Avian Flu Regulations in Indiana Every Poultry Owner Needs to Know

Indiana is one of the most poultry-intensive states in the country, ranking first nationally in duck production, third in egg production, and third in turkey production — which makes avian flu regulations not just a legal formality but a frontline defense for an industry that defines the state’s agricultural identity.

If you own chickens in your backyard, operate a commercial turkey farm, or raise ducks in LaGrange County, understanding Indiana’s avian flu rules is essential. Non-compliance can mean fines, quarantine, and the loss of your entire flock. This guide walks you through every major regulation you need to follow, from disease classification to compensation after depopulation.

HPAI vs. LPAI: Understanding Avian Flu Classifications in Indiana

Not all avian influenza is the same, and Indiana’s regulatory response depends heavily on which form your birds may be carrying. The two primary classifications — Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI) — carry very different consequences for flock owners.

Avian influenza viruses are classified into low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI) forms based on the severity of illness they cause. Most strains are LPAI and typically cause little or no clinical signs in infected birds. However, some LPAI strains are capable of mutating under field conditions into HPAI viruses.

HPAI strains are deadly to domestic poultry and can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days, while LPAI strains typically cause few or no signs of illness. The distinction matters enormously from a regulatory standpoint: HPAI triggers mandatory depopulation, quarantine zones, and federal-state response protocols, while LPAI may allow for more flexible management options.

Because LPAI does not typically kill poultry the way HPAI does, there may be control options beyond depopulation — for example, quarantine or controlled marketing may also be appropriate. If your farm is ever affected by LPAI, federal and state officials will work with you to determine what options are available.

Avian influenza viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, as well as a wide variety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl have proved to be the natural reservoir for this disease. This is why Indiana’s northern counties — a corridor for migratory flyways — have historically seen the heaviest outbreak activity. You can also learn about related respiratory diseases in your flock, such as avian tuberculosis and avian chlamydiosis, which require separate management protocols.

Premises Registration Requirements for Poultry Owners in Indiana

One of the most important — and most overlooked — steps you can take as a poultry owner in Indiana is registering your premises with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). This registration creates a record that allows state and federal officials to contact you quickly during an outbreak.

BOAH requires premises registration of all sites associated with the sale, purchase, and/or exhibition of cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and cervids. Equine and poultry sites may be registered on a voluntary basis. While poultry registration is technically voluntary under general traceability rules, it is strongly recommended — especially given Indiana’s ongoing HPAI exposure.

Experts suggest registering your farm with the Premises ID Program at BOAH. This program helps ensure that in the event of a disease outbreak, authorities can quickly locate and manage affected farms.

• Registration is free and can be completed through BOAH’s Indiana Premises Registration portal
• You will receive a unique Premises Identification Number (PIN) tied to your physical location
• Your PIN is used in all official disease response communications, movement permits, and testing coordination
• If you lose your PIN, email animalid@boah.in.gov with your name and physical address
• For questions, contact BOAH at (317) 544-2400

Commercial poultry producers operating under the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) have additional federal traceability obligations. In accordance with federal regulations, NPIP commercial poultry premises must have a successful HPAI Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program biosecurity audit prior to placing poultry on a previously infected premises. Premises registration is the foundation of that compliance chain.

Biosecurity Requirements for Commercial and Backyard Flocks in Indiana

Biosecurity is the single most effective tool you have against avian flu. Avian influenza viruses spread through direct, bird-to-bird contact and via contaminated surfaces or materials, such as manure, egg flats, crates, other farming materials and equipment, and people’s clothing, shoes, or hands. Biosecurity is key to protecting your flock.

BOAH and Purdue Extension have outlined specific biosecurity practices that apply to both commercial and backyard operations in Indiana. Sound biosecurity practices include keeping an “all-in, all-out” philosophy of flock management; protecting poultry flocks from coming into contact with wild or migratory birds; keeping poultry away from any source of water that may have been contaminated by wild birds; permitting only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm; providing clean clothing and disinfection facilities for employees; thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting equipment and vehicles (including tires and undercarriage) entering and leaving the farm; and not loaning or borrowing equipment or vehicles to or from other farms.

