Can you keep backyard chickens in Nebraska?
Nebraska cities of the first or second class and villages may adopt zoning (Neb. Rev. Stat. 19-901), and county boards may zone unincorporated land, so check yours. Other cities' powers weren't read.
Read from 19 official sources38 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 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 city council of a city of the first or second class, or a village board of trustees, may adopt zoning regulations covering, among other things, the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes.
- A county board may adopt a zoning resolution with the force of law, which may regulate and restrict the uses of land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence, industry and trade, after considering factors such as soil and water conservation, in the unincorporated area of the county.
No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your city of the first or second class or village, or your county board for unincorporated land, may zone, so check with it. Zoning powers of other classes of city and municipal animal-control powers were not read, and this page doesn't cover local ordinances.
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 Nebraska'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: Nebraska
Applies to: Nebraska’s Animal Health and Disease Control Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2940, 54-2941, 54-2944, 54-2949 and its definitions) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s animal disease traceability page, read on 26 October 2026.
Outside this finding's scope
- No duty for poultry keepers to register was found in those sections or on that page. The Act keeps information given for premises registration or voluntary traceability out of the public record, but the sections read do not say who must register. The department’s rules were not read, so this is not proof that no keeper duty exists.
What the checked sources say
- As checked on 26 October 2026, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s animal disease traceability page offered a Premises ID Registration Form.
Authority: Not established from the sources checked.
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
Any information that a person provides to the department for purposes of premises registration or for voluntary participation in or compliance with animal disease traceability shall not be a public record
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2949(1), opening · Checked
Complete the Premises ID Registration Form.
NDA Animal Disease Traceability page · 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: Nebraska
Applies to: The quarantine and disease-control powers of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture under the Animal Health and Disease Control Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2940). In that Act an animal is any vertebrate except humans or wild animals at large, livestock includes poultry, and poultry means domesticated birds that serve as a source of eggs or meat, including chickens.
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
- To prevent, suppress, control and eradicate dangerous diseases, the department may issue quarantines to any person or premises where an affected or suspected affected animal is or was located, lasting until the State Veterinarian releases them. A quarantine is a restriction the department imposes on animal movement, premises or regulated articles; an affected flock is one containing an animal infected with or exposed to a dangerous disease.
- The department may also require an affected or suspected affected animal to be euthanized, detained, slaughtered or sold for immediate slaughter at a federally inspected plant, or to be inspected, tested, treated, investigated, monitored or vaccinated.
- Anyone who discovers, suspects or has reason to believe that an animal they own or have in their possession or custody is affected must report it immediately to the department.
- As checked on 26 October 2026, the department’s avian influenza page said owners of poultry showing signs of HPAI should call the department at 402-471-2351 or USDA at 866-536-7593 immediately, and encouraged poultry producers to practise good biosecurity, including minimizing exposure to wild birds.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed; check the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s avian influenza page.
- 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.
Department means the Department of Agriculture.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2912 · Checked
Animal means all vertebrate members of the animal kingdom except humans or wild animals at large.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2906 · Checked
Livestock means cattle, swine, sheep, horses, mules, donkeys, goats, domesticated cervine animals, ratite birds, poultry, llamas, and alpacas.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2921 · Checked
Poultry means domesticated birds that serve as a source of eggs or meat and includes, but is not limited to, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2926 · Checked
Premises means land, buildings, vehicles, equipment, pens, holding facilities, and grounds upon which an animal, herd, or flock is or was, housed, kept, located, grazed, or transported.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2927 · Checked
Quarantine means a restriction imposed on animal movement, premises, or regulated articles issued by the department.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2931 · Checked
Affected animal, herd, or flock means an animal, herd, or flock which contains an animal infected with or exposed to a dangerous disease.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2904 · Checked
Dangerous disease means an infectious, contagious, or otherwise transmissible disease, infestation, or exposure which has the potential for rapid spread, serious economic impact, or serious threat to livestock health, and is of major importance in the trade of livestock and livestock products.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2911 · Checked
In carrying out its duties to prevent, suppress, control, and eradicate dangerous diseases the department may:
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2940, opening · Checked
(1) Issue quarantines to any person or public or private premises within the state where an affected animal, suspected affected animal, or regulated article is or was located,
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2940(1), first part · Checked
until such quarantine is released by the State Veterinarian.
(3) Require an affected animal or suspected affected animal to be (a) euthanized, detained, slaughtered, or sold for immediate slaughter at a federally inspected slaughter establishment or (b) inspected, tested, treated, subjected to an epidemiological investigation, monitored, or vaccinated.
Laws 2025, LB317, § 315.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2940, source note · Checked
(3) It is the duty of any person who discovers, suspects, or has reason to believe that any animal belonging to him or her, or which he or she has in his or her possession or custody,
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2944(3), first part · Checked
is an affected animal to immediately report such fact, belief, or suspicion to the department or its agent, employee, or appointee.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2944(3), last part · Checked
If you have poultry that are exhibiting signs and symptoms of HPAI you should call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-2351 or the United States Department of Agriculture at 866-536-7593 immediately.
NDA Avian Influenza page, "How to Report a Sick Bird" · Checked
Therefore, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture encourages poultry producers to practice good biosecurity with their flocks including minimizing exposure to wild birds
NDA Avian Influenza page, "How can I prevent Avian Influenza in my flock?" · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Nebraska
Applies to: Nebraska’s Livestock Animal Welfare Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902, 54-903 and 54-907), in which a livestock animal includes poultry. Nebraska’s general cruelty definitions (28-1008) leave out livestock animals as defined in that Act.
