Coop Companion

NPIP in Kentucky

Verified September 2026

The short version

Kentucky participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, administered in-state by the Office of the State Veterinarian at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (Kentucky's Official State Agency for exhibition and small-flock enrollment). Kentucky holds U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status. As in most states, moving hatching eggs or birds across state lines generally requires NPIP participation or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing. Exact fees, testing procedures, and in-state sale rules are set by the state agency — confirm current details with them using the official links below.

Kentucky Official State Agency

Office of the State Veterinarian, Kentucky Department of Agriculture (Official State Agency)

Official website →NPIP contact →

Joining NPIP in this state

  • NPIP is administered in Kentucky by the Office of the State Veterinarian (Kentucky Department of Agriculture) — apply to join through that Official State Agency.
  • Hobbyist, exhibition, and breeding-to-sell flocks fall under the federal rules in 9 CFR part 145 (Subpart E); the state agency handles enrollment and testing locally.
  • The base classification is U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean; other classifications (e.g. Avian Influenza Clean) may apply depending on your birds and where you ship.

Pullorum-typhoid testing

  • Kentucky is recognized as a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State under the NPIP.
  • Poultry moving interstate generally must be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP participation) or test negative before leaving the state — most destination states require it.
  • Testing is performed by an authorized tester; the state agency can tell you who can test and how to arrange it.

Selling & shipping eggs and birds

  • Shipping hatching eggs or live birds to another state generally requires NPIP status or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing, because most states bar entry otherwise.
  • Rules for selling within Kentucky, and any permits or flock-size thresholds, are set by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture — confirm them directly.

Show testing requirements

  • Many Kentucky shows require pullorum-typhoid testing or NPIP participation for entry; the exact requirement is set by each show and state animal-health rules.
  • Confirm a specific show's testing requirement with the show secretary and the Office of the State Veterinarian before entering.

Record-keeping

  • Keep your NPIP flock/certificate number, testing dates and results, and buyer/sales records — you'll need them for shipping, shows, and inspections.
  • A printable testing log and sales ledger makes this painless — see the NPIP record pack below.

Confirm these with the state agency

  • Current NPIP fees in Kentucky (if any) and the exact enrollment/testing procedure — set by the Office of the State Veterinarian; confirm via the official links.
  • Which Official State Agency handles your enrollment: the Kentucky Department of Agriculture administers the exhibition/small-flock subparts, while the Kentucky Poultry Federation serves as the Official State Agency for commercial subparts — confirm which applies to your flock with the state agency.
  • Rules for selling poultry within Kentucky (permits, thresholds, farmers-market rules) — confirm with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture rather than relying on any national summary.

Frequently asked questions

Who administers NPIP in Kentucky?
The Office of the State Veterinarian, within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture — Kentucky's Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan's exhibition and small-flock subparts. (The Kentucky Poultry Federation serves as the Official State Agency for commercial subparts.)
Do I need NPIP to sell hatching eggs from Kentucky?
To ship across state lines, generally yes — most states require poultry and eggs to be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP) to enter. For sales within Kentucky, confirm the current rules with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Is Kentucky a Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State?
Yes — Kentucky holds U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status under the NPIP.
How much does NPIP cost in Kentucky?
Fees and procedures are set by the state agency and can change, so we don't quote a figure here — contact the Office of the State Veterinarian (links above) for current costs.

Sources

Related