Flock Status · Texas

Bird flu rules for backyard flocks in Texas

Being re-checked · October 15, 2026

Texas: a bird-flu show and fair rule is being re-checked. The agency's own pages disagree or couldn't be read, so call the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 before moving, showing or selling birds. What we have confirmed is below.

Read from 9 official sources34 passages quotedChecked on October 14, 2026

At a glance

Today

Being re-checked

Bird-flu orders in force

None found

APHIS detections, 30 days

None listed

Report sick birds

1-800-550-8242

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 Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) 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.

  • No HPAI flock quarantine is listed as active on TAHC's table: every case reads Released; the latest is Carson 02, confirmed 1/6/2026 per TAHC (APHIS dates the same flock January 8, 2026; see the federal rules on the bird-flu hub detections data).

    • “Carson 02 1/6/2026 Backyard, non-commercial flock (non-poultry) 13 Released”

      Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · Positive Cases of HPAI in Texas, row 1

Being re-checked

Being re-checked

These rest on a notice that may be out of date, or that we couldn't read with our tools. We don't show them as current rules until they're confirmed; if they matter to you, ask the agency directly.

  • A rule or order

    §51.4 text from the September 2025 compilation. Out-of-state poultry coming to a Texas show need a CVI, a TAHC entry permit and the §51.15 AI status

    Why: The row's §51.4 text is from TAHC's compilation effective September 16, 2025; the current §51.4 was not downloaded, and Chapter 51 was amended on December 10, 2025, March 19, 2026 and June 4, 2026. Its testing clause now points to the adopted §51.15, which was read.

    Waiting on: owner browser read of https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=51&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=2&title=4 (§51.4 Shows, Fairs and Exhibitions)

    The text in question
    • “All out-of-state origin poultry and domestic fowl entering Texas to be exhibited must have a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).”

      Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · §51.4(b)(5)(A) Poultry and Domestic Fowl

    • “All poultry and domestic fowl entering Texas to be exhibited must have an entry permit issued by the Commission.”

      Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · §51.4(b)(5)(B)

    • “Laryngotracheitis (LT) Test. Poultry must originate from areas where LT has not been active in the past 30 days”

      Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · §51.4(c)(5)(A)(ii) (Texas origin animals)

    • “Chickens or turkeys entered in public exhibition shall be accompanied by a certificate of source.”

      Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §57.11(b) Public exhibitions (adopted text)

In force today

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

Standing ruleGeneral

TAHC quarantines poultry or premises on evidence of infection or exposure; the executive director releases it.

In effect from December 10, 2025 · No end date in the source

Affected premises only · poultry or premises with evidence of infection or exposure to a non-endemic disease · Birds: poultry

  • Applies to any contagious or communicable disease not considered endemic in Texas
  • Quarantine stays until the epidemiological evidence is satisfied

Rule: 4 TAC §57.11 General Requirements, as in effect on 10/14/2026 (Secretary of State TAC; last amended effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7881) · Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State), December 10, 2025

What the rule says (3 passages)
  • “Poultry and/or premises shall be placed under quarantine when evidence of infection or possible exposure to any contagious and/or communicable disease not considered to be endemic exists in the State of Texas.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §57.11(a)(1)

  • “After due consideration of epidemiological evidence, the executive director of the commission may cause the quarantine to be released.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §57.11(a)(1)

  • “amended to be effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7881.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · Source Note

How to reportReporting sick birds

TAHC asks owners to report unusual deaths or illness to a private vet or TAHC at 1-800-550-8242

No end date in the source

Statewide · Birds: poultry

Guidance: Poultry Health: Avian Influenza · Texas Animal Health Commission

What the guidance says (1 passage)
  • “If your birds exhibit unusual death loss or signs of illness, or you observe large scale sickness and mortality of wild birds, call your private veterinarian or the TAHC immediately at 1-800-550-8242.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · Avian Influenza tab, Disease Information

Proposed

Put forward but not adopted. None of these is in force, and they may change before they are.

