Flock Status · California

Bird flu rules for backyard flocks in California

Standing rules only · October 15, 2026

We found no bird-flu order covering California or any of its areas today. Its standing rules for bringing birds in and showing them still apply.

Read from 16 official sources50 passages quotedChecked on October 14, 2026

At a glance

Today

Standing rules only

Bird-flu orders in force

None found

APHIS detections, 30 days

1 flock

Report sick birds

866-922-2473

Not veterinary advice: follow your state veterinarian. This is a sourced reading of official notices, dated when we read them. Orders can change overnight, so confirm with California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Animal Health Branch before you move, show or sell birds.

Current situation

What the agency's own pages and tables showed when we checked, with the line each comes from.

  • CDFA's control-area permit sheet, updated October 13, 2026, lists HPAI Control Areas only in Indiana (Jay) and Minnesota (Jackson, Kandiyohi, Stearns); no California county is listed.

    • “UPDATED: OCTOBER 13, 2026”

      CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · header

    • “Indiana: Jay”

      CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · Counties with control areas

    • “# of Counties with Control Areas: 4”

      CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · Within the Last 30 Days box

    • “Minnesota: Jackson, Kandiyohi,”

      CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · Counties with control areas

  • No CDFA exhibition order after the December 19, 2025 lift was found on the pages checked October 14, 2026: the H5N1 page's newest alert is April 30, 2026 (dairy movement), and the Fairs and Expositions 2026 circular list (F2026-01 to F2026-05, latest September 18, 2026) has no exhibition ban; F2026-03 funds fair Poultry Health Inspections for April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

    • “April 30, 2026: USDA UPDATES INTERSTATE MOVEMENT GUIDANCE”

      California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Livestock Health Alert

    • “September 18, 2026”

      California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · date line

    • “from April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027.”

      California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · para 1

  • APHIS confirmed HPAI in a Sacramento County backyard flock (WOAH Non-Poultry, 40 birds) on October 5, 2026; Control Area Released: NA (no California county on CDFA's Oct 13 sheet).

    • Oct 5, 2026Sacramento CountyBackyard (Non-Poultry)40 birdsno control area listed

      USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · 2026 California rows, last row

In force today

Worked out from each notice's dates for October 15, 2026. Bird-flu orders come first, then the standing rules.

Standing ruleShows and fairs

Poultry exhibitions may resume; at fairs, every bird is inspected on arrival by a certified Poultry Health Inspector and suspect birds may be dismissed; sick animals should not be transported or exhibited

In effect from December 19, 2025 · No end date in the source

Statewide · fairs and shows · Birds: poultry (and dairy cattle)

  • Enhanced biosecurity at fairgrounds and exhibitions is encouraged in the lift letter; CDFA's January 8, 2026 recommendations for exhibition organizers add one stated requirement (below)
  • Animals showing signs of illness should not be transported or exhibited
  • Suspected H5N1: call the CDFA Sick Bird Hotline 866-922-2473
  • REQUIRED for fairs (CDFA, 1/8/2026): on arrival and before coop-in, every bird is inspected by a certified Poultry Health Inspector (PHI) from the CDFA/UC certification programme; suspect birds may be dismissed
  • Recommended (1/8/2026), among others: no sick animals on site; poultry housed apart from dairy cattle; limit public contact with poultry; exhibitors use their own feed and water equipment; clean and disinfect pens and equipment with products labelled for avian influenza A; handwashing stations; a designated event Biosecurity Manager; tell exhibitors in advance that sick entries will be denied; exhibitor contact records, an isolation plan, and a vet or CDFA office contact plan if H5N1 is suspected
  • CDFA circular F2026-03 (February 17, 2026) repeats the fair PHI inspection for the FY 2026/27 fair season (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027) and requires PHI examination for poultry at marketing or breeding classes

Notice: CDFA Lifts Statewide Ban on California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows · CDFA State Veterinarian, December 19, 2025

What the notice says (5 passages)
  • “Animals exhibiting signs of illness should not be transported or exhibited, and veterinarians should be contacted promptly if disease is suspected.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · para 4

  • “CDFA determined that current conditions allow for exhibitions to resume with appropriate safeguards in place.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Q1

