If you're thinking of getting backyard chickens, it's likely that you have wondered if your local council has any restrictions on keeping a small flock of chickens. Any regulations enforced by your council are created to keep all residents happy, so the neighbourly thing to do would be to check that these rules are that you need to adhere to.
How many chickens are allowed?
Councils vary in terms of the number of chickens that are allowed in the standard suburban backyard. Most Councils allow six or fewer chickens without a permit, but often require a permit for a greater number. For most families, half a dozen chickens are adequate, producing around three dozen eggs per week. Some Councils such as the Brisbane City Council, allow a greater number of chickens if you have a larger backyard. In this instance, if your property is less than 800m2, you can keep a maximum of 6 chickens, compared with up to 20 chickens if your property is greater than 800m2. There are some Councils such as the Logan City Council, which prohibit chickens on land with an area of less than 600m2. Interestingly it seems that each council has their own regulations that will vary to some degree with some councils allowing a greater or small number of chickens on different sized parcels of land. If you're planning on acquiring chickens, a quick call to your local council is a good idea so you're sure to be keeping within their suggested guidelines.
Are roosters allowed?
Another common regulation is that there are to be no roosters. As roosters are not necessary in egg production and often cause a disturbance to the neighbours, most councils ban roosters from the backyard flock. If you live in a more rural area with your closest neighbours some distance away, a rooster may be quite acceptable. If you're keen to keep a rooster, I would suggest that you call your local council or have a look at their website to see if roosters are allowed. Some allow roosters as long as the neighbours don't complain about the crowing.
Placement and type of Chicken House
One of the key concerns of local councils is to make sure backyard chickens do not become a problem to your neighbours. One of the problems can be the smell that comes from fixed chicken houses. Unlike mobile chicken coops, which can be moved around to different areas of the backyard, those coops that are fixed in one area often result a build up of chicken manure. As such, councils often have some quite specific specifications on the placement of a fixed chicken coop in terms of the distance it is placed to neighbouring fences. An easy way to avoid this restriction in your backyard, it to purchase or make a mobile coop. Mobile coops allow chickens to work their manure into the soil, making it perfect for your next vegetable patch and minimizes any odour that would otherwise result.
Adequate storage of feed to keep away mice
No one likes mice or rats in their backyard or their home. Councils therefore strongly encourage owners of backyard chickens to make sure that their chicken feed is stored appropriately so as to not attract rats or mice. Unlike other animals, chickens cannot overeat. Therefore it is not necessary to give them breakfast, lunch and dinner but rather serve their feed in a self-feeder that they can access throughout the day. Scattering food on the ground attracts mice and wild birds. Obtaining a good feeder and storage container for your feed is important.
Doing the 'right' thing by your council and your neighbours is important when keeping chickens. You'd be surprised by the number of people who are not even aware their neighbours have chickens, as they store their feed well, they keep a small number of chickens, and there is no odour or noise (apart from the gentle clucking) coming from their backyard.
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If you're after a mobile chicken coop that keeps with your councils regulations, be sure to have a look at Royal Rooster's range of mobile chicken coops. These are made from aluminium, are durable and look great!
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