Chickens kept in gardens will have to be registered under planned new rules

Currently people who keep birds for their own supply of eggs, or as pets, do not have to register them. Photograph: georgeclerk/Getty Images

People in Great Britain who keep chickens in their back garden will have to register them with the government under proposed new rules to crack down on bird flu.

While those who own 50 or more birds, such as chicken farmers, have to register their flock with the government, currently people who have birds for their own supply of eggs, or as pets, do not.