Can you keep backyard chickens in Algeria?
Registration: conditions apply, for the keepers covered below. What we found on bird flu, welfare and the keeping rule follows, including what we couldn't establish.
Read from 3 official sources27 passages quotedChecked October 29, 2026
At a glance
Registering your flock
National keeping rule
Bird-flu housing orders
Welfare rules
A sourced reading of national law in Algeria, not legal advice. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and any local rooster or coop limits aren't covered here yet: check your local code before you get hens.
Keeping your flock
These findings cover the national scope stated below. They do not determine whether chickens are allowed at a particular home. City zoning, property restrictions and other local rules are outside this research.
Registering as a poultry keeper
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Algeria
Applies to: Animal-rearing establishments: any infrastructure specially designed or built or used and equipped for rearing animals of any species (Decree 04-82, Arts 2 and 3).
Outside this finding's scope
- Whether a household coop counts as such an establishment was not established.
- No flock-size threshold is stated in the decree.
- The ministerial orders that detail the approval were not read. Decree 10-90 (2010) completed the decree in several places without changing the passages quoted here; later amendments were not checked.
What the checked sources say
- Before such an establishment starts operating, the veterinary authority inspects it and issues a sanitary approval (Decree 04-82, Art. 10).
- Law 88-08 (Art. 9) empowers the national veterinary authority to register, approve, inspect and prohibit the operation of establishments linked to animals and animal products.
Authority: Veterinary authority (autorité vétérinaire)
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
Les établissements dont l'activité est liée aux animaux, aux produits animaux et d'origine animale sont : — les établissements d'élevage d'animaux ;
établissement d'élevage d'animaux : toute infrastructure spécialement conçue ou bâtie ou utilisée et équipée pour l'élevage d'animaux de toutes espèces
Décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 18 mars 2004 (JO n° 17 du 21 mars 2004), Art. 3 (first definition) · Checked
Avant toute mise en exploitation des établissements cités à l'article 2 du présent décret, l'autorité vétérinaire doit s'assurer, après visite de l'infrastructure, des installations et des équipements, de l'application des dispositions édictées par le présent décret et délivre un agrément sanitaire.
Décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 18 mars 2004 (JO n° 17 du 21 mars 2004), Art. 10 · Checked
Dans les matières prévues à l'article 7 ci-dessus, l'autorité vétérinaire nationale, dépositaire du mandat sanitaire, dans l'intérêt de la protection de la santé humaine et animale, est habilitée notamment à :
8) enregistrer, agréer, inspecter et interdire l'exploitation des établissements dont l'activité est liée aux animaux et aux produits animaux,
Loi n° 88-08 du 26 janvier 1988 (JO n° 4 du 27 janvier 1988; scanned page), Art. 9(8), JO p. 91 · Checked
Les dispositions du 5ème tiret de l'article 2 du décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 26 Moharram 1425 correspondant au 18 mars 2004, susvisé, sont complétées et rédigées comme suit :
Décret exécutif n° 10-90 du 10 mars 2010 (JO n° 17 du 14 mars 2010), Art. 2 · Checked
Les dispositions de l'article 3 du décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 26 Moharram 1425 correspondant au 18 mars 2004, susvisé, sont complétées par un dernier tiret rédigé comme suit :
Décret exécutif n° 10-90 du 10 mars 2010 (JO n° 17 du 14 mars 2010), Art. 3 · Checked
Il est inséré dans le décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 26 Moharram 1425 correspondant au 18 mars 2004, susvisé, un article 14 bis rédigé comme suit :
Décret exécutif n° 10-90 du 10 mars 2010 (JO n° 17 du 14 mars 2010), Art. 5 · Checked
Décret exécutif n° 10-90 du 24 Rabie El Aouel 1431 correspondant au 10 mars 2010 complétant le décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 26 Moharram 1425 correspondant au 18 mars 2004
Décret exécutif n° 10-90 du 10 mars 2010 (JO n° 17 du 14 mars 2010), title · Checked
Bird-flu housing orders
Current status needs rechecking
An official current-status link has not been established.
Orders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.
Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-29
The scope and conditions below are a dated record, not confirmation of today's position.
Not established from the sources checked
Uses housing orders in this scope: Not established from the sources checked.
Jurisdiction: Algeria
Applies to: Animals, under the national veterinary authority's powers and the notifiable-disease rules of Law 88-08.
Outside this finding's scope
- Whether avian influenza is on the regulatory list of notifiable diseases, and any measures specific to it, were not read.
- The law provides for isolation and movement control; no standing order to house birds was found.
- This page does not say whether any bird-flu measure is in force; no official status page was identified in the sources read.
What the checked sources say
- In the matters set out in Article 7 of Law 88-08 (not read), the national veterinary authority may order animals to be isolated, sequestered and kept under observation, and may ban, limit, restrict or regulate their movement (Art. 9).
- When told of a notifiable disease, it must, with the local authorities, take measures that include declaring an infected perimeter for highly contagious diseases, with three concentric zones, one of them a zone where movements are banned (Art. 69).
