Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Sweden, but municipalities enforce strict local regulations under the 2026 Animal Welfare Act amendments. Owners must comply with biosecurity and housing standards to prevent avian influenza outbreaks.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Sweden
- Municipal Permits Required: Local authorities (e.g., Länsstyrelsen and Kommun) mandate permits for flocks exceeding 50 birds or in urban zones. Applications require flock size declarations and coop specifications under Djurskyddsmyndigheten guidelines.
- Biosecurity Mandates: All coops must implement rodent-proofing, waste disposal systems, and 30-day quarantine periods for new birds, per Statens jordbruksverks 2024 directives. Outdoor access is restricted during high-risk avian influenza seasons (Oct–Mar).
- Zoning and Density Limits: Rural areas cap flock density at 1 bird per 10 m² of land. Urban districts (e.g., Stockholm, Gothenburg) prohibit roosters and limit hens to 6 per property under Plan- och bygglagen (PBL) municipal ordinances.