Proposed, not adoptedShows and fairs

Proposed rule, not adopted: Texas show birds would leave on a CVI with PT and AI tests and could not re-enter from an HPAI-Impacted state

Not adopted. Not in force.

Statewide · Texas birds going to out-of-state shows and returning · Birds: exhibition poultry (Texas origin)

  • PROPOSAL ONLY (status proposed; never in force, never alerts): public comment ran September 11 - October 11, 2026; no adoption found as of October 14, 2026
  • CVI with negative pullorum-typhoid and avian influenza tests within 30 days before movement (NPIP PT-clean paperwork can replace the PT test)
  • Return on the same CVI within 30 days if not exhibited in an HPAI-Impacted state, no illness, and no quarantine at the event
  • If HPAI is detected after entry: return home at the earliest opportunity, notify TAHC, isolate 14 days
  • Keep CVI and test records 1 year
  • No re-entry for birds taken to a state already HPAI-Impacted at the time of movement

Notice: Proposed amendments to 4 TAC §57.10 and §57.11 (exhibition poultry movement) · Texas Animal Health Commission, September 11, 2026

What the notice says (3 passages)
  • “The proposed amendments require exhibition birds to leave Texas on a CVI. The proposal includes requirements of negative pullorum-typhoid test (PT) and avian influenza test (AI) issued within 30 days prior to movement”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · Chapter 57, Poultry

  • “The following amendments were proposed during the meeting and are open for comment from September 11 – October 11, 2026.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · para 2

  • “This section does not allow for the reentry of exhibition poultry”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · proposed §57.11(b)(2)(E)

Bringing birds or hatching eggs into Texas

4 TAC §51.15 as in effect on 10/14/2026 (amended effective December 10, 2025): an official health certificate within 30 days (inspection, approved vaccines, no active laryngotracheitis area, pullorum-typhoid status) and an entry permit under §51.2. From states not affected with avian influenza: an NPIP U.S. AI Clean, H5/H7 AI Clean or H5/H7 AI Monitored flock, a state AI monitoring programme flock, or a 30-day AI test. From AI-affected states: immediate slaughter only, with a 72-hour AI test and written permission. From states affected with infectious laryngotracheitis (or birds vaccinated with chick embryo vaccine): immediate slaughter only, with a written request naming a route to slaughter, approved by the executive director beforehand. From states affected with egg drop syndrome virus (or birds vaccinated against it): immediate slaughter only, with a written request naming a route to slaughter, approved by the executive director beforehand. Live poultry, eggs, coops, crates and used equipment from state or federal quarantined areas, or exposed to disease, need TAHC's express written consent. No health certificate for poultry consigned to an inspected slaughter establishment with a waybill; baby poultry from NPIP hatcheries with a 9-3 or 9-3i (or under an approved Commuter Poultry Flock Agreement) are exempt from §51.15 only. Since January 1, 2026 import CVIs must be electronic. New World screwworm: see below.

What the entry rules say
  • “Poultry shipped into the State of Texas shall be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to shipment and shall have an entry permit in accordance with §51.2 of this title (relating to General Requirements).”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(a)

  • “Live domestic poultry from states affected with egg drop syndrome virus or poultry that has been vaccinated against the virus may enter Texas for immediate slaughter and processing only under the following conditions:”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(b)(3)

  • “The request for authorization to bring poultry into the state must be in writing and shall include a proposed route to slaughter that would not pose a disease risk to Texas poultry;”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(b)(3)(A)

  • “originating in state quarantined areas or federal quarantined areas shall not enter Texas without express written consent from the commission.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(e)

  • “As of January 1, 2026, all import certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs) must be electronic.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · species table intro

  • “amended to be effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7879.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · Source Note

  • “Live domestic poultry from states affected with Infectious Laryngotracheitis or poultry that has been vaccinated with chick embryo vaccine may enter Texas for immediate slaughter and processing only under the following conditions:”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(b)(2)

