Keeping hens · Territory rules

Can you keep backyard chickens in Yukon, Canada?

Yukon owners must confine an animal to their property or manage it so it doesn't, among other things, stray onto public property or someone else's without consent. Your municipal council may adopt animal bylaws.

Read from 6 official sources55 passages quotedChecked October 27, 2026

At a glance

Registering your flock

Not established

Where hens can live

Set locally

Bird-flu housing orders

Status needs rechecking

Welfare rules

Rule with conditions
Set locally

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 municipal council may adopt bylaws for municipal purposes respecting the control, health and safety of, and protection from, wild and domestic animals, including birds.
  • Check with your municipal council for its bylaws on keeping chickens.

No territory-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (Animal Protection and Control Act ss. 29 and 41; Municipal Act s. 265). The Act’s species and control regulations, planning rules and municipal bylaws 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 Yukon, 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: Yukon

Applies to: Yukon’s Animal Health Act and Animal Protection and Control Act (unofficial consolidations as archived 6 October 2026).

Outside this finding's scope

  • No registration duty for poultry keepers was found in the Animal Health Act or in the sections of the Animal Protection and Control Act read. The regulations under both Acts were not read, so this is not proof that none exists.
  • Registration does not give permission to keep chickens at a particular property.

What the checked sources say

  • Under the Animal Protection and Control Act, subject to the regulations, an individual may possess an animal of an allowed species. Allowed species are set by regulation; whether chickens are listed was not checked.

Authority: Not established from the sources checked.

Fee: Not established from the sources checked.

The official wording

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: Yukon

Applies to: Quarantine and control orders under Yukon’s Animal Health Act (in effect since 1 January 2014, as the government announced; unofficial consolidation as archived 6 October 2026), where “animal” means any organism of the animal kingdom except humans.

Outside this finding's scope

  • A quarantine order needs reasonable grounds to believe that a hazard (a disease or agent likely to harm animal or human health) is present; a control order addresses the risk of a hazard whether or not it is known to exist in the area. No general rule that birds must be kept indoors was found in the sections read, and this finding does not establish that any order applies now. The regulations under the Act were not read.

What the checked sources say

  • An inspector, including the chief veterinary officer, who has reasonable grounds to believe that a hazard is present in an area may order that the area be quarantined. The order may include the conditions the inspector considers necessary to limit the hazard, including the segregation of animals within the area.
  • On the chief veterinary officer’s recommendation, the Minister may order a control area in all or part of Yukon to prevent, detect, control, suppress or mitigate the risk of a hazard there, whether or not the hazard is known to exist in that area. The order must specify any restrictions on the containment and movement of animals within it, and the Minister must make it public within 24 hours.
  • The Government of Yukon’s avian influenza page (as archived 10 April 2026) asks owners of a sick or dead domestic bird to contact their veterinarian and immediately report it to the Animal Health Unit at 867-667-5600.
  • 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.

  • If an inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that a hazard is present within an area or conveyance, the inspector may order that the area or conveyance be quarantined.

    Animal Health Act s. 10 · Checked

  • (2) The inspector may include any conditions in a quarantine order that they consider necessary in order to minimize the risk of the hazard spreading or persisting within the quarantined area or quarantined conveyance, including prohibiting, limiting or imposing requirements in respect of

    Animal Health Act s. 11(2) · Checked

  • (f) segregation of animals within the area or conveyance;

    Animal Health Act s. 11(2)(f) · Checked

  • (1) Upon the recommendation of the chief veterinary

    Animal Health Act s. 21(1) · Checked

  • the Minister may order that a control area be established in the whole or any part of Yukon in order to prevent, detect, control, suppress or mitigate the risk of a hazard in that area whether or not it is known to exist within that area.

    Animal Health Act s. 21(1), continued · Checked

  • (2) In making a control order, the Minister must

    Animal Health Act s. 21(2) · Checked

  • (d) specify any restrictions in respect of

    Animal Health Act s. 21(2)(d) · Checked

  • (ii) containment of an animal or animal product within the control area,

    Animal Health Act s. 21(2)(d)(ii) · Checked

  • (iii) movement of an animal or animal product within the control area, or

    Animal Health Act s. 21(2)(d)(iii) · Checked

  • (1) Within 24 hours of making a control order, the Minister must make it public in any manner that the Minister considers appropriate.

