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Hens standing on a coop ladder in a garden.
Currently people who keep birds for their own supply of eggs, or as pets, do not have to register them. Photograph: georgeclerk/Getty Images
Currently people who keep birds for their own supply of eggs, or as pets, do not have to register them. Photograph: georgeclerk/Getty Images

Chickens kept in gardens will have to be registered under planned new rules

This article is more than 1 year old

Changes in England, Wales and Scotland will also apply to pigeons and birds of prey in bid to tackle bird flu

People in Great Britain who keep chickens in their back garden will have to register them with the government under proposed new rules to crack down on bird flu.

While those who own 50 or more birds, such as chicken farmers, have to register their flock with the government, currently people who have birds for their own supply of eggs, or as pets, do not.

Under the proposed new rules, being consulted on by government, bird owners would also be required to update their information on an annual basis. They would have to provide information including their contact details, the location of where the birds are kept and details of the species, number and their use.

Budgie-owners, however, will not be affected. The law would apply to people who have back yard chickens, birds of prey and pigeon fanciers, but would not affect pet birds always kept inside a domestic dwelling, such as a parrot or budgie kept in a cage that never leaves the property other than to see the vet or for another short-term period.

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In a joint statement, the chief veterinary officers from England, Scotland and Wales said: “These proposals will enable us to have a full picture of the number and location of birds kept across Great Britain and make it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease. This information will also help inform future risk assessments and maintain our commitment to continually building our extensive avian influenza research portfolio.”

Officials said a new register system could help owners, as by alerting the Animal and Plant Health Agency about their flocks, they would receive important updates such as any local avian influenza outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza.

The current bird flu epidemic is caused by the H5N1 strain of virus, which originated in intensive poultry farms in Asia and has since spread around the world. In Britain, the disease has had an increasing impact on wild birds over the past two years, with 65 species affected.

More on this story

More on this story

  • Risk of bird flu spreading to humans is ‘enormous concern’, says WHO

  • Northumberland’s Farne Islands reopen to visitors after bird flu outbreak

  • Avian flu outbreak confirmed at vital seabird colonies in Wales

  • Human gene identified that prevents most bird flu viruses moving to people

  • RSPB calls for suspension of game-bird releases over avian flu fears

  • Two poultry workers test positive for bird flu in England

  • ‘We feel more prepared’: Farne Islands face another season battling avian flu

  • Farne Islands to remain closed after three new cases of bird flu detected

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