Can you keep backyard chickens in Louisiana?
Louisiana municipalities, and parishes other than Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster, may regulate land use (La. R.S. 33:4721, 33:4780.40), so check yours first; the law for the excluded parishes wasn't read.
Read from 6 official sources32 passages quotedChecked October 24, 2026
At a glance
Registering your flock
Where hens can live
Bird-flu housing orders
Welfare rules
Who decides where hens can live
The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. What the checked sources say:
- To promote health, safety, morals or the general welfare, the governing authority of any municipality may regulate and restrict the size of structures and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes.
- Parish governing authorities, other than Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes, or their boards of adjustment, may regulate the same matters.
No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your municipality, or your parish governing authority outside Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes, may regulate land use, so check with it; the law that applies in those parishes wasn't read. This page names the state laws, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules.
Registration: not established in the state sources we read.
The law's own words are quoted under state 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 Louisiana's state law, 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 or state 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: Louisiana
Applies to: The Louisiana Board of Animal Health rules in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 7, Part XXI (Animals and Animal Health), and the Board’s powers in La. R.S. 3:2093, as checked on 24 October 2026.
Outside this finding's scope
- No provision requiring backyard poultry keepers to register was found in the sources read; the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) website was not searched for a registration programme, so this is not proof that none exists.
Authority: Not established from the sources checked.
Fee: Not established from the sources 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 2026-10-24
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: Louisiana
Applies to: The Louisiana Board of Animal Health’s power to make owners of livestock it regulates, poultry included, quarantine them (La. R.S. 3:2093(6)), and the quarantine on involved and exposed animals and areas after a reported contagious disease (LAC 7:XXI.105).
Outside this finding's scope
- These powers do not in terms require birds to be kept indoors, and this finding does not establish that any quarantine or order applies now.
What the checked sources say
- The Board of Animal Health may compel owners of livestock it regulates to quarantine, test or vaccinate the animals whenever necessary to prevent, control or eradicate an infectious disease in them. In the Board’s rules, livestock includes poultry, and poultry means chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, guinea fowl, geese, peafowl and pheasants and other domestic feathered life, including hatched eggs or fertilized eggs.
- Veterinarians must report listed diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease, to the state veterinarian within 24 hours of a diagnosis or tentative diagnosis. Livestock owners who suspect a contagious disease should immediately contact their local veterinarian, area regulatory veterinarian or county agent.
- After an investigation, a quarantine may be imposed on involved and exposed animals and areas if needed to protect animal and poultry populations; it stays in effect until the threat has been removed.
- As checked on 24 October 2026, LDAF’s animal diseases page said that if domestic poultry or other farm birds show signs of avian influenza, owners should consult their local veterinary professional and notify state or federal animal health officials.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed.
- 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.
The Louisiana Board of Animal Health shall have the following powers and duties:
La. R.S. 3:2093, opening · Checked
(6) To compel owners of livestock subject to regulation by the board to quarantine, test, or vaccinate the livestock whenever necessary to prevent, control, or eradicate any infectious disease present in the livestock.
La. R.S. 3:2093(6) · Checked
Livestock—cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, burros, asses or other farm animals of all ages including poultry.
LAC 7:XXI.101, "Livestock" · Checked
Poultry—chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, guinea fowl, geese, peafowl and pheasants and other domestic feathered life, including hatched eggs or fertilized eggs.
LAC 7:XXI.101, "Poultry" · Checked
All veterinarians practicing veterinary medicine in this state shall report any of the diseases listed in this Section to the state veterinarian within 24 hours after making a diagnosis or tentative diagnosis of any such disease.
LAC 7:XXI.105(A), first sentence · Checked
Newcastle disease and other paramyxovirus infections, avian influenza (highly pathogenic),
Livestock owners who suspect the occurrence of contagious disease should immediately contact the local practicing veterinarian, area regulatory veterinarian or county agent who, in turn, will be responsible for reporting to the state veterinarian.
LAC 7:XXI.105(D) · Checked
If necessary to protect the animal and poultry populations, a quarantine may be imposed on involved and exposed animals and areas. The quarantine will remain in effect until the threat has been removed.
