If you keep quails here in the UK, you might be wondering whether the new bird-registration rules apply to you. I’ve had so many people ask lately, “Do I need to register my quails with DEFRA?” — and the simple answer is yes. Even the tiniest flock now falls under the new legislation, so it’s worth knowing what’s required before 2026 rolls around.
As someone who keeps quails myself, I know how easy it is to assume the rules only apply to chickens or big flocks. But quails count as poultry too, and the changes are designed to help protect all of our birds, whether we’ve got two quail hens in a little hutch or a whole aviary full.
Why Quail Keepers Now Need to Register
The law changed to help track where captive birds are kept so the authorities can act quickly if there’s a disease outbreak, especially avian influenza. Over the last few years we’ve all seen how quickly bird flu moves around the country, and this system gives DEFRA a way to warn local keepers early.
Because of that, the registration requirement now includes absolutely everyone: hobby keepers, back-garden quail owners, smallholders, and larger flocks alike. If you keep a single quail, you’re included.
What “Do I Need to Register My Quails?” Actually Means
From October 2024 onwards in England and Wales (and slightly later in Scotland), every keeper of poultry or captive birds must register, regardless of flock size. That includes quails kept for eggs, meat, breeding, or simply as pets.
If you’ve kept quails for years without any paperwork, don’t panic — this isn’t as dramatic as it sounds. It’s simply a case of filling in a short form with your details, your location, and how many quails you have. It usually takes no more than ten minutes.
How to Register Your Quails
If you’ve got fewer than 50 birds, this is the form you need:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds
The form will ask for:
Your name and contact details
Where the quails are kept
The number of quails you own
What you keep them for (pets, eggs, meat, breeding)
If your flock grows to 50 or more, there’s a different form for larger numbers, but most quail keepers won’t need to worry about that.
After You Register
Once you’ve submitted your details, you’ll be added to DEFRA’s national bird-keeper database. That means you’ll be contacted if there’s any disease risk in your area — very handy, especially for smallholders like me who rely on early warnings.
You’ll also need to update your information if anything changes, such as:
You move house
You increase or decrease your flock
You add another bird species
You change what the birds are used for
And even if nothing changes, you do need to check and confirm your details once a year.
What This Means for Quail Keepers
For most of us keeping a cosy little flock, this new rule isn’t anything to worry about. It’s quick to register and once it’s done, it’s done. To be honest, I quite like the idea of being notified early if something’s going round locally — quails hide illness so well that any extra heads-up is useful.
I always say this to my readers and students: registration isn’t about snooping, it’s simply about protecting the birds we all love. And quails might be small, but they’re fully included in the system.
A Friendly Final Thought
If you’ve been unsure about whether you need to register your quails, I hope this clears things up. The process is simple, it doesn’t cost anything, and it helps safeguard quail keepers all over the country. Once you’ve done it, you can get back to enjoying the fun bits — watching your quail girls dust-bathe, collecting tiny speckled eggs, and enjoying the gentle hum of a happy little flock of quails.
