Flock Status · Georgia

Bird flu rules for backyard flocks in Georgia

Standing rules only · October 15, 2026

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

Read from 8 official sources20 passages quotedChecked on October 14, 2026

At a glance

Today

Standing rules only

Bird-flu orders in force

None found

APHIS detections, 30 days

None listed

Report sick birds

(770) 766-6850

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 Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Animal Health / State Veterinarian 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.

  • GDA declared Georgia HPAI-free in poultry as of March 13, 2026, with all control areas and surveillance zones released. GDA's later Pierce County backyard (non-poultry) case on April 17, 2026: GDA reports no commercial poultry or dairy within 10 km and names no control area; APHIS shows Pierce 01 with control area NA.

    • “All control areas and surveillance zones have been released.”

      GDA · agr.georgia.gov · para 6

    • “There are no commercial poultry or dairy cattle operations located within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius around the affected premises.”

      Georgia Department of Agriculture · agr.georgia.gov · para 4

    • Apr 17, 2026Pierce CountyBackyard (Non-Poultry)70 birdsno control area listed

      USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · Pierce 01 row

In force today

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

How to reportReporting sick birds

GDA asks owners to call the AI Hotline about suspected avian influenza; testing is free through the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network

No end date in the source

Statewide · Birds: domestic birds

  • (770) 766-6850
  • Wild birds in unusual numbers: DNR 1-800-366-2661

Guidance: Avian Influenza · GDA

What the guidance says (1 passage)
  • “Domestic birds: Call the AI Hotline at (770) 766-6850. Testing is free through the gapoultrylab.org/avian-influenza-hotline/ .”

    GDA · agr.georgia.gov · Report Disease

Bringing birds or hatching eggs into Georgia

CVI or NPIP 9-3 (and 9-2 if applicable) for all poultry, hatching eggs, chicks and breeding stock; NPIP PT Clean and AI Clean flocks skip testing, others need negative PT and AI (antigen) tests within 21 days. Waterfowl: no PT test, but a negative AI antigen test within 21 days (no NPIP exemption in .15(4)). Nothing from an out-of-state H5/H7 control zone until it is released, except by State Veterinarian permit. Exotic and pet birds need a prior permit number (404) 656-3667. New World screwworm: any animal from a state or area where screwworms have become established needs a prior permit from the State Veterinarian (Rule 40-13-2-.03; the rule does not exempt poultry).

What the entry rules say
  • “All poultry including but not limited to hatching eggs, chicks, poults, and poultry breeding stock entering Georgia must be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or an official National Poultry Improvement Plan (N.P.I.P.) Form 9-3 and N.P.I.P Form 9-2, if applicable.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · Rule 40-13-2-.15(1)

  • “Any animal originating from a state or area where screwworms have become established shall not be transported into Georgia unless the State Veterinarian has issued a prior permit.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · 40-13-2-.03 Screwworms

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Poultry entering Georgia need a CVI or NPIP 9-3, and unless NPIP PT Clean and AI Clean, negative pullorum-typhoid and avian influenza tests within 21 days

No end date in the source

Statewide · entry into Georgia · Birds: poultry, hatching eggs, quail, pheasants and other gallinaceous birds, waterfowl

  • AI test is an approved antigen detection test within 21 days before entry
  • Waterfowl: no PT test, but a negative AI antigen test within 21 days (no NPIP exemption in .15(4))
  • Shipments under 30 birds: test all; over 30: at least 30 birds
  • Copy of CVI to the State Veterinarian; copy of 9-3/9-2 to the Georgia Poultry Laboratory
  • Live MG-vaccinated poultry need prior written permission
  • Hatching eggs or unfed and unwatered poultry may enter if the breeder flock tested negative for PT (serology) and AI (antigen) within 21 days (.15(2))
  • PT testing: every bird coming into Georgia tested individually (.15(5))

Rule: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-13-2-.15 Poultry (interstate movement health requirements) · Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State)

What the rule says (4 passages)
  • “Poultry not participating in the PT Clean and AI Clean programs of the N.P.I.P. must be tested negative for pullorum-typhoid disease as well as avian influenza, using an approved serology test for pullorum-typhoid and an approved antigen detection test for avian influenza, within twenty-one (21) days prior to entering Georgia.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · Rule 40-13-2-.15(2)

  • “The order Anseriforme, which includes waterfowl, is exempt from pullorum-typhoid requirements but must be tested negative for avian influenza, using an approved antigen detection test, within twenty-one (21) days prior to entering Georgia.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · Rule 40-13-2-.15(4)

