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Backyard poultry
Backyard poultry have become increasingly popular in recent years as interest in locally produced food, including eggs, has grown. Many local municipalities allow a limited number of domestic fowl on residential properties.
Before getting a backyard flock, it is important to understand issues related to legal aspects, husbandry and health, and diseases that can be spread by poultry to people.
Notice to owners of backyard poultry (Updated December 2024)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (HPAI), A(H5N1), has been circulating since early 2022 in birds within the United States. Since May 2022 when the first case of avian influenza was announced in Washington, several more counties have had infected domestic or wild birds, and several other suspect cases are being investigated.
If you experience any unexplained illness or death in your flock, call the WA State Department of Agriculture's Avian Health Program at 1-800-606-3056. If you see sick or dead wild birds, report to WA State Fish & Wildlife. The risk for human illness from HPAI H5N1 is very low, as is the risk of person-to-person transmission.
For updated information on the current HPAI H5N1 outbreak situation in Washington, visit WSDA's avian influenza website.
Legal aspects of poultry ownership
Before getting chickens or ducks, check applicable local regulations to find out how many chickens you can legally keep where you live. The City of Seattle, for example, allows up to 8 domestic fowl on any city lot (see SMC 23.42.052 Keeping of animals), and the City of Bellevue allows up to 6 fowl. In unincorporated King County the number depends on the size of the property (see Chapter 21A.30 Development Standards - Animals, Home Occupation, Home Industry, Section 21A.30.020.)
If you plan to sell eggs at a retail outlet you will need an Egg Handler/Dealer license from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). A license is not required to sell eggs from your own flocks directly to household consumers at the place of production. More information is available in WSDA's Small Farm & Direct Marketing document.
Backyard poultry husbandry
Educate yourself about poultry husbandry before getting your flock. For chickens, you will need a coop and enclosure with proper feeding and watering systems where your flock will be comfortable and safe from predators.
Keeping your flock healthy
Learn some helpful tips on how to decrease the risk of disease from entering your flock.
Disease risks to people from poultry
Follow these guidelines to protect yourself from infections from poultry.
Safe handling of eggs from your backyard flock
Eggs can contain harmful bacteria including Salmonella. For your protection, follow these instructions for collecting and cleaning eggs.
Food safety tips
These tips can also help prevent foodborne diseases such as infections with Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli.