Coop Companion

NPIP in Montana

Verified September 2026

The short version

Montana participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, administered in-state by the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division (Montana's Official State Agency). The state agency lists no fee to obtain NPIP certification, though your private veterinarian or Authorized Testing Agent may charge for their time. As in most states, moving hatching eggs or birds across state lines generally requires NPIP participation or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing — the Department notes many states surrounding Montana require a negative pullorum and negative avian influenza test to move birds. Confirm current testing intervals and in-state sale rules with the state agency using the official links below.

Montana Official State Agency

Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division (Official State Agency)

Official website →NPIP contact →

Joining NPIP in this state

  • NPIP is administered in Montana by the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division — apply to join through that Official State Agency by contacting the office at (406) 444-2976 or livpermits@mt.gov.
  • 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

  • Montana is recognized as a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State under the NPIP.
  • The Montana Department of Livestock indicates backyard flocks require periodic testing for Salmonella pullorum; confirm the exact interval and who qualifies as a tester with the state agency.
  • Poultry moving interstate generally must be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP participation) or test negative before leaving the state — the Department notes many surrounding states require a negative pullorum and negative avian influenza test.

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; certified participants can use VS Form 9-3 documentation for interstate movement.
  • Rules for selling within Montana, and any permits or flock-size thresholds, are set by the Montana Department of Livestock — confirm them directly and verify destination-state requirements before shipping.

Show testing requirements

  • Many Montana 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 Montana Department of Livestock 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

  • The exact pullorum-testing interval for backyard flocks and the current list of Authorized Testing Agents — set by the Montana Department of Livestock; confirm via the official links.
  • Rules for selling poultry within Montana (permits, thresholds, farmers-market rules) — confirm with the Montana Department of Livestock rather than relying on any national summary.

Frequently asked questions

Who administers NPIP in Montana?
The Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division — Montana's Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Reach the office at (406) 444-2976 or livpermits@mt.gov.
Do I need NPIP to sell hatching eggs from Montana?
To ship across state lines, generally yes — most states require poultry and eggs to be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP) to enter, and the Department of Livestock notes surrounding states typically require a negative pullorum and avian influenza test. For sales within Montana, confirm the current rules with the Montana Department of Livestock.
Is Montana a Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State?
Yes — Montana holds U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status under the NPIP.
How much does NPIP cost in Montana?
The Montana Department of Livestock states there is no fee to obtain NPIP certification itself; however, your private veterinarian or Authorized Testing Agent may charge for their time. Confirm current details with the state agency (links above).

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