Birds

Keeping birds

All keepers of birds (except keepers of pet birds kept in the owner's home) are required to register with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). A registration form can be downloaded from the DAERA website:

• bird registration form

You can also contact your local DAERA Direct Regional Office for a registration form.

All keepers of birds should keep careful watch over the health of their birds.

• help prevent Avian Influenza - biosecurity information leaflet
• help Prevent Avian Influenza leaflet - additional biosecurity leaflet
• biosecurity

Newcastle disease 

Newcastle disease is a highly infectious disease affecting poultry and other birds. 

If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by contacting DAERA. 

Contact details can be found at the link below as well as how to spot Newcastle disease, how to prevent and control it, and more:

• Newcastle disease

Avian influenza

Avian influenza is also described as 'bird flu'. It is an animal-disease caused by influenza A viruses. Avian influenza viruses are normally only found in birds, but may affect pigs and have been known to infect sea mammals, mink, horses and other mammals. On rare occasions some types of avian influenza viruses have infected humans.

Avian influenza viruses can be classified according to their ability to cause severe disease (pathogenicity) as either highly pathogenic or low pathogenic. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) can cause severe disease in susceptible birds and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses - (LPAI) generally cause mild disease or no disease at all.

Avian influenza is a poultry disease. Serious outbreaks of disease have been reported in many countries.

How it's spread

Avian influenza is not an air-borne disease. It is spread by movement of infected birds or contact with their secretions, particularly faeces, either directly or through contaminated objects, clothes or vehicles.

• Avian influenza (AI)

Finding a dead bird

Do I need to report single dead birds? If you find one or more gulls, waders, ducks, geese and swans (webbed feet, long legs or long neck), you should contact the DAERA helpline. You will be asked for details of the finding and the location.

• DAERA helpline: 0300 200 7840

If you find any other single dead birds, including garden birds, you don't need to call the DAERA helpline.

When you find several dead birds

If you find five or more dead birds of any species, other than swans, gulls, waders, ducks and geese, in the same place, you should contact the DAERA helpline.

• DAERA helpline: 0300 200 7840

If you find more than one but less than five dead birds and they are not gulls, waders, ducks, geese or swans then you do not need to call DAERA.

More useful links

• Keeping chickens 
• Animal welfare and pets
• RSPB guides on birds and wildlife