2nd April 2026: the APHA have just announced that, due to a decrease in Bird Flu cases, it will be lifting the Bird Flu Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures in England and Wales from midnight 9th April. Mandatory biosecurity measures remain in place, however.
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 13th Nov.
There are some areas in the AIPZ in England where you already have to house your birds. From 00.01 on 6th November 2025, mandatory housing measures will be extended to the whole of England (for the criteria below^).
Note: You do not have to house your birds if you keep fewer than 50 birds and their eggs, or poultry products, are for your own use only.
28th October 2025:Just to clarify APHA announcement today ...
^You must house your birds IF: - You live in one of the counties listed 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).
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 ourHints & Tipspage.
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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.
