No, backyard chicken-keeping is prohibited under Singapore’s Animal and Birds Act (Cap. 7) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) enforcement policies. The city-state’s high-density urban environment and biosecurity risks prohibit unlicensed poultry rearing, with penalties including fines up to S$10,000 or imprisonment under Section 34 of the Act. Exemptions for small-scale rearing are absent, and the 2026 National Parks Board (NParks) biodiversity blueprint reinforces strict controls to prevent zoonotic disease transmission and ecological disruption.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Singapore
- Prohibition under primary legislation: The Animal and Birds Act (Cap. 7) explicitly bans the keeping of poultry, including chickens, without a license—unavailable for residential premises. Violations trigger enforcement by AVA (now part of the Singapore Food Agency, SFA).
- Biosecurity and public health mandates: The 2023 SFA Biosecurity Guidelines prohibit poultry in urban areas to mitigate avian influenza risks. NParks’ 2026 biodiversity strategy aligns with this, prioritizing disease containment over hobbyist rearing.
- Urban planning restrictions: The Planning Act (Cap. 232) and Housing & Development Board (HDB) lease conditions prohibit livestock in landed properties without prior approval. Even private condominiums face similar prohibitions under their management corporations’ by-laws.