Cat tails Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Just got an email from the poultry place I got my initial three hens from. A few birds have been diagnosed with the bird flu... and all their feathered animals have been destroyed! They will be closed for at least three months. Apart from loads of chickens, they also stocked dozens of water birds, including swans and exotic ducks. They also had an avery with doves and one with parrots and even emoes. All gone. They must be devistated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 That's so sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 It really is... Must be so hard to see your business destroyed together with hundreds of birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 So sorry to read this - I so hope it does not come to nearer you. All crossed that this clears up quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 Thanks Black, me too. As far as I know, no big poultry farms or anything like that close to me. But yeah, fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 25, 2016 Author Share Posted December 25, 2016 Just heard the news and a new case of bird flu was found only 13 km away from me. Two poultry farms have been cleared and a restriction zone of 10 km around the farm is instituted. No birds, bird products, poop and other thins can be transported in or out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamrhind Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 You see, that's what I don't get. Why are backyard flocks expected to be kept undercover as a precautionary measure (when the chances of the virus spreading to them is tiny) when birds and bird products may be moved around freely (though contact between flocks is how it spreads) until the virus is found, when they put into place the measures that should have been there all along? If the powers that be were really serious about stopping the spread of the virus they'd stop the movement of all birds and bird products for the duration, and not allow any contact between flocks. But that would affect commercial interests, so they don't do it. They make a token gesture by asking us to keep our flocks inside. Can anybody name one occurrence of the bird flu virus being found in a backyard flock? Madness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 25, 2016 Author Share Posted December 25, 2016 The rules here are that farmers should take necessary precautions to prevent contact between flocks. They can however ship their birds to the slaughterhouse or get in new eggs/birds and dispose of manure. All of the instances found so far have been from farms in "rural" area's with lots of wild life around, especially water fowl. Those are still expected to be the source of all infections. Just read that the poultry place I mentioned before had over 6600 birds... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 it's not a token measure to keep back yard birds under cover in the UK it's a total measure anyway as all captive birds are supposed to be indoors or under cover. in theory if the precautions are been followed then there should be any more commercial flocks infected by the wild population. secondary infection from farm to farm is plain and simple bad management. the disinfectant precautions if done properly using approved disinfectants work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 Oh, no!! We went down to my MiL's house last night from Christmas, and someone just a little way down the road had a case of it and lost their birds! I told my MiL off, though, as she still had hers out free-ranging!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 Such a sad thing to read Cat tails Nature can be so cruel sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 26, 2016 Author Share Posted December 26, 2016 Just keeping my fingers crossed. Like most of you too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 Terribly sad - and it seems to be popping up all over - Glamorgan and Wales too (Farmers Weekly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 Yes, more and more incidents in the UK now. All we can do is take all the necessary precautions and wait it out. Someone around here keeps a mixed flock of pigeons and doves. No idea who they are, but these birds are still wheeling around the sky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 27, 2016 Share Posted December 27, 2016 I've been surprised by my mob about how quickly they've accepted confinement but one down side I noticed yesterday is a few of them developed a bit of a hook to their top beak a result of not been able to peck about looking for earth worms I supposed. so I'll get them swede when I go down the lottie this AM that should make a good pecking block Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 27, 2016 Author Share Posted December 27, 2016 In the Netherlands the confinement regulations only apply to poultry and water fowl. People that have pigeons and birds of prey can still fly their birds as they are much less likely to be affected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 27, 2016 Share Posted December 27, 2016 In the Netherlands the confinement regulations only apply to poultry and water fowl. People that have pigeons and birds of prey can still fly their birds as they are much less likely to be affected. Any idea why they think that is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 27, 2016 Author Share Posted December 27, 2016 Not yet, but this strain seems to be mostly virilent amongst water fowl. Hardly any other wild birds have been found with this strain of flu. Might be down to the specific type: H5N8. Same with the human flu, which is mostly restricted to infecting humans. It's very unlikely for for instance cats to get that particular strain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 27, 2016 Share Posted December 27, 2016 that might change now that Scotland has a confirmed case of it in a bird of prey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I think the bird of prey was put down to something it ate, was found alive and taken in and euthanised as a result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I assumed it had been eating Wigeon as they seem to be the main birds to be found with AI at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Not a surprise but still disappointing - order extended until end of Feb https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-flu-prevention-zone-extended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 A few days ago I realised that the petting zoo where I board my chickens is in one of the prevention zones. So no birds can be moved to and from. Hope it will be lifted in 30 days. Need to board the ladies somewhere in February. Did give them a ring and he is still slightly optimistic and also hopes to be in the clear in a months time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...