Updated Rules

Here are our 2011 rules. We decided to jointly own all the birds and share all costs.  Using the technology available these days we decided that if there was a problem with a bird we could SMS all the other members and get a majority decision in good time. These rules work for us. If your setting up a group use them as a guide but make your own to suit your circumstances.

1.          You must have held your allotment tenancy for at lease 1 year to be eligible for membership. 

2.     A maximum of 10 members on our current allocated land. (As agreed by the Town    Council in the letter dated 24^th June 2010).

3.         A plot holder can choose to share the responsibility with an adult family member, who can also stand in proxy. The membership will be required to be signed by the plot owner.

4.         If you own more than one plot (or half plot – as allocated by the Town Council) you can have more than one membership. You will need to go onto the waiting list if all 10 memberships are allocated.

5.         One month’s notice is required on leaving the Chicken Co-operative Should the plot holder relinquish their allotment tenancy to the Town Council then they will be required to give one month’s notice to the Chicken Co-operative.

           

6.        On joining the Chicken Co-operative you are acknowledging shared liability for all expenses relating to the housing, fencing, feeding, equipment and medical treatment of all the co-operative chickens and for cleaning/feeding/letting in and out of all of the chickens as per rota. Each membership requires 1 turn on rota.

           

7.         If you are on holiday/ill on your rota (feeding/cleaning/collecting) day, then it is your responsibility to arrange cover with another member.

8.         The Chicken Co-operative jointly purchase and ring the chickens. No cockerel(s). Should a chicken fall ill members will be consulted as to the most appropriate course of action and a majority decision will suffice.

9.         Members have the right to collect eggs only on their rota day.

All eggs are for our own consumption (NOT for sale under any circumstances).

           

10.       On joining the Chicken Co-operative you are agreeing to organic feed (e.g.    grain/pellets) for the chickens. This will be topped up with our allotment grown greens          etc. Please check if you use sprays that they are chicken friendly.

11.       All new members joining the Chicken Co-Operative will pay a joining fee of £20.00   (per membership).

12.       On leaving the Chicken Co-operative all    jointly acquired assets are transferred to the ownership of the current members.

13.       Should the chickens not be fed/cleaned when you are responsible then you may be   asked to leave the Chicken Co-operative, and any money paid will be forfeit.

14.      The club will aim to keep a minimum of 12 chickens in the flock but the introduction of any replacement birds may be delayed if this is in the best interests of the birds.

Our Rules :>

Being a co-operative we decided that we needed rules so here are some of the points that you may need to consider when making yours....

1. The amount of chickens agreed (by the local authorites/Town Council) for the area allocated for your chickens .

2. The amount of space needed to keep the chickens healthy - we wanted free range. A good idea would be to limit 10 members to a coop ensuring that you get eggs every 10 days. We have a Summer and Winter area allowing the chickens a change of grassland.

3. You must have held your allotment tenancy for a minimum of a year. Some people give up allotments during their first year - this would ensure that the person was serious about the commitment of having chickens.

4. A maximum number of members (we have 10). The membership is signed by the plot holder but a family member (over 18 years) can help them.

5. We decided that larger families could have more than one chicken (So if you owned more than one plot (or half plot - as allocated by the Town Council) you could join and have a membership number / go on the waiting list for each plot/chicken required).

6. Should the plot holder relinquish their tenancy then one month notice to the club will be required before they remove their chicken. The replacement member can be advised and then included in the following months rota.

7. On joining the club the member is acknowledging shared liability for all expenses relating to the housing/fencing/feeding of all of the chickens whilst a member.      

     

8. On joining the club the member is acknowledging shared responsibility for the maintenance of all housing/fencing/feeding equipment of all the chickens whilst a member.

           

9. All eggs are for our own consumption (NOT for sale under any circumstances). We felt that this was an important point - it isn't a money making venture.

10.No cockerel(s). *You may need to check if you want one that you are allowed one*. Hens can lay without one.

 11. On joining the club the member is acknowledging the shared responsibility of the cleaning/feeding/letting in and out of all the chickens as per rota.

12. We are purchasing our chickens from the same flock at the same time. There will be 12 (10 for members plus 2 extra that will be kept collectively - should a hen die then one of the two "spare chickens" can be purchased from the club by the member to replace their chicken. This will ensure that no new chickens are introduced to the flock.

  

13. If you are on holiday/ill when you are responsible for feeding/cleaning the chickens then it is the members responsibility to arrange cover with other members. Having many members we are all able to offer support to each other  : )

14.All members pay a joining fee of £20.00 (per chicken). This ensures that a float (as well as fundraising money) is available to replace equipment when required. Therefore keeping our outgoings to a minimum.

15. When you leave the club all the jointly acquired assets are transferred to the club and its current members.