Avian influenza (bird flu) and poultry registration

Avian influenza (bird flu) mainly affects birds and can also affect humans and other mammals. There are certain requirements to follow if you keep poultry both commercially and domestically.

Keeping birds

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone now applies to everyone who keeps poultry or captive birds in England. If you keep poultry or birds, you must follow the detailed requirements on strict biosecurity, whether you have commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock.

You must register your poultry so you can be contacted during an outbreak. You must register poultry or captive birds, no matter how many you keep - even if only kept as pets.

• Register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds
• Register as a keeper of 50 or more poultry or other captive birds

Poultry keepers should keep a close watch on their birds for signs of disease, and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your poultry, seek prompt advice from your vet.

Bird flu is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect any type of bird flu you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.

If you find a dead wild bird

Avian Influenza has been reported in wild birds throughout the UK and Europe.

Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. Read wild bird guidance for further information on the symptoms to be aware of in any sick or distressed wild birds.

Reporting dead wild birds

Reports of found dead wild birds should be reported through DEFRA's online reporting tool. Alternatively you can call the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77. 

You should report dead wild birds if you find at the same time:

• A single dead bird of prey, swan goose, duck or gull, OR
• 5 or more dead wild birds of any species

When you report dead wild birds, they may be collected and tested for bird flu or other causes of death. However not all dead wild birds will be collected. Should DEFRA not arrange the collection of the bird, report this to us and this may be removed by Council officers.

Further information

The risk of bird flu occurring in poultry in the UK is still believed to be low, but only provided keepers maintain a high standard of biosecurity.

Summaries of animal disease risks are published (including issues around bird flu) in the veterinary outbreak assessments.

For more information on avian influenza (bird flu):

• GOV.UK Bird flu: how to spot it and report it
• The NHS website has further information on avian influenza (bird flu).