Can I keep hens in my garden?
Yes, for a small family flock. Keeping a few hens in your garden for your own consumption is allowed without declaration. Beyond 50 birds, you enter the livestock regime, subject to health rules and a declaration. In all cases, respect the departmental health rules (which often impose a minimum distance from the coop to neighbouring homes) and avoid neighbour nuisance: a rooster crowing early, smells or pests can be an abnormal neighbour disturbance. Also check the co-ownership/estate rules.
📋 The rules
- Small family flock: allowed without declaration
- Beyond 50 birds: health rules + declaration
- Respect the departmental health rules (coop distance)
- No neighbour nuisance (rooster noise, smells)
- Check the co-ownership or estate rules
🔓 Exceptions
- Some estate rules ban keeping farmyard animals
- Temporary health measures (bird flu): confinement/housing imposed
- Reinforced distances if selling eggs or larger keeping
⚠️ Penalties & fines
An abnormal neighbour disturbance (rooster crowing, smells, pest proliferation) can lead to a civil action and damages, even an order to reduce the flock. Breaching the departmental health rules or biosecurity measures (bird flu) is fineable. Exceeding the 50-bird threshold without meeting the livestock obligations also exposes you to penalties.
📎 Official sources
- Service-Public.fr · Keeping farmyard animals →
- Ministry of Agriculture · Keeping poultry (declaration) →
- Service-Public.fr · Neighbour disturbances →
❓ Frequently asked
Can you keep hens at home?
Yes, a small family flock for your own consumption is allowed without declaration. Beyond 50 birds, you fall under the livestock regime, with health rules and a declaration. Also check your estate or co-ownership rules.
Is there a distance for the coop?
Often yes. The departmental health rules usually set a minimum distance between the coop and neighbouring homes. Check with your town hall or prefecture for the rule that applies where you live.
Can a rooster be a problem?
Yes. A rooster's crowing, smells or pests can be an abnormal neighbour disturbance, especially in a dense area. A disturbed neighbour can bring a civil action. Better to plan the coop's location and upkeep.
Is there a maximum number of hens?
For family use there's no fixed number, but beyond 50 birds you switch to the livestock regime, with declaration and health rules. In practice, a few hens suffice and stay within the tolerated framework.
What about bird flu?
Biosecurity measures can be imposed (housing or protecting the birds, declaring keeping). They're mandatory when the risk level rises. Breaching these measures is punished.
🔎 Common searches
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