Outside this finding's scope
- The Act does not apply to, among other things, euthanasia by the owner, the owner’s agent or a veterinarian at the owner’s request; commonly accepted animal welfare practices with respect to livestock animals and commercial livestock operations; or commonly followed practices in conjunction with slaughter for food. Whether a backyard keeper’s practices fall within the “commonly accepted” exception was not established. No numerical space standard for poultry was found.
What the checked sources say
- An owner or custodian must not cruelly neglect a livestock animal in their care, meaning fail to provide it with feed, water or other care reasonably necessary for its health, or abandon it without making effective provision for that care.
- Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly abandoning or cruelly neglecting a livestock animal is a Class I misdemeanor, or a Class IV felony if it results in serious injury or illness or death. Cruel mistreatment (knowingly and intentionally killing or physically harming a livestock animal in a way not consistent with veterinarian and husbandry practices common to the livestock animal industry) is a Class I misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class IV felony for any later offense.
The official wording
For purposes of the Livestock Animal Welfare Act:
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902, opening · Checked
(9) Livestock animal means any bovine, equine, swine, sheep, goats, domesticated cervine animals, ratite birds, llamas, or poultry;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902(9) · Checked
(5) Cruelly neglect means to fail to provide a livestock animal in one's care, whether as owner or custodian, with feed, water, or other care as is reasonably necessary for the livestock animal's health;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902(5) · Checked
(1) Abandon means to leave a livestock animal in one's care, whether as owner or custodian, for any length of time without making effective provision for the livestock animal's feed, water, or other care as is reasonably necessary for the livestock animal's health;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902(1) · Checked
(2) Animal welfare practice means veterinarian practices and animal husbandry practices common to the livestock animal industry, including transport of livestock animals from one location to another;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902(2) · Checked
(4) Cruelly mistreat means to knowingly and intentionally kill or cause physical harm to a livestock animal in a manner that is not consistent with animal welfare practices;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-902(4) · Checked
(1) A person who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly abandons or cruelly neglects a livestock animal is guilty of a Class I misdemeanor unless the abandonment or cruel neglect results in serious injury or illness or death of the livestock animal, in which case it is a Class IV felony.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-903(1) · Checked
(2) A person who cruelly mistreats a livestock animal is guilty of a Class I misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class IV felony for any subsequent offense.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-903(2) · Checked
The Livestock Animal Welfare Act shall not apply to:
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-907, opening · Checked
(2) Euthanasia of a livestock animal or livestock animals as conducted by the owner or by his or her agent or a veterinarian upon the owner's request;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-907(2) · Checked
(4) Commonly accepted animal welfare practices with respect to livestock animals and commercial livestock operations, including their transport from one location to another and nonnegligent actions taken by personnel or agents of the Department of Agriculture or the United States Department of Agriculture in the performance of duties prescribed by law;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-907(4) · Checked
(5) Commonly followed practices occurring in conjunction with the slaughter of animals for food or byproducts;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-907(5) · Checked
(2) Animal means any vertebrate member of the animal kingdom. Animal does not include an uncaptured wild creature or a livestock animal as defined in section 54-902 ;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1008(2) · Checked
National or state rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Nebraska
Applies to: Zoning powers of Nebraska’s cities of the first and second class and villages (Neb. Rev. Stat. 19-901) and of county boards (23-114).
Outside this finding's scope
- No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your city of the first or second class or village, or your county board for unincorporated land, may zone, so check with it. Zoning powers of other classes of city and municipal animal-control powers were not read, and this page doesn't cover local ordinances.
What the checked sources say
- To promote health, safety, morals or the general welfare, the city council of a city of the first or second class, or a village board of trustees, may adopt zoning regulations covering, among other things, the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes.
- A county board may adopt a zoning resolution with the force of law, which may regulate and restrict the uses of land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence, industry and trade, after considering factors such as soil and water conservation, in the unincorporated area of the county.
The official wording
(1) For the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community, the city council of a city of the first class or city of the second class or the village board of trustees of a village may adopt zoning regulations
Neb. Rev. Stat. 19-901(1), first part · Checked
the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes.
(1) The county board shall have power:
Neb. Rev. Stat. 23-114(1), opening · Checked
(c) to adopt a zoning resolution, which shall have the force and effect of law;
Neb. Rev. Stat. 23-114(1)(c) · Checked
(2) The zoning resolution may regulate and restrict:
Neb. Rev. Stat. 23-114(2), opening · Checked
(g) the uses of land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence, industry, and trade, after considering factors relating to soil conservation, water supply conservation, surface water drainage and removal, or other uses in the unincorporated area of the county.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 23-114(2)(g) · Checked
Bird flu right now? PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker for Nebraska has the latest we've checked.
Next door
Every state on the map →Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Nebraska?
- Registration: not established. The finding covers: Nebraska’s Animal Health and Disease Control Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2940, 54-2941, 54-2944, 54-2949 and its definitions) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s animal disease traceability page, read on 26 October 2026. Outside this finding's scope: No duty for poultry keepers to register was found in those sections or on that page. The Act keeps information given for premises registration or voluntary traceability out of the public record, but the sections read do not say who must register. The department’s rules were not read, so this is not proof that no keeper duty exists.
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Nebraska?
- 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 city council of a city of the first or second class, or a village board of trustees, may adopt zoning regulations covering, among other things, the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes. A county board may adopt a zoning resolution with the force of law, which may regulate and restrict the uses of land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence, industry and trade, after considering factors such as soil and water conservation, in the unincorporated area of the county. No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your city of the first or second class or village, or your county board for unincorporated land, may zone, so check with it. Zoning powers of other classes of city and municipal animal-control powers were not read, and this page doesn't cover local ordinances. 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 Nebraska?
- 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 Nebraska has the latest we've checked.
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