Unity Chicken Cooperative

The original chicken cooperative was formed approximately 15 years ago.  Using recycled materials including house doors to form a roof, the coop and covered enclosure was sited on an unusable plot, which extended into a small paddock area a couple of years later.  In late 2024, following heavy snow fall, the enclosure roof collapsed under the weight of snow, and it was necessary to rehome the hens. The disbanding of the independent cooperative group in 2025 allowed the committee, on behalf of the association, to consider rebuilding the chicken coop and enclosure with the welfare of the chickens at the centre of a new cooperative. Lots of plot holders wanted a chicken cooperative to be re-established. However, our primary focus when deciding if Unity Grove should house a flock of hens was how best we could ensure their welfare, taking into account mandatory requirements in the UK for hen keepers as a consequence of avian influenza. Our coop and covered enclosure has been constructed to be fox proof and follows standards set out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), who are an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Avian Influenza has also introduced biosecurity health and housing requirements, among other aspects of poultry care. This includes specific mandatory housing rules and strict free-range restrictions within mandatory housing zones. In early 2026, the construction of the new coop and enclosure and outside paddocks was completed, with its focus on the welfare and happiness of the hens and opportunities for them to engage in natural behaviours.  We took responsibility for 12 point of lay hens in April 2026. We have established a contract of essential daily, weekly, monthly and annual routines that members are expected to follow to ensure the health and wellbeing of the hens. In addition to their balanced diet of layers pellets and an afternoon treat of scratch corn to encourage natural foraging behaviours, our hens love treats of dandelion leaf, greens, squash and water melons to name but a few.  Members in the chicken cooperative pay an annual membership fee and £5 per month to pay for food pellets and incidentals.