Skip to main content

Ngā mea e āhei ai koe ki te tiaki manu me te heihei

Requirements for keeping birds and poultry

Under the Animal Management Bylaw 2015, you must meet certain requirements for keeping birds and poultry.

​Provide shelter

Chickens should have access to an area of land greater than three square metres and include:

  • an enclosed rainproof chicken coop for sleeping and laying eggs
  • at least 30cm of roost or perch per chicken
  • a minimum roof height of 60cm
  • a surface for pecking and scratching
  • a secluded nesting area.

Where to place your chicken coop

Set up the coop in a place that is least likely to cause a nuisance to neighbours.

Ensure that chickens are confined and that they cannot freely leave the property.

Keep chicken coops clean

To keep your chicken coop clean, you should:

  • line nesting boxes and chicken coop floors with hay, wood chips (untreated), sawdust or shredded newspaper so that it can be easily removed when cleaned out
  • regularly bag and remove waste (at least once a week).

Prevent infestations of vermin

Excess kai and bedding waste can attract flies, mice and rats to a property.

Once vermin find an accessible kai supply, they will continue to return, leaving excrement that can:

  • contaminate chicken feed and water
  • expose owners and neighbours to diseases.
Make sure you regularly dispose of waste.

Our tip

Rather than scattering kai across the ground, use a vermin proof container specifically for poultry feeding. These also keep out the rain and give poultry good access to dry pellets or grain.

 Related topics

 

 

Lost and adoptable animalshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/lost-adoptable-petsLost and adoptable animalsHow to adopt a pet, find an animal shelter, view lost and adoptable animals, and report a lost dog or stray animal. aspxAnimals Dogs Adopt a dog
Find an animal shelterhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/lost-adoptable-pets/find-animal-shelterFind an animal shelterFind address and contact details for our animal shelters.aspxAdopt a dog
Animal Management Bylaw 2015https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/bylaws/Pages/animal-management-bylaw.aspxAnimal Management Bylaw 2015This bylaw promotes responsible animal ownership and interactions. It includes rules about and animals in public places and being a good neighbour.aspxBylaw
Animal management staff hourly feeshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/keeping-other-animals/Pages/animal-management-fees.aspxAnimal management staff hourly feesFind out the hourly fees for animal management staff.aspxAnimals Stock
Check if you need a licence to keep birds and poultryhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/keeping-other-animals/keeping-birds-poultry/Pages/check-if-you-need-a-licence-to-keep-birds-and-poultry.aspxCheck if you need a licence to keep birds and poultryFind out whether you need a licence to keep birds and poultry.aspxAnimals Poultry
Pigeon and bird aviarieshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/keeping-other-animals/keeping-birds-poultry/Pages/pigeon-and-bird-aviaries.aspxPigeon and bird aviariesThere are no restrictions for keeping bird aviaries on private property. However, you must ensure birds don't cause health and safety issues to the public.aspxAnimals Poultry