Additional Biosecurity Guidance for Backyard Flock Owners

Purdue Extension has published specific recommendations for hobby and backyard flock owners that go beyond the commercial farm basics:

• Pest control: Keep grass trimmed and remove junk piles to deter rodents.
• Feed storage: Store feed in a covered, dry area and buy only what you need for 3–4 weeks.
• Choring order: Always tend to younger and healthier birds first, then care for sick or quarantined birds last.
• Visitor protocols: Limit who enters your bird areas and require footwear changes or boot covers before entry.

To prevent a possible outbreak of HPAI, poultry producers and dealers must also use biosecurity precautions at live-bird markets. Live-bird markets operate in many major cities, and avian influenza viruses can be introduced into these markets if they receive infected birds or contaminated crates and trucks. Once the virus is established in the market, the movement of birds, crates, or trucks from a contaminated market can spread the virus to other farms and markets.

Reporting Sick or Dead Birds in Indiana

Indiana law requires prompt reporting of suspected avian disease. If you notice unusual illness or death in your flock, you are obligated to act quickly — delays in reporting can allow HPAI to spread to neighboring operations.

Signs of avian influenza to watch for include sudden death without clinical signs; lack of energy or appetite; decreased egg production; soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, or hocks; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; lack of coordination; and diarrhea.

Animal health professionals — including veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, public health personnel, zoo or wildlife personnel, and others — are required to report diagnosed or suspected cases of nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS Area Veterinarians in Charge and to the state animal health official.

For hobby and backyard flock owners, the reporting process is straightforward:

1. Call the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline: Hobby poultry owners are encouraged to report illness and/or death to the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline at 866-536-7593. Callers will be routed to a state or federal veterinarian in Indiana for a case assessment.
2. Preserve dead birds for testing: Dead birds should be double-bagged and refrigerated for possible testing.
3. Contact BOAH directly: You can also reach the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at (317) 544-2387 or (317) 544-2400 for guidance on next steps.
4. Do not move birds: Until a state or federal veterinarian advises otherwise, keep all flock members on-site to prevent potential spread.

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) leads the preparedness and response initiatives in the state of Indiana. BOAH’s HPAI website provides information for reporting sick or dead birds, current information regarding HPAI, and up-to-date situation reports. You can also find additional resources on USDA APHIS’s avian influenza page and through Purdue University’s HPAI resource center.

Indiana’s Current HPAI Status and Active Outbreak Zones

Indiana has been one of the most heavily affected states in the nation throughout the 2022–2026 HPAI event. Understanding the current status is critical before you make any decisions about moving birds, restocking, or adjusting your biosecurity protocols.

In February 2022, HPAI H5N1 was first confirmed in Indiana at a commercial turkey farm in Dubois County. The disease has returned in waves ever since. More than 8.5 million poultry birds were affected in Indiana between February 2022 and March 2025.

In 2025, 26 states lost commercial poultry or gamebird flocks to highly pathogenic avian influenza, but when it came to the number of flocks lost in the United States, close to half of them were in Ohio and Indiana. Indiana’s duck and turkey production corridors in the northern part of the state — particularly LaGrange, Elkhart, and Adams counties — have been the epicenter of repeated outbreaks.

The 2026 outbreak year has been particularly severe. Indiana has had 39 confirmed cases of HPAI to date in 2026 — more than any other state. APHIS has confirmed 20 flock infections in Indiana in 2026 as of early March. The most affected counties have been LaGrange and Elkhart, with duck and turkey operations bearing the brunt of confirmed cases.

In September 2025, HPAI was detected again in wild birds in Greene County through surveillance performed by USDA Wildlife Services and DNR. HPAI additionally affected black vultures in two localized areas — one in Jefferson County and the other in Franklin County — in September and October 2025.

