What the state’s own agencies say, with sources. Not legal advice.
Avian flu rules for backyard flocks in Texas
The Texas Animal Health Commission asks anyone keeping birds to report illness or unusual deaths right away. If your birds look sick or you see higher-than-normal mortality, call your private veterinarian or your TAHC region office, or use the commission's dead-poultry line. Dead wild birds are reported to a Texas Parks and Wildlife wildlife biologist rather than TAHC. The agency's biosecurity guidance for backyard owners stresses limiting contact between your birds and wild birds. The page does not lay out specific quarantine rules for backyard flocks, so check TAHC's movement regulations before transporting birds.
Checked 2026-10-20 · web.tahc.texas.gov
Finding an avian vet in Texas
Texas A&M's veterinary college has a Small Animal Zoological Medicine Service at its teaching hospital that treats exotic pets, including pet and aviary birds. Pet owners can seek primary care directly, and clients referred by their regular veterinarians are also welcome. This description comes from a 2005 college press release, so services, hours, and phone numbers may have changed; call the hospital to confirm it sees ducks before making the trip. Many Texas duck owners will instead need a local avian or exotics practice, which can be found through the state veterinary association.
Checked 2026-10-20 · vetmed.tamu.edu
State contacts
For avian influenza concerns in Texas, the Texas Animal Health Commission is the main point of contact. Its published line for reporting dead poultry is 1-800-550-8242, and region offices are listed on the agency's contact page. Questions about the commission's fowl seller registration, which references the National Poultry Improvement Plan, can also go to TAHC. Virulent Newcastle disease is reportable to the commission. Dead wild birds go to a Texas Parks and Wildlife wildlife biologist instead.
Checked 2026-10-20 · web.tahc.texas.gov