  • “REQUIRED for fairs: Upon arrival at the fair (and before coop-in), all poultry will be inspected for symptoms of disease or illness by a certified Poultry Health Inspector (PHI) from the designated CDFA/UC Certification Program.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Key Poultry Biosecurity, bullet 1

  • “Any suspect animals may be dismissed from the fairgrounds.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Key Poultry Biosecurity, bullet 1

  • “Upon arrival at the fair (and before coop-in), all poultry shall be inspected for symptoms of disease or illness by a certified Poultry Health Inspector(s) (PHI) from the designated CDFA/UC Certification Program.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · para 2

Standing ruleShows and fairs

Out-of-state exhibition poultry at California fairs need official ID and an ICVI unless from an NPIP flock with its VS 9-3, must show no sign of avian influenza and must not come from a control area

No end date in the source

Statewide · fairs run under the 2026 State Rules for California Fairs (District Agricultural Associations, citrus fruit fairs, county fairs) · Birds: exhibition poultry from other states

  • Official ID and an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, unless from an NPIP flock with its VS Form 9-3
  • Free of any evidence of avian influenza, virulent Newcastle disease and other contagious disease
  • Not from a control area in place for those diseases
  • Accepted ID: NPIP-approved devices such as sealed numbered leg or wing bands
  • 2026 State Rules published with circular F2026-02 (listed 2/3/2026); the State Rules Advisory Committee meets October 21, 2026 on changes for the following year

Rule: 2026 State Rules for California Fairs (Poultry Entries from Other States) · CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch, February 3, 2026

What the rule says (2 passages)
  • “All exhibition poultry entering California shall be free of any evidence of Avian Influenza, Virulent Newcastle Disease, and all other contagious diseases and not originate from a control area in place for those diseases.”

    CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · Poultry, Poultry Entries from Other States, item 2

  • “All exhibition poultry entering California require official identification (ID) and an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI), unless coming from a flock participating in the National Poultry Improvement Program (NPIP) and accompanied by the documentation required by that program (VS Form 9-3).”

    CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · item 1

How to reportReporting sick birds

CDFA asks owners to call the Sick Bird Hotline about unusual illness or deaths

No end date in the source

Statewide · Birds: poultry

  • Hotline 866-922-BIRD (2473)

Guidance: Avian Influenza Updates (HPAI in Poultry) · CDFA Animal Health Branch

What the guidance says (1 passage)
  • “Poultry owners with flocks that have experienced any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths should call our CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473).”

    CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · For Poultry Owners

Bringing birds or hatching eggs into California

Live poultry and hatching eggs: CVI from a Category II accredited veterinarian, inspected within 30 days of entry (3 CCR 821.4), unless the flock is NPIP Pullorum-Typhoid Clean and shipped with a VS Form 9-3. CDFA's general entry page says most livestock and poultry have entry-permit and CVI requirements (Permit Line 916-900-5052); its poultry factsheet (3 CCR 821.4) lists only the CVI. Confirm with the Permit Line. Birds from an HPAI Control Area need a movement permit and the HQ-220223-1Q pre-movement requirements. New World screwworm (CDFA statewide quarantine, June 10, 2026): from an NWS infested zone, poultry need inspection within 5 days, an eCVI with the NWS statement, systemic treatment where one is approved for the species (otherwise case by case) and a permit requested at least 48 hours ahead; from a surveillance zone, inspection within 7 days, the eCVI and a permit. NPIP hatching eggs and chicks under 5 days on a VS 9-3, and table eggs, are exempt.

What the entry rules say
  • “ALL poultry must be inspected by a USDA Category II accredited veterinarian within 30 days of movement into the state.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Live Poultry and Hatching Egg Entry Requirements (3 CCR §821.4)

  • “Flock of origin is rated or classified as Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or Free by the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and the imported poultry are accompanied by a VS Form 9-3.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · CVI Exemptions

  • “Most livestock and poultry have entry permit and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) requirements to enter California”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Livestock, Poultry and other Animal Entry Information

In force, no end dateBringing birds in

Poultry from an out-of-state HPAI Control Area need a California movement permit and must meet entry requirements verified before movement by the USDA/State Incident Commander in the state of origin

