Poultry (including game birds): registration rules and forms
How and when you must register as a poultry or game bird keeper and how to register voluntarily (if you keep birds, such as chickens, as pets)
Documents
Details
If possible, send your application by email to customer.registration@apha.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can call us on 03000 200 301 and apply over the phone.
Apply in advance to avoid delay – APHA is dealing with a high volume of applications.
In this guide poultry includes game birds. You’re a poultry keeper if you’re in charge of the day-to-day care of:
- chickens
- turkeys
- ducks
- geese
- guinea fowl
- quail
- partridges
- pheasants
- pigeons
This includes poultry you keep as pets.
Compulsory registration
You must register using the compulsory registration form within one month of keeping 50 or more birds on your premises. You’re breaking the law if you do not register. The law applies if you keep:
- 50 or more birds captive for any period of time
- flocks made up of different species, such as chickens, ducks or geese
- birds for: the consumption of meat and eggs; other commercial purposes; restocking game birds; or breeding for these 3 purposes
You’ll need this information to complete the form:
- your contact details and details of the person or company that owns or rents your site
- your site’s location and county parish holding (CPH) number - (find out how to get a permanent CPH number in England, Scotland and Wales)
- details of the birds you keep and how you farm them (species, number you usually keep, what you keep them for, your farming system)
- how many birds of each species you usually keep each month (your stocking arrangements)
- details of any businesses you supply with your poultry
- a list of other livestock you keep on the site
Voluntary registration
You can choose to register fewer than 50 birds, or birds you keep as pets. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) encourages you to register even if you do not have to by law.
By registering,
- APHA will be able to contact you if there’s a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area
- you’ll help prevent the spread of disease and protect the national poultry flock
You’ll need this information to complete the form:
- your contact details and contact details for the person or company that owns or rents your site
- the location where you keep poultry
- details of the bird you keep (species, number, and what you keep them for)
Contact
If you need help completing the forms, telephone the Great Britain (GB) Poultry Register helpline on 0800 634 1112. Lines are open 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday. Email: Customer.Registration@apha.gov.uk
Disease alerts
You do not need to sign up to receive disease alerts for notifiable poultry diseases if you are registered on the GB poultry register.
To receive email and text alerts for other exotic notifiable diseases register with the APHA alerts service.
Pollution prevention and control (PPC) permits
If your premises can hold more than 40,000 birds, you may need to apply for a PPC permit. Use the following for more information:
- the Environment Agency (if you farm in England)
- the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Natural Resources Wales
Welsh translation of the form and guidance notes is also available.
Last updated 6 June 2022 + show all updates
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Removed coronavirus (COVID-19) references relating to applications.
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Updated the forms with a new office address.
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Added coronavirus statement on sending application by email.
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Disease alerts section updated
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Documents updated with email address
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Document IRA81 and IRA81(Welsh) updated
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Documents updated
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Added translation
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First published.