Larger laying-hen holdings must file their September declaration
Portugal’s veterinary authority requires the September laying-hen declaration to report the flock held on 1 September. Establishments with fewer than 350 birds and breeding-hen establishments are exempt from this specific return.
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Archived 31 August 2026The rule mainly concerns commercial and larger smallholdings, not an ordinary household with a few backyard hens, but owners near the threshold should confirm how their operation is registered.
- The declaration reports the number of laying hens present on 1 September 2026.
- It must be submitted during September through AviDec or the regional food and veterinary services.
- Holdings with fewer than 350 birds are exempt from this specific declaration.
- Breeding-hen establishments are also exempt, but other animal-registration duties may still apply.
Who this affects
The recurring DGAV return is designed for laying-hen holdings covered by the national livestock-record system. The September filing records the number of birds present at the holding on the first day of the month.
A home with a small backyard flock falls below the published 350-bird threshold. A larger rural business, shared holding or mixed farm should check its registered category instead of relying on the way the birds are informally described.
How the declaration works
The authority’s AviDec service accepts the return online. It can also be handled through regional food and veterinary services, which is useful where an operator needs help matching a holding number or correcting its record.
The deadline is the end of September, but the figure reported is the stock held on 1 September. Keep the submission receipt with the farm’s movement, health and purchase records.
Do not confuse one exemption with every rule
The exemption described here is for this laying-hen existence declaration. It does not automatically remove animal-health, welfare, sale, movement, disease-control or municipal obligations that may apply to the activity.
If the flock is close to the threshold, has recently changed size or is operated commercially, ask the regional veterinary service to confirm the correct record before the month ends.
What you can do now.
- 01
Count the birds present on 1 September.
- 02
Confirm the holding’s registered category.
- 03
Submit through AviDec or the regional service if required.
- 04
Save the receipt with the farm’s compliance records.
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