No California county is listed with a Control Area on CDFA's sheet updated October 13, 2026

No end date in the source

Statewide · movements from out-of-state HPAI Control Areas, and movements into, out of or within any California Control Area · Birds: poultry, hatching eggs, nest-run eggs, poultry products and equipment

  • Applies only if the movement starts in a USDA/State HPAI Control Area or at a premises suspected of HPAI
  • Without a permit, shipments are quarantined on arrival and shipper and receiver may be cited
  • Exempt: processed poultry products and table eggs going to licensed distribution or retail facilities with no poultry on or next to the property
  • Inside California, all poultry premises within a Control Area are quarantined and every movement needs a permit; counties themselves are not quarantined
  • Permit questions: SFSPERMITS@CDFA.CA.GOV
  • Before movement, the USDA/State Incident Commander in the state of origin must complete and verify (HQ-220223-1Q additional entry requirements):
  • 1. An epidemiological investigation, questionnaire and diagnostic tests showing the premises of origin is not an Infected, Contact, Suspect or At-Risk Premises
  • 2. Normal flock production with no clinical signs, no abnormal mortality and no drop in egg production; flocks monitored daily, and an increase in mortality means daily mortality above three times the past seven-day average (footnote a)
  • 3. Two negative RRT-PCR results, at least one from samples collected within a set number of hours before movement (the number of hours is missing from the saved text; read by eye on the rendered PDF as 48); testing by a collection method set by the Incident Command, at an approved state or NAHLN laboratory (footnote b, read by eye)
  • 4. An on-site biosecurity review at the premises of origin, with a documented re-examination frequency
  • 5. Product-specific and truck/driver biosecurity for every movement: vehicle sealed under the Incident Commander's authorisation; transport materials destroyed or cleaned and sanitised; shell and hatching eggs held in the state of origin at least 2 days; vehicle cleaned and disinfected before loading; driver stays in the cab or wears protective clothing in the Control Area; tyres, undercarriage and wheel wells cleaned before leaving (footnotes c and d)
  • 6. A permit requested through USDA's Emergency Management Response System (EMRS)
  • The California premises receiving the birds must be notified and have biosecurity in place before CDFA approves the EMRS permit (words missing in the saved text; read by eye on the rendered PDF as 'an enhanced biosecurity plan in place that meets the requirements of the California Secure Food Supply program')
  • HQ-220223-1Q's requirement sheet (Attachment A) attaches to a blank quarantine notice form; no date appears in the saved text (form footer cut off at '76-194 (Est.')

Guidance: Poultry/Poultry Products Require Permits to Enter, Leave, or Move Within a HPAI Control Area (statewide quarantine HQ-220223-1Q) · CDFA Animal Health Branch, October 13, 2026

What the guidance says (12 passages)
  • “A statewide quarantine HQ-220223-1Q has been imposed on imports because live poultry, hatching eggs, & poultry products that may be infected with or exposed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) can devastate poultry in California.”

    CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · para 1

  • “Out-of-state HPAI Control Area restrictions ONLY apply if the origin of the movement is in a USDA/State HPAI Control Area OR if the origin premises is suspected of having HPAI.”

    CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · para 3

  • “California counties themselves are not quarantined, only the infected premises.”

    CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · para 4

  • “These requirements must be completed and verified by the USDA/State Incident Commander (IC) in the state of origin prior to movement:”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Additional California entry requirements pursuant to quarantine notice HQ-220223-1Q

  • “Two negative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) results from premises with poultry on-site and for products originating from flocks within a Control Area;”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · requirement 3

  • “A permit requested using USDA Emergency Management Response System (EMRS).”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · requirement 6

  • “All shell eggs and hatching eggs must be held in the state of origin for at least two (2) days prior to shipping.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · footnote c, Product-Specific Biosecurity

  • “An epidemiological investigation, questionnaire, and diagnostic tests confirming that the premises of origin does not meet the definition of an Infected, Contact, Suspect, or At-Risk Premises.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · requirement 1

  • “The flock of origin production parameters are normal with no clinical signs, no abnormal”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · requirement 2

  • “An on-site review of the biosecurity procedures at the premises of origin completed at least once, and a documented frequency for re-examination.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · requirement 4

  • “An increase in mortality is defined as daily mortality greater than three times the past seven-day average.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · footnote a

  • “The driver should remain inside the cab of the vehicle.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · footnote d

Other disease entry orders

Not about bird flu, but they apply to poultry coming in.

