Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

Division of Animal Health and Dairy Services

Animal Health: Programs
Animal Health: Poultry Programs

Animal Health: MA Fairs Rules
Animal Health: Slaughter Information
Animal Health: Biosecurity Program

Additional Information:

Doves and Pigeons

Gamebirds

Poultry and Hatching Eggs

Ratites

Turkeys

Waterfowl

Poultry Publications:

Bureau of Animal Health

Poultry Programs and Services

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Agricultural Resources, Bureau of Animal Health is responsible for several programs pertaining to poultry.

The definition of poultry includes, but is not limited to chickens, guinea fowl, peafowl, pheasants, partridges, quail and turkeys.

The Poultry Diagnostic Testing Services are available to all residents of the commonwealth. The Massachusetts General Law Chapter 129, Section 26B requires that all hatching eggs and poultry (except those for immediate slaughter ) entering the commowealth or moving within the commonwealth, be progeny of, or originate from, a salmonella pullorum-typhoid clean flock. The routine inspection and testing of poultry flocks within the commonwealth ensures it’s participation in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). Compliance with the NPIP and all required paperwork allows for poultry to move throughout the country and overseas.

The Poultry Division also administers an Egg Grading Program encompassing many different inspectional programs for hatcheries, egg grading stations, egg packers and retail store egg sales.