Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in Montana?

We found no current order on poultry shows or sales in Montana on October 15, 2026. That is what the official pages showed, not an all-clear; call the Montana Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976 before an event.

Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Montana?

Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (State Veterinarian) at 406-444-2976. 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 Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (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.

Flock Status · Montana

Bird flu rules for backyard flocks in Montana

Standing rules only · October 15, 2026

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

Read from 8 official sources28 passages quotedChecked on October 14, 2026

Today

Standing rules only

Bird-flu orders in force

None found

APHIS detections, 30 days

1 flock

Report sick birds

406-444-2976

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 Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (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.

Recommendation, not an order: on September 10, 2026 the State Veterinarian asked owners to house poultry indoors as far as possible and keep them from wild birds until December 31, 2026 (organic producers to check with their certifier first).
- “This memo therefore serves as recommendation from the state veterinarians’ office that birds be housed indoors to the extent possible to reduce the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) from wild birds from now until December 31, 2026, to accommodate the fall migratory bird season.”
  Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · para 2
- “If you are certified organic and want to make changes to housing, you must contact your certifier before altering confinement and meet their requirements to remain certified.”
  Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · para 4
Montana's latest case: MDOL confirmed HPAI in a small commercial chicken flock in Ravalli County on September 17, 2026 (APHIS: Ravalli 01, confirmed September 18, 2026, control area released October 5, 2026). MDOL's release names no control area rules and no show or sale restriction, and MDOL's official-orders page lists no avian influenza order (screwworm orders 26-01 and 26-02, equine herpes order 25-02, its rescission 25-03, and a records order).
- “On Sept. 17, the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Ravalli County. The affected flock is a small, commercial flock of chickens.”
  Montana Department of Livestock · news.mt.gov · para 1
- Sep 18, 2026Ravalli CountyBackyard (Poultry)120 birdscontrol area released Oct 5, 2026
  USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · Ravalli 01 row
- “Official Order No. 26-02 Import Restriction on Animals Entering the State of Montana Due to the Detection of New World Screwworm in the United States”
  Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · orders list, first entry
Earlier 2026: a Carbon County backyard flock of chickens and ducks (MDOL confirmed January 21, 2026; APHIS Carbon 01, January 23, 2026, control area released February 11, 2026) and Gallatin 03 (January 30, 2026, WOAH non-poultry, no control area).
- Jan 23, 2026Carbon CountyBackyard (Poultry)230 birdscontrol area released Feb 11, 2026
  USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · Carbon 01 row
- Jan 30, 2026Gallatin CountyBackyard (Non-Poultry)20 birdsno control area listed
  USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · Gallatin 03 row
- “The affected flock is a backyard flock, consisting of chickens and ducks.”
  Montana Department of Livestock · news.mt.gov · para 1

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

Avian influenza (high or low pathogenic) is on Montana's list of diseases requiring immediate notice to state and federal officials and quarantine (ARM 32.3.104)

MDOL asks poultry owners to report sudden illness or high death loss at once to a vet or 406-444-2976

No end date in the source

Statewide · Birds: poultry (avian influenza, high or low pathogenic)

ARM 32.3.104 list as printed by MDOL (November 2024 list)
Phone 406-444-2976 (MDOL's 24/7 line per its import page)
Sick or dead wild birds: Fish, Wildlife and Parks, wildlife vet 406-577-7880

Guidance: Montana Reportable Animal Diseases (November 2024) · Montana Department of Livestock, November 5, 2024

What the guidance says (3 passages)

“IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS and QUARANTINE:”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · ARM 32.3.104 heading
“Avian influenza (High pathogenic”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · first column, line 3 (continues 'or Low pathogenic)')
“Please call our 24/7 line at 406-444-2976 with any questions.”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · Import Alert

Bringing birds or hatching eggs into Montana

CVI issued within 30 days, or an NPIP VS 9-3; poultry over 4 months need a negative pullorum test within 30 days unless from an NPIP flock on a 9-3. Import permit only for handwritten paper CVIs (406-444-2976). No official ID required. California and Gambel's quail prohibited. No HPAI-specific condition is listed. Separately, Official Order 26-02 (New World screwworm, own row) adds a 5-day CVI, official ID and a wound-free statement for animals, poultry included, from Texas or New Mexico, plus a permit and treatment from infested zones.

