How many query

[binley100]

Is there any national (ie DEFRA) guidelines to how many chooks a person can keep without any sort of registration ?

[polo]

There is - It is a requirement to register with Defra if you keep 50 or more birds. Defra also encouranges you to register if you keep fewer hens which I dont think is a bad idea for control of animal diseases. I haven't yet but keep meaning to!

More info here
Poultry « Defra

This page also links to Direct.gov smallholder information which looks pretty comprehensive!
Keeping chickens: a beginner's guide : Directgov - Environment and greener living

[Nicos]

50 here too!

[binley100]

Thanks for the info .......

[Aberdeenplotter]

wow, 50 is quite a lot in a domestic situation isn't it? You planning that many Bins?

[Hilary B]

It includes ALL of them, even new-hatched chicks or cockerels that are heading for the freezer, and if you have 51 for even 1 day without registering, you are breaking the law....
I think that is poultry of all types, ducks, geese and turkeys included (not sure about guinea-fowl)

[RichmondHens]

Yep, it is ALL poultry (I think guinea fowl are including too Hilary).

50 sounds a lot, but believe me, it doesn't take long to get to that number. You only need a few breeding pens each containing 6 or 7 birds, and another couple with broodies and chicks, and hey, you've hit the big 50 without trying. Unless you run them all together as one flock 50 birds don't actually look that many. We had a rough count up earlier in the year and totalled over 80. About to eat another cock tonight (smelling goooooood as I type this) so numbers going down slowly.

[binley100]

wow, 50 is quite a lot in a domestic situation isn't it? You planning that many Bins?

nooooo......just doing a spot of research