Free-range eggs to remain on supermarket shelves despite new bird flu chicken lockdown

Free-range eggs to remain on supermarket shelves despite new bird flu chicken lockdown The government has issued a "chicken lockdown" mandatory poultry housing order, meaning all hens must be kept indoors to stop the risk of bird flu — but free-range eggs will not change their labelling Free-range eggs will be laid by indoor hens in England after the government ordered that all chickens must be banned from going outdoors over bird flu fears. The mandatory poultry housing order will cover England from November 13 after officials recorded a rising number of confirmed cases of avian flu, which can cause severe disease and death in birds. Anyone who keeps 50 or more birds, sells or gives away eggs, poultry products or live birds will be legally required to keep them indoors. Specific exemptions will apply for some zoo birds. Under new legislation brought in last year, producers and packers can legally continue to label and sell eggs as "free-range" for the entire duration of a mandatory housing order — such as those introduced for bird flu outbreaks. Rules on free-range chickens explained Before the Free-Range Egg Marketing Standards act was amended last year, producers were legally required to label free-range eggs as "barn eggs" if laying hens had to be kept indoors for longer than 16 weeks. That means eggs will likely still be sold as 'free range' on shop shelves, even if they do not meet the usual standards. Under UK regulations, free-range chickens must have continuous daytime access to open-air runs that are mainly covered with vegetation, with a minimum floor space of four square metres per hen. The government has introduced a "chicken lockdown" each winter since 2021, when risk of avian flu peaks due to migration patterns. The most recent mandatory poultry housing orders was lifted earlier this year in April 2026 when the risk levels subsided Under the order, all keepers — including pet owners who have chickens in their back garden – will be required to put in biosecurity measures to prevent disease. These include reporting changes in egg laying, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, clothing, cars and equipment, and cleaning and disinfecting housing and concrete paths regularly. UK chief vet Christine Middlemiss said: "Bird keepers are urged to comply with the housing measures and to exercise robust biosecurity, remaining alert for any signs of disease and reporting suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. "Having avian influenza confirmed in your flock can be devastating, I understand the impact this disease can have on the poultry sector and am extremely grateful for the continued co-operation of the industry."