Poultry and Chickens

A person may keep up to 12 approved poultry (including a maximum of two ducks) in a residential area, which must be housed permanently in a specially constructed hut.

Poultry are defined as any domestic fowl or chicken, bantam, duck, goose, guinea fowl, pheasant, turkey, peahen or peacock. Of these, the following cannot be kept in any residential area: rooster, turkey, goose/gander, and peacock/peahen.

Conditions

Poultry may only be kept under the following conditions:

• In an enclosed yard; and
• In a shed or hut designed to permit a deep litter system - See Figure 1;
• The poultry shed must be one metre from any boundary and nine metres from any house or street.

Poultry shed specifications

• The floor must be of a suitable impervious surface such as concrete, brick paving or compressed limestone;
• Frames should be constructed of timber, steel or brick;
• Cladding is to consist of sheet metal, brick, weatherboard or other materials approved by an Environmental Health Officer;
• The roof should be sloped to allow the drainage of water;
• The shed is to be constructed in a sound and weatherproof manner;
• The height of the shed is to be between 1.5m to 2.0m;
• There must be adequate ventilation during the hot weather;
• The area of the shed must allow for 0.3m2 for each bird kept;
• Roof, floor, doors, and ventilation panels must be maintained in good order and condition;
• The floor must be covered with a layer of dry sand or saw dust at least 75mm deep;
• The sand or sawdust must be kept dry at all times and changed at least once every six months or when directed;

Figure 1.   Specifications for domestic poultry shed

 For further information please contact the City on 9400 4933.