Livestock on allotments

This person must have experience of, or attended a training course on, the overall keeping and management of hens and particularly in respect of recognising distress and disease and taking appropriate remedial action.

• The accommodation needs to provide proper shelter from the elements and, as appropriate, a means of exercise which may be extended by the provision of wire fenced runs.
• The coop should have a minimum floor space of 1.8m x 1.2m to ensure adequate floor, nesting and perching space for 6 hens. Nest boxes, roosting areas and perches must be properly located and all exercise runs escape, predator and vermin proof. Housing should be raised off the ground to avoid vermin nesting beneath. This should be at least 150mm, but the higher the better.
• The hen run, for exercise for 6 hens, should be a minimum of 4 square metres. Wire fenced runs should be of a suitable gauge weldmesh wire to prevent predator or vermin access. The wire should be 12 gauge to protect against predators and have 25mm holes to prevent ingress by vermin. Ideally the weldmesh will extend across the floor space to prevent vermin from digging up into the run.
• A means of access to the shelter must be available to the hens at all times, except when cleaning and disinfection is being carried out.
• The accommodation will require cleansing and disinfecting and all litter etc. needs to be disposed of in secure containers or an appropriate place located well away from any shelter or run.
• Hens must have access to a minimum of 8 hours daylight during the day.

• Water must be available at all times and all equipment kept clean and in good order.
• Feed should be kept in vermin proof containers.
• Any spillage of feed should be cleared up immediately to deter vermin.
• Any diet must be properly balanced for the breed and given sufficient amounts to ensure the proper well being of the animals.
• The risk of drinking water freezing during cold weather must be considered.

• All hens must be able to stand turn around and stretch their wings and have sufficient space to perch or sit down without interference from other birds.
• The stocking rate will not only be dependent upon the ability of the stock person but also the breed of hen kept.

• Plans for dealing with fire should be made.
• All flammable materials (such as straw, waste litter, empty bags etc) must be stored well away from poultry accommodation and exercise areas.
• A means of controlling any small fire should be available and the stock person's (or deputy) emergency telephone number and contact address be made known to the site secretary or the Allotments Office.

• All birds must be inspected at least twice daily.
• The stock person must allow the council's animal welfare representative to inspect the poultry at any time.

• Any sick or injured birds must be removed immediately and treatment provided.
• The cause of any disease or injury identified and remedial action must be taken.
• Any national disease prevention and/or control programmes must be adhered to.
• Dead birds must be disposed of in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Animal By-Products Regulations 2003
• The stockholder will be liable for any additional costs which result from infestation (such as by rats).

• The accommodation and associated equipment should be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
• It is advisable to de-stock sites at frequent intervals.
• Only good quality litter originating from premises where poultry are not kept should be used.