People who keep chickens in their garden now face prison and large fines if they fail to register them all under strict new rules brought in to tackle bird flu.
But within hours of the new Government database going live on October 1, protesters and pranksters managed to crash its website by listing as ‘pets’ everything from rubber chickens to chicken nuggets.
The controversial clampdown, which also applies to keepers of pigeons, ducks, geese and birds of prey, has been introduced as part of a UK-wide effort to prevent the spread of bird flu.
Previously, only flocks of 50 or more had to be registered with the Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal And Plant Health Agency.
People who keep chickens in their garden now face prison and large fines if they fail to register them
But it has been expanded to all owners who keep birds outdoors – even just a handful – who now face six months’ imprisonment and fines of up to £2,500 for each unregistered bird.
Outraged by the ‘petty’ regulations, several posted images of birds they had just registered – mostly wrapped in plastic with cooking instructions attached.
One commentator on X registered himself dressed in a chicken costume. However, another observed: ‘So all the people who tried to register their roast chickens from Tesco have managed to crash the Defra website and now it’s not working. It’s not big or clever, stop sniggering.’
Last night the site was still suffering technical problems. One smallholder in Easington, County Durham, who asked not to be named, said: ‘This is just petty bureaucracy gone mad.
‘I keep a small flock of chickens on my allotment for their eggs. I moved them indoors, at great expense, during the recent bird flu outbreak, and there’s never been a problem with this.
‘I know other keepers who say they’d be prepared to move the few birds they own into their loft to avoid detection rather than register them.’
The policy aims to stop the spread of avian flu, which led to millions of birds being culled in 2021 after 360 cases were detected. Government officials stress any punishment for non-compliance will be ‘proportionate’.
Protesters and pranksters managed to crash its website by listing as ‘pets’ everything from rubber chickens to chicken nuggets
But pigeon fanciers also fear the application process will criminalise their hobby.
Tim Gunter from Rhondda Valley Pigeon Federation said it will lead to ‘a lot of fanciers finishing’.
He added: ‘There’s no reason for the Government to know. It’s a hobby, so why should we register? Pigeons are not known to carry avian flu.’
The registration form asks amateur enthusiasts to state why they are keeping the birds, whether they are a zookeeper, farmer, rescue centre or hobbyist, and the location and species of each bird.
Jane Howorth, founder of the British Hen Welfare Trust, based in Devon, agrees with the need to keep a register but added: ‘Unfortunately Defra held a consultation and then ignored the results, imposing what many see as unnecessary bureaucracy. I’m unsurprised at the reaction.’
However, Surrey-based poultry show judge Jed Dwight backed the registration scheme, adding: ‘I do not share the view that this is heavy-handed – a register of all birds is needed.’
A Defra spokeswoman said: ‘We have been made aware of ongoing issues with the online portal. We have received a high number of applications and are working at pace to process these, but you can still register if you keep birds by completing the form and submitting it by email or post.
‘This register is an important step in combating the spread of bird flu, providing keepers with important information about a disease that has had a significant impact on the poultry sector.’