Detections are higher in the fall and spring because wild birds continue to spread the virus as they migrate to their seasonal homes. If you are in or near a county with active wild bird detections, you should treat your biosecurity protocols as if you are in a high-risk zone even if no formal control area has been established.

For a broader picture of the ongoing national situation, you can track HPAI detections in commercial and backyard flocks on the USDA APHIS website. HPAI has been identified on more than 2,200 premises in all 50 states since February 2022.

Poultry Movement and Quarantine Restrictions in Indiana

When HPAI is confirmed on a premises, Indiana and federal authorities immediately establish geographic response zones that impose strict movement restrictions. Understanding these zones — and what they mean for your operation — is one of the most practically important aspects of avian flu compliance.

The Control Area Structure

The control area is a 10 km (6.2 mile) zone established around infected flocks and includes two zones. The infected zone is a 3-km (1.9-mile) radius around the infected site, where all backyard flocks are officially quarantined and live and dead poultry and poultry products cannot be moved on or off a premises without a BOAH-approved movement permit. The buffer zone is an additional 7-km (4.3-mile) radius around the infected zone, where poultry owners also cannot move live or dead poultry or poultry products without a BOAH-approved movement permit.

Commercial flocks inside of the control area undergo surveillance in accordance with USDA protocols. All commercial poultry producers in the control area also comply with stringent biosecurity and permitting protocols in order to move poultry or poultry products off of their farms.

How to Obtain a Movement Permit

Permits must be obtained from the State Veterinarian of the state-of-origin after specific testing and/or biosecurity requirements are met. If your premises is in a control area in Indiana, a permit is required to move poultry and poultry products, including eggs, feathers, litter, and meat.

To request a movement permit, email BOAH at poultrypermits@boah.in.gov or call BOAH at (317) 544-2400. Permits are not automatic — you must demonstrate compliance with testing and biosecurity requirements before movement is authorized.

Premises infected with HPAI are placed under quarantine, prohibiting the movement of poultry and poultry products on or off of the affected site. This quarantine remains in place until all virus elimination activities are complete and the premises has passed the required inspections.

For interstate movement considerations, cattle and poultry originating from a state classified as unaffected under USDA policy do not need a negative test before interstate movement, but producers should always call the state-of-destination to verify interstate movement requirements.

Flock Depopulation and Compensation Rules in Indiana

If HPAI is confirmed on your premises, depopulation of your flock is not optional — it is required by law and USDA protocol. However, you are entitled to financial compensation through a federal indemnity program, and understanding how that process works can help you navigate one of the most difficult situations a poultry owner can face.

The Depopulation Process

There is no treatment for HPAI. The only way to stop the disease is to depopulate all affected and exposed poultry. If your farm is ever affected by HPAI, you will need to know what to expect during the response process.

The USDA and BOAH work with infected flock owners to develop a flock plan that includes appraisal and indemnity agreements for depopulation of poultry on the affected premises. After depopulation of the flock, all poultry remains and other potentially infected materials on the affected farms are safely disposed of according to USDA/BOAH guidelines.

Indemnity and Financial Compensation

Federal indemnity is available to eligible poultry owners whose flocks are depopulated due to HPAI. USDA is investing $1 billion in a comprehensive strategy to curb HPAI, protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices, which includes several producer support programs.

Key points about the compensation process:

• Indemnity is paid based on the appraised value of birds at the time of depopulation, not market price at sale
• You must have a signed indemnity agreement with USDA before depopulation proceeds
• Compensation also covers the cost of disposal and some cleaning and disinfection activities
• Premises registration and NPIP enrollment can strengthen your eligibility and speed up the claims process

Restocking After Depopulation

Restocking is not permitted immediately after depopulation. In accordance with federal regulations, NPIP commercial poultry premises must have a successful HPAI Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program biosecurity audit — with a “pass” result — prior to placing poultry on the previously infected premises. For premises to restock after HPAI infection, they must meet the minimum time requirements, all criteria laid out in USDA guidance, and be approved to restock.