  • “Hatching eggs or unfed and unwatered poultry may enter Georgia provided the breeder flock from which they originated was tested negative for pullorum-typhoid disease, using an approved serology test, and avian influenza, using an approved antigen detection test, within twenty-one (21) days prior to entering Georgia.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · 40-13-2-.15(2)

  • “When testing for pullorum-typhoid, all birds coming into Georgia must be tested individually.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · 40-13-2-.15(5)

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Nothing from another state's avian influenza control zone may enter Georgia until that zone is released, except under State Veterinarian permit

No end date in the source

Statewide · entry from another state's H5/H7 control zone · Birds: poultry and poultry products (hatching eggs, chicks, poults, table eggs, litter, offal)

  • State Control Zone: at least 10 km around an H5/H7 case, until released by the state of origin
  • Georgia birds taken into such a zone may not return until the same conditions are met
  • Vehicles from affected zones cleaned and disinfected, with a signed statement on the 9-3, 9-2 or CVI
  • GDA may restrict entry of poultry from an affected state for sale or exhibition at markets, fairs and shows (rule power)

Rule: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-13-2-.15 Poultry (interstate movement health requirements) · Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State)

What the rule says (2 passages)
  • “No live poultry, including unfed baby chicks and hatching eggs, or poultry products originating from a SCZ may enter Georgia for any purpose until the state of origin has depopulated infected flocks, has had no new infections, and the Control Zone has been officially released from quarantine by State authorities, except under permit from the State Veterinarian.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · Rule 40-13-2-.15(7)(b)

  • “then the Department may restrict the entry of poultry into Georgia for the purpose of being offered for sale, barter, exchange, or exhibition in any auction market, marketplace, fair, show, or other event”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State) · rules.sos.ga.gov · Rule 40-13-2-.15(7)(e)

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Any animal from a state or area where screwworms have become established needs a prior permit from the State Veterinarian to enter Georgia

No end date in the source

Statewide · entry from a state or area where screwworms have become established · Birds: any animal

  • Covers any animal; birds are not named (confirm with GDA (404) 656-3667)
  • No poultry exemption in the rule

Rule: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-13-2-.03 Screwworms · Georgia Department of Agriculture

What the rule says (1 passage)
  • “Any animal originating from a state or area where screwworms have become established shall not be transported into Georgia unless the State Veterinarian has issued a prior permit.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture · rules.sos.ga.gov · 40-13-2-.03

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

Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Animal Health / State Veterinarian

(770) 766-6850 (AI Hotline)

Report online

  • “If you suspect your birds have avian influenza, call the AI Hotline at (770) 766-6850 .”

    GDA · agr.georgia.gov · page top

Recent detections in Georgia

USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in Georgia flocks in the 30 days to October 14, 2026. 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 Feb 10, 2025Sales, swaps and auctions

Statewide suspension of live-bird poultry sales, swaps and exhibitions after the Elbert County detections (lifted February 10, 2025)

Lifted February 10, 2025

Statewide · sales at auction, flea or livestock markets, meet ups, swaps and exhibitions · Birds: live poultry

  • Imposed 'immediately' in response to the January 2025 Elbert County detections (first non-negative result January 16, 2025; NVSL confirmations January 17 and 21); the release gives no order date
  • Lifted with the release of the Elbert County control area

Press release: Georgia Department of Agriculture Lifts Suspension of Poultry Activities, Releases HPAI Control Area · Georgia Department of Agriculture, February 10, 2025

Ended by: Georgia Department of Agriculture Lifts Suspension of Poultry Activities, Releases HPAI Control Area (February 10, 2025)

  • “Following the release of the control area, the suspension has been lifted and poultry activities may resume as normal.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture · agr.georgia.gov · Suspension of Poultry Activities

What the press release says (1 passage)
  • “the Georgia Department of Agriculture immediately suspended all poultry activities involving live birds including sales at auction, flea, or livestock markets, meet ups, swaps, and exhibitions.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture · agr.georgia.gov · Suspension of Poultry Activities

Lifted Mar 13, 2026Control zones and quarantine

2026 control areas around the Walker and Hart County commercial cases are released; Georgia declared HPAI-free March 13, 2026

Lifted March 13, 2026

Inside a control zone · control areas and surveillance zones around the January-February 2026 commercial detections · Birds: poultry

