Flock Status · New Jersey

Bird flu rules for backyard flocks in New Jersey

Standing rules only · October 15, 2026

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

Read from 8 official sources25 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

609-671-6400

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 New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Division of 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.

  • APHIS's 2026 New Jersey rows: Burlington 01 (control area released February 7, 2026) and Hunterdon 01 (released April 11, 2026); Ocean 02, Monmouth 02 and Passaic 01 (live bird market, June 8, 2026) show control area released: NA

    • Jun 8, 2026Passaic CountyLive Bird Market670 birdsno control area listed

      USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · last New Jersey row

    • Mar 26, 2026Hunterdon CountyBackyard (Poultry)150 birdscontrol area released Apr 11, 2026

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

  • NJDA's 2026 press list has one HPAI release (Burlington County, January 22, 2026: farm quarantined until cleaning and disinfection); no statewide show, sale or movement order was announced

    • “The farm is quarantined and will not receive new poultry until the quarantine is lifted after a thorough cleaning and disinfection to eliminate the virus on the farm.”

      New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · para 3

In force today

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

Standing ruleMoving birds

NJDA's permit instructions say a permit number must be issued before any movement into New Jersey from an HPAI-affected state or area (instructions titled for 72-hour testing

'affected' isn't defined; no legal basis cited)

No end date in the source

Statewide · any movement into New Jersey from an HPAI-affected state or area · Birds: poultry, hatching eggs and poultry products/waste

  • Request through NJDA's online HPAI permit form (no login); NJDA staff must approve and issue a permit number before movement
  • The origin Premises ID is required (call 609-671-6400 if unknown)
  • Form asks for quantities of live poultry, hatching eggs and poultry waste
  • The instructions are titled 'HPAI 72 Hour Online Permitting Instructions' (2024); the 72-hour test window comes from N.J.A.C. 2:3-7.4(b) for live bird market shipments
  • The form is hosted on NJDA's SimpliGov portal (njdoa.prod.simpligov.com)

Guidance: HPAI 72 Hour Online Permitting Instructions (2024) · NJDA Division of Animal Health

What the guidance says (2 passages)
  • “Reminder: submission of this form is not a permit for movement. The form must be approved by NJDA staff, and a permit number must be issued prior to any movement into New Jersey from any HPAI affected state/area.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · p1 callout

  • “The NJDA now has an online process for HPAI permits.”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · HPAI Online Permitting

Standing ruleShows and fairs

2026 New Jersey fair and show rules: show poultry need pullorum-typhoid clean origin or a 90-day test

Out-of-state birds also need a CVI or NPIP 9-2/9-3 and AI-clean, monitored or tested flock origin; chick sellers need an NJDA permit a month ahead

No end date in the source

Statewide · New Jersey fairs and shows, 2026 · Birds: poultry and hatching eggs (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, game birds, ratites, waterfowl, pigeons, doves)

  • New Jersey birds (except waterfowl, pigeons, doves): U.S. PT Clean (or equivalent) flock, or an individual negative PT test within 90 days of the show
  • Imported birds: official CVI or VS Form 9-2 or 9-3; the same PT rule; and direct origin from an NPIP AI Clean or H5/H7 Clean or Monitored flock, or a test-negative AI monitored or tested flock (N.J.A.C. 2:9-2.1)
  • Selling poultry at a fair: give the buyer a copy of the VS 9-2 or 9-3
  • Selling baby chicks at a fair: NJDA permit at least one month ahead ($5 per day), with PT documentation, and a sales spreadsheet within three days after the event (farmers selling chicks from their own NJ premises excepted)
  • Recommended, not required: every bird accompanied by a CVI, 9-2/9-3 or 4-H health form; shows requiring AI-free certification for all birds; separate waterfowl and gallinaceous areas; no touching birds
  • NJDA may ask for cancellation of fairs and shows if HPAI is detected in New Jersey (no such request found for 2026)
  • Imported pigeons and doves are exempt from AI testing
  • Imported poultry under 7 days old are exempt from AI testing if they come directly from a breeding flock that meets the AI rule
  • Baby chicks, ducklings and other fowl under two months old may not be sold, bartered or given away as household or domestic pets

Notice: 2026 Fair and Show Animal Health Regulations, Recommendations, and Forms · NJDA Division of Animal Health