What the entry rules say

“VS Form 9-3 ( ARM 32.3.217 )”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · Avian, Domestic Poultry

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Poultry entering Montana need a health certificate issued within 30 days or an NPIP VS 9-3

Birds over 4 months need a negative pullorum test within 30 days unless from an NPIP flock on a 9-3

No end date in the source

Statewide · entry into Montana · Birds: domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pigeons and pheasants)

Health certificate (CVI) issued within 30 days of entry (ARM 32.3.202 and 32.3.206), or a VS Form 9-3 (ARM 32.3.217)
Import permit only for handwritten paper CVIs, not electronic ones (ARM 32.3.207); call 406-444-2976
All poultry over 4 months: official pullorum test negative within 30 days, or NPIP-certified flock origin travelling on a VS 9-3 (ARM 32.3.217)
Official identification is not required (MDOL page), except under Order 26-02 for animals from screwworm states
California quail and Gambel's quail are prohibited species (ARM 12.6.2215)
Canadian-origin poultry that meet USDA's import rules need nothing more
No HPAI-specific entry condition is stated on MDOL's import page

Guidance: Import Requirements · Montana Department of Livestock

What the guidance says (4 passages)

“Health certificate issued within 30 days of entry ( ARM 32.3.202 & ARM 32.3.206 ); or”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · Avian, Domestic Poultry
“All poultry over 4 months of age must be officially Pullorum tested with negative results within 30 days; or”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · Avian, Domestic Poultry, Required testing
“Originate from an NPIP certified flock and travel on a VS 9-3”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · Avian, Domestic Poultry, Required testing
“Import Permit - Only required for handwritten CVIs issued on paper (not required for electronic health certificates, ARM 32.3.207 ). Call 406-444-2976 for an import permit.”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · Avian, Domestic Poultry

Other disease entry orders

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

In force, ends by Jun 12, 2031Bringing birds in

New World screwworm Official Order 26-02 (not bird flu): since June 12, 2026, animals, poultry and other birds included, from Texas, New Mexico or another restricted state need a CVI issued within 5 days with official ID and a wound-free statement

From an infested zone also an MDOL import permit, the origin state's movement document and approved treatment 72 hours to 14 days before entry

In effect from June 12, 2026 · Ends by June 12, 2031 at the latest

Statewide · entry from New World screwworm-affected states or infested zones · Birds: all warm-blooded animals, defined to include poultry and other birds

From an infested zone: MDOL import permit and a CVI documenting the origin state's movement permit, approved treatment 72 hours to 14 days before entry, a wound-free and larvae-free statement, and official ID of every animal; CVI issued within 5 days (D.1)
From a restricted state outside an infested zone: CVI with a wound-free statement and official ID, issued within 5 days (D.2)
If any animal in the shipment is suspected of infestation, none may enter until all are treated and wounds have healed (E)
Official ID for species other than cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, dogs and cats: a microchip or other ID approved by the State Veterinarian (definition 6.f)
'Originating from' means present in the area at any time since June 3, 2026 (definition 7)
From a restricted state outside an infested zone: MDOL's import page requires an import permit only with a handwritten or paper CVI (animals from an infested zone always need one, D.1)
Lasts no longer than five years; subject to review, modification or annulment by the Board of Livestock

Order: Official Order No. 26-02, Restriction on Animals Entering the State of Montana Due to the Detection of New World Screwworm in the United States · Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian, June 12, 2026

What the order says (11 passages)

