AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) LATEST
Tues 11th Nov 2025: The APHA have announced that due to an increase in cases of Bird flu, they have extended the housing measures, like England below, to cover Wales from 00.01 on Thurs 13th Nov.
Tues 4th Nov 2025: Following an increase in the number of cases over the last week in the previous areas listed, mostly commercial premises, now including Mid Devon, the APHA have announced the following:
There are some areas in the AIPZ in England where you already have to house your birds. From 00.01 on Thurs 6th November 2025, mandatory housing measures will be extended to the whole of England (for the criteria below^).
Note again: 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.
28th October 2025: Just to clarify APHA announcement today (because, as normal, it's not that clear) ...
^You must house your birds IF:
- You live in the counties listed below* and on gov.uk here,
AND:
- You have 50 birds or more.
- You have less than 50 birds and SELL or GIVE AWAY your eggs, live birds or birds as food (meat products).
APHA actually states on their website: "From 00:01am on Thu 30 October 2025, there will be some areas of the AIPZ in England where you must house your birds if you keep either:
* more than 50 birds of any species
* any number of poultry (meaning birds that are kept to give away or sell eggs, poultry products or live birds).
You will not have to house your birds if you keep less than 50 birds and their eggs or meat are for your own use only.
These additional housing measures will apply in the high-risk counties listed to help protect your birds from bird flu." Link to Gov.uk website for list.
* Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire.
Our video guidance below was filmed in November 2022 when a previous outbreak occurred, but the general advice is still relevant - new 2025 video here!
For more information on recognising Bird Flu, how to deal with it and what the APHA mean when they say Prevention Zone; Surveillance Zone; Housing Order; etc - visit our page Bird Flu Hints & Tips
And, for a quick view of our recommended disinfectants and solutions to provide a Biosecure unit for your hens, visit our Avian Influenza Latest News page.