- Presidents of communal people's assemblies may take provisional measures they judge useful to stop a disease spreading (Art. 61).
- The list of notifiable diseases and the measures for each are set by regulation (Art. 65).
- Checked
- Recheck due
Historical evidence, as checked
These quotations record what was checked on the dates shown. They do not confirm an order's current status.
Dans les matières prévues à l'article 7 ci-dessus, l'autorité vétérinaire nationale, dépositaire du mandat sanitaire, dans l'intérêt de la protection de la santé humaine et animale, est habilitée notamment à :
4) ordonner l'isolement, la séquestration et la mise en observation des animaux,
Loi n° 88-08 du 26 janvier 1988 (JO n° 4 du 27 janvier 1988; scanned page), Art. 9(4), JO p. 91 · Checked
3) interdire, limiter, restreindre ou règlementer les déplacements et transports des animaux, des produits animaux et autres produits assujettis à l'inspection vétérinaire,
Loi n° 88-08 du 26 janvier 1988 (JO n° 4 du 27 janvier 1988; scanned page), Art. 9(3), JO p. 91 · Checked
L'autorité vétérinaire nationale, informée de l'apparition ou de la suspicion d'une maladie à déclaration obligatoire, est tenue de prendre, en concertation avec les collectivités locales concernées, les mesures suivantes :
déclaration du périmètre infecté ou du périmètre soupçonné d'être infecté pour les maladies fortement contagieuses et à propagation rapide. Il sera prévu trois (3) zones concentriques, « Le périmètre infecté », « La zone où les déplacements sont interdits » et « La zone d'observation intensive »,
Les présidents des assemblées populaires communales (A.P.C.) doivent aviser, d'urgence, le wali et l'autorité vétérinaire nationale, de tous les les cas d'épizootie qui leur sont signalés sur le territoire de leur commune.
Ils peuvent prendre les mesures provisoires qu'ils jugent utiles pour arrêter la propagation de la maladie.
Il est établi, par voie réglementaire, la liste des maladies à déclaration obligatoire ainsi que les mesures de prévention et de lutte spécifiques à chacune d'elles.
Loi n° 88-08 du 26 janvier 1988 (JO n° 4 du 27 janvier 1988; scanned page), Art. 65, JO p. 96 · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Algeria
Applies to: Domestic animals, and tamed or captive wild animals (Law 88-08, Art. 58); animal-rearing establishments (Decree 04-82, Art. 6).
Outside this finding's scope
- The regulations Art. 58 provides for, which set the protection measures, were not read.
- The Penal Code articles it refers to were not read.
- Law 88-08 was read as published in 1988; later amendments were not checked.
What the checked sources say
- Ill-treatment of domestic animals is prohibited; breaches are punished under Articles 415, 449 and 457 of the Penal Code (Law 88-08, Art. 58).
- Regulations are to set measures protecting these animals from ill-treatment or misuse and sparing them suffering in rearing, penning, transport and slaughter (Art. 58).
- Animal-rearing establishments must be designed and equipped to ensure the animals' welfare (Decree 04-82, Art. 6).
The official wording
Il est interdit d'exercer de mauvais traitements envers les animaux domestiques ainsi qu'envers les animaux sauvages apprivoisés ou tenus en captivité.
Des dispositions réglementaires déterminant les mesures propres à assurer la protection de ces animaux contre les mauvais traitements ou les utilisations abusives et à leur éviter des souffrances lors des manipulations inhérentes aux diverses techniques d'élevage, de parcage, de transport et d'abattage des animaux.
Les infractions au présent article sont punies conformément aux dispositions des articles 415, 449 et 457 du code pénal.
Les établissements d'élevage d'animaux doivent être conçus et équipés de façon à assurer le bien-être des animaux.
Décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 18 mars 2004 (JO n° 17 du 21 mars 2004), Art. 6, first sentence · Checked
Loi n° 88-08 du 26 janvier 1988 relative aux activités de médecine vétérinaire et à la protection de la santé animale.
Loi n° 88-08 du 26 janvier 1988 (JO n° 4 du 27 janvier 1988; scanned page), title, JO p. 90 · Checked
National rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Algeria
Applies to: Owners and other keepers of animals (Law 88-08, Art. 60); animal-rearing establishments (Decree 04-82, Art. 4).
Outside this finding's scope
- Whether Decree 04-82's siting rule reaches a household coop was not established.
- No national limit on keeping a small number of birds at home was identified in the texts read.
- Local (commune and wilaya) rules were not researched.
- This is not permission to keep poultry; whether keeping poultry at home is allowed or limited where you live was not established.
What the checked sources say
- Owners and others in charge of animals must keep them in good sanitary condition, carry out the national veterinary authority's disease measures and orders, and report animal diseases to the local administrative authorities (Law 88-08, Art. 60).
- The establishments listed in Decree 04-82, which include animal-rearing establishments, must be sited in unpolluted areas outside urban zones, fenced, and supplied with drinking water and electricity (Art. 4).
