Health, Welfare, Regulations

Optimum health and welfare is important for any farming or agricultural endeavour, whatever the ivestock, but it is crucial in the keeping of rare breeds. The smaller populations are particularly vulnerable to any disease outbreaks and although the rare breeds are naturally hardy, they are not immune to potential health threats. The fact the breeds have been nurtured throughout many decades means it is not as easy to replace a breed, that may be completely wiped out by a major disease outbreak.

The Government authorities have put in place a number of regulations to assist with welfare, biosecurity and the tracking of livestock, so any health problems can be traced back to the source. The tracking may also help to reunite stock and their owners in times of natural disasters.

| Health | Welfare | Regulations |

Health

Excellent information that is species based can be found on the Animal Health Australia Biosecurity at this link http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/livestock/

| Notifiable Diseases | Avian Flu |

NOTIFIABLE DISEASES

Early recognition and reporting of serious and exotic diseases is one of the major factors influencing the chance of controlling the disease and halting its spread. Here is the list of notifiable diseases for each State:

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/notifiable

AVIAN FLU (H5N1) 

RBTA representations to Government

Whilst H5 biosecurity protocols (see below) are the current recommended approach for protecting poultry from H5N1, the Rare Breeds Trust of Australia has also made representations to the Australian Government on the desirability of approving the H5N1 vaccine to those rare breed non-commercial poultry breeders who would choose to vaccinate as part of their overall biosecurity approach.

The Trust first responded in September 2025 to the Australian Government's Review of Australia's Avian Flu Vaccination Policy for Poultry Issues Paper. With the outbreak of H5 in Australia in July 2026, the Trust has again advocated, via a H5N1 Vaccination Position Paper, to the Australian Government for the making of the H5 vaccine available for non-commercial rare breed poultry where the vaccine is approved for poultry. Download the RBTA Position Paper.

 
Online Information Resources
 
1. What is bird flu?Signs of bird flu image from Hobart Zoo
 
2. Symptoms

Common Signs in Flocks

  • Sudden Death: High and rapid mortality rate in the flock, often with no prior signs.
  • Physical Changes: Swollen head, eyelids, comb, and wattles, alongside a purple or blue discolouration (cyanosis).
  • Production Drops: A sudden, sharp decrease or total stop in egg production, including soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
  • Behaviour & Movement: Extreme lethargy, lack of appetite or thirst, and a ruffled feather appearance.

Respiratory and Nervous Symptoms

  • Respiratory: Gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing.
  • Neurological: Tremors, lack of coordination, a twisted or unusual head/neck posture, and an inability to stand or walk.
  • Digestive: Watery or green-tinted diarrhoea

Image right: Source Hobart Zoo

 

3. Confirmed location trackers/updates
 
4. Biosecurity

Basic biosecurity (see references above for more detailed actions):

  • Enclosing poultry in roofed pens of sufficient size for the number of birds penned.
  • Exclusion of wild birds and vermin from pens, food and water stations.
  • Appropriate sanitisation/chlorination of non-town water sources.
  • Regular cleaning and sanitisation of drinkers and feeders, and any other poultry handling equipment.
  • Regular clean-up of pens and coops, including disinfection of walls and roosts.
  • Clean and properly sanitised footwear when entering each individual pen.
  • Cessation of introduction of birds and bringing in of fertile eggs from outside sources.
  • Personal hygiene and protection in handling birds and eggs; thorough handwashing and clothes laundry after visiting pens.
  • Stopping visitors to pens; keeping of records of any necessary pen visitors; any necessary visitors to use foot baths before entering pens; clean clothes or coveralls to be worn.
 
5. Risk assessments
 
6. Information sheets

Information sheets for Avian flu (Australian Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry): 

 

Welfare

Farmer Welfare and Support

Rural Aid. https://www.ruralaid.org.au/. Rural Aid works alongside supporters, partners and volunteers to deliver practical support that helps farmers, their families and rural communities. To be eligible for support you will need a:

  • Primary Producer Declaration (within the last 12 months)

  • Current ABN in your name

  • Current PIC Number (where applicable) in your name

Norco and Black Dog Institute. https://norcofoods.com.au/mental-health/. This 2026 research study looked at Australian farmer mental health with statistics around self-harm and suicide.This site provides a range of information and support services  links. 

Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare

Codes of Practice for the welfare of livestock can be found on the following links.

Other relevant codes can be found at https://animalwelfarestandards.net.au/

Regulations

| Property Identification Codes | Livestock movements | PigPass | Poultry Regulations | 

PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION CODES

If you own sheep, cattle, (including bison and buffalo) horses, donkeys goats, pigs, deer, alpacas, camels or llamas, regardless of whether it is one or many, you are required to have a PIC Property Identification Code. This also applies to poultry, emus, ostriches, depending on the number. If you agist livestock you are also required to have a PIC.

The  PICs can generally be applied for online and in some States they are free. The links for each State or Territory are as follows:

LIVESTOCK MOVEMENTS

When moving livestock from one property to another, owners must follow mandatory requirements, depending on the species and where they are going to and from. The details for each State can be found here:

https://animalwelfarestandards.net.au/welfare-standards-and-guidelines/land-transport/

When livestock are purchased, sold or moved, their details must also be entered on the NLIS database. This is the duty of the purchaser. Details can be found here:

https://www.nlis.com.au/NLISDocuments/Livestock%20movements%20(Aug%2014).pdf

PIGPASS

PigPass was developed to track the movement of live pigs throughout Australia and to help protect the Australian Pork Industry. It is essential to have PigPass whether you have one or many pigs or a pet mini pig.

Mandatory reporting of all pig movements will be introduced in all States and Territories as from February 1st, 2018.

All information relating to PigPass can be found here:

https://pigpass.australianpork.com.au/faq

POULTRY REGULATIONS

Poultry: Property Identification Codes (PICs) and Local Government Regulations

The non-commercial keeping of poultry requires compliance with relevant State and Territory PIC arrangements, as well as with local government regulations including regulations on numbers that can be kept and the keeping of roosters. The Rare Breeds Trust of Australia does not itself issue permits for the keeping of poultry (rare or not rare).