Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Poland, but compliance with veterinary and municipal regulations is mandatory. The 2026 amendments to the Ustawa o ochronie zwierząt (Animal Protection Act) tighten biosecurity standards, requiring mandatory registration with the Powiatowy Lekarz Weterynarii (County Veterinary Officer) for flocks exceeding 50 birds. Urban areas impose additional spatial restrictions under local plan miejscowy (land-use plans).
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Poland
- Veterinary registration: Flocks under 50 birds must be declared to the County Veterinary Officer; those over 50 require a paszport zwierzęcia (animal passport) under EU Regulation 2016/429.
- Zoning restrictions: Municipalities like Warsaw and Kraków enforce uchwały rady gminy (municipal resolutions) limiting flock sizes to 10–20 hens in residential zones; commercial breeding is prohibited without a zezwolenie na hodowlę (breeding permit).
- Biosecurity protocols: The 2026 Rozporządzenie Ministra Rolnictwa mandates fenced enclosures, rodent control, and mandatory disinfection footbaths for flocks near commercial poultry farms to prevent avian influenza outbreaks.
Local straż miejska (municipal guards) conduct periodic inspections, with penalties up to 5,000 PLN for violations. Exotic breeds (e.g., Ayam Cemani) require additional CITES permits if listed under Polish wildlife regulations.