Cube mk2 and WIR

[Cat tails]

It’s back already! Very early in the season. Makes me think it never really was gone this season.

First case found again here in the Netherlands on a poultry farm. 
All commercial poultry farms need to keep chickens indoors. All other keepers of poultry n ed to shield their birds from contact with wild birds.

[Beantree]

We're running our flocks down now, so not replacing losses and not breeding anymore. Ultimately we'll just have egg layers considered 'disposable', which is very sad because we've loved keeping chickens as pets. The rules here are birds are destroyed within a radius of infection and no exceptions and it seems AI is here to stay.

[mullethunter]

On 10/26/2021 at 5:11 PM, Cat tails said:

It’s back already! Very early in the season. Makes me think it never really was gone this season.

First case found again here in the Netherlands on a poultry farm. 
All commercial poultry farms need to keep chickens indoors. All other keepers of poultry n ed to shield their birds from contact with wild birds.

F**k

[Luvachicken]

Such a shame.

[Hippie Chick]

It's been found in a bird rescue site in Worcestershire here in the UK several days ago too.  Bird flu identified at a wildbird rescue centre in Worcestershire

[Cat tails]

So far 4 poultry farms have been hit and cleared in the Netherlands.

[mullethunter]

On 11/2/2021 at 12:36 AM, Hippie Chick said:

It's been found in a bird rescue site in Worcestershire here in the UK several days ago too.  Bird flu identified at a wildbird rescue centre in Worcestershire

And in Wales

[Hippie Chick]

Worse news from a few minutes ago.  Prevention Zone Declared Across UK

It's for the larger flocks at the moment, smaller flock keepers are advised to take precautions but I expect most of us do now anyway.

[mullethunter]

I suspect it’s only a matter of time…

I’m planning a big netted area this year.

[Cat tails]

Mine are already under clear plastic tarps.

[Cat tails]

Can’t see this going away anytime soon…
These are current locations with avian influenza found in poultry farms or non-commercial keepers of birds.

[Patricia W]

This year, it’s H5N1 which seems to be more infectious than last years’s H5N8 

[mullethunter]

Flockdown in the UK starts on Monday (29th).

[Eggshell]

I’ve attached a clear tarpaulin tent to the chicken’s run so that they can have a bit of extra ground. So long as the open end is covered with fine mesh and there are no gaps to let anything in, I’m assuming that this counts as ‘indoors’, the same as a covered run?

[herecomethegirls]

I’m new to all this. Does this mean anything for me and my three hens? Should we not let them free range?

[Cat tails]

Chickens should be kept under cover. So no free ranging and preferably a cover over your run to limit contact with wild birds.

[Blackrocksrock]

On 11/24/2021 at 7:21 PM, Cat tails said:

Chickens should be kept under cover. So no free ranging and preferably a cover over your run to limit contact with wild birds.

Yes from Monday no free ranging in the UK

[mullethunter]

They can have an outdoor area as long as it’s netted. I’ve bought a 20m by 12m piece of bird mesh so that’s what I’m doing this time.

This is copied directly from the DEFRA website

Poultry keepers must now do the following:

• house or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

 

[herecomethegirls]

Ok, thanks for the info. How long will this last? Is this something that happens every year?

[mullethunter]

Usually until spring. It was the 1st April this year 😔

[herecomethegirls]

Boo! We only got brave enough to let them free range last week! They’ll be gutted to have to stay in the run now!

[mullethunter]

I have just spectacularly failed to put up my gangs net roof. This ridiculous wind makes it impossible. Try again tomorrow.

[Hippie Chick]

Well, this is a worrying development Animal health officials to go door-to-door in villages near Bird Flu outbreak poultry farm They will be looking for properties where poultry and other 'captive' birds are kept.

[Appenzeller]

Is there any evidence that applying these housing measures to back garden chickens actually helps to reduce the spread significantly? I find it difficult to believe that putting my 7 birds inside is going to make much of a difference when there are still hundreds of wild birds flying around my garden potentially spreading the disease to each other. If it’s just the risk to the flock itself that’s the concern, then I would be happy to take the risk of allowing them to free range in the same way that I risk attacks from foxes.

Happy to be educated by someone who knows more about this subject. In the meantime I will grudgingly comply with the law.

[Patricia W]

Given that several outbreaks of H5N1 have been found in flock of ‘back garden’ chickens and ducks, the evidence is there.   This is a particularly nasty variant, which has been shown to have the ability to infect humans.  There is no known case of that in the U.K.to date, but is a further reason to be compliant.     Another practical one is that the penalty for non compliance is an unlimited fine and 6 months imprisonment.    I would have no hesitation in reporting anyone blatantly disregarding the law after being informed about it, to the local authorities.   I would be more than willing to help people comply.  In fact, I have provided spare run to people in the past for that very purpose.
 

I think this is the fourth lockdown I and my chickens have lived through.  It is no big deal to keep them locked up, for them and for me.  Just make sure you have sufficient space for them.    It’s better to be safe than sorry after the event.