Avian Flu (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.

Tues 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 one of 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 announced 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."

* 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

Since 25th Jan 2025, the APHA has had an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), meaning mandatory biosecurity measures, in place across the whole of England, Scotland & Wales. To clarify - this is not a housing order, it is a biosecurity order (disinfectant footbaths, restrict contact with wild birds, cover food and water utensils, etc). Visit our Hints & Tips page.

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What are the Bird flu symptoms in Chickens?

Bird flu spreads quickly and can affect your chickens' health within hours. In severe cases, without warning, chickens can die within a day.

These are some of the symptoms to look out for: Swelling of the comb and wattles often with a purple tinge; Diarrhoea; Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; Coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge; Disorientation; Swelling of the head and eyelids; Lack of energy and appetite. It can be any one of these symptoms or a combination of them. However, do remember that these symptoms also indicate other issues that are not Bird flu.

More information about Avian Influenza and what it means can be found in our Information Centre, and link here to our Hints & Tips on what you need to do.