Under the Animal Management Bylaw 2015, you must meet certain requirements for keeping birds and poultry.
Ngā mea e āhei ai koe ki te tiaki manu me te heihei Requirements for keeping birds and poultry
Provide shelter
Chickens should have access to an area of land greater than three square metres and include:
- an enclosed rainproof chicken coop for sleeping and laying eggs
- at least 30cm of roost or perch per chicken
- a minimum roof height of 60cm
- a surface for pecking and scratching
- a secluded nesting area.
Where to place your chicken coop
Set up the coop in a place that is least likely to cause a nuisance to neighbours.
Ensure that chickens are confined and that they cannot freely leave the property.
Keep chicken coops clean
To keep your chicken coop clean, you should:
- line nesting boxes and chicken coop floors with hay, wood chips (untreated), sawdust or shredded newspaper so that it can be easily removed when cleaned out
- regularly bag and remove waste (at least once a week).
Prevent infestations of vermin
Excess kai Sustenance such as food. and bedding waste can attract flies, mice and rats to a property.
Once vermin find an accessible kai supply, they will continue to return, leaving excrement that can:
- contaminate chicken feed and water
- expose owners and neighbours to diseases.
Make sure you regularly dispose of waste.
Rather than scattering kai across the ground, use a vermin proof container specifically for poultry feeding. These also keep out the rain and give poultry good access to dry pellets or grain.