Information for poultry and bird keepers

If you are a bird keeper (whether you have commercial flocks, a few birds in a backyard flock or pet birds), you are legally required to follow strict biosecurity measures. 

For the latest information and advice, including how to keep your poultry safe in England, please visit the Defra website.

Check the main symptoms of bird flu.

Keepers of under 500 birds

You should follow the latest government advice about bird flu.

You can also download this simple guide to protect your birds from bird flu. The guidance has been put together by the RSPCA, Defra, the NFU and other organisations, and provides best practice advice.

Keepers of commercial flocks (over 500 birds)

If you are a keeper with more than 500 birds, you'll need high standards of biosecurity to protect their health. You must:

• restrict access for non-essential people to your sites
• change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures
• clean and disinfect site vehicles regularly

You can download Defra's guidance, which includes details of biosecurity best practice and further guidance on measures that bird keepers must take in an AIPZ.