If domestic poultry or other farm birds exhibit signs of avian influenza, bird owners should consult their local veterinary professional and notify state or federal animal health officials.
LDAF Animal diseases and prevention page, avian influenza section · Checked
An investigation of the reported contagious disease will be made by representatives of the Livestock Sanitary Board, preferably with the veterinarian or county agent reporting the disease.
LAC 7:XXI.105(E), first sentence · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Rule identified for the scope below
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Applies to: Anyone in Louisiana who has charge, custody or possession of an animal, under the cruelty statute La. R.S. 14:102.1; and, for poultry used for show, profit, selling or producing animal products for market, the Board of Animal Health care standards in LAC 7:XXI, Chapter 21.
Outside this finding's scope
- The cruelty section does not apply to the lawful hunting or trapping of wildlife as provided by law, herding of domestic animals, accepted veterinary practices, activities carried on for scientific or medical research governed by accepted standards, or traditional rural Mardi Gras parades, processions or runs involving chickens; and nothing in it prohibits the standard transportation and agricultural processing of agriculture products as defined in R.S. 3:3602.
- The Chapter 21 care standards cover poultry used for show, profit, selling, or producing crops, plant or animal products for market; the Chapter’s producer definition also refers to livestock raised for home use, and its stocking-density rule names backyard flocks, so whether the standards reach a flock kept only for home use or as pets was not established. Any of those standards may be excepted on a licensed veterinarian’s advice for disease or injury, during a declared disaster, foreign animal disease outbreak or other exceptional circumstance as LDAF deems necessary, or by LDAF for other listed needs.
What the checked sources say
- Under the cruelty statute, it is simple cruelty to animals for a person who has charge, custody or possession of any animal, as owner or otherwise, to unjustifiably fail to give it proper food, drink, shelter or veterinary care, or to confine a living animal and fail to give it proper food, water or shelter during confinement, when done intentionally or with criminal negligence. A first offence can bring a fine of up to one thousand dollars, up to six months in prison, or both.
- Under the care standards, the producer or person in charge must keep a sufficient level of animal health and care and well-being, and every producer must develop and carry out an animal care and well-being plan.
- Housing for poultry must give shelter that limits harm from heat, cold, bad weather and predators. Stocking density must follow NCC guidelines (pounds per square foot) for commercial enterprises and for backyard flocks, and must let all the birds lie down at once without lying on top of each other. Poultry must get sufficient food daily and continual access to water, subject to the rule’s exceptions.
The official wording
A.(1) Simple cruelty to animals is when a person intentionally or with criminal negligence does any of the following:
La. R.S. 14:102.1(A)(1), opening · Checked
(c) Having charge, custody, or possession of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, unjustifiably fails to provide it with proper food, proper drink, proper shelter, or proper veterinary care.
La. R.S. 14:102.1(A)(1)(c) · Checked
(e) Impounds or confines or causes the impoundment or confinement of a living animal in a pound or other place and fails to supply it with proper food, proper water, or proper shelter during such confinement.
La. R.S. 14:102.1(A)(1)(e) · Checked
(2)(a) Whoever commits the crime of simple cruelty to animals shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
C. This Section shall not apply to any of the following: (1) The lawful hunting or trapping of wildlife as provided by law. (2) Herding of domestic animals. (3) Accepted veterinary practices. (4) Activities carried on for scientific or medical research governed by accepted standards.
La. R.S. 14:102.1(C)(1)-(4) · Checked
(5) Traditional rural Mardi Gras parades, processions, or runs involving chickens. (6) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the standard transportation and agricultural processing of agriculture products as defined in R.S. 3:3602.
La. R.S. 14:102.1(C)(5)-(6) · Checked
(12) To adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to establish standards governing the care and well-being of bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine, and poultry bred, kept, maintained, raised, or used for show, profit, or for the purpose of selling or otherwise producing crops, animals, or plant or animal products for market.
La. R.S. 3:2093(12), first sentence · Checked
Livestock―bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, caprine, and poultry used for show, profit, selling, or producing crops, plant or animal products for market.