    Animal Health Act s. 22(1) · Checked

  • “animal” means any organism of the animal kingdom excluding humans;

    Animal Health Act s. 1, animal · Checked

  • a disease or a biological, chemical or physical agent, that is likely to adversely affect the health of an animal or human, or any other thing prescribed as a hazard;

    Animal Health Act s. 1, hazard · Checked

  • “inspector” means an inspector appointed under section 5 and the chief veterinary officer appointed under section 3;

    Animal Health Act s. 1, inspector · Checked

  • SY 2013, c. 10; amended by SY 2014, c.5; SY 2018, c.9

    Animal Health Act, information page · Checked

  • A new Animal Health Act will come into effect on January 1, 2014,

    Government of Yukon news release 13-331, 30 December 2013 · Checked

  • If you have a sick or dead domestic bird, contact your veterinarian and immediately report it to the Animal Health Unit: phone 867-667-5600 or email

    Avian influenza in the Yukon, Contact · Checked

Small-flock welfare minimums

Conditions apply to this finding

Jurisdiction: Yukon

Applies to: Yukon’s Animal Protection and Control Act (in effect since 5 April 2024, according to the government; unofficial consolidation as amended in 2024, as archived 6 October 2026), where “animal” means a vertebrate other than a human or uncaptive wildlife.

Outside this finding's scope

  • The standards of care set by the regulations were not read. The government’s release says national codes of practice for the care of livestock were adopted; which code provisions apply to a backyard flock was not determined.

What the checked sources say

  • The owner of an animal must comply with the standard of care that applies to it and, in a way that suits the animal’s age, species and type, provide enough food and water for a healthy body condition and adequate hydration.
  • The owner must also provide shelter that is adequately ventilated, protects from injurious heat and cold, includes reasonable measures to exclude predators and is sanitary; living conditions that support the animal’s health and well-being and minimize the risk of injury; opportunity for exercise and socialization; adequate care for medical or health needs; and any care the regulations require.
  • Contravening the Act or the regulations, other than the provisions listed as major offences in section 61, is a general offence. On summary conviction an individual faces a fine of up to $75,000, up to six months in prison, or both for a first offence, and up to $125,000, up to one year, or both for a later offence; a corporation faces up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $250,000 for a later one. An offence committed or continued on more than one day is a separate offence for each day, and a fine for an offence involving more than one animal may be calculated for each animal as though it were a separate charge.

The official wording

  • (a) a vertebrate, except for (i) a human, and (ii) wildlife within the meaning of the Wildlife Act, unless the wildlife is kept in captivity; and

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 1, animal · Checked

  • “livestock” means an animal (a) raised for food or fibre, or (b) belonging to a species prescribed by the regulations as livestock;

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 1, livestock · Checked

  • The owner of an animal must

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 30 · Checked

  • (a) comply with the standard of care applicable to that animal;

    s. 30(a) · Checked

  • (b) provide the following with respect to that animal in a manner that is appropriate to the age, species, and type of animal:

    s. 30(b) · Checked

  • (i) food and water sufficient to maintain a healthy body condition and adequate hydration,

    s. 30(b)(i) · Checked

  • (ii) shelter that

    s. 30(b)(ii) · Checked

  • (A) provides adequate ventilation,

    s. 30(b)(ii)(A) · Checked

  • (B) provides protection from injurious heat and cold,

    s. 30(b)(ii)(B) · Checked

  • (C) includes reasonable measures to exclude predators, and

    s. 30(b)(ii)(C) · Checked

  • (D) provides sanitary living conditions,

    s. 30(b)(ii)(D) · Checked

  • (iii) living conditions that support the health and well-being of the animal and minimize the risk of injury,

    s. 30(b)(iii) · Checked

  • (iv) opportunity for exercise and socialization,

    s. 30(b)(iv) · Checked

  • adequate care to address medical or health needs to prevent the animal from persisting in a state of ill health or suffering; and

    s. 30(b)(v) · Checked

  • comply with any requirements for the care of animals prescribed by the regulations.

    s. 30(c) · Checked

  • (1) A person who contravenes a provision of this Act or the regulations, other than the provisions listed in section 61, or who fails to comply with an order issued under this Act or the conditions of a permit issued under this Act, commits a general offence.

    s. 60(1) · Checked

  • (2) On summary conviction under subsection (1), an individual is liable

    s. 60(2) · Checked

  • (a) in the case of a first offence, to a fine of not more than $75,000, to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both; and

    s. 60(2)(a) · Checked

  • (b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $125,000, to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.

    s. 60(2)(b) · Checked

  • (a) in the case of a first offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000; and

    s. 60(3)(a) · Checked

  • (b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000.

    s. 60(3)(b) · Checked

  • S.Y. 2022, c. 13 amended by SY 2024, c.6

    Animal Protection and Control Act, information page · Checked

  • Published 08/04/2024

    News release 24-161 · Checked

  • The Act and regulations are in effect as of Friday, April 5, and the Pounds Act , Dog Act , and Animal Protection Act and their regulations are repealed.

