Bird keepers have been urged to act now to prepare for changes in the law due to come into effect next month.

Darlington Borough Council’s trading standards team explained that the new rules are designed to help the government manage potential future outbreaks of poultry diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

Currently, poultry keepers owning 50 or more birds are legally required to register on the GB Poultry Register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

However, from Tuesday, October 1, the threshold is to be reduced from 50 to one, meaning any person owning any birds will be required to register their bird(s).

The new rules cover owners of backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeon fanciers, but do not affect caged birds (excluding poultry species) kept entirely inside a domestic dwelling, such as a parrot, canary or budgie, which never leaves the property other than to visit a vet or another short-term period.

When registering, bird keepers will need to provide information including their contact details, the location where birds are kept and details of the birds themselves such as species, number and the purpose they are being kept for.

Once registered, keepers will be required to review their GB Poultry Register entry annually to ensure their details are up to date.

Cllr Amanda Riley, the council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “It’s important that anyone who keeps birds such as chickens and racing pigeons ensures they are registered, regardless of the number they have.

“It will help enhance monitoring and understanding of disease, as well as combatting the spread of avian influenza across the country.”

For more information on registering your birds contact the trading standards team by email at tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk or visit: GOV.UK | Poultry and other captive birds: registration rules and forms.