Can you keep backyard chickens in Alberta, Canada?
Alberta poultry owners must have a premises identification account and number within 30 days of getting their birds, even for one bird (Alta. Reg. 200/2008). Your municipal council may regulate animals by bylaw.
Read from 8 official sources47 passages quotedChecked October 26, 2026
At a glance
Registering your flock
Where hens can live
Bird-flu housing orders
Welfare rules
Who decides where hens can live
The law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. What the checked sources say:
- A council may pass bylaws for municipal purposes respecting wild and domestic animals and activities in relation to them. In such a bylaw it may regulate or prohibit, and may set up a system of licences, permits or approvals.
- Check with your municipal council for its bylaws on keeping chickens.
No province-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (sections 7, 8 and 13). The Calgary and Edmonton city charter regulations, the Agricultural Operation Practices Act and local bylaws were not read.
The law's own words are quoted under rules on keeping poultry below.
How to check: Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
A sourced reading of the law in Alberta, Canada, not legal advice. Local bylaws and zoning, property or tenancy rules, and any local rooster or coop limits aren't covered here yet: check your local rules before you get hens.
Keeping your flock
These findings cover the 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: Alberta
Applies to: Alberta’s Premises Identification Regulation (Alta. Reg. 200/2008, under the Animal Health Act), as consolidated to 30 November 2022, for owners of the animals it lists when kept in captivity, which include poultry, ducks and geese.
Outside this finding's scope
- The regulation says it expires on 30 September 2028. Amendments after Alberta Regulation 228/2022 were not checked beyond the consolidation date.
- Registration does not give permission to keep chickens at a particular property.
What the checked sources say
- An owner of an animal kept at a premises other than a commingling site must apply for, and have, a premises identification account and at least one premises identification number, in the form and manner approved by the Minister, within 30 days of assuming ownership of the animal.
- A commingling site is a location, other than a farm or a ranch, where animals owned by different owners are kept together. Its operator must obtain an account and at least one number for each site within 30 days of assuming ownership or operation of the site.
- An application for a number gives the premises location (legal land description, georeferenced coordinates or street address), the species that will be present and, for each species, the estimated maximum capacity. The account holder must tell the Minister of any change in that information within 30 days.
- Alberta’s program page says that anyone with livestock or poultry in their care and control needs an account and at least one number, even for one animal. A paper application is available by calling 310-FARM (3276).
Thresholds
- Section 2(1) sets no minimum number of birds; the program page says even one animal needs an account and a number.
Exemptions and their limits
- Section 2(1) covers an owner whose animal is kept at a premises other than a commingling site; commingling-site operators have their own duty under section 3(3).
Authority: Government of Alberta premises identification program (applications in the form approved by the Minister); help line 310-FARM (3276).
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
“animal” means the following animals in captivity:
s. 1(a) · Checked
(x) ducks;
s. 1(a)(x) · Checked
(xiii) geese;
s. 1(a)(xiii) · Checked
(xxii) poultry;
s. 1(a)(xxii) · Checked
2(1) An owner of an animal kept at a premises, other than a commingling site, must apply for a premises identification account and must have a premises identification account and at least one premises identification number in the form and manner approved by the Minister within 30 days of assuming ownership of the animal.
s. 2(1) · Checked
3(1) In this Regulation, a commingling site is a location, other than a farm or a ranch, where animals owned by different owners are kept together either temporarily or permanently.
s. 3(1) · Checked
(3) An operator of a commingling site shall obtain a premises identification account and at least one premises identification number for each commingling site operated by the operator within 30 days of assuming ownership or operation of the commingling site in the form and manner approved by the Minister.
s. 3(3) · Checked
(e) the location of the premises either by legal land description, georeferenced coordinates or street address;
s. 5(1)(e) · Checked
(g) the species of animals that will be present on the premises; (h) for each species of animal, the maximum capacity estimated for the operation on the premises.
s. 5(1)(g)-(h) · Checked
6 The holder of a premises identification account must inform the Minister of any change in the information provided under section 4 or 5 within 30 days after the change in information occurs
s. 6 · Checked
this Regulation expires on September 30, 2028.
s. 8 · Checked
With amendments up to and including Alberta Regulation 228/2022 Current as of November 30, 2022
cover · Checked
If livestock or poultry are in your care and control, you need to apply for a PID account and obtain at least one PID number. Even if you have one animal, it is still necessary to obtain a PID account and a PID number for the premises where it’s located.
