Do I have to register keeping hens at home?
It depends on the purpose – a few hens for your own household use generally need no establishment registration, but commercial keeping and selling eggs do. Every keeper of farm animals is in principle required to enter the register of farm-animal keepers (EIRŽ) and obtain an agricultural holding identification number (KMG-MID) through the register of agricultural holdings; the register is kept by the Administration for Food Safety (UVHVVR). For keeping laying hens there is an additional register of establishments – this becomes relevant once you put eggs on the market. The myth that every hen is immediately »under inspection« is false: as long as it is for your own use, an establishment registration is generally not required. Things get complicated with selling eggs: the term »small quantity« refers to eggs from a flock of up to 350 hens sold directly to the final consumer, which triggers rules on labelling and records. The rules on registering small flocks have been subject to changes and debate, so it is wise to check the current conditions with the UVHVVR or your municipality.
📋 The rules
- Every keeper of farm animals is in principle required to enter the register of farm-animal keepers (EIRŽ) and obtain a KMG-MID through the register of agricultural holdings.
- The register of keepers and establishments is kept by the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection (UVHVVR).
- For laying hens a separate register of establishments is kept; the application includes the operator, the location and the maximum capacity of the facility.
- Keeping for your own use generally needs no establishment registration; the duties tighten once you put eggs on the market.
- The term »small quantity« of eggs applies to flocks of up to 350 hens, sold directly to the final consumer at the place of production or a local shop.
🔓 Exceptions
- If you sell eggs, additional rules on labelling and records apply; the UVHVVR oversees them, and the requirements depend on the flock size and the way of selling.
- Regardless of registration, animal-protection rules (welfare, space, feed, water) and veterinary rules on preventing disease (for example bird flu) always apply.
- Putting up a hen house as an ancillary building is governed by spatial legislation and municipal ordinances; setbacks from the neighbour's boundary and hygiene requirements vary by municipality.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
For a small home flock kept for your own eggs, the issue in practice is not punishment but records and animal welfare. If, however, you carry on an activity or sales without the required entries, you risk measures by the competent veterinary and agricultural inspection: from an order to register through to a misdemeanour fine under the Livestock Farming Act and veterinary rules. Selling eggs outside the rules on labelling and traceability is a breach of food-safety legislation overseen by the UVHVVR. In a disease outbreak (for example avian influenza) the authority can order animals to be confined, movement restrictions or even the culling of the flock, and unregistered keepers are left without oversight and without compensation. Poor welfare or neglect of animals is a breach of the Animal Protection Act with fines and seizure of the animals. Disputes with neighbours over smell, noise or pests are resolved under municipal ordinances and the rules on disturbance of possession.
📎 Official sources
- SPOT · poultry keeping and entry in the register (EIRŽ) →
- GOV.SI · Administration for Food Safety (register of establishments and keepers) →
- PISRS · Livestock Farming Act (ZŽiv) →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to register a few hens kept for my own use?
For keeping a few hens for your own household use, an establishment registration is generally not required. Even so, a keeper of farm animals is in principle required to enter the register of farm-animal keepers and obtain an agricultural holding number.
When does registration become compulsory?
The requirements tighten once you keep hens as an activity or put eggs on the market, since a separate register of establishments is kept for laying hens. Selling eggs also triggers rules on labelling and records, overseen by the Administration for Food Safety.
How many hens can I keep without registering an establishment?
The law does not set a single number of hens for own use, because the key factor is the purpose of keeping them. The concept of a small quantity of eggs, however, refers to flocks of up to 350 hens whose eggs are sold directly to the final consumer.
Can I sell my hens' eggs to neighbours?
Selling a small quantity of eggs directly to the final consumer is possible, but it is subject to rules on labelling, traceability and hygiene. The requirements depend on the flock size and the way of selling, and the Administration for Food Safety oversees them.
Where can I put the hen house relative to the boundary?
Putting up a hen house as an ancillary building is governed by spatial legislation and the municipal ordinance, which set the setbacks from the neighbour's boundary and the hygiene conditions. The specific requirements therefore vary by municipality, and disputes over smell or pests are resolved under municipal rules.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “keeping hens at home slovenia”
- “how many hens without registration”
- “register hens eirz slovenia”
- “selling eggs from home rules”
- “laying hen establishment registration”
- “hen house distance from boundary”