In force, no end dateBringing birds in

From an NWS infested zone, poultry entering California need inspection within 5 days

An eCVI with the NWS statement (plus any NWS movement certificate the origin requires); systemic NWS treatment where one is approved for the species (otherwise CDFA decides case by case); and an entry permit requested at least 48 hours ahead. From an NWS surveillance zone: inspection within 7 days, the eCVI and a permit. NPIP hatching eggs and chicks under 5 days on a VS 9-3, and table eggs, are exempt.

In effect from June 10, 2026 · No end date in the source

Statewide · animals entering California from a state with an active New World screwworm infested zone · Birds: warm-blooded animals including domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, peacocks, guinea fowl, pigeons, upland gamebirds, ratites)

  • Applies to animals entering California from a state or USDA-designated state with an active NWS infested zone; the order names domestic poultry
  • From an infested zone: individual inspection within 5 days before arrival; eCVI (plus any NWS movement certificate required by the origin state or USDA) stating the animals were inspected and found free of NWS
  • From an infested zone: treatment with an effective approved systemic NWS treatment when applicable to the species, no more than 14 days before arrival; for species with no approved systemic treatment, CDFA sets requirements case by case
  • From a surveillance zone: individual inspection within 7 days before arrival; eCVI with the NWS statement; entry permit
  • Entry permit requested at least 48 hours (preferably 72) before movement (CDFA 909-247-8789)
  • All animals are inspected on arrival (within 12 hours); suspected NWS must be reported to CDFA within 24 hours
  • No animal known or reasonably suspected to be infested may enter without the State Veterinarian's written authorisation
  • Alternate movement documents (owner-shipper statements, extended equine permits, pasture permits) are not allowed from an infested state
  • eCVIs are submitted electronically to CDFA
  • Exempt: hatching eggs and chicks under 5 days from NPIP flocks moving under a VS Form 9-3; table eggs
  • Quarantine notice issued June 10, 2026; Attachment NWS-1 revised 06/29/26; no end date stated

Order: Notice of Required Action Pursuant to Quarantine #STATEWIDE.HQ.NWS, with Attachment NWS-1 (New World Screwworm entry requirements) · CDFA State Veterinarian, June 10, 2026

What the order says (14 passages)
  • “domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, peacocks, guinea fowl, pigeons, upland gamebirds, ratites)”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, para 1

  • “Be individually inspected by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, state or federal animal health official, or other state or federal certified inspector within five (5) days prior to arrival.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Animals originating from an NWS-Infested Zone, 1

  • “Shipments of table eggs are exempt.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Poultry exemptions

  • “Date: June 10, 2026”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · notice issued by

  • “New World Screwworm (NWS) – All warm-blooded animals originating from a state with an infested zone (New Mexico, Texas).”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Movement Requirements for Current Disease Outbreaks

  • “Obtain a California entry permit by calling CDFA at 909-247-8789 no later than 48 hours, but preferably at least 72 hours, before movement date.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · page 1, requirements

  • “Be treated with an Effective Approved systemic NWS Treatment when applicable to the species being moved.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, infested zone 4

  • “For species for which no approved systemic treatment exists, movement requirements shall be determined by CDFA on a case-by-case basis.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, infested zone 4.b

  • “Be individually inspected by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within seven (7) days prior to arrival.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, surveillance zone 1

  • “Livestock and poultry originating from an NWS-Surveillance Zone shall:”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, surveillance zone

  • “Inspection must be conducted within 12 hours of arrival in California.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, arrival inspection

  • “Any animal known or reasonably suspected to be infested with NWS shall not enter California unless specifically authorized in writing by the State Veterinarian.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, General 1

  • “Alternate movement documents, such as Extended Equine Movement Permits, Owner-Shipper Statements, and Pasture to Pasture permits, are not allowed for animals moving from an infested state.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · page 1

  • “Provided such movements originate from flocks participating in the National Poultry Improvement Plan and move under a VS Form 9-3.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · Attachment NWS-1, poultry exemptions

Federal rules apply on top for any move across a state line: official ID and a health certificate or NPIP paperwork.