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Poultry entering Texas need an official health certificate issued within 30 days and an entry permit

Live domestic poultry from states not affected with avian influenza must also come from an NPIP U.S. Avian Influenza Clean, H5/H7 AI Clean or H5/H7 AI Monitored flock, a state AI monitoring programme flock, or a flock that tested AI-negative within 30 days

In effect from December 10, 2025 · No end date in the source

Statewide · entry into Texas from states not affected with avian influenza · Birds: live domestic poultry

  • Health certificate within 30 days before shipment stating: inspected and free of infectious or contagious disease; only approved vaccines; not from an area with active laryngotracheitis (or chick-embryo LT vaccine virus) in the last 30 days; pullorum-typhoid negative within 30 days or from a Texas Pullorum-Typhoid Program or NPIP flock (§51.15(a)(1)-(4))
  • Entry permit under §51.2 (§51.15(a))
  • AI option A: flock certified under NPIP as U.S. Avian Influenza Clean, U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean or U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored
  • AI option B: AI-negative flock in an approved state-sponsored AI monitoring programme, with participation, bird description, test date, results and lab on the CVI
  • AI option C: at least 30 birds 4 weeks or older (or the whole flock if under 30) serologically negative (ELISA or AGID) within 30 days of entry, or at least 10 birds negative on tracheal-swab RRT-PCR within 30 days (or another approved test), documented on the CVI
  • No health certificate needed for poultry consigned to a slaughter establishment with federal or state ante- and post-mortem inspection, with a waybill (§51.15(c))
  • Baby poultry from an NPIP or equivalent hatchery with NPIP Form 9-3 or 9-3i, or under an approved Commuter Poultry Flock Agreement, are exempt from §51.15 only (§51.15(d))
  • Since January 1, 2026, import CVIs must be electronic (TAHC entry page)

Rule: 4 TAC §51.15 Poultry, as in effect on 10/14/2026 (Secretary of State TAC; last amended effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7879) · Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State), December 10, 2025

What the rule says (5 passages)
  • “Poultry shipped into the State of Texas shall be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to shipment and shall have an entry permit in accordance with §51.2 of this title (relating to General Requirements).”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(a)

  • “Live domestic poultry from states not affected with Avian Influenza may enter Texas under the following circumstances:”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(a)(5)

  • “The domestic poultry originates from a flock that is certified in accordance with the National Poultry Improvement Plan as U.S. Avian Influenza Clean, U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean, or U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored; or”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(a)(5)(A)

  • “Baby poultry will be exempt from this section if from an NPIP, or equivalent, hatchery, and accompanied by NPIP Form 9-3 or 9-3i;”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(d)

  • “amended to be effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7879.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · Source Note

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Live domestic poultry from states affected with avian influenza may enter Texas only for immediate slaughter and processing, with a negative AI test within 72 hours of entry and specific written permission

In effect from December 10, 2025 · No end date in the source

Statewide · entry from states affected with avian influenza · Birds: live domestic poultry

  • Rule text (§51.15(b)(1)): entry for immediate slaughter and processing only
  • Test within 72 hours of entry: at least 30 birds per flock serologically negative (ELISA or AGID), or at least 10 birds negative on tracheal-swab RRT-PCR, or another TAHC-approved test
  • Specific written permission from TAHC
  • TAHC's entry-page notice states the 72-hour test and permission for live poultry from an AI-affected state without naming the slaughter limit (see the notes at the end of this page)
  • Call TAHC 512-719-0777 before moving any poultry into Texas

Rule: 4 TAC §51.15 Poultry, as in effect on 10/14/2026 (Secretary of State TAC; last amended effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7879) · Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State), December 10, 2025

What the rule says (5 passages)
  • “Live domestic poultry from states affected with Avian Influenza may enter Texas for immediate slaughter and processing only under the following circumstances:”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(b)(1)

