All bird keepers (even if you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a garden flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease. If you have concerns about the health of your birds, promptly seek advice from your vet.
Poultry and other captive birds in England and Wales can be let outside with effect from 18 April 2023, unless you are in a 3km protection or captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone.
There are some vital preparations you must take first, the virus can survive on the ground in water for weeks. Keepers with any welfare concerns about their birds should first speak to their vet. Further guidance of Bird Flu (avian influenza) on GOV.UK.
You should always register your poultry, even if you are keeping them as pets, this is so you can be contacted during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds.
Poultry including;
- Chickens
- Ducks
- Turkeys
- Geese
- Pigeon (bred for meat)
- Partridge
- Quail
- Guinea fowl
- Pheasants
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