Bird flu (avian influenza)

Why bird flu is being monitored

Bird flu can cause severe disease and high death rates in captive birds and domestic poultry.

This can impact on the production of poultry meat and eggs, and severely compromise the welfare of affected birds.

Current situation

As of 6 November 2025 mandatory housing measures are in place across the whole of England.

Visit GOV.UK for the latest developments on bird flu.

What bird keepers must do

You must house your birds it you keep either:

• more than 50 birds of any species including poultry and other captive birds
• any number of poultry

Poultry are birds that are kept to give away or sell eggs, poultry products and live birds

You do not have to house your birds if you keep less than 50 birds and their eggs or poultry products are for your own use only.

Bird keepers should continue to practice good biosecurity and remain vigilant for signs of disease. If you suspect your birds have bird flu you must by law report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Disease control zones

Additional mandatory restrictions apply in the disease control zones placed around infected premises. You can check if you are in a disease control zone on Defra’s interactive map.

You can find information on how to prevent and stop the spread of bird flu and the rules in disease control zone on GOV.UK.

More information 

Find more guidance and regulations on bird flu on GOV.UK.