Can you keep backyard chickens in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada?
Newfoundland and Labrador poultry may not run at large without the minister's consent; your town council or local service district committee may make by-laws on animals. Whether keepers must register wasn't established.
Read from 7 official sources48 passages quotedChecked October 27, 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 town council may adopt by-laws respecting domestic, feral, exotic and wild animals and activities in relation to them, subject to the Animal Health and Protection Act. A local service district committee may make by-laws restricting and controlling the keeping of dogs and other animals, including how many a person may keep.
- Check with your town council or local service district committee for local rules on keeping chickens.
No province-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (Animal Health and Protection Act ss. 2, 30, 31 and 33; Animal Health Regulations s. 8; Towns and Local Service Districts Act ss. 8 and 266). The City of St. John’s Act, the City of Corner Brook Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act, planning rules and local by-laws were not read.
Registration: not established in the sources we 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 Newfoundland and Labrador, 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
Not established from the sources checked
Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
Applies to: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Premises Identification Program, as described on the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands page read on 27 October 2026, and the registration and licensing powers in the Animal Health and Protection Act.
Outside this finding's scope
- No registration or licence duty for poultry keepers was found in the sources read (the program page, the Act and the five regulations under it on animal health, animal protection, protection standards, reportable diseases and nuisance animals). This is not proof that none exists.
- Registration does not give permission to keep chickens at a particular property.
What the checked sources say
- The department’s page says premises identification links livestock and poultry to specific parcels of land to support disease management and emergency response. It says there is no cost to participate and asks participants to complete a registration form; the page does not say that registration is required.
- The Animal Health and Protection Act lets regulations be made on identifying premises where animals are kept, and on requiring a person or activity to be licensed; a person covered by such a regulation may not keep an animal without a licence. No such regulation for poultry keepers was found among those read.
Authority: Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands (Premises Identification Program)
Fee: The program page says there is no cost to participate.
The official wording
In Newfoundland and Labrador, premises identification links livestock and poultry to specific parcels of land, strengthening disease management and improving coordination during animal health and emergency response situations.
There is no cost to participate in this program.
How to Register · Checked
Download and complete the Premises Identification Program Registration Form
How to Register · Checked
(s) respecting the identification of premises in which animals are kept;
s. 8(1)(s) · Checked
55. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may by regulation require an activity, a person, or an establishment to be licensed for the purpose of this Act or a Part or provision of this Act.
s. 55(1) · Checked
(3) A person to whom subsection (1) applies shall not own or operate an establishment, or breed or keep an animal without a licence issued under this Part.
s. 55(3) · 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 2026-10-27
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: Newfoundland and Labrador
Applies to: Orders under Newfoundland and Labrador’s Animal Health and Protection Act (in force 2 May 2012) and its Animal Health Regulations, where “animal” means a non-human vertebrate and “poultry” means chicken, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pigeons and other domesticated birds.
Outside this finding's scope
- The Chief Veterinary Officer's quarantine order applies to an animal suspected of having an infectious or contagious disease; the inspector powers quoted are used during an inspection under the Act, and the minister's order designates an area for disease control. No general rule that birds must be kept indoors was found in the Act or the regulations read, and this finding does not establish that any order applies now.
- No provincial page showing the current status of orders was found. Federal powers of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are separate and are not described here.
What the checked sources say
- The Chief Veterinary Officer may order an animal suspected of having an infectious or contagious disease to be quarantined on its owner’s premises, or in another place, for the time the officer considers appropriate. The person given the order must comply and may not remove or release the animal from quarantine without an inspector’s prior authority.
- During an inspection under the Act, an inspector may detain, or order the owner to detain, an animal to prevent the spread of an infectious or contagious disease, and may quarantine an animal in accordance with the regulations or an order. The minister may by order designate part of the province as an animal health area for disease control.
- Influenza A virus is listed in the Animal Reportable Diseases Regulations. An owner who suspects or notices that an animal has or appears to have a listed disease must immediately report it to the Chief Veterinary Officer.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed; check with the Chief Veterinary Officer.
- 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.
(a) "animal" means a non-human vertebrate;
s. 2(1)(a) · Checked
(w) "poultry" means chicken, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pigeons and other domesticated birds;
s. 2(1)(w) · Checked
(d) "Chief Veterinary Officer" means the official employed in the department as the chief veterinary officer;
s. 2(1)(d) · Checked
(d) detain, or order the owner to detain, or seize an animal for the purpose of inspection, inoculation, or treatment for infectious or contagious disease, or to prevent the spread of that infectious or contagious disease, or for another purpose that is relevant to this Part;
s. 5(4)(d) · Checked
(f) quarantine or dispose of an animal, or arrange for the quarantine or disposal of the animal, in accordance with the regulations or an order;
s. 5(4)(f) · Checked
7. The minister may by order (a) designate a part of the province as an animal health area for the purpose of disease control;
s. 7(a) · Checked
5. (1) The Chief Veterinary Officer may order an animal suspected of having an infectious or contagious disease to be quarantined in or on the premises of an owner of the animal or in a place and for a period of time that the Chief Veterinary Officer considers appropriate
Animal Health Regulations s. 5(1) · Checked
(3) A term and condition of an order made under subsection (1) is that the person to whom the order is issued shall not remove or release an animal from quarantine without prior authority from an inspector.