The official wording
Les personnes physiques ou morales, en qualité de propriétaires ou à tout autre titre, ont le devoir de maintenir en bon état sanitaire, les animaux dont ils ont la charge.
Ces personnes sont tenues de mettre en œuvre les mesures et injonctions édictées par l'autorité vétérinaire nationale, aux fins de prévention, de lutte et d'éradication des maladies animales, et de déclarer ces dernières, aux autorités administratives locales.
Les établissements cités à l'article 2 ci-dessus doivent être implantés dans des zones non polluées, en dehors des zones urbaines, clôturés, alimentés en eau potable et en électricité .
Décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 18 mars 2004 (JO n° 17 du 21 mars 2004), Art. 4, first sentence · Checked
Les établissements dont l'activité est liée aux animaux, aux produits animaux et d'origine animale sont : — les établissements d'élevage d'animaux ;
établissement d'élevage d'animaux : toute infrastructure spécialement conçue ou bâtie ou utilisée et équipée pour l'élevage d'animaux de toutes espèces
Décret exécutif n° 04-82 du 18 mars 2004 (JO n° 17 du 21 mars 2004), Art. 3 (first definition) · Checked
More countries we've checked
- AlbaniaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Antigua and BarbudaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- ArgentinaRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- ArmeniaRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- AustriaRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- AzerbaijanRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- BahrainRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- BangladeshRegistration: not establishedNot established
- BarbadosRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- BelgiumRegistration: requiredRequired; home-use flocks not established
- BeninRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Bosnia and HerzegovinaRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- BotswanaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- BrazilRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- BruneiRegistration: no rule identifiedSet locally
- BurundiRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Cabo VerdeRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- CameroonRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ChileRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ChinaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ColombiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Costa RicaRegistration: not establishedNot established
- CroatiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- CubaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- CzechiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- DenmarkRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- Dominican RepublicRegistration: not establishedNot established
- EcuadorRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- EgyptRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- El SalvadorRegistration: not establishedNot established
- EswatiniRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- EthiopiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Faroe IslandsRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- FinlandRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- FranceRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- GambiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Georgia (country)Registration: egg-laying enterprises need National Food Agency authorization; whether that reaches a household keeping hens only for its own eggs was not establishedEgg enterprises need authorization; household use unclear
- GermanyRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- GhanaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- GreeceRegistration: not establishedNot established
- GreenlandRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- GuatemalaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- GuineaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- GuyanaRegistration: no rule identifiedSet locally
- HungaryRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- IcelandRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- IndonesiaRegistration: not establishedNot established
- IrelandRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- ItalyRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- JamaicaRegistration: not establishedNot established
- JapanRegistration: a yearly report to the prefecture is requiredYearly report required
- JerseyRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- JordanRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- KenyaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- LaosRegistration: not establishedNot established
- LatviaRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- LiechtensteinRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- MalaysiaRegistration: not establishedNot established
- MaldivesRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- MaliRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- MaltaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- MauritaniaRegistration: not establishedNot established
- MauritiusRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- MexicoRegistration: not establishedNot established
- MonacoRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- MontenegroRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- MoroccoRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- NepalRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- NetherlandsRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- New ZealandRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- NicaraguaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- NigeriaRegistration: not establishedNot established
- North MacedoniaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- NorwayRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- OmanRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- PakistanRegistration: not establishedNot established
- PalestineRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ParaguayRegistration: no rule identifiedSet locally
- PeruRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- PhilippinesRegistration: not establishedNot established
- PolandRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- PortugalRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- RomaniaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- RussiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- RwandaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Saint LuciaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- Saudi ArabiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- SenegalRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- SingaporeRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- SlovakiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- SloveniaRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- South AfricaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- SpainRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Sri LankaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- SudanRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- SwedenRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- SwitzerlandRegistration: requiredRegistration required
- TaiwanRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- TanzaniaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ThailandRegistration: not establishedNot established
- Timor-LesteRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- TogoRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- TongaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- Trinidad and TobagoRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- TürkiyeRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- TurkmenistanRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- TuvaluRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- UgandaRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- UkraineRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- United Arab EmiratesRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- UruguayRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- UzbekistanRegistration: no rule identifiedNot established
- VietnamRegistration: requiredRequired from 20 chickens (2023 list)
- ZambiaRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- ZimbabweRegistration: not establishedNot established
Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Algeria?
- Registration: conditions apply. The finding covers: Animal-rearing establishments: any infrastructure specially designed or built or used and equipped for rearing animals of any species (Decree 04-82, Arts 2 and 3). Outside this finding's scope: Whether a household coop counts as such an establishment was not established. No flock-size threshold is stated in the decree. The ministerial orders that detail the approval were not read. Decree 10-90 (2010) completed the decree in several places without changing the passages quoted here; later amendments were not checked. Authority: Veterinary authority (autorité vétérinaire).
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Algeria?
- The national sources we read don't settle it, and we haven't identified who decides. Check your local rules before you get hens.
- Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu in Algeria?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. We haven't confirmed an official current-status page for it.
