From 1 September 2024, in Scotland, it is a legal requirement for anyone who keeps birds (even a single bird) to register on the new Scottish Kept Birds Register by 1 December 2024. Those previously registered on the GB poultry register (who keep birds in Scotland) will need to re-register.
A similar requirement came into effect in England and Wales on 1 October for anyone keeping birds. Previously it was only compulsory for those with 50 or more birds.
In Northern Ireland it is already a requirement to register when any bird is kept.
In general, these requirements apply to all kept birds (with very limited exceptions such as specific breeds e.g budgies and parrots kept indoors with no outdoor access) and include gamebirds when they are kept.
Such gamebirds would be deemed to captive/kept whilst in release pens until the birds can fly, or walk, freely to and from the pen.
There are slightly different approaches in relation to how these details are completed, depending upon which of the home countries you are in.
Further information can be found below, along with relevant contact details of the respective government agencies.
Members requiring help and advice should contact their local BASC team.
The Hunting Act 2004 prohibits all hunting of wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, except where it is carried out in accordance with one of the tightly drawn exemptions, which allow for certain necessary pest control and other activities to be undertaken, subject to strict conditions.
Find out how you can make the most of woodland areas to enhance your shoot, create wildlife habitat and bring environmental benefits.
Woodlands can be managed to promote conservation and shooting through a number of techniques, one of which is creating and maintaining deadwood habitats.
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