Animal Health Regulations s. 5(3) · Checked
(7) A person to whom an order is issued under subsection (1) shall comply with that order.
Animal Health Regulations s. 5(7) · Checked
3. (1) An owner, breeder, importer of, or dealer in an animal or a honeybee hive who suspects or notices that the animal or honeybee hive has or appears to have an infectious or contagious disease listed in the Schedule shall immediately report that disease to the Chief Veterinary Officer.
(i) influenza A virus;
Animal Reportable Diseases Regulations, Schedule, item 3(i) · Checked
Animal Health and Protection Act 2010 cA-9.1 May 2, 2012 May 2, 2012
(4) An inspector conducting an inspection under this section may
s. 5(4) · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
Applies to: Part II of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Animal Health and Protection Act, which covers any “animal” (a non-human vertebrate), and the Animal Protection Standards Regulations, which adopt national codes of practice for poultry.
Outside this finding's scope
- The adopted codes of practice themselves were not read, only the regulation that adopts them. Which code requirements fit a small backyard flock was not determined.
What the checked sources say
- No person may cause an animal to be in distress, and an owner may not permit it. Distress includes, among other things, needing proper care, water, food or shelter, needing reasonable protection from heat or cold, being confined to an area that is unfit or has insufficient space, lighting or ventilation, being deprived of veterinary care, and being confined in unsanitary conditions.
- These prohibitions do not apply to a class of animals or circumstances prescribed by regulation, or to distress that results from a treatment, process or condition in the course of an accepted activity, which is an activity designated by the regulations and carried out in a manner consistent with the regulations.
- An owner of poultry, and an owner or operator of a place where poultry are kept, must comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens (2017) and the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys (2016) to the extent the regulations adopt them; the codes' transportation provisions and appendices are not adopted unless the regulations name them. A code provision may be considered a requirement where it uses “must,” “shall” or “require,” or where the regulations say so.
- A contravention is an offence. On summary conviction the fine is up to $50,000 for a first offence (in default of payment, up to 6 months’ imprisonment, or both) and up to $75,000 for a second or later offence (in default, up to 12 months, or both). A judge may also order a convicted person not to own, care for or have custody of animals for a set time.
The official wording
18. (1) A person shall not cause an animal to be in distress. (2) An owner of an animal shall not permit the animal to be in distress.
s. 18(1)-(2) · Checked
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in respect of a class of animals prescribed by regulation, or animals living in circumstances or conditions prescribed by regulation, or where the distress is a result of a treatment, process or condition that occurs in the course of an accepted activity.
s. 18(3) · Checked
(g) "distress" means (i) being in need of proper care, water, food or shelter, (ii) being in need of reasonable protection from heat or cold, appropriate to the animal,
s. 2(1)(g)(i)-(ii) · Checked
(iv) being confined to an area that is unfit or has insufficient space, lighting or ventilation,
s. 2(1)(g)(iv) · Checked
(vi) being deprived of veterinary care or medical treatment, (vii) being kept in conditions that contravene the standards of care prescribed in the regulations, (viii) being confined in unsanitary conditions,
s. 2(1)(g)(vi)-(viii) · Checked
(2) For the purpose of this Act, an accepted activity is an activity designated by the regulations as an accepted activity.
s. 2(2) · Checked
(g) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens , published by the National Farm Animal Care Council,
Animal Protection Standards Regulations s. 4(1)(g) · Checked
(f) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys , published by the National Farm Animal Care Council,
Animal Protection Standards Regulations s. 4(1)(f) · Checked
(2) An owner of beef cattle, veal calves, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, bison, horses, ponies, miniature horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies or rabbits shall comply with the requirements in the respective codes or standards for that animal to the extent that they are adopted under subsection (1).
(3) An owner or operator of a place where beef cattle, veal calves, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, bison, horses, ponies, miniature horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies or rabbits are kept or permitted to live or remain shall comply with the requirements in the respective codes or standards to the extent that they are adopted under subsection (1).
(2) For the purpose of these regulations, a provision of a code or standard that is adopted in these regulations may be considered a requirement where (a) the word "must," "shall," or "require" is contained in the provision of the code or standard; or (b) these regulations specify that a provision of a code or standard is a requirement.
4. Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens (2017), published by the National Farm Animal Care Council.
Animal Protection Standards Regulations, Schedule A, item 4 · Checked
10. Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys (2016) , published by the National Farm Animal Care Council.
