keeping chickens free range / bird flu

[tempinfrance]

I would be grateful if anyone could let me know whether it's ok to keep chickens roaming free at the moment or if there are restrictions on keeping them under cover. I've been thinking about getting some chickens to scare away the snakes in my garden but if the chickens have to be in a pen, i don't think the snakes will be too terrified!

 

[Patf]

There was a short article in our local paper last week saying that

restrictions still apply but may be lifted at the end of May. But tell

that to people around here! Don't want to speak too soon but there has

been no official follow up as far as I know . Perhaps it's best to wait

until the beginning of June.I think also it depends where you are. Pat.

[Suandpete]

There is another article in La Nouvelle République today - the

restrictions are still in force everywhere and no official announcement

has been made yet about relaxing them - however most people round here

are ignoring them as they have all along!  750 euro fine if "they"

decide to check up though.....

[derf]

Our Maires response to it was that,  "when the rest of France complies with the Regs then so will we", the chickens still roam free here in our bit of 47 although, it looks like the commercial breeders are keeping theirs inside. 

[Garlic]

Here we had to declare our chickens at the mairie but no one seems to keep their chickens inside I even saw some running around in a field next to the main road yesterday so not even being subtle about it.