Legal information about chickens in general
Legal information about chickens: In Germany, poultry are regarded as small animals. For this reason, they may also be kept in purely residential areas without a permit. However, the principle of mutual consideration applies. As long as the chickens do not disturb anyone, no rooster will crow about them. However, if there is trouble with the neighbors, about 20 hens and one rooster are considered reasonable for the neighborhood. However, conditions can then be imposed, such as an automatic chicken door that only lets the poultry out after 8 a.m. or soundproofing of the coop.
Building law for chicken coop construction
Depending on the federal state, there are different regulations regarding size and distances to the neighborhood. It also depends on whether you live in a purely residential area in the city or a mixed area in the village. As a rule of thumb, you can say that all permanent structures with a floor area of 4 square meters or more must be approved by the authorities. If you want to play it safe here, screw wheels under your barn. Then the thing is considered mobile and does not require approval.
Official reporting obligation for poultry
Anyone who keeps chickens in Germany must register them with the local veterinary office. This is done completely stress-free using a questionnaire, which you can often download from the office’s website. Registering private poultry costs nothing and no strange questions are asked or conditions imposed. You would think that you would at least be notified by e-mail if, for example, avian influenza makes it compulsory to keep poultry indoors. But you have to follow this information obligation yourself through the media.
Compulsory vaccination for chicken farming
There are many things you can have your chickens vaccinated against. We would like to leave it up to you to decide how much is sensible. However, one vaccination is compulsory in Germany, even for private poultry: the Newcastle vaccination. It is administered to chickens every 3 months via their drinking water.
Liability for the chicken gang
As with all animals, the owner is liable for the damage caused by his chickens. A chicken flutters to the neighbor, eats his favorite flowers, or escapes and runs into the street, forcing a car to swerve into the wall… It is better to report your poultry to your liability insurance before something happens. Many insurers will be accommodating and include your pets without increasing the premium. Then you are prepared for all eventualities.