  • Start dates not given; detections confirmed January 13 and 23, 2026 (Walker) and February 2, 2026 (Hart)
  • Released on or before March 13, 2026 (date not stated)
  • While open: commercial poultry operations within the 10 km control area were quarantined with enhanced surveillance; movement of poultry, poultry products and related materials into, out of or within the area needed a GDA permit
  • No 2026 suspension of poultry sales, shows or swaps appears in the Walker 01, Walker 02 or Hart releases

Press release: Commissioner Tyler J Harper Declares Georgia is 'HPAI-Free' Following Detections in Three Commercial Poultry Flocks in Hart and Walker County · GDA, March 13, 2026

Ended by: Commissioner Tyler J Harper Declares Georgia is 'HPAI-Free' Following Detections in Three Commercial Poultry Flocks in Hart and Walker County (March 13, 2026)

  • “the State of Georgia has officially regained its status as free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry as of March 13th.”

    GDA · agr.georgia.gov · para 1

What the press release says (3 passages)
  • “All control areas and surveillance zones have been released.”

    GDA · agr.georgia.gov · para 6

  • “Movement of poultry, poultry products, and related materials into, out of, or within the control area is strictly prohibited without a permit issued by GDA.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture · agr.georgia.gov · Hart County release (January 28, 2026), para 4

  • “All commercial poultry operations within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks.”

    Georgia Department of Agriculture · agr.georgia.gov · Walker County release (January 14, 2026)

Common questions

Is there a bird flu order in Georgia right now?
We found no bird-flu order covering Georgia 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 Georgia?
We found no current order on poultry shows or sales in Georgia on October 15, 2026. That is what the official pages showed, not an all-clear; call the Georgia Department of Agriculture at (770) 766-6850 before an event.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Georgia?
CVI or NPIP 9-3 (and 9-2 if applicable) for all poultry, hatching eggs, chicks and breeding stock; NPIP PT Clean and AI Clean flocks skip testing, others need negative PT and AI (antigen) tests within 21 days. Waterfowl: no PT test, but a negative AI antigen test within 21 days (no NPIP exemption in .15(4)). Nothing from an out-of-state H5/H7 control zone until it is released, except by State Veterinarian permit. Exotic and pet birds need a prior permit number (404) 656-3667. New World screwworm: any animal from a state or area where screwworms have become established needs a prior permit from the State Veterinarian (Rule 40-13-2-.03; the rule does not exempt poultry).
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Georgia?
Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Animal Health / State Veterinarian at (770) 766-6850 (AI Hotline). 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 Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Animal Health / State Veterinarian'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. Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Animal Health / State Veterinarian: bird flu page. Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Animal Health / State Veterinarian.
  2. Georgia Department of Agriculture Lifts Suspension of Poultry Activities, Releases HPAI Control Area. Georgia Department of Agriculture. February 10, 2025.
  3. Commissioner Tyler J Harper Declares Georgia is 'HPAI-Free' Following Detections in Three Commercial Poultry Flocks in Hart and Walker County. GDA. March 13, 2026.
  4. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-13-2-.15 Poultry (interstate movement health requirements). Georgia Department of Agriculture (Georgia Rules and Regulations, Secretary of State).
  5. Hart County release (January 28, 2026). Georgia Department of Agriculture.
  6. Walker County release (January 14, 2026). Georgia Department of Agriculture.
  7. highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-confirmed-backyard-flock-pierce-county-georgia. Georgia Department of Agriculture.
  8. Pierce 01 row. 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
  • Rule 40-13-2-.15 was read on rules.sos.ga.gov (Fastcase-hosted official site); its history/effective-date note was not in the captured text.
  • The April 17, 2026 Pierce County case: no GDA statement about a control area or poultry-event suspension; APHIS lists it as WOAH Non-Poultry with Control Area 'NA'.
  • No GDA restriction under Rule 40-13-2-.15(7)(e) on entry of poultry for fairs, shows or markets from affected states was found for 2026; GDA announces such steps by press release, and only the AI category list was checked.
  • GDA's February 10, 2025 release left the two Elbert County premises 'under quarantine until further notice'; no saved release reports them released (premises-level, history).
  • reportUrl is GDA's Avian Influenza page; the hotline testing page it links (gapoultrylab.org, Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network) is not GDA-hosted and was not saved.
  • APHIS rows for Georgia: ga-aphis-hpai-exporttocsv-ga-rows.txt.

Next door

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