What the notice says (7 passages)
  • “All poultry (except waterfowl, pigeons, and doves) and hatching eggs must originate from U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean (or equivalent) flocks or must have an individual negative Pullorum-Typhoid test performed within 90 days prior to the fair/show.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter C, New Jersey Poultry and Hatching Eggs

  • “All poultry and hatching eggs, including chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, quail, grouse, chukars, pheasant, ratites (ostriches, emus, rheas, and cassowaries), waterfowl, pigeons, and doves must originate and move directly from an established flock that participates in the NPIP U.S. Avian Influenza Clean program or NPIP U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean or Monitored programs; or”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter C, Imported Poultry and Hatching Eggs

  • “If highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is detected in NJ, the NJDA may ask for the cancellation of fairs and shows to prevent the spread of HPAI.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter B, HPAI recommendations for fair/show management

  • “a permit must be obtained from the NJDA-DAH no later than one month in advance of the event”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter A, 13. Permit requirement to sell baby chicks

  • “Pigeons and doves are exempt from Avian Influenza testing.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter C, Imported Poultry

  • “Poultry under 7 days of age are exempt from testing requirements if these birds originate and move directly from a breeding flock”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter C, Imported Poultry

  • “Rabbits, turtles, baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl under two months of age may not be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or given away for use as household or domestic pets”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · Chapter A 10.a

How to reportReporting sick birds

NJDA: HPAI in poultry is reportable; keepers must report sick birds or unexplained deaths immediately (for small flocks, even one death a day two days running) to NJDA, 609-671-6400

No end date in the source

Statewide · Birds: poultry (commercial and backyard)

  • Email: state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov; USDA NJ office 609-259-5260 or 1-866-536-7593
  • Dead wild birds: USDA Wildlife Services 908-735-5654 or the NJDEP wild bird reporting form

Guidance: Avian Influenza 'Bird Flu' (NJDA page) and State Veterinarian letter to backyard flock owners, February 18, 2026 · NJDA Division of Animal Health, February 18, 2026

What the guidance says (2 passages)
  • “HPAI in poultry is a reportable disease. If you suspect HPAI in your poultry, please alert the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health · nj.gov · closing paragraph

  • “All poultry owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, need to report sick or unexplained bird deaths to State/Federal officials immediately. For small flocks, this can include deaths of one bird per day for two days in a row.”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · Where to report sick birds or unexplained deaths

Bringing birds or hatching eggs into New Jersey

Poultry and hatching eggs entering New Jersey need a CVI stating the flock is NPIP AI Clean/H5/H7 Clean or Monitored, or a test-negative AI monitored or tested flock, or else an NPIP 9-3 (N.J.A.C. 2:3-7.4(c)). Birds for live bird markets from any HPAI-detected state also need a State Veterinarian permit and a negative 30-bird rRT-PCR within 72 hours (2:3-7.4(b)). Any shipment from an HPAI-affected state or area needs an NJDA HPAI permit number before moving (online form, 609-671-6400). NWS quarantine order (June 30, 2026): poultry over 3 days from a state with a screwworm zone need examination, a 5-day CVI or 9-3 with a flock-level NWS statement, and an NJDA permit number.

What the entry rules say
  • “For States with HPAI, click here for Permitting Procedures.”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · Poultry Import Requirements

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Poultry for New Jersey live bird markets from any HPAI-detected state need a State Veterinarian permit and a negative AI rRT-PCR test of at least 30 birds (all if fewer) taken within 72 hours before entry

No end date in the source

Statewide · imports into New Jersey's live bird markets from any state, territory or country where HPAI has been detected · Birds: poultry and hatching eggs for live bird markets

  • Permit from the State Veterinarian
  • Origin flock: at least 30 birds 7 days or older tested negative by rRT-PCR (all birds if fewer than 30); shipment carries the final lab report
  • rRT-PCR accepted for gallinaceous poultry and domestic ducks; sample within 72 hours before entry
  • Other waterfowl: virus isolation only, with prior approval from the State Veterinarian
  • Hatching eggs and chicks under 7 days: from a flock meeting the 30-bird test
  • Poultry waste from AI-affected areas: only with a State Veterinarian permit (2:3-7.4(a))
  • Same wording in NJDA's February 2024 copy (readopted with technical changes eff. December 28, 2023; chapter expires December 28, 2030)