“an infested zone must have an import permit from the Department and a CVI documenting the following:”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · para D.1
“the animals listed on the CVI have been administered an approved treatment no less than 72 hours and no more than 14 days prior to entry into Montana;”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · para D.1.ii
“a statement confirming all animals listed on the CVI have been inspected and are free from wounds and evidence of NWS larvae infestation with;”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · para D.1.iii
“the official identification of all animals listed on the CVI; and”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · para D.1.iv
“the CVI is issued within 5 days prior to movement to Montana.”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · para D.2.iii
“no animals in the shipment may enter Montana until all animals have been treated as required by paragraph D.1.ii and all wounds have healed.”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · para E
“For all other species, a microchip or other ID approved by the State Veterinarian.”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · definition 6.f
““Originating from” means the animal has been physically present in the specified geographic area for any period of time beginning June 3, 2026.”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · definition 7
““Animals” means all warm-blooded animals, including cattle, horses, mules, asses, other equids, sheep, llamas, alpacas, bison, swine, ostriches, rheas, emus, goats, alternative livestock as defined in § 87-4-406, MCA, dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, game animals, fur- bearing and wild animals, and poultry and other birds.”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · definition 1
“This Order may last no longer than five (5) years and is subject to review, modification, or annulment by the Board of Livestock.”
Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian · liv.mt.gov · closing paragraph
“Import permit for handwritten/paper-based CVI ONLY”
Montana Department of Livestock · liv.mt.gov · NWS requirements table, restricted-state column

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

Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (State Veterinarian)

406-444-2976

The agency's bird flu page

“DOL encourages all poultry producers to immediately report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their veterinarian or DOL at 406-444-2976.”
Montana Department of Livestock · news.mt.gov · para 6

Recent detections in Montana

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

Common questions

Is there a bird flu order in Montana right now?: We found no bird-flu order covering Montana 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 Montana?: We found no current order on poultry shows or sales in Montana on October 15, 2026. That is what the official pages showed, not an all-clear; call the Montana Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976 before an event.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Montana?: CVI issued within 30 days, or an NPIP VS 9-3; poultry over 4 months need a negative pullorum test within 30 days unless from an NPIP flock on a 9-3. Import permit only for handwritten paper CVIs (406-444-2976). No official ID required. California and Gambel's quail prohibited. No HPAI-specific condition is listed. Separately, Official Order 26-02 (New World screwworm, own row) adds a 5-day CVI, official ID and a wound-free statement for animals, poultry included, from Texas or New Mexico, plus a permit and treatment from infested zones.
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Montana?: Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (State Veterinarian) at 406-444-2976. 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 Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (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

Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (State Veterinarian): bird flu page. Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL), Animal Health and Food Safety Division (State Veterinarian).
Import Requirements. Montana Department of Livestock.
Montana Reportable Animal Diseases (November 2024). Montana Department of Livestock. November 5, 2024.
Official Order No. 26-02, Restriction on Animals Entering the State of Montana Due to the Detection of New World Screwworm in the United States. Montana Department of Livestock, State Veterinarian. June 12, 2026.
Avian-Influenza-Confirmed-in-Ravalli-County-Mont. Montana Department of Livestock.
2026.09.10 Avian-Influenza-Biosecurity-Advisory-Update. Montana Department of Livestock.
Ravalli 01 row. USDA APHIS.
orders list, first entry. Montana Department of Livestock.
Avian-Influenza-Confirmed-in-Carbon-County-Montana. Montana Department of Livestock.

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

ARM 32.3.202, .206, .207 and .217 (entry rules) and ARM 32.3.104 were not read on rules.mt.gov (browser-only); the entry rules here come from MDOL's import page and its printed reportable list.
MCA 81-2-107's reporting duty is worded for 'livestock'; the record does not rely on it for poultry and uses the poultry-specific ARM 32.3.104 list instead.
MDOL's January release dates the Carbon County case January 21, 2026; APHIS has January 23, 2026 (likely state vs NVSL confirmation; not stated). Ravalli: MDOL September 17, APHIS September 18, 2026.
Whether MDOL set and released a control area for Ravalli 01 is known only from APHIS's 'Control Area Released' date (October 5, 2026); MDOL published no zone notice.
No MDOL rule or order on poultry shows, fairs or swaps was found on its pages; local fair rules unread.
MDOL's May 22, 2026 rule changes (ARM 32.6.702, 32.18.105, 32.18.106, new 32.25.101) do not touch ARM 32.3.104, .202, .206, .207 or .217, per MDOL's release.
APHIS detections: USDA's own Tableau export (publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov), filtered to Montana by the fetcher.
MDOL news list read from news.mt.gov/Department-of-Livestock/articles.json, the state newsroom's own feed behind the page.

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