4 November 2025
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a mandatory housing order to cover the whole of England from 00:01 on Thursday 6 November 2025, following the escalating number of confirmations of avian influenza in kept and wild birds.
The new measures mean bird keepers across the whole of England must house all poultry and captive birds if they keep more than 50 (except in specific circumstances, such as some zoo birds) or if they sell or give eggs away.
A GB-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) is also in place and requires all keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock to undertake enhanced biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease. These enhanced biosecurity measures include reporting of changes in egg production, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, and cleansing and disinfecting housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
This nationwide housing order extension follows last week's introduction of housing measures for north, central and parts of east of England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
Keepers should familiarise themselves with the steps they need to take to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading and remain vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe.
All bird keepers in England whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must:
- keep feed and bedding inside
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds. If practical, use disposable protective clothing
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products
- carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- make your premises unattractive to wild birds (for example, use bird scarers, foils or streamers)
The current risk to human health remains low and as standard, properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.
The housing order and AIPZ will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government's work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
(Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 4 November 2025)
For more information on this subject, please see 'Avian influenza (bird flu)'.