Coop Companion

NPIP in Massachusetts

Verified September 2026

The short version

Massachusetts participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, administered in-state by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), Division of Animal Health (Massachusetts's Official State Agency). 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.

Massachusetts Official State Agency

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health (Official State Agency)

Official website →NPIP contact →

Joining NPIP in this state

  • NPIP is administered in Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), Division of Animal Health — 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

  • Under the NPIP, participating breeding flocks, hatcheries, and dealers must first qualify as U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean before joining other Plan programs.
  • 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 MDAR Division of Animal Health 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 Massachusetts, and any permits or flock-size thresholds, are set by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources — confirm them directly.

Show testing requirements

  • Many Massachusetts 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 MDAR Division of Animal Health 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

  • Whether Massachusetts currently holds official U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status — we could not confirm this from an official source, so we don't assert it here; verify with the MDAR Division of Animal Health or the NPIP state directory.
  • Current NPIP fees in Massachusetts (if any) and the exact enrollment/testing procedure — set by the MDAR Division of Animal Health; confirm via the official links.
  • Rules for selling poultry within Massachusetts (permits, thresholds, farmers-market rules) — confirm with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources rather than relying on any national summary.

Frequently asked questions

Who administers NPIP in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), Division of Animal Health — Massachusetts's Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Do I need NPIP to sell hatching eggs from Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts, confirm the current rules with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
How much does NPIP cost in Massachusetts?
Fees and procedures are set by the state agency and can change, so we don't quote a figure here — contact the MDAR Division of Animal Health (links above) for current costs.
How do I arrange pullorum-typhoid testing in Massachusetts?
Testing is coordinated through the MDAR Division of Animal Health, which can direct you to an authorized tester and explain the process. Contact them via the official links above for current arrangements.

Sources

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