If you're thinking of getting backyard chickens, you've no doubt considered if your local council has any rules on keeping a small flock of chickens. Any rules developed by your council are there 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.

Number of Chickens

Councils vary in terms of the number of chickens they allow in suburban backyards. 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 greater room in your 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 rules that will vary to some degree with some allowing slightly more or slightly fewer chickens on different sized parcels of land. If you're planning on getting some chickens, a quick call to your local council is a good idea so you're sure to be keeping within their suggested guidelines..

No Rooster

Another common rule of councils is that there are to be no roosters. As roosters are not necessary in making eggs (you'd be surprised that many people think they are necessary to produce eggs) and often cause a problem with the neighbours, most councils ban roosters from the backyard flock. If you live in a more rural area with your neighbours a further distance than in the suburbs, a rooster may be quite acceptable. In this instance, I would suggest that you call your local council or have a look at their website to see if roosters are permitted. Some allow roosters as long as the neighbours don't complain about the crowing.

Placement and type of Chicken House

Many Councils also have specific rules about how close a chicken shed can be from your neighbours fence. This really only applies if you plan to build a fixed chicken coop, compared with the increasingly popular mobile chicken coops. These restrictions are really in place to prevent poorly maintained chicken coops becoming a problem with the odour wafting over to the neighbours. So if you're planning on building a fixed structure, it's likely that you'll need to make sure it's around six metres from you neighbours house. Again this varies from council to council. For a mobile chicken coop this rule doesn't really apply as your chickens will work their manure into the soil and you move the coop around the different garden beds in your backyard.

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 feed your chickens breakfast, lunch and dinner but rather place their feed in a self-feeder that they can access throughout the day. Scattering food on the ground attracts rodents 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 deciding to get 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 suitable number of chickens, and there is no smell or noise (apart from the gentle clucking) coming from their backyard.