Chicken coop prohibited: regulations, neighborhood, distance…

Foster chickens and roosters in his garden can have several advantages. Indeed, gallinaceans are companions of choice. Easy-going and affectionate, the hens will give you fresh eggs every morning and get rid of some of your waste. But like all animals, chickens are a responsibility.

The decision should therefore not be taken lightly (as with any other adoption by the way) and ensure their well-being by ensuring that there is enough space in the garden for them to move around in. As they wish.

The Rural Code ensures that the welfare of all animals is respected, and is therefore binding on people wishing to raise chickens in their garden. Thus, we find for example:

• The ban on mistreating your chickens
• The obligation to place any animal in “conditions compatible with the biological imperatives of its species”
• The obligation to fulfill all the requirements of public hygiene, safety, respect for nature
• To apply its obligations related to the rights of third parties.

Can I put a chicken coop in my garden?

If you place a chicken coop in your garden, know that there are rules to follow. Failure to comply with its regulations can get you in trouble with the law and you could face a hefty fine. Indeed, as recalled by site My garden, My houseyou should check with your town hall or prefecture to find out if there are any rules to follow or a ban on raising chickens in your garden.

For example, it is forbidden to have chickens when living in a housing estate (tenants or owners) for obvious reasons odor nuisancesound and sanitary (red lice, Avian Flu).

Regarding the size of the chicken coop and the number of hens you want to house, there may also be rules to follow. “No declaration is required for a chicken coop with an area of ​​less than 5 m². However, a declaration of work must be made at the town hall if the area of ​​your chicken coop is between 5 and 20 m². For an area equal to or greater than 20 m², you will need a building permit »indicate our colleagues.

The Town Planning Code stipulates that in an urban area covered by a POS (Land Occupation Plan) or by a PLU (Local Town Planning Plan), the maximum area increases to 40 m² when the henhouse must be attached to the house because in this case, the work to be done concerns an existing construction.

Is it mandatory to declare your hens at the town hall?

According to the Ministry responsible for agriculture, any holder of domestic birds (poultry or ornamental bird) is required to declaration to the mayor the place where the birds are kept. Holders of birds kept permanently inside premises used as homes or offices are not required to make this declaration.

This decree relates to the census of birds kept by any natural or legal person with a view to preventing and combating avian influenza. It concerns hens, guinea fowl, partridges, turkeys, geese, ducks, quails, pigeons, pheasants or even peacocks.

Non-commercial owners of poultry (barnyard) and other captive birds reared outdoors can be registered with their town hall by returning a form completed, dated and signed. Also, it is important to report any mortality or abnormal behavior of your birds to a veterinarian or to the Departmental Directorate in charge of population protection (DDPP/DDETSPP) in order to limit the risk of contamination.