  • “Specific written permission has been granted.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · §51.15(b)(1)(B)

  • “Live poultry entering Texas from an avian influenza affected state must have a negative test within 72 hours of entry and receive specific TAHC permission granting this movement.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · Poultry Movement Notice

  • “Prior to movement, all individuals moving poultry into Texas must call the TAHC at 512-719-0777 for Texas entry requirements”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · Poultry Movement Notice

  • “amended to be effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7879.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State) · texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com · Source Note

Other disease entry orders

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

May applyBringing birds in

Fowl entering Texas from a New World screwworm-affected state need an eCVI with a screwworm inspection statement: issued within 7 days (with inspection and treatment noted) from an infested zone, or within 30 days from elsewhere in the state

In effect from October 1, 2026 · Until further notice

Statewide · entry from New World screwworm-affected states · Birds: livestock, exotic livestock, fowl and exotic fowl

  • A state is NWS-affected while an NWS infested zone, quarantine area or control area remains active there
  • From an infested zone: eCVI within 7 days documenting inspection and any treatment, certifying the animal is free of NWS infestation and wounds
  • From outside an infested zone in an affected state: eCVI within 30 days certifying the animal did not come from an infested zone and is free of infestation and wounds
  • All other Texas entry requirements still apply (see held rows)
  • No poultry exemption is stated in the order
  • appliesToday unknown: the order stands, but which states currently count as NWS-affected (or have infested zones) is not shown in this state's saved files; confirm with the agency

Order: Executive Director Order: Texas Movement Requirements for Livestock, Exotic Livestock, Fowl, and Exotic Fowl from NWS-Affected States · Texas Animal Health Commission, Executive Director, October 1, 2026

What the order says (4 passages)
  • “In addition to all otherwise applicable Texas entry requirements, livestock, exotic livestock, fowl, and exotic fowl originating in a NWS-affected state must comply with the following requirements before entering Texas:”

    Texas Animal Health Commission, Executive Director · tahc.texas.gov · order, para 3

  • “Must be accompanied by an electronic certificate of veterinary inspection (eCVI) issued within seven (7) days before entry into Texas.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission, Executive Director · tahc.texas.gov · Originating Within a NWS Infested Zone

  • “Must be accompanied by an electronic certificate of veterinary inspection (eCVI) issued within thirty (30) days before entry into Texas.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission, Executive Director · tahc.texas.gov · Originating Outside a NWS Infested Zone

  • “Signed October 1, 2026.”

    Texas Animal Health Commission, Executive Director · tahc.texas.gov · signature

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

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)

1-800-550-8242

The agency's bird flu page

  • “Report Dead Poultry: 1-800-550-8242”

