{"id":40721,"date":"2024-09-25T18:11:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T16:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e3fe5414-d8d1-4917-aaa1-fc39a4881bde"},"modified":"2024-09-25T18:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T16:26:39","slug":"do-you-keep-chickens-in-your-back-garden-register-them-now-or-break-the-law","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/do-you-keep-chickens-in-your-back-garden-register-them-now-or-break-the-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you keep chickens in your back garden? Register them now or break the law"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you keep birds at home, even as pets, a new law means you must register them before 1 October \u2013 so get cracking! <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 25 September 2024 at 16:11 PM<\/p>

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If you keep even one chicken, duck, pigeon, goose or bird of prey in your backyard, a new law in England and Wales means you must register them with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) before 1 October 2024. And if you live in Scotland you have until 1 December 2024 to register your birds, or you\u2019ll be breaking the law.<\/p>

In the new legislation, which is designed to help keep birds safe by managing and limiting the spread of any potential disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza (bird flu), owners who have less than 49 birds will need to update their bird\u2019s details on the register annually. Registration is free, but failure to register your birds puts you at risk of a hefty fine \u2013 as much \u00a32,500 \u2013 or even a short jail sentence.<\/p>

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Birds that don\u2019t need to be registered are psittaciformes or passeriformes \u2013 budgies, parrots, canaries, cockatiels and finches \u2013 as long as they are kept fully housed in a bird house indoors and have no access to the open air. But if you take your birds, of any species, outdoors, for example to be exercised, trained, or taken to gatherings or shows, they must be registered.<\/p>
Anyone keeping 50 or more gamebirds, chickens or ducks are already required to register with the APHA.<\/p>
Keeping birds safe<\/h2>
Since 2021, the UK\u2019s largest ever outbreak of bird flu has devastated populations of endangered native species, including barnacle geese and great skuas. Spread by wild birds, even a very small amount of the avian influenza virus can be fatal to birds. The UK\u2019s chief veterinary officer\u00a0Dr Christine Middlemiss says: \u201cWe have seen that backyard flocks of any size are also vulnerable to avian influenza. Since October 2021, there have been 83 confirmed outbreaks amongst backyard poultry or small captive bird flocks across Great Britain. This is around a quarter of all confirmed outbreaks.\u201d<\/p>
The register will allow APHA to contact bird owners if there\u2019s any kind of disease outbreak locally to give advice on how to protect their flocks.<\/p>
Once you\u2019ve registered your birds, you\u2019ll need to tell\u00a0APHA\u00a0within one month if you no longer keep or own birds; your contact information changes; you change the species of poultry or other birds you keep; you change the purpose for which you keep birds; or youexpand your flock to 50 or more poultry or other captive birds.<\/p>
Registration is free and takes around 10 minutes; you\u2019ll need to include how many birds you have and their species, what you keep them for, and where your birds are kept.<\/p>
How to register your birds<\/h2>
Start registration here: https:\/\/poultryregistration.defra.gov.uk\/?culture=en-GB<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>
If you need help, contact\u00a0APHA by email at\u00a0 customer.registration@apha.gov.uk<\/a> or to register your birds over the phone, call 03000 200 301 (lines are open 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday).<\/p>
Registration in\u00a0Scotland\u00a0is through the Scottish Kept Bird Register (SKBR), https:\/\/keptbirdregister.service.gov.scot<\/a> or call\u00a0 01466 405101<\/a>.<\/p>
Looking to buy a coop? Check out\u00a0our guide to the\u00a0 best chicken coops to buy<\/a>\u00a0and for inspiration about which hens will best suit your set up, check out our\u00a0guide to\u00a0 chicken breeds: 12 of the best for beginner keepers<\/a>.<\/p>
More hen advice<\/strong><\/p>