Rule: N.J.A.C. 2:3-7.4, as posted by NJDA (2017-readoption text copy; NJDA's Feb 2024 copy agrees, read by OCR) · New Jersey Department of Agriculture

What the rule says (2 passages)
  • “No poultry, or hatching eggs originating from a state, territory, or country where Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected, shall be imported into New Jersey for live bird markets unless:”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · 2:3-7.4(b)

  • “The date of sample collection must be within 72 hours prior to the date of entry into New Jersey”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · 2:3-7.4(b)2i(1)

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Other poultry and hatching eggs may enter New Jersey only with a CVI stating they come directly from an NPIP AI Clean (or H5/H7 Clean or Monitored) flock or a test-negative AI monitored or tested flock, or with an NPIP 9-3 (or a Poultry Inspection Certificate within the live bird market system)

No end date in the source

Statewide · imports into New Jersey from any area outside the state · Birds: poultry and hatching eggs (not for live bird markets)

  • CVI route: origin flock NPIP U.S. AI Clean or H5/H7 AI Clean or Monitored; or test-negative AI monitored flock; or test-negative AI tested flock
  • VS Form 9-3 route: directly from an NPIP AI Clean or H5/H7 Clean or Monitored flock
  • Poultry Inspection Certificate: movement within the live bird marketing system
  • Chicks under 7 days from a qualifying breeding flock are exempt from testing
  • Also needed from HPAI-affected states or areas: NJDA's HPAI movement permit (row nj-hpai-movement-permit-1)
  • Same wording in NJDA's February 2024 copy (readopted with technical changes eff. December 28, 2023; chapter expires December 28, 2030)

Rule: N.J.A.C. 2:3-7.4, as posted by NJDA (2017-readoption text copy; NJDA's Feb 2024 copy agrees, read by OCR) · New Jersey Department of Agriculture

What the rule says (3 passages)
  • “(c) Poultry or hatching eggs that are not subject to (b) above shall be imported into the State from any area outside New Jersey only if:”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · 2:3-7.4(c)

  • “Originate and are moving directly from an established flock that participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) U.S. Avian Influenza Clean”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · 2:3-7.4(c)1i

  • “Originate and are moving directly from a test negative Avian Influenza tested flock;”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · 2:3-7.4(c)1iii

Other disease entry orders

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

May applyBringing birds in

New World screwworm quarantine order (June 30, 2026): poultry over 3 days old from a state with a screwworm zone must be examined and come on a CVI or 9-3 with a flock-level inspection statement issued within 5 days, plus an NJDA permit number for livestock

In effect from June 30, 2026 · No end date in the source

Statewide · domestic animals entering New Jersey from states with an NWS infested or surveillance zone · Birds: domestic animals incl. livestock (poultry is livestock under N.J.A.C. 2:2-1.1); hatching eggs and birds up to 3 days exempt from individual examination

  • From or through a state with an infested or adjacent surveillance zone: CVI within 5 days with the stated NWS-free inspection statement
  • Poultry over 3 days old: examined; may ship on a CVI or 9-3 with the inspection statement at flock level
  • Hatching eggs and birds up to 3 days old: exempt from individual examination
  • Livestock (poultry included) from such states: NJDA permit number before movement (609-671-6400)
  • From or through an infested zone: NWS treatment noted on the CVI; none from NWS-quarantined premises
  • Penalties $1,000-$2,000 per violation (N.J.A.C. 2:5-7.1); no end date stated

Order: Quarantine Order To Prevent New World Screwworm from Entering New Jersey · NJDA Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian Amar Patil), June 30, 2026

What the order says (3 passages)
  • “Livestock (N.J.A.C. 2:2-1.1): cattle, horses, swine, small ruminants, rabbits, and poultry.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian Amar Patil) · nj.gov · definitions, Domestic animals

  • “Shipment of hatching eggs and birds up to 3 days of age are exempt from the individual examination requirement. Poultry over 3 days of age must be examined and may be shipped using a CVI or 9-3 form including a statement regarding inspection as provided in d. above, but at flock level.”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian Amar Patil) · nj.gov · 2.h

  • “All livestock animals originating in or transiting through a US state that contains an infested zone or adjacent surveillance zone must obtain permitted approval prior to movement,”

    NJDA Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian Amar Patil) · nj.gov · 2.g

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

New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian)

609-671-6400 (NJDA Division of Animal Health); USDA 609-259-5260 or 1-866-536-7593

The agency's bird flu page

  • “All poultry owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, need to report sick or unexplained bird deaths to State/Federal officials immediately. For small flocks, this can include deaths of one bird per day for two days in a row.”