Sick or dead birds? Who to call

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Animal Health Branch

866-922-2473

The agency's bird flu page

  • “Poultry owners with flocks that have experienced any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths should call our CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473).”

    CDFA Animal Health Branch · cdfa.ca.gov · For Poultry Owners

Recent detections in California

USDA APHIS confirmed bird flu in 1 flock in California in the 30 days to October 14, 2026: 1 backyard and 0 commercial, in Sacramento County. Latest detection in the APHIS data: October 9, 2026. The national picture

History

Orders that have ended or been lifted, kept so you can see what changed.

Lifted Dec 19, 2025Shows and fairs

Statewide ban on poultry exhibitions at fairs and shows (lifted December 19, 2025)

In effect from January 8, 2025 · Lifted December 19, 2025

Statewide · fairs and shows · Birds: poultry (and dairy cattle)

  • Applied to all California poultry and dairy exhibitions at fairs and shows
  • Imposed by the State Veterinarian, announced to fair managers by circular letter F2025-01
  • The State Veterinarian's letter (the order) is dated January 7, 2025 and digitally signed 2025.01.08; the circular F2025-01 is dated January 8, 2025

Notice: F2025-01: CA H5N1 Avian Influenza - Ban on California Poultry and Dairy Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows · CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch, for the State Veterinarian, January 8, 2025

Ended by: CDFA Lifts Statewide Ban on California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows (December 19, 2025)

  • “Effective immediately, the statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows is hereby lifted.”

    CDFA State Veterinarian (Dr. Annette Jones) · cdfa.ca.gov · para 2

  • “CDFA lifted the statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows, effective December 19, 2025.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · Livestock Health Alert, February 21, 2026 update

What the notice says (2 passages)
  • “has implemented a ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows, effective immediately until further notice.”

    CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch, for the State Veterinarian · cdfa.ca.gov · para 1

  • “the State Veterinarian has implemented a ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows immediately until further notice.”

    California Department of Food and Agriculture · cdfa.ca.gov · para 2

Common questions

Is there a bird flu order in California right now?
We found no bird-flu order covering California or any of its areas today. Its standing rules for bringing birds in and showing them still apply.
Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in California?
We found no bird-flu ban on shows or sales in force on October 15, 2026. Standing rules apply: Poultry exhibitions may resume; Out-of-state exhibition poultry at California fairs need official ID and an ICVI unless from an NPIP flock with its VS 9-3, must show no sign of avian influenza and must not come from a control area.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into California?
Live poultry and hatching eggs: CVI from a Category II accredited veterinarian, inspected within 30 days of entry (3 CCR 821.4), unless the flock is NPIP Pullorum-Typhoid Clean and shipped with a VS Form 9-3. CDFA's general entry page says most livestock and poultry have entry-permit and CVI requirements (Permit Line 916-900-5052); its poultry factsheet (3 CCR 821.4) lists only the CVI. Confirm with the Permit Line. Birds from an HPAI Control Area need a movement permit and the HQ-220223-1Q pre-movement requirements. New World screwworm (CDFA statewide quarantine, June 10, 2026): from an NWS infested zone, poultry need inspection within 5 days, an eCVI with the NWS statement, systemic treatment where one is approved for the species (otherwise case by case) and a permit requested at least 48 hours ahead; from a surveillance zone, inspection within 7 days, the eCVI and a permit. NPIP hatching eggs and chicks under 5 days on a VS 9-3, and table eggs, are exempt.
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in California?
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Animal Health Branch at 866-922-2473. Report sick or dying birds there or to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. This page is not veterinary advice; follow your state veterinarian.
How current is this page?
We read California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Animal Health Branch's notices on October 14, 2026. Whether each order is in force is worked out from its dates every time the page is rebuilt, at least once an hour, so an order never shows as in force after it ends.
Sources
  1. California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Animal Health Branch: bird flu page. California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Animal Health Branch.
  2. F2025-01: CA H5N1 Avian Influenza - Ban on California Poultry and Dairy Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows. CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch, for the State Veterinarian. January 8, 2025.
  3. CDFA Lifts Statewide Ban on California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows. CDFA State Veterinarian (Dr. Annette Jones). December 19, 2025.
  4. 2026 State Rules for California Fairs (Poultry Entries from Other States). CDFA Fairs and Expositions Branch. February 3, 2026.
  5. Poultry/Poultry Products Require Permits to Enter, Leave, or Move Within a HPAI Control Area (statewide quarantine HQ-220223-1Q). CDFA Animal Health Branch. October 13, 2026.
  6. Notice of Required Action Pursuant to Quarantine #STATEWIDE.HQ.NWS, with Attachment NWS-1 (New World Screwworm entry requirements). CDFA State Veterinarian. June 10, 2026.
  7. CA Poulty Dairy Cattle Exhibition Ban 2025. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  8. Livestock Health Alert, February 21, 2026 update. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  9. Public Information on the Lifting of the Exhibition Ban EST20260108. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  10. Key Poultry Biosecurity, bullet 1. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  11. Page on cdfa.ca.gov. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  12. Additional California entry requirements pursuant to quarantine notice HQ-220223-1Q. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  13. Movement Requirements for Current Disease Outbreaks. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  14. Live Poultry and Hatching Egg Entry Requirements (3 CCR §821.4). California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  15. date line. California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  16. ExportToCsv.csv. USDA APHIS.

