Birds
Poultry
Keeping Poultry
This section includes information about the rules for keeping poultry (chickens, roosters, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, pheasants and fancy or game birds).
In Residential, Rural Living, Commercial or Industrial zones, Council approval is not required to keep less than 10 head of hens on a property. However, approval is required to keep more than 10 head of hens on a property. Also, suitable shelter (as per the Bylaw) must be 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.
In rural areas up to 25 head are 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 for further information.
Also refer to General Bylaw, Chapter 13, Clauses 1304.1 – 7.
Poultry Housing
In all cases of keeping of poultry or birds; the housing, coops or aviaries shall:-
- be watertight
- have floors made of concrete or other approved impervious material
- have an enclosed and secure poultry run
- be thoroughly and effectively treated in such that safeguards against disease or infection to the poultry or the eggs produced by the poultry
- be graded, drained and cleared out weekly
- be kept clean, dry and in good repair at all times
- not be constructed within 10m of any dwelling, or any other building used for food storage or preparation for sale or within 2m of any site boundary
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.
Also refer to General Bylaws, Chapter 13, clause 1304.3 & 1304.
For further information please contact us
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
Roosters
If the rooster is causing a problem with noise, any complaint must be made in writing and signed by people from three different households.
Complaints can be sent to Council to the attention of a Monitoring Officer
Bird Rescue Centre - SPCA
Anyone concerned for the welfare of a bird should contact the SPCA.
Ducks
Found ducklings
Ducks are generally attentive mothers. Ducklings may appear to have been abandoned when in fact the mother is quite nearby. SPCA advise that the ducklings should be put inside a cardboard box with an old towel and either a hot water bottle or an empty 1.5 litre drink bottle filled with hot water. The box should be left outside in the vicinity of where they were found for 1 - 2 hours. The chirping will attract the mother back.
Should the mother not return or is known to have died, (e.g. has been run over, etc.) the ducklings should be taken to the SPCA.
Ducks fouling
This is quite often a problem if someone has been feeding the ducks. Cease feeding the ducks and attempt to frighten them away to stop ducks fouling on the property.
Page created/updated: 7 May 2009 at 8:58 am - Go to top
