Yes, keeping backyard chickens is legal in Peru, but compliance with municipal and sanitary regulations is mandatory.
Backyard poultry rearing is permitted nationwide under Peru’s Reglamento de Sanidad Animal (Supreme Decree No. 018-2016-MINAGRI), provided owners adhere to local ordinances and biosecurity protocols. However, recent amendments to the Ley de Sanidad Animal (Law No. 31335, 2022) and Lima Metropolitan Municipality’s Ordenanza No. 2401-MML (2023) impose stricter controls, including mandatory registration with SENASA for flocks exceeding 50 birds. Violations may trigger fines or confiscation under Decreto Legislativo No. 1059 (2008), which regulates animal health infractions.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Peru
- Registration Requirements: Flocks over 50 birds must be registered with SENASA (National Agrarian Health Service) under Resolución Directoral No. 001-2024-SENASA/DSA. Urban areas like Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo require additional municipal permits.
- Biosecurity Protocols: Owners must maintain enclosed coops, prevent contact with wild birds, and report mortalities exceeding 10% within 24 hours to SENASA. Non-compliance risks quarantine under Decreto Supremo No. 002-2021-AG.
- Zoning Restrictions: Municipal ordinances (e.g., Ordenanza No. 2345-MML for Lima) prohibit poultry in residential zones without prior approval. Commercial breeding is restricted to agricultural or designated zones per Ley Orgánica de Municipalidades (Law No. 27972).
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in administrative sanctions, including the destruction of flocks under Ley No. 30021 (2013), which criminalizes unauthorized animal movements during outbreaks. Consult local Municipalidad Provincial and SENASA’s Guía de Buenas Prácticas Pecuarias for jurisdiction-specific updates.