RALEIGH--While some pet owners do not agree with the new legislation requiring them to register their chickens, a state official says it will help prevent the spread of a possible avian influenza outbreak.

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says they are trying to create a way to get information out to flock owners quickly.

"We want to help people understand the dynamics of avian influenza, steps that they can take to protect their backyard flocks, and if there is a quarantine in place we want them to know what a quarantine means," he says.

Troxler says they are not going to have people out looking for unregistered flocks, it is simply for exchanging information. Troxler says registering your flock is a simple process and you can go to ncagr.gov/avianflu to register.