Single hen

[Janty]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKTRE51P4UW20090226

 

I know that the H5 & H7 strains of bird flu are supposedly ruled out but I am so angry that yet again it is Bernard Matthews rotten farms that are causing problems.

 

Those of us who were forced to keep our girls locked in constantly during the 2007 outbreak will remember how awful it was when bird flu hit. Now we have two BMs farms in Eastern England where tests are being carried out.

 

[Olly]

oh no. It doesn't say where they are but I'm guessing Norfolk is where most of his hideous farms are located?

 

That's bad news.

[Janty]

Too right it is. It amazes me that people still buy their rotten stuff. They can't care what they are putting into their bodies.

[Ecky]

And no doubt BM will again get compensation for bringing it into the country in the first place. Corruption to the end ......

[ubereglu]

Technically it might not be their fault-it could have come in through the food they bought, but their farming methods seriously don't help and it means the disease spreads faster and they're unable to isolate ill birds. The thing is with them is that they get their food in from abroad where it's cheaper and for as little money as possible so the quality is very low.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That's bad news .

[The Dogmother]

It's not just the feed that comes in from abroad Liz, but the birds too - that has been the access point in a few previous outbreaks.

[Willow]

It is extremely likely to have come in by contaminated feaces (droppings) transported on truck wheels. It is active in dried feaces for a surprisingly long time. I think that finally decided that was the probable cause last time (because I remember waiting to see how long before they realised and it was weeks) and if you track spread of H5N1 it maps trucking routes much closer than migratory patterns.

[The Dogmother]

That's interesting Patricia

 

The last outbreak was just 8 miles from us, so we were in the outer zone. I found out earlier than most because my lovely poultry vet was involved in some of the admin for it and I just happened to be visiting him that evening. The bantam babes spent a bit of time in their run that summer.

[Lesley]

We were 6 miles from that outbreak - right on the edge of the inner zone - and DEFRA never contacted us, even though we are registered

[The Dogmother]

Don't take it personally Lesley - I don't think they contacted anyone!

 

They really are useless!

[little chickadee]

Just been on the Defra website to see if we were in a restricted area again.

Here's what it says.

 

 

Update: 15:30, 27 February

 

Further laboratory tests following a routine veterinary investigation at two poultry premises in East Anglia have now confirmed that the avian influenza virus present is H6N1.

 

The H6 virus type has been isolated in domestic poultry and wild birds in Europe over the last few years.

 

Animal Health began the investigation late on Tuesday evening (24 February) and is waiting for further laboratory tests to determine whether the virus is high or low pathogenicity, and these results are not expected for some days.

 

All avian influenza viruses (H1 to H16) can exist in the low pathogenic form but to date only those of H5 and H7 sub types have been associated with high pathogenicity .To date there is no evidence that avian influenza of the H6 type has been found to be highly pathogenic, but this possibility cannot be ruled out until the further laboratory tests are complete.

 

Restrictions remain in place on the premises while the investigation continues. No further precautionary restrictions are considered necessary in the area at present.

[Janty]

Thanks for the update Little Chickadee.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I haven't heard it on the news?

Have I missed it or are the keeping it quiet. (mind I have been out in the garden watching my girls all day) but would have thought someone would have heard & told me (not that I am anywhere near just for knowledge)

might just highlight the appalling conditions!!!!

[Janty]

It was on the news yesterday but I think it was just the local East Anglia news.

[sandyhas3chucks]

If it was F & M it would be on main news!

[Valkyrie]

What can I say? Why doesn't it surprise me? That's really bootiful, hmphh - why is it being kept quiet?

Apparently a little while ago Waitrose stopped using a farmer in Norfolk because of the way the chickens were being kept - and it was supposed to be monitored by the RSPCA. Only once a year though. I expect they had an appointment well in advance too so that the farm could do a quick clean up before the visit. Makes you want to spit.

[The Dogmother]

Don't start me off Koojie, I'm too tired to climb on my soapbox!

[sandyhas3chucks]

Don't start me off Koojie, I'm too tired to climb on my soapbox!

yes Koojie says it all, needs a national newspaper to get on it!