Topic: Keeping chickens on allotments ?

[Will]

I'm wondering whether to rent a second allotment to keep chickens on.  However my allotment contract seems to refer to section 12 of the allotment act 1950.  I've searched for a copy of it, but can't find it anywhere on the internet ???  Can anyone quote the section for me ?
Failing that, has anyone else kept chickens on allotment land ?
Thanks
Will

[Ceri]

there are loads of chickens and pigeons on my new site - the allotment offered to me was termed an 'arable' allotment so perhaps only certain allotments or sites are allowed livestock - perhaps either the committee of your site, or your local authority allotment officer would know the specifics to your site?

[Will]

Just found it.  Seems the only livestock allowed chickens (not cockerels) and rabbits.   Cerg mentions pigeons.  Anyone else know of other animals being kept ?

12. --(1) Notwithstanding any provision
     to the contrary in any lease or tenancy or
     in any covenant, contract or undertaking
     relating to the use to be made of any land,
     it shall be lawful for the occupier of any
     land to keep, otherwise than by way of
     trade or business, hens or rabbits in any
     place on the land and to erect or place and
     maintain such buildings or structures on
     the land as are reasonably necessary for
     that purpose:
         Provided that nothing in this subsection
     shall authorise any hens or rabbits to be
     kept in such a place or in such a manner as
     to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance or
     affect the operation of any enactment.

[jethro]

I have chickens (24 in total) ducks (6 in total) geese ( 4 in total) and 2 goats on my plot. These provide me with countless eggs (not the goats of course :-/) for both eating and increasing my stock. Our council alows this as long as two thirds of the plot is cultivated, needless to say i'm kept quite busy what with feeding and digging. I would check with your council to see if it is the same with them.
Hope you can have livestock as they are a constant source of fun and keep me amused a great deal ;D.

[gavin]

Hi there, Will - looking at http://www.sags.org.uk/Act1950.php4, said law ABOLISHED contractual restrictions on keeping hens and rabbits!

That website has a goodly collection of legislation on allotments - for England, Scotland and Ireland.

All best - Gavin

[Colin_Bellamy-Wood]

On our Allotment - Council owned - we are allowed to keep bees.   Nobody does at the moment, but I believe they have been kept in the more distant past.

Chickens, turkeys, ducks,  and pigeons are kept.  ;D  

[gavin]

I'd like to keep bees on my plot too - didn't start this year cos of the appalling vandalism.  But the council would only consider it with me being a member of the local beekeeping association, affiliated to the BBKA ---- and therefore with their third-party insurance.

All best - Gavin

[Mrs Ava]

Can I ask......having never owned chooks, what is involved?  Do you have to go to the lottie several times a day to tend to them?  From say....6 chooks, how many eggs would you be getting a week?  What sort of accommodation do say....6 chooks require?  How much do chooks cost to buy in the first place?  What happens over winter...do you knit them jumpers to keep warm?  What is the average life expectancy?  I just know there is a website out there somewhere with an idiots guide to chicken husbandry.....but this idiot can't find it!  ;D

[Palustris]

Search The Poultry Club, they have a certain amount of info and links to lots of other sites. Search UK only as the American pages are not so useful in this country.

[jethro]

Hi Emmajane, what a lot of questions :o right to start with you need a shed (small in size for 6 chooks) a 'run' with a chain link fence around it 6 foot high to keep out foxes. You need to feed them twice a day (morning & night) a handfull of food for 1 chook per feeding. For 6 you will get between 4 & 6 eggs a day, but that will only start when they are settled in, which usually takes 2 weeks. You can but them from a battery farm for 50p each, these poor things have no feathers so you have to keep them in the shed for 4 weeks, or get point of lay which are fully clothed ;D. In the shed you need a box frof laying (1 box per 3 chooks) In the winter they should be ok as their feathers keep them warm. Hope this has helped & not put you off.