Do you even have one hen? These regulations are already in force

From mid -May 2025, new regulations have been in force that affect every poultry breeder – both large farms and small, home breeding. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development introduced a regulation to reduce the spread of alleged poultry fever – an extremely dangerous disease, also known as Newcastle (ND), characterized by almost 100 % mortality.

Dangerous disease

The alleged feast of poultry is a strongly infectious respiratory disease that can affect birds of all ages – both breeding and wild. In 2025, over 20 foci of this disease in Poland were already detected. Therefore, duties and restrictions have been introduced, which include all farms keeping poultry.

The prohibitions included, among others:
– a ban on poultry with water from open tanks available to wild birds,
– a ban on bringing dead wild birds to the farm and ink of hunting birds.

Compulsory vaccinations

From May 13, vaccinations of hens and turkeys against ND are mandatory on commercial farms and hatches. In addition, laboratory tests are required to confirm the effectiveness of vaccination. The obligation does not apply to poultry kept exclusively for your own needs.

There was also a ban on the movement of unvaccinated birds and hatching eggs. Breeders must keep poultry in conditions that prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings. It is also necessary to store feed and litter in a way protected against rodents and wild birds, as well as feeding and in a single place in closed or sheltered places.

In the event of symptoms such as shortness of breath, diarrhea, a decrease in laying or neurological symptoms, the breeder is required to immediately report this fact to the poviat veterinarian.