Duck School · Getting started
4 min guide
Do I Need to Register Ducks in the UK?
A plain-English starting point for UK duck keepers and the official guidance to check.
Keeping ducks brings responsibilities as well as enjoyment. The rules depend on what you keep, how many birds you have and whether you are selling eggs, hatching eggs or chicks, so check the official guidance before you start or expand.
Registering poultry can be required
If you keep 50 or more poultry birds of any mix, you must register with APHA. The official guidance also says keepers with fewer than 50 birds should register their birds.
Selling changes the questions you need to ask
Egg production, packing, hatching and breeding can involve separate registration or food-business requirements. Direct local sales and larger-scale activity are not treated in exactly the same way.
Check current bird-flu and local requirements
Rules can change during disease-control periods. Use the official links below and speak to your local authority or APHA if you need advice that fits your plan.
Quick answers
The questions people ask most.
Do I have to register pet ducks in the UK?
The rules can depend on flock size and activity. GOV.UK says you must register if you keep 50 or more poultry birds of any mix, and advises keepers with fewer than 50 birds to register too.
Do I need permission to sell duck eggs?
The answer depends on how and where you sell, how eggs are packed and whether you are trading through shops or catering. Check the official egg-marketing and food-business guidance before you begin.
Do I need to register a duck hatchery?
The rules depend on the hatchery's scale and capacity. GOV.UK sets specific registration thresholds and requirements, so check the current page before setting up.