Poultry Policy

Kettering Allotments Society

Poultry Policy- updated October 2025

Introduction

With effect from 1st January 2025 the new lease on our land issued by Kettering Town Council prohibits all livestock and poultry. A concessionary clause was negotiated with the Council specifying no new poultry. Therefore this Policy applies to those poultry present on Kettering allotments by the end of 2024.

Inspections of poultry may be carried out by stewards or committee members. The committee may appoint a Poultry Inspection team.

Keeping poultry on allotments was permitted until 2024, so long as the Society's rules and these guidelines are followed. If these are not adhered to, permission to keep poultry will be withdrawn.

This policy applies to all sites run by Kettering Allotments and the only poultry permitted are chickens and ducks.

No New geese to be brought on to any of our sites. As the present geese die they will not be replaced

A maximum of 9 birds is permitted for all new poultry from 2023.

(A few tenants have more than 9 birds introduced before the above maximum was first introduced in 2022. These numbers should eventually be reduced to 9 as the existing birds reach the end of their natural lives).

HM Government regulations (DEFRA) requiring compulsory registration of all poultry apply from

October 2024

Rules

The relevant Tenancy Rules are Rules 72-79, copied below:

72. Permitted livestock on allotment sites is restricted to poultry (chickens, ducks and geese only) and bees. No other livestock is permitted on plots e.g. rabbits, pigeons or pigs. No new or additional geese will be permitted from 2024. Existing geese may remain until they die or are removed but no replacements or new geese allowed from 2024.

73. Permission must be received from the field steward before any new poultry is brought onto allotment land or poultry housing is constructed

74. Permission may be granted to install poultry only after the probationary period has been successfully completed.

75. The committee reserves the right to withdraw permission to keep permitted livestock if the Poultry Policy and RSPCA Guidelines are not followed or the rest of the plot is not cultivated. (see Poultry Policy, Cultivation and Weeds Policy)

76. All poultry must be kept in an enclosure that is secure to prevent the escape of the birds and entry of vermin or foxes.

77. The maximum number of birds per tenant household is nine. Poultry exceeding this number installed on plots before this rule (March 2023) may be allowed to continue, but as birds die from natural causes they are not to be replaced until the number reaches nine.

78. Items (eg poultry equipment) must not be washed in the communal water troughs

79. All tenants shall ensure that vermin are controlled. Any tenant with a source of vermin on their plot must take effective measures to eliminate the vermin and report this to the field steward.

80. Any member of the management committee, steward or Officer of the Society shall be entitled at any time to enter and inspect the allotment and any structures thereon. When a plot entrance has a locked gate, arrangements should be made to allow access to stewards.

POULTRY INSPECTION

In order to comply with the terms of our lease with the Council the committee must make arrangements for poultry to be inspected. Any steward or member of the Poultry Inspection Team appointed by the committee is entitled to inspect poultry at any time of their choosing.

Likewise, the Council and the RSPCA are entitled to inspect poultry on our allotments. Access is required to any poultry and associated structures, no appointment is needed. The "access arrangements" in Rule 10 above mean that a key or combination must be provided to the Poultry Inspection Team or steward. Failure to provide access to the committee or its representatives may result in disciplinary action.

GOOD POULTRY PRACTICE

These guidelines have been produced to provide a basic guide as to standards expected of members who keep poultry on their allotments.

CONTAINMENT

It is essential that the birds are securely contained within the allotment. Secure containment includes preventing birds from escaping by flying out as well as preventing rats, foxes or other predators getting in. Unwelcome human interference needs to be considered too. The advice of your field steward should be followed as she/he will have experience of the local conditions on your field.

RATS

As mentioned above, the structures must be built to prevent rats from entering or living there. It is recommended that all structures be lined with strong wire mesh too fine for a rat to squeeze through. Poultry food should be stored securely on the plot, in strong metal containers that rats cannot bite through. Only enough food that can be eaten by poultry in 40 minutes should be left out, as any surplus will be wasted - you are feeding the rats not your poultry.

