Caged birds
Advice about the management and care of caged birds for NSW schools.
Notice: All schools with birds (including poultry)
New South Wales is responding to a confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in a giant petrel found near Hawks Nest in July 2026. This is the first confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in NSW.
If unusual deaths or illness in wild birds or birds owned by the school are observed, please:
- Avoid contact
- Record by taking photos or video
- Report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline on 1800 675 888.
You can obtain the latest information about Avian Influenza, including symptoms to look out for and advice on managing poultry and captive birds owned by the school on the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.
Using these notes
These notes:
- have been written to be consistent with community, industry and research and teaching based animal welfare legislation
- apply to all schools in NSW, government and non-government
- contain standards (in bold italics at the beginning of each section) and guidelines. The standards must be met by schools, in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Research Authority. The guidelines are the desirable practices to achieve desirable animal welfare outcomes
- reflect available scientific knowledge, current practice and community expectations.
Each section of these notes lists any approved activities, with their approved categories, that are applicable to caged birds. A complete list of the approved activities for all species can be found in Approved activities.
Last modified date
07/07/2026
Business unit contact email
Executive director
Megan Kelly
Executive director’s business unit
Teaching Learning&Student Wellbeing