Who needs an account, Person in care and control of animals · Checked
Print the application , or call 310-FARM (3276) to request a paper application. Complete the application and submit by mail or fax using instructions on the application.
Create a new account, Paper · Checked
Bird-flu housing orders
Current status needs rechecking
Check the official current-status pageOrders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.
Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-26
The scope and conditions below are a dated record, not confirmation of today's position.
Conditions apply to this finding
Uses housing orders in this scope: Yes, according to the checked evidence, within the limits listed under “Outside this finding’s scope” below.
Jurisdiction: Alberta
Applies to: The quarantine powers of Alberta’s chief provincial veterinarian and the Minister’s control-zone power under the Animal Health Act (consolidated to 27 August 2025), where “animal” means any animal other than a human being.
Outside this finding's scope
- These powers depend on a reportable disease. Which diseases are reportable is set under section 3 of the Act, which was not read. The sections read contain no general rule that birds must be kept indoors, and this finding does not establish that any order applies now.
- Federal powers of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency were not read.
What the checked sources say
- When the chief provincial veterinarian believes on reasonable and probable grounds that an animal has a reportable disease, or has come into contact with an animal that has or had one, the chief provincial veterinarian may issue a quarantine order quarantining premises or an animal on premises.
- The order may include terms the chief provincial veterinarian considers necessary to minimize the risk of spread, including how the owner is to care for and feed all animals within the quarantined premises, restrictions on moving animals within those premises, and the isolation and segregation of animals there.
- The Minister may, by order, establish a control zone in any region of Alberta to contain a specific reportable disease. Notice of a control zone order must be published, including on the Department’s website.
- Alberta’s avian influenza page says a suspected or confirmed case of HPAI in a flock must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and also lists the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian as a contact.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed; check with the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian.
- 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.
(b) “animal” means any animal other than a human being;
s. 1(b) · Checked
(w) “reportable disease” means a reportable disease within the meaning of section 3;
s. 1(w) · Checked
12(1) When the chief provincial veterinarian believes on reasonable and probable grounds that an animal has a reportable disease or has come into contact with another animal that has or had a reportable disease
s. 12(1) · Checked
the chief provincial veterinarian may issue a quarantine order and (a) quarantine premises,
s. 12(1)(a) · Checked
(b) quarantine an animal on premises,
s. 12(1)(b) · Checked
(2) A quarantine order issued under subsection (1) may include any terms and conditions the chief provincial veterinarian considers necessary to minimize the risk of the reportable disease spreading and may
s. 12(2) · Checked
(f) order the manner in which the owner of the animal is to care for and feed all animals within the quarantined premises,
s. 12(2)(f) · Checked
(h) impose specific restrictions on the movement of animals, animal products, animal by-products and contaminated material within the quarantined premises,
s. 12(2)(h) · Checked
(k) order the isolation and segregation of animals present within the quarantined premises or from a quarantined vehicle, railway car, aircraft or watercraft,
s. 12(2)(k) · Checked
31(1) The Minister may, by order, establish a control zone
s. 31(1) · Checked
(c) in any region in Alberta to contain a specific reportable disease.
s. 31(1)(c) · Checked
(3) Notice of a control zone order must be published (a) in a newspaper having general circulation in the control zone, (b) on the Department’s website, and
s. 31(3) · Checked
Current as of August 27, 2025
cover · Checked
HPAI is a reportable disease, so if you suspect or confirm a case in your flock, you must report it to: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Where to report · Checked
Or connect with the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian :
Where to report, alternate contact · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Alberta
Applies to: Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, as consolidated to 1 April 2023, which applies to animals other than human beings and binds anyone who owns or is in charge of an animal.
Outside this finding's scope
- That consolidation lists the Animal Protection Amendment Act, 2026 (SA 2026 c6) as not in force. It amends sections 1 and 2 and replaces section 2.1. Bill 22 received Royal Assent on 14 May 2026 and comes into force on proclamation; whether it has been proclaimed was not established.
- The Animal Protection Regulation and any codes of practice under it were not read.
What the checked sources say
- A person who owns or is in charge of an animal must ensure it has adequate food and water, must provide adequate care when it is wounded or ill, reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold, and adequate shelter, ventilation and space.
- No person may cause or permit an animal they own or are in charge of to be, or to continue to be, in distress, and no person may cause an animal to be in distress. An animal is in distress if, among other things, it is deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water or veterinary care or reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold.
- The distress rules in section 2 do not apply if the distress results from an activity carried on in accordance with the regulations or with reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care, management, husbandry, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control or slaughter.