    Texas Animal Health Commission · tahc.texas.gov · Report Sick and Dead Poultry

Recent detections in Texas

USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in Texas 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 Texas right now?
Texas: a bird-flu show and fair rule is being re-checked. The agency's own pages disagree or couldn't be read, so call the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 before moving, showing or selling birds. What we have confirmed is below.
Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in Texas?
Texas's show and sale rules are being re-checked: §51.4 text from the September 2025 compilation. Until that's settled, call the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 before an event.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Texas?
4 TAC §51.15 as in effect on 10/14/2026 (amended effective December 10, 2025): an official health certificate within 30 days (inspection, approved vaccines, no active laryngotracheitis area, pullorum-typhoid status) and an entry permit under §51.2. From states not affected with avian influenza: an NPIP U.S. AI Clean, H5/H7 AI Clean or H5/H7 AI Monitored flock, a state AI monitoring programme flock, or a 30-day AI test. From AI-affected states: immediate slaughter only, with a 72-hour AI test and written permission. From states affected with infectious laryngotracheitis (or birds vaccinated with chick embryo vaccine): immediate slaughter only, with a written request naming a route to slaughter, approved by the executive director beforehand. From states affected with egg drop syndrome virus (or birds vaccinated against it): immediate slaughter only, with a written request naming a route to slaughter, approved by the executive director beforehand. Live poultry, eggs, coops, crates and used equipment from state or federal quarantined areas, or exposed to disease, need TAHC's express written consent. No health certificate for poultry consigned to an inspected slaughter establishment with a waybill; baby poultry from NPIP hatcheries with a 9-3 or 9-3i (or under an approved Commuter Poultry Flock Agreement) are exempt from §51.15 only. Since January 1, 2026 import CVIs must be electronic. New World screwworm: see below.
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Texas?
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) at 1-800-550-8242. 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 Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)'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. Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC): bird flu page. Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).
  2. 4 TAC §51.15 Poultry, as in effect on 10/14/2026 (Secretary of State TAC; last amended effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7879). Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State). December 10, 2025.
  3. 4 TAC §51.4 exhibition entry (Poultry and Domestic Fowl). Texas Animal Health Commission. May 29, 2025.
  4. Proposed amendments to 4 TAC §57.10 and §57.11 (exhibition poultry movement). Texas Animal Health Commission. September 11, 2026.
  5. 4 TAC §57.11 General Requirements, as in effect on 10/14/2026 (Secretary of State TAC; last amended effective December 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 7881). Texas Animal Health Commission (Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State). December 10, 2025.
  6. Poultry Health: Avian Influenza. Texas Animal Health Commission.
  7. Executive Director Order: Texas Movement Requirements for Livestock, Exotic Livestock, Fowl, and Exotic Fowl from NWS-Affected States. Texas Animal Health Commission, Executive Director. October 1, 2026.
  8. Poultry Movement Notice. Texas Animal Health Commission.
  9. Chapter 57, Poultry. Texas Animal Health Commission.

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
  • Currency (T3) resolved October 14, 2026 for §51.15 and §57.11: both read as in effect on 10/14/2026 from owner-approved downloads of the Secretary of State TAC (tx-downloads.json; raw tx-tac-51-15-asof-20261014.txt, tx-tac-57-11-asof-20261014.txt); both last amended effective December 10, 2025 (50 TexReg 7879 and 7881). §57.11's interstate movement subsection is gone; its content now sits in §51.15(a), (c), (d), (e). The Texas Register adoption preamble was not captured (no PDF). §51.4 (shows) was not re-read, so tx-shows-entry-1 stays held.
  • Conflict to show, not resolve: §51.15(b)(1) (adopted text) limits poultry from AI-affected states to slaughter and processing; TAHC's entry-page notice states the 72-hour test and permission for 'live poultry' generally. Both kept as conditions; TAHC permits desk 512-719-0777 decides.
  • TAHC does not define 'state affected with avian influenza' on the pages read; the proposed 'HPAI-Impacted state' definition is not in force.
  • The Chapter 57 exhibition proposal (status proposed) could be adopted at the next commission meeting; recheck https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/proposals.html and news after it.
  • The exhibition AI test for out-of-state birds is quoted only from TAHC's unofficial summary (two-column PDF), so it is a condition, not a quoted verdict.
  • Carson 02: TAHC dates confirmation 1/6/2026; APHIS's export dates it January 8, 2026 (state vs NVSL confirmation).
  • Carson 02 bird count: 13 in TAHC's table, 10 in APHIS's export; show both if a count is ever displayed.
  • New World screwworm (brief item 9): TAHC's October 1, 2026 Executive Director Order names fowl and exotic fowl (row tx-2026-nws-edo-1); it states it remains in effect until modified or rescinded.
  • New in the adopted §51.15: the NPIP AI options now include 'U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored'; AI option A no longer mentions a CVI in its own text (the CVI duty is in §51.15(a)); the slaughter exemption is now 'consigned to slaughter establishments' with inspection and a waybill, replacing the old owner-operated-facility wording; the EDSv rule (b)(3) is new.

Next door

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