Can You Keep Chickens In A Small Garden?

Can you keep chickens in a small garden? Yes, you can. With careful planning, the right setup, and ongoing care, it is entirely possible to raise healthy, happy hens even in compact outdoor spaces. This guide covers everything you need to know, from space requirements and coop choices to health care, legal considerations, and making the most of limited space.

How much space do chickens need?

Space is the first and most important consideration. Even in a small garden, chickens require sufficient room to stay healthy, active, and stress-free.

• Coop space: Provide 0.3 to 0.5 square metres per chicken inside the coop.
• Run space: Allow at least 1 to 1.5 square metres per bird in the run.
• Free-ranging: Only an option if your garden is fully enclosed and secure.

For most small gardens, two to four hens is a realistic number. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of chicken keeping without overcrowding your birds or overwhelming your available space.

Choosing the right breeds

Not all chicken breeds are equally suited to smaller gardens. The best choices are calm, quiet, and smaller breeds that adapt well to limited space.

• Silkies: Small, gentle and very friendly.
• Pekin bantams: Ideal for families, easy to handle.
• Wyandotte bantams: Hardy and docile.
• Orpingtons: Larger, but extremely placid.
• Hybrids: Productive egg layers that handle confinement well.

Selecting the right breed reduces the risk of noise complaints, bullying, and behavioural problems, while also ensuring a steady supply of eggs.

Coop design for small gardens

When space is limited, the design of your chicken coop becomes even more critical. A well-designed coop makes the most of the available area while keeping your hens safe, comfortable and easy to care for.

Key features to look for:

• Compact footprint: Efficient use of floor space without compromising internal room.
• Raised models: Designs like the Nestera Lodge or Omlet Eglu Cube offer sheltered space beneath the coop, effectively increasing the usable area.
• Ease of cleaning: Access doors and removable trays make maintenance quicker and more hygienic.
• Ventilation: Prevents moisture build-up and respiratory issues.
• Durable materials: Plastic coops resist red mite infestations and weather damage.

Raised models such as the Nestera Chicken Lodge allow you to make full use of vertical space, providing extra shelter underneath while maintaining a small footprint.

Managing noise and smell

Concerns about noise and odour often deter people from keeping chickens in built-up areas, but both can be easily managed with proper care.

Noise: Hens are generally quiet, producing soft clucking and occasional egg-laying calls. Cockerels, which are usually not allowed in urban areas, create the real noise problem, so it is best to avoid them entirely.

Smell: Odour mainly comes from droppings. Regular cleaning is the solution. Remove waste daily or at least several times a week, replace bedding regularly, and ensure good drainage to keep the run dry.

Waste management: Chicken droppings can be composted to create nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden, turning waste into a valuable resource.

Enrichment to prevent boredom

In small spaces, it is especially important to keep chickens mentally stimulated. Without enrichment, hens may become bored, stressed, or even aggressive.

Simple enrichment ideas:

• Dust baths filled with dry soil or sand.
• Perches and climbing platforms to encourage movement.
• Hanging vegetables or treat dispensers.
• Scatter feeding to encourage natural foraging.
• Logs and branches for pecking and scratching.

Providing variety in their environment helps prevent behavioural issues and keeps your flock content.

Free-ranging in a small garden

Allowing chickens to free-range in a small garden offers them extra exercise and stimulation but requires careful supervision.

Key considerations:

• Secure fencing is essential to prevent escapes.
• Supervise birds if predators like foxes are present.
• Protect flower beds and vegetable patches with netting.
• Provide shaded areas and shelter from rain and sun.

If full free-ranging is not practical, consider using movable pens or chicken tractors to rotate grazing areas and protect your garden.

Predator protection

Predators remain a risk even in towns and cities. Urban foxes, rats, and even domestic pets can threaten your flock.

Protection measures:

• Use strong welded mesh for runs, rather than flimsy chicken wire.
• Secure all doors and access points with predator-proof locks.
• Bury anti-dig mesh skirts around the perimeter to stop digging animals.
• Store feed in sealed containers to deter rodents.
• Cover runs to prevent wild birds from entering and spreading disease.

Accessories like the Omlet Clear Wind Break Kit add extra weather protection and contribute to overall run security.

Health care in confined spaces

Smaller gardens mean your birds are in closer quarters, increasing the need for diligent health management.

• Ventilation: Essential to avoid damp and respiratory problems.
• Parasite control: Regular checks for red mites, lice, and worms.
• Cleanliness: Routine coop cleaning prevents build-up of waste and bacteria.
• Biosecurity: Limit contact with wild birds and other poultry to reduce disease risk.

Establishing a routine for health checks ensures any problems are caught early and managed effectively.

Daily care routine

Even in a small garden, chickens require daily attention to remain healthy and productive.

Typical daily tasks:

• Provide fresh food and clean water.
• Collect eggs.
• Remove droppings and soiled bedding.
• Check for signs of illness or injury.
• Inspect fencing, doors, and locks for damage.

Consistent daily care is the best defence against many common poultry problems. For more deatiled advice read our Daily Chicken Care Routine article.

Legal rules and regulations

In most parts of the UK, you can keep chickens in your garden without needing a licence or planning permission, but there are some rules to follow.

• DEFRA registration: Only necessary if you keep 50 or more birds.
• Planning permission: Rarely required for standard-sized coops.
• Housing agreements: Some tenancy or housing association contracts may restrict livestock.
• Nuisance laws: You must not create excessive noise, smell, or attract vermin.

Always check with your local council or landlord before starting your chicken keeping journey. For more information read our Keeping Chickens: Laws, By-Laws and Regulations article

Sustainable chicken keeping

Small garden chicken keeping can be highly sustainable and environmentally friendly.

• Compost chicken manure to enrich your garden soil.
• Collect rainwater for your flock’s drinking supply.
• Supplement commercial feed with legal kitchen scraps.
• Grow herbs and plants that benefit chickens, such as nasturtiums and comfrey.

Managed well, your chickens can contribute to a more sustainable and self-sufficient household.

The many benefits

Even in small gardens, chickens offer plenty of rewards:

• Daily fresh eggs.
• Natural fertiliser for your plants.
• Reduced food waste through safe scraps.
• Educational opportunities for children.
• Gentle companionship and entertainment.

So, can you keep chickens in a small garden? Absolutely! With proper care, your small garden can become a thriving home for a happy, productive flock.