xChicken04x Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Hiya again, i know i keep bringing the subject up but iam really starting to worry about bird flu. i havent even got chickens yet but iam seriously panicking i dont live any where near north whales but iam worried because what if we get our chickens and grow really attached to them and then they get bird flu or we have to put them to sleep beacuse the council say so. we went to our local farm and saw so really cute buff frizzles and the women said she will reserve any girls she gets. and our eglu cube is going to arive on the 24th of July. is this the best time to get chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Personally, I wouldn't worry unduly about it; there will always be reports of bird flu - it's like human flu - never really dies off, just lurks around. When you consider the years of enjoyment (not to mention the free eggs) you'll get from your girls, the likelihood of any H5N1 surfacing near you is such a small risk to take. Look at the sheer numbers of chicken owners all over the country, who just carry on with their chook keeping, unbothered by all the media panic... Do let us know what you decide to do. I am sure that you won't regret getting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 well, i got my self in a big worry but its to late now. i phoned the woman at the farm and said that i definatly want any girls she has so now theres no going back! she said i will have to wait a bit as they are only 3 weeks old so they should be arriving anytime between july and august (providing she does have girls) thanks very much for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 The strain of bird flu found in North Wales was not H5N1 but a much lesser strain (can't remember the strain code) that's always around but is not widely announced in the media as it's quite normal and doesn't make 'good headlines'. As far as I'm aware only 2 farms/smallholdings have had birds infected and the chooks came from the same source - a local poultry market. There really isn't any chance at all that your chooks when you get them will ever catch any form of bird flu. Make sure you get your birds from a reputable supllier to ensure that they are healthy and then just enjoy them. It's unfortunate that the media have to 'hype' things out of all proportion and it makes it very diificult to know what info we are being told is correct and what is senational hype. I hope it dosen't cause you too much worry and don't worry about asking lots of questions............we love offering advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 ANY time is the best time to get chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Hi Please don't let the recent bird flu in Wales put you off. Sounds like you havn't though so good news. Just to put things in perspective, as mentioned the bird flu in Wales was H7N2, the low pathegenic variety and not the same as H5N1 and probaly the outbreak wouldn't have been reported prior to the current media interest and hype in bird flu. I do understand your worries though. I had decided last Feb/March to get my chooks despite the reports of H5N1 in Europe at the time. That same night OH came home and said that a cat in Germany had died from it. However, I looked at it logically, IF bird flu came to the uk, I would abide by DEFRA guidance to keep the girls undercover and apply good biosecurity. As it is spread by contact with infected faeces, I figured the risks of my girls coming into contact with it while undercover was minimal. So I went ahead and am so glad I did. I've had 15 months of sheer enjoyment and lovely fresh eggs. I wouldn't have missed that for the world. I agree with hillfamily, make sure you get form a reputable supplier so you get healthy girls. Good luck and just enjoy E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkleeeeee Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 i have worried about this alot as well but bird flu is one of the reasons why i AM getting chickens. i am always worried when i buy eggs from the supermarket and give them to my children. at least i will be able to influence what my chickens eat and what birds they come into contact with. if they show the slightest symptoms i will bin the eggs. i think to be honest a poultry farmer might not report bird flu untill alot of birds have died so there is bound to be products going through the system. i know that at the moment it is not found in the eggs, (or so they tell us). i know that people have caught bird flu from handling infected chickens so i would certainly not let my children near them and i would be very careful if there was a case near me and i would be prepared that we might have to get rid of them. i will take every precaution anyway to keep us safe. i always buy free range organic meat and eggs as i am sensitive to antibiotics and i can become ill from some other eggs* and therefore these birds theoretically should be at greater risk of contracting bird flu than battery hens (as they are mixing with wild birds) i think that if i just keep hygene to the max and keep an eye on them it will be a much healthier option i am no expert but i have done some reading up on it before i decided to keep hens, there are quite a few websites about and there is some great info on omlet. try not to worry too much *even organic hens have antibiotics but it is restricted to when needed so i am less likely to have a problem with them, with my own hens if they required treatment i would know about it and i would obviously not eat the eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