The official wording
(a) “animal” does not include a human being;
s. 1(1)(a) · Checked
(2) For the purposes of this Act, an animal is in distress if it is (a) deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water or veterinary care or reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold, (b) injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or (c) abused or subjected to undue hardship, privation or neglect.
s. 1(2) · Checked
2(1) No person shall cause or permit an animal of which the person is the owner or the person in charge to be or to continue to be in distress. (1.1) No person shall cause an animal to be in distress.
s. 2(1), (1.1) · Checked
(2) This section does not apply if the distress results from an activity carried on in accordance with the regulations or in accordance with reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care, management, husbandry, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control or slaughter.
s. 2(2) · Checked
2.1 A person who owns or is in charge of an animal (a) must ensure that the animal has adequate food and water, (b) must provide the animal with adequate care when the animal is wounded or ill,
s. 2.1(a)-(b) · Checked
(c) must provide the animal with reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold, and (d) must provide the animal with adequate shelter, ventilation and space.
s. 2.1(c)-(d) · Checked
Current as of April 1, 2023
cover · Checked
This consolidation incorporates only those amendments in force on the consolidation date shown on the cover.
Amendments Not in Force · Checked
2026 c6 s2 amends s1; s3 amends s2; s4 repeals and substitutes s2.1;
Amendments Not in Force · Checked
Bill 22, Animal Protection Amendment Act, 2026, was introduced on March 30, 2026.
Introduction · Checked
Royal Assent May 14, 2026 May 14, 2026 morning
Bill 22, Royal Assent · Checked
Comes into Force on Proclamation on Proclamation
Bill 22, Comes into Force · Checked
Rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Alberta
Applies to: The bylaw powers of Alberta municipal councils under the Municipal Government Act (consolidated to 1 September 2026).
Outside this finding's scope
- No province-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (sections 7, 8 and 13). The Calgary and Edmonton city charter regulations, the Agricultural Operation Practices Act and local bylaws were not read.
What the checked sources say
- A council may pass bylaws for municipal purposes respecting wild and domestic animals and activities in relation to them. In such a bylaw it may regulate or prohibit, and may set up a system of licences, permits or approvals.
- A bylaw has no effect to the extent that it conflicts or is inconsistent with the Act or another enactment.
- Check with your municipal council for its bylaws on keeping chickens.
The official wording
7 Subject to section 7.1, a council may pass bylaws for municipal purposes respecting the following matters:
s. 7 · Checked
(h) wild and domestic animals and activities in relation to them;
s. 7(h) · Checked
8(1) Subject to section 7.1, without restricting section 7, a council may in a bylaw passed under this Division (a) regulate or prohibit;
s. 8(1)(a) · Checked
(c) provide for a system of licences, permits or approvals, including any or all of the following:
s. 8(1)(c) · Checked
13 If there is a conflict or inconsistency between a bylaw and this or another enactment, the bylaw is of no effect to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency.
s. 13 · Checked
Current as of September 1, 2026
cover · Checked
Elsewhere in Canada
- British ColumbiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ManitobaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- New BrunswickRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Nova ScotiaRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- OntarioRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- QuebecRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- SaskatchewanRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Alberta, Canada?
- Registration: conditions apply. The finding covers: Alberta’s Premises Identification Regulation (Alta. Reg. 200/2008, under the Animal Health Act), as consolidated to 30 November 2022, for owners of the animals it lists when kept in captivity, which include poultry, ducks and geese. Section 2(1) sets no minimum number of birds; the program page says even one animal needs an account and a number. Outside this finding's scope: The regulation says it expires on 30 September 2028. Amendments after Alberta Regulation 228/2022 were not checked beyond the consolidation date. Registration does not give permission to keep chickens at a particular property. Exemptions and their limits: Section 2(1) covers an owner whose animal is kept at a premises other than a commingling site; commingling-site operators have their own duty under section 3(3). Authority: Government of Alberta premises identification program (applications in the form approved by the Minister); help line 310-FARM (3276).
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Alberta, Canada?
- The law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. A council may pass bylaws for municipal purposes respecting wild and domestic animals and activities in relation to them. In such a bylaw it may regulate or prohibit, and may set up a system of licences, permits or approvals. Check with your municipal council for its bylaws on keeping chickens. No province-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (sections 7, 8 and 13). The Calgary and Edmonton city charter regulations, the Agricultural Operation Practices Act and local bylaws were not read. Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
- Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu in Alberta, Canada?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. This page links the official status page to check today.
Allowed where you live? Then keep the records.
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