Unless you are using a treadle feeder which allows poultry to take what they need with no waste. Any signs of rats should be reported to your field steward or the secretary and effective measures taken by you to eliminate them - poison, traps etc.

HOUSING

In addition to effective containment, housing is also key in ensuring the welfare of your birds and should allow natural behaviour.

• The henhouse should be a minimum size of 2 sq feet per bird, with a fully enclosed shelter that provides protection from predators.

• Outdoor run, minimum of 4 sq feet per bird

• With the above in mind, a maximum of 9 birds are allowed (exemptions apply to those who installed poultry prior to 2022 when this policy was updated)

• the National Allotments (NSALG) recommend no more than 3 birds per allotment

• Clean dry bedding, best are wood shavings or straw

• Warmth in winter months and shade in the summer

• Perches for sleeping on.

• Nest boxes for laying eggs

• You should provide them with plenty of space to dig, dust themselves and flap their wings.

BOTH HOUSING AND RUNS SHOULD BE REGULARLY MAINTAINED TO A GOOD TIDY STANDARD.

FEED

Your chickens should have access to

• Clean fresh water daily.

• 120 grams of layer pellets and corn daily per bird which is an appropriate diet that is nutritional

• Insoluble grit to aid digestion.

• Food stuff must be kept clean and dry and properly protected from rodents, ideally by removing it from the plot each day.

HOLIDAY COVER AND EMERGENCIES

Holiday cover -tenants should make sure they have holiday and illness cover for their chickens, should it be needed. Anyone who keeps hens must ensure they have given their field steward an up to date telephone number that they can ring in case of emergencies.

HEALTH

It is your responsibility to monitor and maintain a flock free from distress, pain, injury and disease

We expect members to maintain high standards of welfare for their birds in a clean and tidy housing. In this way, everyone can enjoy the presence of poultry

Concerns may be reported to field stewards who will offer advice to poultry keepers. In some cases the RSPCA may be contacted to address welfare concerns.

Observe HM Government restrictions/lockdowns for any outbreaks of influenza (bird flu)

Deceased poultry must be disposed of responsibly, not burning or buried at the allotment.

Double black bagged and in black bin as required by Defra.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH YOUR TENANCY AGREEMENT RULES OR MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARDS IN THESE GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN TERMINATION OF YOUR ALLOTMENT TENANCY

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Kettering Allotments Society

Poultry Inspection Checklist

Routine inspections would normally be carried out by two stewards, one from a different site to offer a second opinion and backup. A committee member who is not a steward may also inspect. If serious concerns are raised, either from a routine inspection or a complaint, consult committee officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and ask for them to investigate whether a disciplinary panel is required.

Inspecting stewards

/committee member

Date of inspection

Name of tenant

Field and Plot number

Has the tenant registered with DEFRA?

Proof of registration seen.

Number of chickens

Number of ducks

Number of geese

Total birds

Is the size of the run adequate for the total number of birds? (advise best practice  = 1 sqm per bird min.)

Is clean water readily available?

Is there spare water for when no water is available over winter from troughs.

Is food available for the birds

Is food protected from rats (i.e. with a treadle feeder)?

Is the food storage rat-proof? (metal)

Is the run secure enough to protect from fox ingress?

Are there bird flu restrictions in force from DEFRA at the time of inspection?

If yes to above, is the coop compliant?

Is the roof covered completely to comply with bird flu winter restrictions.

Is the coop and run relatively clean with evidence that the member has been regularly cleaning? 

Are there perches for the birds in the coop and also outdoors?

Is there a nesting area that is large enough and is it clean.

Are vermin deterrents/poison/traps in place? This should also be protected from the birds.

In winter are the birds sheltered from wind and rain.

Is there a shaded area for the birds to shelter in hot weather?

Do the birds appear in good health? Look for combs that are dull and floppy, trouble walking, malnourishment and birds that refuse to move and sit in one place for a long time. These are not necessarily signs of abuse however if it is prevalent in the whole flock, it should be investigated. 

Conversation about how birds are looked after when the tenant is on holiday or ill and in case of emergency.