Keeping Chickens: Laws, By-Laws and Regulations in the UK

Keeping Chickens: Laws, By-Laws and Regulations in the UK

Keeping a few chickens in your back garden is an increasingly popular hobby. In the UK there is no general law prohibiting small numbers of chickens at home, provided they are well cared for. However, prospective keepers must navigate a patchwork of national regulations, local rules, and animal welfare laws. This guide breaks down the key legal requirements and best practices – from DEFRA registration and disease control measures to local council permissions, nuisance avoidance, and egg-selling rules – up to date as of 2025. If you want to understand keeping chicken laws in the UK, this article will help you stay compliant and confident in caring for your birds.

DEFRA registration and bird flu measures

All chicken keepers in England, Scotland, and Wales must register their flock with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), even if you only keep a few hens. Registration ensures you receive disease alerts and official guidance.

During bird flu outbreaks, the government may declare an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which applies to all flocks. You must follow any rules in place, such as housing birds indoors or using covered runs, maintaining biosecurity, and limiting visitors.

Avian flu and Newcastle disease are notifiable. If you suspect either, you must report it immediately to APHA and not move birds or eggs.

To register your flock with APHA, please visit the relevant UK Government website page.

Animal welfare obligations

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all keepers must ensure their hens are properly cared for. This includes providing food, water, shelter, space to move, company of their own kind, and veterinary care when needed.

DEFRA’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens recommends you meet the “five freedoms”:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour
5. Freedom from fear and distress

Coops should be weatherproof, predator-proof, and well-ventilated. Provide enough perch space, nesting boxes, and a dry, clean run. Clean the coop weekly and change bedding regularly. Hens must have daily access to clean water and a balanced feed. Never rely on scraps alone, and never feed kitchen waste.

Keeping chickens laws: local regulations in the UK

Although there are no national restrictions on keeping a few hens, always check:

• Local council by-laws: A few may restrict poultry in residential areas.
• Property deeds or covenants: Some homes have clauses forbidding livestock.
• Tenancy agreements: Some landlords or housing associations may not allow chickens without permission.

Planning permission is generally not needed for small backyard coops, unless you plan a large or permanent structure. If unsure, check with your council.

Neighbour relations and nuisance

To avoid complaints or legal issues:

• Do not keep cockerels in built-up areas, as their crowing can lead to noise complaints.
• Clean regularly to prevent smells or flies.
• Use secure fencing to prevent hens escaping into neighbours’ gardens.
• Store feed in sealed containers to prevent vermin.
• Be courteous and let neighbours know before you get hens.

Councils can issue abatement notices under nuisance laws if chickens cause excessive noise, smell, or attract pests. Following keeping chicken laws UK guidelines will help prevent these problems.

Selling surplus eggs

If you sell a few surplus eggs directly to friends, neighbours, or from an honesty box at your gate, you do not need to register as a food business if you keep fewer than 50 hens. However, you must still follow basic food safety rules: only sell clean, uncracked eggs laid within 21 days, and avoid misleading labelling.

For more guidance, see our separate post on selling eggs from your hens.

Waste and pest control

Used bedding and droppings should be composted in a covered bin or disposed of responsibly. Avoid piles near property boundaries. Clean runs and feeders often to deter rats and flies.

Under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949, you are responsible for preventing rodent infestations. Store feed securely, clean regularly, and use traps or bait stations if needed.

Dead hens should be disposed of responsibly – ask your vet for guidance or check with your council. Do not bury poultry carcasses.

What food is illegal to give chickens in the UK?

Under UK law, there are strict rules about what you can and cannot feed your hens. These aren’t just guidelines, they’re legally enforced regulations designed to prevent the spread of animal diseases like avian flu or foot-and-mouth.

Illegal foods for chickens:

• Any food that has passed through a domestic or commercial kitchen, even if it’s vegetarian. This includes:
  • Vegetable peelings
  • Plate scraps
  • Leftovers
  • Cooked rice, pasta or veg
    DEFRA classifies all of these as catering waste, and feeding them to poultry is illegal – even if there’s no meat or dairy involved.
• Mealworms
  You can only feed live mealworms to chickens. Dried mealworms have been banned by DEFRA for use with hens and other birds.
• Raw or spoiled meat, mouldy food, or anything visibly contaminated
  These pose serious health risks and are banned under both welfare and food safety legislation.
• Dog or cat food
  Pet food often contains animal proteins not authorised for poultry and should never be used.

What is allowed:

• Commercial poultry feed and treats made by approved manufacturers
• Whole grains and seeds that haven’t entered your kitchen
• Fresh fruit or vegetables from your garden or shop-bought (as long as they’ve been stored outside the kitchen)
• DEFRA-compliant dried insect protein clearly labelled for poultry use

Sticking to the rules protects your flock, avoids fines, and helps keep your egg business (if you sell) on the right side of Trading Standards.

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By staying informed and following these basic rules, you can enjoy keeping hens at home legally and responsibly. Whether you’re new to poultry keeping or simply want to check you’re following current keeping chickens laws, this guide has you covered.