you can't have them unless you like living dangerously. These deeds are nothing whatsoever to do with the council. If you know your neighbours can't stand hens and your deeds say you can't have livestock, then you shouldn't get them: it's just asking for trouble. as many of you know, I've recently moved to a new house, with deeds stating that poultry is not allowed, along with bees, ducks, sheep and goats (but not cows, interestingly enough....). When I approached my solicitor about this clause, her opinion was not to worry too much about the deeds, and 'sound out' the neighbours about keeping chickens. She also pointed out that the vast majority of people wouldn't know who to speak to to complain, should someone break a clause in the deeds. Anyway, we moved, waited and approached the neighbours individually about the chickens - all were happy, some fascinated, some mearly interested in the prospect of the odd free egg, and we all now live together peacefully, each of us breaking the clauses of the deeds in one way or another. You'd be hard pushed to find a street in the UK where someone is not breaking the rules - whether it be a sky dish on the front elevation, a hedge that's too tall or a caravan parked in their drive that shouldn't be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I've just this second got off the phone to Wigan Council Environmental Health department and they see nothing the council would intefere with as long as the noise and smell isn't a problem, and they don't attract vermin. The guy did say it would be a good idea to tell your neighbours for courtesies sake, which I guess is a good idea. He also mentioned that as long as they are not being kept to breed and sell there isn't a problem there either. My Eglu comes in 2 weeks and this thread gave me a sudden "oh no" feeling!! But I think we should be ok! You must have spoken the the exact same guy at Wigan that I did, as I was told the same almost word for word!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Helen, don't let rat worries put you off keeping chickens. Deeds are different but rat worries either won't happen or can be overcome. I bring my "grub" food holder in every night and my sack of chicken feed is in my larder indoors (or a metal bin with a tight lid would be good). I have not noticed any rat problems since I have had my hens. They say you are never too far away from a rat in urban areas don't they. I'm sure compost bins and fallen apples are just as much a lure for rats to your garden as chicken feed. And if you do get a rat problem, as Eglutine suggests there are plenty of options for dealing with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
