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Backyard poultry care
Quick answer
UK backyard chickens need secure housing, clean water, balanced feed, and **strict biosecurity**. Register with a poultry vet and know the signs of notifiable diseases such as avian influenza — report suspicions to your vet and APHA without delay.
Key takeaways
- Yes. Register with a vet who sees poultry. Sudden deaths, drop in egg production with lethargy, or breathing difficulty need prompt investigation.
- Avian flu is a notifiable disease in the UK. If you suspect it — multiple sick birds, sudden deaths, swollen heads — contact your vet and APHA immediately. Do not move birds off site.
- Biosecurity: clean boots, rodent control, quarantine new birds, and follow Defra housing orders when avian flu risk is high in your area.
The full guide
Causes, symptoms, treatment options and when to call your vet — in the complete plain-English guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do backyard chickens need a vet?
- Yes. Register with a vet who sees poultry. Sudden deaths, drop in egg production with lethargy, or breathing difficulty need prompt investigation.
- What is avian influenza and what should I do?
- Avian flu is a notifiable disease in the UK. If you suspect it — multiple sick birds, sudden deaths, swollen heads — contact your vet and APHA immediately. Do not move birds off site.
- How do I prevent disease in my flock?
- Biosecurity: clean boots, rodent control, quarantine new birds, and follow Defra housing orders when avian flu risk is high in your area.