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Poultry

How to navigate through the regulations and medications for backyard and pet poultry

02 January 2020
Clinical
12 mins read
02 January 2020
Volume 25 · Issue 1
Figure 2. Classic pose of Marek's disease in a young chicken. Photo Grant Brereton.
Figure 2. Classic pose of Marek's disease in a young chicken. Photo Grant Brereton.

Abstract

Poultry is classed as a food-producing species even when kept as pets. The regulations which apply to foodproducing species are described, plus appropriately licensed medications for egg-laying chickens and for meat birds. Vaccinations for chickens are discussed and advice given on prevention of diseases.

In the UK regulations, ‘poultry’ includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, partridges, quail, pheasants, peacocks, pigeons (reared for meat), guinea fowl, ostriches, emus and rheas.

The regulations define certain species, including all poultry species, as food-producing animals. A number of specific legal obligations relate to all food-producing animals, even if kept only as a pet. The UK regulations do not recognise the ‘pet’ status of any farm animal species, including pet poultry. Therefore, pet poultry are subject to legal requirements regarding their husbandry, welfare and veterinary treatment over and above those applying to most other pet species.

The Animal Welfare Act (2006) applies to all kept animals, including pet and food-producing species. Additional regulations concern the welfare of poultry, housing requirements, minimum stocking densities, the sale of eggs, predator control, disposal of waste (e.g. chicken litter), etc.

In addition to the general animal welfare regulations applying to all species, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has poultry farming welfare regulations (Defra, 2019a). Wales (Natural Resources Wales, n.d.) and Scotland (Food Standards Scotland, n.d.a) have theirs. All poultry owners are required by law to be familiar with Defra's Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Laying Hens (Roberts, 2013; Defra, 2019a).

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poultry
chickens
pets
medications
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