Keeping Birds

• Keeping poultry, including Roosters - General

• Poultry housing

• Killing of Poultry or Birds on a Property

• Bird Rescue Centre

Keeping Poultry, including Roosters - General

This section includes information about the rules for keeping poultry (chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, pheasants and fancy or game birds).

In Residential, Rural Living, Commercial or Industrial zones Council approval is required to keeping up to 10 head of hens on a property, and then only if suitable shelter is provided at least 10 metres away from any dwelling, factory or other buildings wholly or partially occupied, or at least 2 metres from a boundary of an adjoining property, whichever is the greater.

If more than 12 head you should discuss this with an FNDC Resource Planner. Please contact us using our normal contact details

In rural areas up to 25 head allowed to be kept in a hen house at least 10 metres from a boundary.

If more than 25 head you should discuss this with an FNDC Resource Planner. Please contact us using our normal contact details

No person shall keep any rooster or cockerel on any property zoned Residential, Rural Living, Commercial or Industrial zones without the written approval of the Council.

If the rooster is causing a problem with noise, any complaint must be made in writing & signed by people from three separate households, that the rooster is in fact causing problems. The reason for this is to ensure there is a genuine cause for complaint, that the birds are causing in fact problems and reduces the number of malicious complaints received.

Also refer to General Bylaw, Chapter 13, Clauses 1304.1 – 7.

If in any doubt at all you should consider contacting an FNDC Resource Planner for confirmation using our normal contact details.

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Poultry Housing

In all cases of keeping of poultry or birds; the housing, coops or aviaries shall:-

In all cases the poultry must be confined to the property on which they are kept and not be freely able to leave that property or cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties.

Noise complaints regarding aviary birds require the complaint to be in writing signed by at least three separate households. The reason for this is to ensure there is a genuine cause for complaint, that the birds are causing in fact problems and reduces the number of malicious complaints received.

Also refer to General Bylaws, Chapter 13, clause 1304.3 & 1304.

For further information please contact us

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Killing of Poultry or Birds on a Property

No person shall kill or slaughter, any poultry or bird on any property zoned Residential, without the written approval of the Council.

Also refer to General Bylaws, Chapter 13 clause 1307.1.

For further information please contact us

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Bird Rescue Centre - SPCA

Anyone concerned for the welfare of a bird should contact the SPCA on 0800 327027

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• Getting on with your neighbour

• Excessive Noise 

• Shared driveway and fencing