Animal Protection Standards Regulations, Schedule A, item 10 · Checked
(a) where the offence is a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and, in default of payment, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or to both a fine and imprisonment; and
s. 76(1)(a) · Checked
(b) where the offence is a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $75,000 and, in default of payment, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or to both a fine and imprisonment.
s. 76(1)(b) · Checked
(a) prohibiting that convicted person and, if the convicted person is a corporation, the directors and officers of the corporation described in subsection (2), from having the ownership, care or custody of an animal, or of a number or type of animal specified in the order, for a period of time specified in the order,
s. 76(4)(a) · Checked
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), an activity is an accepted activity only where it is carried out in a manner that is consistent with the regulations.
s. 2(3) · Checked
4. (1) The following codes or standards are adopted but their provisions respecting transportation and appendices are not adopted unless it is specified in this subsection:
Rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
Applies to: Province-wide rules in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Animal Health and Protection Act and Animal Health Regulations, and the by-law powers of town councils and local service district committees under the Towns and Local Service Districts Act (in force 1 January 2025).
Outside this finding's scope
- No province-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (Animal Health and Protection Act ss. 2, 30, 31 and 33; Animal Health Regulations s. 8; Towns and Local Service Districts Act ss. 8 and 266). The City of St. John’s Act, the City of Corner Brook Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act, planning rules and local by-laws were not read.
What the checked sources say
- An owner may not permit livestock, which includes poultry, to run at large without the consent of the minister (section 33 as replaced by the 2024 amending Act, in force 8 August 2025). An owner of livestock may not permit it to cause a hazard to people, livestock operations, other animals, goods, property or the safe operation of motor vehicles.
- Animals must be kept in a safe, clean and sanitary manner that keeps them healthy and prevents infection and the spread of infectious or contagious diseases to other animals.
- A town council may adopt by-laws respecting domestic, feral, exotic and wild animals and activities in relation to them, subject to the Animal Health and Protection Act. A local service district committee may make by-laws restricting and controlling the keeping of dogs and other animals, including how many a person may keep.
- Where Part II of the Animal Health and Protection Act or its regulations conflict with the City of St. John’s Act, the City of Corner Brook Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act or the Towns and Local Service Districts Act, or by-laws made under them, Part II prevails.
- Check with your town council or local service district committee for local rules on keeping chickens.
The official wording
33. An owner shall not permit livestock to run at large without the consent of the minister.
s. 33 · Checked
(o) "livestock" means horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, llamas, alpacas, bison, and fur bearing animals raised in captivity and another domesticated animal that may be prescribed by regulation to be livestock;
s. 2(1)(o) · Checked
Animal Health and Protection (Amendment) Act 2024 c18 August 8, 2025 August 8, 2025
31. The owner of a companion animal or livestock shall not permit the animal or livestock to cause a hazard to people, livestock operations, other animals, goods, property or the safe operation of motor vehicles.
s. 31 · Checked
8. (1) Animals shall be transported, detained, maintained and kept in a place in a safe, clean and sanitary manner which ensures the healthy condition of animals and which prevents the (a) infection of that animal with disease; and (b) spread of infectious or contagious diseases to other animals.
Animal Health Regulations s. 8(1) · Checked
8. (1) A town council may adopt by-laws for town purposes respecting the following matters:
(k) subject to the Animal Health and Protection Act , domestic, feral, exotic and wild animals and activities in relation to them;
266. A local service district committee may make by-laws (a) prohibiting, restricting and controlling the roaming and running at large of dogs and other animals and restricting and controlling the keeping of dogs and other animals;
(j) respecting the number of dogs or other animals which a person may keep in a local service district;
357. This Act, or a section, subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of this Act, comes into force on a day or days to be proclaimed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. 2023 cT-6.2 s357 (In force Jan. 1/25)
(3) Where this Part or the regulations conflict with the City of St. John's Act , the City of Corner Brook Act , the City of Mount Pearl Act , or the Towns and Local Service Districts Act or regulations or bylaws made under those Acts, the provisions of this Part shall prevail.
s. 30(3) · Checked
Elsewhere in Canada
- AlbertaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- British ColumbiaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- ManitobaRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- New BrunswickRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- Northwest TerritoriesRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- Nova ScotiaRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- NunavutRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- OntarioRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- Prince Edward IslandRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- QuebecRegistration: not establishedSet locally
- SaskatchewanRegistration: conditions applyRegistration: conditions
- YukonRegistration: not establishedSet locally
Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada?
- Registration: not established. The finding covers: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Premises Identification Program, as described on the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands page read on 27 October 2026, and the registration and licensing powers in the Animal Health and Protection Act. Outside this finding's scope: No registration or licence duty for poultry keepers was found in the sources read (the program page, the Act and the five regulations under it on animal health, animal protection, protection standards, reportable diseases and nuisance animals). This is not proof that none exists. Registration does not give permission to keep chickens at a particular property. Authority: Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands (Premises Identification Program).
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada?
- The law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. A town council may adopt by-laws respecting domestic, feral, exotic and wild animals and activities in relation to them, subject to the Animal Health and Protection Act. A local service district committee may make by-laws restricting and controlling the keeping of dogs and other animals, including how many a person may keep. Check with your town council or local service district committee for local rules on keeping chickens. No province-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (Animal Health and Protection Act ss. 2, 30, 31 and 33; Animal Health Regulations s. 8; Towns and Local Service Districts Act ss. 8 and 266). The City of St. John’s Act, the City of Corner Brook Act, the City of Mount Pearl Act, planning rules and local by-laws 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 Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. We haven't confirmed an official current-status page for it.
Allowed where you live? Then keep the records.
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