We read each document ourselves and last checked this page against them on October 14, 2026. Where they disagree, we show you the disagreement instead of picking a winner quietly.

What we couldn't confirm
  • APHIS lists five California flock detections in 2026: Butte (January 2, 2026, commercial upland game bird), Stanislaus (January 8, 2026, WOAH Non-Poultry), Sutter (January 30, 2026, WOAH Non-Poultry), Sonoma (February 9, 2026, commercial broiler; control area released February 28, 2026) and Sacramento (October 5, 2026, WOAH Non-Poultry, 40 birds). CDFA's poultry incident list stops at December 19, 2025 and is not a currency source; CDFA's October 13, 2026 sheet lists no California Control Area. CDFA's October-December 2025 incident notices mention movement restrictions, including in Sonoma County; not recorded as a history row (end date unknown, not live per the October 13, 2026 sheet).
  • Governor's State of Emergency Proclamation on bird flu (12/18/2024) is linked from the CDFA page; whether it has been terminated was not checked (it does not itself set backyard-keeper rules in what we read).
  • The lifting letter itself carries no printed date; December 19, 2025 comes from its digital signature and CDFA's HPAI page.
  • The CDFA avian entry factsheet is dated October 2024; 3 CCR 821.4 itself was not read on the official CCR site in this round.
  • Fair-specific poultry entry rules (if any fair sets its own) were not searched.
  • Whether ordinary (non-control-area) poultry need a California entry permit is unconfirmed: the permit sentence on CDFA's entry page covers livestock and poultry together; the poultry factsheet names only the CVI.
  • The 1/8/2026 event document's title on CDFA's page is 'Biosecurity Expectations for Event Organizers'; the PDF itself is headed 'Biosecurity Recommendations'. Only the line marked REQUIRED is treated as a requirement.
  • HQ-220223-1Q capture is incomplete: the PDF's text layer drops several words (the hours in requirement 3, footnote b, the receiving-premises sentence and the form number). Page 2 was rendered and read by eye; those readings are in for a hand check and are not quoted.
  • ca-2025-shows-1: the State Veterinarian's letter (enclosure to F2025-01) is now saved; it is dated January 7, 2025 and digitally signed 2025.01.08; effectiveFrom keeps January 8, 2025 (signature and circular date).
  • CDFA has posted no notice about the October 5, 2026 Sacramento backyard case on the pages read.
  • Attachment NWS-1 sets no poultry requirement for birds from elsewhere in an infested state (its 'outside the infested zone' section covers only equines and companion animals), though page 1 places all animals from such states under the quarantine; confirm with CDFA 909-247-8789.
  • HQ-220223-1Q (ca-2022-import-control-area-1) is an in-force import quarantine order; it is kind import_entry, so under brief item 18 it does not colour the map.

Next door

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