Dutch government orders poultry indoors nationwide after three bird flu outbreaks

Nationwide order takes effect immediately

The Dutch government has ordered poultry across the country to be kept indoors or otherwise shielded, with immediate effect. State secretary for Agriculture Silvio Erkens (VVD) announced the measure on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, citing three bird flu outbreaks in a short period. Erkens said the decision weighed animal and public health, animal welfare, the public wish for free-range farming, and the economic and practical consequences for bird keepers. Visitors are barred from poultry sheds, except for cases such as veterinarians and inspectors, and the exemptions that had allowed some at-risk ornamental birds to be displayed have been withdrawn. Poultry keepers are also urged to follow the existing hygiene rules on their farms strictly.

In a statement, Erkens said the risk of further infections is significant and that the measure is meant to prevent as much suffering as possible.

“To prevent as much suffering as possible for both animals and business owners, I have decided to implement a nationwide requirement to keep birds indoors or otherwise shielded.”

Three outbreaks in a few days

Bird flu was confirmed on a farm in Lutjegast, Groningen, on Monday evening, 26 October, and 45,000 animals were culled there. A second outbreak at Middelie, North Holland, was detected on Tuesday, 27 October, with 150 chickens killed. The third, in Grootegast, also in Groningen, was confirmed on Wednesday, 28 October, when 51,000 laying hens were killed. Within a radius of 10 kilometres around the Grootegast farm, no chickens, poultry meat or eggs may be transported. The agriculture ministry described the Lutjegast case as the first bird flu infection since July.

Lutjegast (26 Oct)45,000

Middelie (27 Oct)150

Grootegast (28 Oct)51,000

Lutjegast (26 Oct)

45000 animals

Middelie (27 Oct)

150 animals

Grootegast (28 Oct)

51000 animals

Data from the article text

Wild birds and the wider picture

Bird flu typically resurfaces in autumn, when wild birds migrate south. Wild birds recently found in the Netherlands and other European countries carried the disease, and infections have also been confirmed in Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom. With bird migration now getting under way, the risk of spread is rising further. Last year a nationwide housing order was also imposed, and it was lifted in June this year, when infections had dropped sharply. The ministry had already called the virus "unpredictable" at that point. Erkens stressed that limiting contact between kept birds and possibly infected wild birds is essential.

“Nevertheless, it is important to limit as much as possible the contact between kept birds and possibly infected wild birds.”

Reactions on the farm

Rian Jannink, who keeps chickens in Hertme in the municipality of Borne, said she was relieved by the order. Her organic farm is not permitted under current rules to bring hens indoors, which she called frustrating given the high risk from migrating birds flying overhead. Her hens have been inside since 19:00 on Wednesday, and she plans to keep the shutters closed from Thursday, 29 October. She said the chickens have plenty of room in what she described as a covered play area.

“It is of course a lovely picture, those free-range chickens in the open air. But that is not safe, the danger comes from the air.”

Hobby keepers and what comes next

Hobby keepers do not have to comply with the housing requirement but must shield their birds, for example by keeping them in an aviary. Erkens wants to present a plan this year to make vaccination of laying hens against bird flu mandatory. He is currently discussing that plan with the poultry sector, and the proposal is still under discussion.