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Keeping birds at home

Keeping birds can be rewarding. As well as being great family pets, birds can provide eggs, produce fertiliser, and control insects and weeds.

Bird owners must keep birds and their enclosures in a sanitary condition. Public health officers may direct the removal of your birds if keeping them causes, or is likely to cause, insanitary conditions.

How to maintain sanitary conditions

Consider the number of birds based on the size of your property and seek to maximise the distance enclosures are from neighbouring properties.

Cleaning

You must:

  • keep yards and enclosures clean to prevent offensive smells
  • clean enclosure regularly
  • remove droppings and food scraps and dispose of appropriately.

Line floors underneath roosts or perches with waterproof material to aid cleaning.

The interiors of any enclosures should be treated with insecticide to minimise insects.

Feed and drinking water

Troughs for drinking water should not cause the ground to become soggy. Drinking nipples should be protected from freezing.

Store bird feed in sealed containers. Only give your birds enough feed for the day to prevent attracting vermin such as rats. If you suspect you have rats, take appropriate action or call pest control.

Salmonella risks from poultry

Poultry, such as chickens, can harbour and shed Salmonella, which is infectious to humans even if the poultry is healthy and clean.

To avoid transmission:

  • buy vaccinated birds from a reliable commercial source
  • wash your hands with soap and running water after touching birds, eggs or enclosures
  • wear a dedicated pair of shoes in the enclosure
  • supervise children and make sure they wash their hands
  • don’t eat or drink around birds
  • don’t snuggle or kiss birds
  • don't let poultry inside the house.

Eggs

Throw away cracked, damaged or heavily soiled eggs.

Never wash your eggs with water, which can make them porous, allowing bacteria to enter and contaminate the egg.

Clean lightly soiled eggs with a dry cloth or tissue.

Store collected eggs in the fridge and ensure they are cooked thoroughly before eating.

Find out more about egg safety.

More information

For more information, contact the Health Protection Service at hps@act.gov.au or call 02 5124 9700.

If you have questions about bird welfare, contact the RSPCA.