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Keeping chickens in your backyard is legal in NSW but there are regulations to keep in mind, including a limit of up to 10 chickens, and no roosters in residential areas.
You can't install a chicken coop if your property is a heritage item or your land is in a foreshore area.
The most important part of keeping chickens is the chicken coop. Only one coop is allowed on each property and it must be:
- limited to a floor area of 15 square metres
- a maximum height of 3 metres above ground level
- located in the rear yard
- 3 metres distance from the boundary
- located at least 4.5 metres from any dwelling, public hall, school or premises used for the manufacture, preparation, sale or storage of food
- made of materials that blend with the environment and be non-reflective
- adequately drained
- paved with concrete or mineral asphalt, or have clean sand underneath the roosts or perches
- occupied by no more than 10 fowls or poultry.
The coop and poultry yard must also be kept clean and free from offensive odours.
Watch the video below for a quick rundown of the regulations:
Further rules and regulations can be found in the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 - Schedule 2, Part 5, Division 2.