Yes, backyard chickens are legal in France, but compliance with municipal and departmental regulations is mandatory. National laws permit small-scale poultry rearing, yet local authorities enforce zoning, flock size, and biosecurity rules to mitigate avian influenza risks. The 2026 EU Animal Health Law amendments further tighten traceability requirements for non-commercial flocks.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in France
- Flock Size Limits: Municipal plans locaux d’urbanisme (PLU) often cap backyard flocks at 50 hens per household, with stricter limits in urban zones. Exceeding thresholds may trigger veterinary inspections under Arrêté du 29 juillet 2013.
- Biosecurity Protocols: Owners must register flocks via the Système d’Information Déclaratif Animal (SIDA) and adhere to Ministère de l’Agriculture biosecurity guidelines, including fencing to exclude wild birds and mandatory disinfection stations.
- Zoning Restrictions: Rural communes permit backyard poultry, but peri-urban areas may prohibit roosters (due to noise) or require permits for coops exceeding 5m². Préfectures enforce these via règlements sanitaires départementaux.
Non-compliance risks fines up to €750 or mandatory flock culling under Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Article L228-1). Owners in zones à risque particulier (ZRP) for avian flu must comply with heightened surveillance measures, including weekly health checks.