Before buying hens
(for Scotland)
Enter your postcode in the field at the bottom of this page to see if your local authority trading standards department has the full leaflet version available on its website.
You need to consider many things before buying hens, such as how to feed, house and care for your hens. Hens must be provided with a vermin proof house, with good ventilation, a slatted or solid concrete/wooden floor. Adequate floor area must be provided. A solid floor house should be covered with litter; wheat straw or shavings may be used. Litter should be kept dry and friable. It is important to know how to collect and store any eggs that have been laid, and also how to rear chicks.
If you keep 50 or more poultry at any one premises you must notify the Scottish Government Rural Directorate (formerly SEERAD). If you keep less than 50 poultry registration is voluntary.
