Chicken rules

Mydreamlife · Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:36 pm

Just wanted to check that I have interpreted the stupid defra site right.

We are having 5 chickens and keeping them for eggs for ourselves and family. I understand that we don't have any registration/licenses to to apply for. Could someone correct me if I am wrong?

Thanks Claire

red · Post: # 92623Post **red** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:45 pm

thats it.

if you want to sell eggs, you do start to get into red tape.. but if its small numbers of hens and just for yourself.. nothing else to do but enjoy them

Mydreamlife · Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:20 pm

If we were selling eggs in the longer term where do we find said red tape info... There really is no conclusive info I have been able to find thet explains all!!!

red · Post: # 92644Post **red** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:23 pm

ok this is what I understand: (applies to England. not sure on rest of UK)

if you sell eggs through a shop or something it gets complicated as you have to have a reg number and stamp your eggs with the number etc.

If you size your eggs there are rules too, and you have to set up as a packing station or something

you cannot pack your eggs in old egg boxes - nor can you supply old egg boxes, but other people can bring old egg boxes to carry them home in

So you can sell your eggs 'from the farm gate' - and that includes your front door, or you can go around delivering them (so long as you dont use old egg boxes or size them)
if you are selling them as 'free range', this is defined by defra

all of the above can be found via defra http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/poultry/default.htm but you have to dig a little.

but... I have heard that there is a new rule out that if you are sellign eggs, you have to be registered with trading standards.. under their food standards wossit. however i have failed to find the info on it, and even phoned them up and they did not seem to know. its on my to-do list to find out more.... - if anyone knows.. please tell me!!

bartering eggs come under teh same rules as selling apparantly

oh and you cannot give any kitchen scraps to the hens whether yousell the eggs or not.

dont shoot me.. I dont make the rules

hope that helps a little.
i got tired and decided to just eat our eggs, and freeze surplus, but when we get more hens...

Mydreamlife · Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:51 pm

What a load of blah blah blah!!! Ok I think that is a little clearer!! Just to confirm I can't ever feed the chickens scraps even if the eggs are only for our consumption and is this a managable rule? Is there a way for them to check? Also is this something that everyone else abides by? as I am a little inclined to flaunt it!!!!!

wine probably talking now so off to bed but can't wait for reply!!!

red · Post: # 92652Post **red** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:00 pm

well..i think a lot of people flaunt it. actually we dont, cos it sort of makes sense to me. - and on top of that there is enough hassle from 'farmers' being annoyed with 'small holders' for various reasons anyway, without giving them a reason, like openly flouting a law

as for how they would know.. well i spose they might have witnesses if your neighbours were to dob you in. or they might spot peelings on the floor or something, or you might mention on your blog or something that you do this (amazing how many people do that!!

)

hetty · Post: # 92705Post **hetty** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:49 am

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the ban on feeding hens kitchen scraps?

I know DEFRA forbid it but why?

Susan

reggiep · Post: # 92723Post **reggiep** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:26 am

I often give my chickens leftover spaghetti or rice.

As far as I have been told in the past you are not allowed to feed them any leftover meat but i have never heard of the no kitchen scraps rule!

I don't thnk my chickens could get through a whole week without their spaghetti fix!

red · Post: # 92780Post **red** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:06 pm

here is the defra leaflet

Post: # 92784Post **MKG** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:13 pm

Read the leaflet, and I fully applaud efforts to keep disease down. But ... hold on ... didn't the last F&M outbreak come from a government sponsored research establishment?

Mydreamlife · Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:40 pm

MKG wrote:Read the leaflet, and I fully applaud efforts to keep disease down. But ... hold on ... didn't the last F&M outbreak come from a government sponsored research establishment?

ina · Post: # 92832Post **ina** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:46 pm

Mydreamlife wrote:
MKG wrote:Read the leaflet, and I fully applaud efforts to keep disease down. But ... hold on ... didn't the last F&M outbreak come from a government sponsored research establishment?

Of course it did - but it wasn't kitchen scraps in that case...

Now they are gonna have to write a leaflet all about how you are supposed to keep your drains in good repair when you are a research institute and deal with infectious diseases!

reggiep · Post: # 92872Post **reggiep** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:21 pm

red wrote:here is the defra leaflet

Wow, that is a shocker.

Now then would it be waste if I had specifically cooked the rice or spaghetti for the hens?