little chickadee Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Hi who is keeping their chickens under cover because of the latest Avian flu outbreak in Norfolk. I'm really new to this and would like to know what everyone else is doing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I don't think it is necessary to do anything until advised by the authorities. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I took the decision to cover my run partly to keep their bedding dry, but also then it's done and if anyone has any concerns I can reassure them that my birds are not at risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I took the decision to cover my run partly to keep their bedding dry, but also then it's done and if anyone has any concerns I can reassure them that my birds are not at risk. Same here - although can I ask, presumably you should cover the WHOLE of the run (my covers only cover about 2/3 of it). And it is just the top that's important, the sides can be left uncovered?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 The whole of my roof is covered, but it's mainly to keep out the wild birds that have the potential to carry the disease. A small mesh on the sides is fine. I think the roof needs to be more solid as it's the droppings that spread the disease and they could still fall through the top. Although I'm sure someone more knowledgeable might be able to confirm this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 The sides of the run should have mesh that the smallest bird cannot get through e.g Wren. The whole of the roof should be covered to stop wild bird droppings getting in. We have fruit cage netting over the top of our chicken wire. This cost a couple of pounds from B&Q. Up until the gales last week my run had a covered roof. Three panels were wrecked completely and need replacing. Hopefully this will be done within the next couple of weeks, this is to keep the run dry more than a fear of Avian Flu. My run was roofed and the netting put on when the dead Swan was washed up on a beach last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Mine are undercover simply because their run is sited at the bottom of the garden where the soil is full of clay and it turns to goo when it rains. The run also conforms to DEFRA guidelines though so should the call to bring them under cover comes, I am able to do so without any fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Mine are under cover...ie Omlet shades on both occupied Eglus. However....they are still freeranging when I am able to keep an eye on them until we are given definite instructions to keep them under cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 (edited) Just read this on the DEFRA website, which means I will have to keep mine under cover because I'm in Suffok "A wider Restricted Zone has been established in addition to the controls put in place earlier today; the new Restricted Zone covers much of Norfolk and the whole of Suffolk The new Restricted Zone requires the isolation of poultry from wild birds. Movements within this zone can take place, but movements are not permitted out of the new zone at present. We expect to make available general licences for low risk movements out of the zone shortly" Edited November 13, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 My girls live under cover but I will continue to let them freerange every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Small flocks of less than ten birds present no threat whatsover to the world, unless DEFRA says otherwise! The problem generally lies with large 'flocks' where an infection can be spread rapidly throughout the flock. As far as I can tell the EN51 virus is carried by migaratory birds, such as the Canada goose, I don't think they generally frequent the average garden, although there is a small and I mean small chance of an infected bird 'passing' overhead and scoring a direct hit. If however you have a few sickly chooks it is sensible to report it to DEFRA and obviously take precautions. Edit; if you live near any outbreak, your neighbours will appreciate you reducing the threat from near zero to less than zero, regardless of what DEFRA say. And don't under any circumstances eat Bacon butties, they cause cancer apparently. Try not to worry! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 I voted 'Yes' but only because their new run has a roof on it which I wanted to help keep their flooring dry and to save rushing about if I ever need to keep them under cover. They still come out in the garden with me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Im Norfolk, but the risk is on moving birds, the wild birds that carry it dont exactly frequent Norwich! I will however make sure that I do not visit anywhere that has large water fowl or poultry, so as not to risk bringing home anything to my girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Mine are under cover,but always have been anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 I have an extended run with a summer and a winter shade on - but these between them don't quite cover the entire run length......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Mine are under cover,but always have been anyway ditto I would be covering them anyway just as a precaution as I'm in Norfolk but more to keep MIL/neighbours off my back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 hi mine are only under cover because i have a new super dooper run with a roof to keep mr fox out, i still let them freerange 3-4 hours a day, they would not speak to me if i didnt sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I keep my hens under cover anyway so that they stay dry. There is always birds' mess on top of the cover, so I like to think I am preventing them from suffering from less serious bird illnesses and worms. It also stop leaves from ending up in the run. The chances of a bird with avian flu flying over is very slight at the moment, but it would probably keeps neurotic neighbours happier if the run is covered, and is no hardship (and possibly a benefit) to the hens and their owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I got some clear plastic from Dunelm ( as previously recommended by another Omleteer) yesterday. £1.99 a metre. Good quality. Just need some more eyelets and bungee whatsits and then we are up and running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I got some clear plastic from Dunelm ( as previously recommended by another Omleteer) yesterday. £1.99 a metre. Good quality. Just need some more eyelets and bungee whatsits and then we are up and running. Excellent - I was going to go to B&Q today but Dunelm's on the way home from work! Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 Defra's guidelines for the outer zone states that the birds can be housed OR isolated, if housing would be detrimental to the health of the birds. It says isolation is where birds are kept contained (not mixing with anyone else's birds) and no food or water left out to tempt wild birds. I tried to do a link but can't get it to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 Hi - I just looked this up and hopefully this link will work http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/pdf/declaration-pz-sz-rz-071113.pdf It opens up a pdf document. Isolating the birds (as described in the last posting) is only "if so directed by a veterinary inspector on the basis that housing is impractical or would adversely affect the birds’ welfare to a significant degree" I realise that this will probably just be for larger groups of birds, but I'm in the "zone" and will be keeping mine under cover until told not too, for my own piece of mind (we are fairly near a wildfowl reserve and our village is teeming with ducks) and so that if neighbours ask I can say that they are protected. I've ordered an extension for my run anyway as I was plannning to get another couple of hens .....from Diss this week (I don't somehow think that will be happening now!!!!!) and have ordered an Ikea shower curtain from ebay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 Mine are under cover in that they now have a shower curtain tied the length of the run, is that enough? I did it purely on weather grounds after yet another sudden torrential downpour that left my girls scurrying under the cube. But I'm still letting them free range until I'm told not to - hopefully that day will never come. Best wishes and lots of luck to all of you living in the zone, I hope you all escape unaffected and that this goes away quickly Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 Mine are under cover,but always have been anyway ditto I would be covering them anyway just as a precaution as I'm in Norfolk but more to keep MIL/neighbours off my back. I'm north Norfolk and just outside the exclusion zone I reckon. My girls' run isn't covered, and it isn't really feasible to do so. And the side netting has holes that a little bird could get through anyway. Its a stupid rediculous fuss. We don't learn from the past, we continue to slaughter cattle when foot and mouth appears, it won't be long before we are slaughtering badgers to keen the farmers happy, despite evidence about bovine TB etc.. We have a Government that seems determined to act in a totally clueless way - from Iraq to our own countryside. I have the immigrant geese flying over my house morning and evening all October, and birds and rats and other stuff all over the garden. How ludicrous is it to have to wire up my girls. Ooooh it makes me so mad. I'm going to convert the greenhouse if necessary, but I just get so wound up over all this nonsence that I don't vote any more because it just isn't worth it. How about having a cull of the brain dead politicians that are suppose to run this country - would be much more beneficial than the slaughter of our domestic animals and wildlife. Rant over, I'm going to have a lie down. Grrrrrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 See - I'm so wound up that I posted it twice by accident! ARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...