LAC 7:XXI.2101(C), "Livestock" · Checked
Producer―person who owns and is responsible for the care of livestock that are raised for home use or for profit, especially on a farm.
LAC 7:XXI.2101(C), "Producer" · Checked
A. Producer or person in charge of animals shall ensure that a sufficient level of animal health and animal care and well-being is maintained for the livestock.
LAC 7:XXI.2103(A) · Checked
1. All producers shall develop and implement an animal care and well-being plan to promote the health of the livestock.
LAC 7:XXI.2103(E)(1) · Checked
1. Any facilities in which poultry are housed shall provide shelter so as to minimize the compromise to poultry health from heat, cold, adverse weather, and predation.
LAC 7:XXI.2109(A)(1) · Checked
5. Stocking density shall follow NCC guidelines of pounds per square foot for commercial enterprises and for backyard flocks and shall not exceed that which does not allow all poultry to lie down simultaneously without being forced to lie on top of other poultry.
LAC 7:XXI.2109(A)(5), first sentence · Checked
1. All poultry shall be provided sufficient food daily so as to maintain good health, meet their physiological requirements, and minimize nutritional or metabolic disease (see exceptions). 2. All poultry shall have continual access to water so as to maintain adequate hydration (see exceptions).
LAC 7:XXI.2109(B)(1)-(2) · Checked
1. Any standard in this code may be excepted by or under the advice of a licensed veterinarian as required for the prevention, diagnosis, management, treatment, or control of disease or injury.
LAC 7:XXI.2103(B)(1) · Checked
2. Any standard in this code may be excepted during a declared disaster, foreign animal disease outbreak, or other exceptional circumstance as deemed necessary by LDAF.
LAC 7:XXI.2103(B)(2) · Checked
3. Any standards in this code may be excepted by LDAF as deemed necessary to promote animal health or care, human health, agriculture, food safety, or other compelling need of the people or resources of the state of Louisiana.
LAC 7:XXI.2103(B)(3) · Checked
(b) Whoever commits a second or subsequent offense of simple cruelty to animals shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or both.
National or state rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Applies to: Louisiana municipalities’ zoning power (La. R.S. 33:4721) and parishes’ zoning power (La. R.S. 33:4780.40).
Outside this finding's scope
- No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your municipality, or your parish governing authority outside Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes, may regulate land use, so check with it; the law that applies in those parishes wasn't read. This page names the state laws, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules.
- The parish zoning section read does not cover Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes; the law that applies to them was not read.
What the checked sources say
- To promote health, safety, morals or the general welfare, the governing authority of any municipality may regulate and restrict the size of structures and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes.
- Parish governing authorities, other than Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes, or their boards of adjustment, may regulate the same matters.
The official wording
For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community, the governing authority of all municipalities may regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of structures,
La. R.S. 33:4721, opening · Checked
and the location and use of the buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes;
La. R.S. 33:4721, list item · Checked
the governing authorities of parishes, other than the parishes of Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster, or their duly created boards of adjustment are hereby authorized to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of structures;
La. R.S. 33:4780.40, first sentence · Checked
and the location and use of the buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes.
Bird flu right now? PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker for Louisiana has the latest we've checked.
Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Louisiana?
- Registration: not established. The finding covers: The Louisiana Board of Animal Health rules in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 7, Part XXI (Animals and Animal Health), and the Board’s powers in La. R.S. 3:2093, as checked on 24 October 2026. Outside this finding's scope: No provision requiring backyard poultry keepers to register was found in the sources read; the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) website was not searched for a registration programme, so this is not proof that none exists.
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Louisiana?
- The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. To promote health, safety, morals or the general welfare, the governing authority of any municipality may regulate and restrict the size of structures and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes. Parish governing authorities, other than Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes, or their boards of adjustment, may regulate the same matters. No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your municipality, or your parish governing authority outside Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine and Webster parishes, may regulate land use, so check with it; the law that applies in those parishes wasn't read. This page names the state laws, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules. 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 Louisiana?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. This page links the official status page to check today. PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker page for Louisiana has the latest we've checked.
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