The Clutha District Council has received a run of complaints about wayward chickens scratching up neighbouring gardens in a few of the district's towns during the past few weeks.

A council spokeswoman says the complaints have prompted the council to remind people of regulations about keeping poultry in urban areas.

The complaints over the past six weeks had come from various areas in the district including Balclutha, Kaitangata and Waihola.

The council is reminding people that up to 10 chickens, or poultry, were allowed on an urban property and they had to be housed in a proper enclosure at least 2 metres from the boundary.

Roosters are not allowed.