Register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds
Register if you keep up to 49 birds, including any kept as pets.
Applies to England and Wales
Our online registration service is currently unavailable due to technical difficulties. We’re sorry for any inconvenience while we work to fix this. If you can, keep proof of any attempts to register (for example, a screenshot) if you’ve tried to use the service and have not been able to.
We aim to get the service running again as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can still use the form to .
If you’ve already submitted an application using the online service, do not submit another. You should receive confirmation from APHA in due course.
It remains a legal requirement to register, but we’ll take into account the current technical difficulties and any attempts you’ve made to register.
If you keep poultry or other captive birds in England or Wales, you must register as a keeper within one month of the birds arriving at your premises. This includes any birds you keep as pets.
You’re breaking the law if you do not register.
When you do not need to register
You do not need to register psittaciformes or passeriformes (such as budgies, parrots, cockatiels and finches) if they are both:
- fully housed in a dwelling (your home or another indoor structure)
- with no access to the open air
You do not need to register an exempt bird to visit a veterinary practice.
If your birds are taken outdoors at any time, for example to be exercised, trained, or taken to bird gatherings or shows, they must be registered.
How to register
You can register by using the form to .
We’ll ask you for:
- your contact details
- details of the owner of the birds (if this is not you)
- the location where you keep the birds
- details of the birds you keep (species, number and what you keep them for)
Our online service is currently unavailable due to technical issues.
By registering:
- the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will contact you with updates and guidance if there’s a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area
- you’ll help prevent the spread of disease and protect all kept birds, including back-yard flocks
After you have registered
If your details have changed you’ll need to tell APHA within one month when:
- you no longer keep or own birds
- your contact information changes
- you change the species of poultry or other captive birds you keep
- you change the purpose or purposes for which you keep birds
- you start keeping 50 or more poultry or other captive birds
Email customer.registration@apha.gov.uk or call on 03000 200 301. Lines are open 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
Get help
If you need help registering contact APHA:
- by email at customer.registration@apha.gov.uk
- by phone on 03000 200 301 (lines are open 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday)
Keeper of 50 or more birds
It’s a legal requirement to register. You must complete the relevant form to register premises where the birds are kept.
Updates to this page
Last updated 15 October 2024 + show all updates
-
Updated information about the online registration service, which is currently unavailable, and when you must register.
-
Updated English and Welsh versions of the guidance to temporarily remove the option to register via the online portal.
-
The online service to register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds is now available. It was unavailable for a temporary period because of technical issues.
-
We've added an updated version of the form 'register to be a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds' in English.
-
Our online service is currently unavailable due to technical issues. You can still register by using the form 'register to be a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds' or emailing customer.registration@apha.gov.uk.
-
We've added an updated version of the form 'register to be a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds' in English and Welsh. We've also added a Welsh version of the page.
-
We are experiencing an extremely high volume of applications. We currently aim to process applications within 30 days. If you have already submitted an application, do not submit another.
-
Added information about what to do if you have a CPH number or have already registered. Also updated the PDF form. Welsh translations of the form and other information will be available soon.
-
Updated the email address under 'After you have registered'.
-
Updated the page with information about registering your birds before 1 October 2024.
-
We are experiencing a high volume of applications to register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds. We aim to process your application within 10 working days.
-
First published.