Birds used for restocking must be from flocks tested for HPAI and/or from an NPIP commercial flock. If birds used for restocking are being sourced from a premises located in an active Control Area, then testing and permitting requirements must be met before movement. State or federal animal health officials may require producers to test birds used for restocking from premises located outside an active Control Area as well.

The scale of Indiana’s depopulation response in 2025 was substantial. Since the beginning of 2025, 22 commercial poultry farms and millions of birds were depopulated across Indiana because of HPAI. Producers who went through this process have noted that having premises registration, NPIP status, and strong biosecurity documentation in place before an outbreak significantly accelerated their indemnity and restocking timelines.

For context on how Indiana’s animal health regulations compare to neighboring states, you may find it useful to review horse boarding regulations in Wyoming or horse boarding regulations in Wisconsin as examples of how state-level livestock regulation frameworks are structured.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Indiana

Indiana takes avian flu compliance seriously, and failure to follow BOAH and USDA regulations can result in significant legal and financial consequences. Whether you are a commercial producer or a backyard flock owner, ignorance of the rules is not a defense.

State-Level Enforcement Authority

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health operates under Indiana Code and has broad authority to enforce animal disease control measures. Violations of BOAH quarantine orders, movement restrictions, or reporting requirements can result in:

• Civil penalties — BOAH can issue fines for violations of quarantine orders and movement permit requirements
• Forced depopulation without compensation — Producers who move infected birds without a permit or fail to report suspected HPAI may lose eligibility for federal indemnity payments
• Criminal referral — Deliberate obstruction of disease response activities can be referred for criminal prosecution under Indiana law
• Permanent loss of NPIP status — Non-compliant commercial producers risk losing their NPIP certification, which is required for interstate commerce and export eligibility

Federal Enforcement Consequences

Animal health professionals — including veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, and public health personnel — are required to report diagnosed or suspected cases of nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS Area Veterinarians in Charge and to the state animal health official. Failure to report by a licensed veterinarian or accredited diagnostician can result in suspension or revocation of their federal accreditation.

For flock owners, the most severe financial penalty for non-compliance is the loss of indemnity eligibility. USDA indemnity payments are contingent on cooperation with the response process — including timely reporting, compliance with quarantine orders, and participation in the flock plan developed by USDA and BOAH. Producers who move birds out of a quarantine zone without a permit, or who delay reporting suspected illness to avoid disruption, may find themselves ineligible for any compensation when their flock is eventually depopulated.

How to Stay Compliant

Staying compliant with Indiana’s avian flu regulations is not complicated, but it does require consistent attention. Here is a straightforward compliance checklist:

1. Register your premises with BOAH’s Premises ID Program
2. Enroll in NPIP if you are a commercial producer
3. Implement and document biosecurity protocols on your farm
4. Monitor your flock daily for signs of illness
5. Report any suspected HPAI immediately to BOAH or the USDA Healthy Birds Hotline (866-536-7593)
6. Never move birds or poultry products out of a control area without a BOAH-issued movement permit
7. Subscribe to BOAH’s email alert system for real-time HPAI situation updates at in.gov/boah

Indiana’s poultry industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience through multiple HPAI waves. Indiana ranks number one in the U.S. for duck production, third for egg production, and third for turkey production. Protecting that standing requires every flock owner — commercial or backyard — to treat avian flu regulations not as a burden, but as a shared responsibility. The regulations exist because the stakes for the entire state are simply too high to leave to chance.

For more information on Indiana animal and wildlife regulations, explore related guides on bass fishing regulations in Indiana and fly fishing regulations in Indiana. You can also find state-specific regulatory guidance for neighboring states including bass fishing regulations in Ohio and bass fishing regulations in Kentucky.