‘Big hole’ in biosecurity for backyard chicken breeders

Amateur backyard breeders in Victoria are selling chickens to the public, with no legal obligation to vaccinate their birds.

Unvaccinated chickens sold via backyard breeders and online marketplaces have highlighted a “big hole” in Victorian biosecurity regulations, says an industry leader.

It comes as one poultry expert noted the recent rise in interest for purebred chickens off the back of pandemic lockdowns.

Agriculture Victoria does not require flocks of 49 birds or fewer to be vaccinated, nor does the owner need to have a property identification code. Flocks between 50 and 100 are also not legally required to be vaccinated, though they do need a PIC.

An online search brings up a number of birds for sale, including via Facebook, but it is not clear how big these flocks are or if the owners have one of the 13,000 registered PICs for poultry.

The Weekly Times found one seller on Gumtree offering Silkie chickens for sale from a flock of 200 unvaccinated birds.

Werribee-based egg producer Brian Ahmed said there was a “big hole” of information when it came to backyard producers.

“Even with the ones registered … the biggest risk is someone going and buying chickens. There’s no control. You can just go on Facebook and buy them,” he said.

Mr Ahmed said the avian influenza outbreak in Lethbridge in 2020 – which affected several egg farms – highlighted the footprint of small backyard breeders.

Flocks of birds 49 or few have no obligation to be vaccinated, according to Victorian regulations. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“One thing is the department doesn’t have the resources to go around and police it, and you’re never going to stop people selling chickens in their backyard,” Mr Ahmed said.

Agriculture Victoria’s website recommended maintaining “good biosecurity practices” for people with “a few chickens at home” as a way to protect the health of the birds and humans, “as well as Victoria’s agriculture industry”.

Victorian Poultry Fanciers Association company secretary Anne Beaty said people were increasingly interested in purebred chickens for backyard egg production and as pets.

“Covid had a lot to do with that, people wanted chickens for the backyard,” Ms Beaty said.

Talking Hens breeder Jason Nethercott said there were plenty of amateur breeders in the chicken business, “and the standard varies widely”.

“We’ve found it’s very scattered, with a wild range of standards.”

Mr Nethercott said more regulations should be implemented for flocked under 49 birds, “to provide consumers with confidence that they are buying healthy chickens and sellers are responsible for what they say”.

“The onus should be on the seller and regulation should ensure adherence to a code of conduct and practices via a licensing system,” he said.

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said it was important all livestock owners, whether small scale, new, established, or commercial, take biosecurity responsibilities seriously.

“Poultry owners of any size flock must comply with laws, standards and codes of practice, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals”, the spokesperson said.