    New Jersey Department of Agriculture · nj.gov · Where to report sick birds or unexplained deaths

Recent detections in New Jersey

USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in New Jersey flocks in the 30 days to October 14, 2026. Latest detection in the APHIS data: October 9, 2026. The national picture

Common questions

Is there a bird flu order in New Jersey right now?
We found no bird-flu order covering New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
We found no bird-flu ban on shows or sales in force on October 15, 2026. Standing rules apply: 2026 New Jersey fair and show rules.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into New Jersey?
Poultry and hatching eggs entering New Jersey need a CVI stating the flock is NPIP AI Clean/H5/H7 Clean or Monitored, or a test-negative AI monitored or tested flock, or else an NPIP 9-3 (N.J.A.C. 2:3-7.4(c)). Birds for live bird markets from any HPAI-detected state also need a State Veterinarian permit and a negative 30-bird rRT-PCR within 72 hours (2:3-7.4(b)). Any shipment from an HPAI-affected state or area needs an NJDA HPAI permit number before moving (online form, 609-671-6400). NWS quarantine order (June 30, 2026): poultry over 3 days from a state with a screwworm zone need examination, a 5-day CVI or 9-3 with a flock-level NWS statement, and an NJDA permit number.
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in New Jersey?
New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian) at 609-671-6400 (NJDA Division of Animal Health); USDA 609-259-5260 or 1-866-536-7593. 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 New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Division of 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. New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian): bird flu page. New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian).
  2. HPAI 72 Hour Online Permitting Instructions (2024). NJDA Division of Animal Health.
  3. N.J.A.C. 2:3-7.4, as posted by NJDA (2017-readoption text copy; NJDA's Feb 2024 copy agrees, read by OCR). New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
  4. 2026 Fair and Show Animal Health Regulations, Recommendations, and Forms. NJDA Division of Animal Health.
  5. Avian Influenza 'Bird Flu' (NJDA page) and State Veterinarian letter to backyard flock owners, February 18, 2026. NJDA Division of Animal Health. February 18, 2026.
  6. Quarantine Order To Prevent New World Screwworm from Entering New Jersey. NJDA Division of Animal Health (State Veterinarian Amar Patil). June 30, 2026.
  7. last New Jersey row. USDA APHIS.
  8. press260122.shtml. New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

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
  • N.J.A.C. 2:3 quotes come from NJDA's text-layer copy (Supp. 7-20-15). NJDA's newer copy 'as of Feb 2024' is image-only. Read by OCR (saved as nj-njda-njac-2-3-feb2024-ocr.txt, not quoted), it shows the chapter readopted with technical changes effective December 28, 2023 (56 N.J.R. 210(a)), expiring December 28, 2030, and the same 2:3-7.4 wording. The official N.J.A.C. (publisher site) wasn't read.
  • The legal basis for the HPAI permit on all shipments from HPAI-affected states isn't cited in NJDA's permit instructions. 2:3-7.4(b) covers live bird markets and 2:3-7.4(a) covers poultry waste. Recorded as an NJDA requirement from its own instructions.
  • Passaic 01 (live bird market, APHIS June 8, 2026) has no NJDA release in the 2026 press list read. Market closure terms for it weren't found.
  • The 2026 fair and show document is undated inside, so effectiveFrom is null.
  • The online permit form is on NJDA's SimpliGov portal (vendor host); flagged for the reviewer.
  • Nature: only the NWS quarantine order is an 'order'. The HPAI movement permit is a standing NJDA requirement, so it's classed standing_rule.
  • Owner checklist: confirm with NJDA (609-671-6400) which shipments need the HPAI permit, and what counts as an 'HPAI affected state/area'.
  • appliesToday: NWS entry orders are marked 'unknown' where they bind only birds from a state, county or zone with a current screwworm infested or surveillance zone, because no current APHIS screwworm zone list was read. Maryland's rule names Texas and New Mexico outright, so it's marked 'yes'.

Next door

Every state, one mapSee where New Jersey sits, and what's in force in every other state today.Open the map →
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