Deadline approaches to register small poultry flocks
© Tim Scrivener Small-scale poultry keepers in Scotland are reminded that they will have to register all their birds on the Scottish Kept Bird Register from the start of next month.
Until now, only keepers with more than 50 birds have had to do this.
But, as an extra avian influenza control measure, all hens, ducks and geese will have to be registered, with their locations, from 1 September.
Keepers will find a link to register on the Scottish government website, and all birds must be declared by 1 December.
See also: New rules mean all poultrykeepers must register their birds
NFU Scotland’s poultry policy manager Penny Middleton said the registration changes were necessary to help protect the health of kept birds and the general public.
“During previous avian influenza outbreaks, it has been very difficult for the government to communicate directly with small backyard keepers to make them aware of temporary heightened disease control measures,” she said.
“By registering their birds, keepers will ensure they receive important updates relevant to them, such as any local avian disease outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks.”
Surveillance
The information on the register will also be used to identify bird keepers of all flock sizes in disease control zones.
This will allow for more effective surveillance, and for zones to be lifted at the earliest possible opportunity.
Similar rule changes are planned for England and Wales from 1 October – including for people with just a single hen.
That register is already available, and keepers are encouraged to declare their birds ahead of the 1 October deadline.