    News release 24-161 · Checked

  • Adopting National Codes of Practice for care of livestock,

    News release 24-161, list of changes · Checked

  • If an offence under this Act is committed on more than one day or is continued for more than one day, the offence is considered to be a separate offence for each day on which the offence is committed.

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 62 · Checked

  • A fine imposed on a conviction for an offence involving more than one animal may be calculated in respect of each animal as though it had been the subject of a separate complaint or information.

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 63 · Checked

Rules on keeping poultry

Conditions apply to this finding

Jurisdiction: Yukon

Applies to: Territory-wide control duties in Yukon’s Animal Protection and Control Act and the bylaw powers of municipal councils under the Municipal Act (unofficial consolidation as amended to 2024, as archived 22 September 2026).

Outside this finding's scope

  • No territory-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (Animal Protection and Control Act ss. 29 and 41; Municipal Act s. 265). The Act’s species and control regulations, planning rules and municipal bylaws were not read.

What the checked sources say

  • The owner of an animal must either keep it confined to the property or vehicle the owner owns or occupies, or manage it so that it does not, among other things, stray onto public property or onto another person’s property without that person’s consent. The owner must also follow any control requirements in the regulations.
  • A municipal council may adopt bylaws for municipal purposes respecting the control, health and safety of, and protection from, wild and domestic animals, including birds.
  • Check with your municipal council for its bylaws on keeping chickens.

The official wording

  • (1) The owner of an animal must

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 41(1) · Checked

  • (a) keep the animal confined to the property or the vehicle owned or occupied by the owner of the animal; or

    Animal Protection and Control Act s. 41(1)(a) · Checked

  • (b) manage the animal in such a way that the animal does not

    s. 41(1)(b) · Checked

  • (iii) stray onto

    s. 41(1)(b)(iii) · Checked

  • (A) public property, including a highway or a right-of-way, or

    s. 41(1)(b)(iii)(A) · Checked

  • (B) the property of another person without that person’s consent,

    s. 41(1)(b)(iii)(B) · Checked

  • (3) The owner of an animal must comply with any requirements for the control of animals prescribed by the regulations.

    s. 41(3) · Checked

  • A council may adopt bylaws for municipal purposes respecting the following matters

    Municipal Act s. 265 · Checked

  • (o) vegetation and activities in relation to it, and the control, health, and safety of, and protection from, wild and domestic animals, including insects and birds; and

    Municipal Act s. 265(o) · Checked

  • RSY 2002, c. 154; amended by SY 2003, c.11; SY 2007, c.13; SY 2008, c.18; SY 2012, c.14; SY 2014, c.15; SY 2015, c.12; SY 2016, c.8; SY 2022, c.2; SY 2023, c.5; SY 2024, c.6

    Municipal Act, information page · Checked

Selling eggs in Yukon, Canada? →Licence, small-flock line, markets and cartons, on their own page.Selling: Licence: depends

Elsewhere in Canada

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Common questions

Do I have to register backyard chickens in Yukon, Canada?
Registration: not established. The finding covers: Yukon’s Animal Health Act and Animal Protection and Control Act (unofficial consolidations as archived 6 October 2026). Outside this finding's scope: No registration duty for poultry keepers was found in the Animal Health Act or in the sections of the Animal Protection and Control Act read. The regulations under both Acts were not read, so this is not proof that none exists. Registration does not give permission to keep chickens at a particular property.
Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Yukon, Canada?
The law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. A municipal council may adopt bylaws for municipal purposes respecting the control, health and safety of, and protection from, wild and domestic animals, including birds. Check with your municipal council for its bylaws on keeping chickens. No territory-wide permission for or ban on backyard chickens was found in the sections read (Animal Protection and Control Act ss. 29 and 41; Municipal Act s. 265). The Act’s species and control regulations, planning rules and municipal 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 Yukon, 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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