Avian influenza found in South Carolina

[Weeg]

Even if it at least keeps the sparrows out? Poop would still fall through but at least they wouldn't be directly coming in contact with the birds? I was looking at this one.
https://www.amazon.com/DGCUS-Netting-Poultry-Protect-Plants/dp/B09MW1TCD2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1DWY53M31CL4W&keywords=50x50+fine+mesh+netting&qid=1648060710&sprefix=50x50+fine+mesh+netting,aps,106&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

I think that is much better than nothing. What about shade cloth? Could you get some of that and cover the area with it?

 

[Weeg]

I consider poop to be the bigger hazard. I never see my flock with the wild birds socializing.

Yes, but if the wild birds are eating the feed and drinking the water, at the very least you can eliminate that hazard.

 

[AgnesGray]

I looked at something similar. My pen is a weird shape though, and is pretty big.
You can see how it's constructed here.
View attachment 3035080View attachment 3035081

Good luck! If I had dead birds all around, I'd cover my run. If that isn't feasible, you could add a pop door to the back wall of your coop and add a temporary space/run for them to access. Bird netting is not going to be much, if any, help in this case.

 

[Weeg]

I have a very similar setup unfortunately. My pen is build almost the same as yours except much flimsier. I was considering buying shade cloth and covering a smaller area of the space.
Good luck! I'm crossing my fingers for you and your flock.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Just saw on the USDA website today, found in a widgeon (duck?) . Look it up on their site, not good news.
Mary

They found it in iowa to is said 5.3 million in southern iowa

 

[AgnesGray]

I think all of us doing what is possible is great and it's still luck of the draw at a certain point. Hopefully none of us get any firsthand experience with this.

 

[589205]

I looked at something similar. My pen is a weird shape though, and is pretty big.
You can see how it's constructed here.
View attachment 3035080View attachment 3035081

Just throwing some coop run cover suggestions out there…Tarps, plastic window sheeting/waterproof shower curtain material, plastic or polyurethane sheet panels, sheet metal, corrugated sheet metal, greenhouse, tent, canopy, etc.*

 

[NatJ]

Can I use a fine netting to cover it? Will that help at all or is it also pointless? There are sparrows in my pen like crazy everyday.

If the sparrows go into your pen, they probably poop while they are in there.

If you keep the sparrows out, they may still poop when flying over, but you will probably get less sparrow poop in there (because the sparrows will be hanging out somewhere else, and doing their pooping there instead.) Whether this will actually keep your flock from getting sick would depend on whether any droppings from sick birds come in anyway, and I have no way to tell about that.

I cannot say whether netting would be helpful enough to be worth the money and effort. (Although if it keeps sparrows out of the chicken food, the food savings might help pay for it.)

 

[Lelilamom]

No one in my area seems to be upset by this virus at the moment. All my neighbors (all 4 of them) have chickens and ducks and they're still free ranging. Only one wild bird in my state tested positive (waterfowl) and some backyard flocks. Closest one was about 150 miles from me. Really too close for comfort.
Found this interesting data:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergency_management/downloads/ai-virus-table.pdf

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Ugh! A goose and a Mallard hen are both sitting on nests on the island in my pond. The Gander pictured keeps other geese from hanging out for any amount of time but the drakes keep showing up. These 5 have been here for 2 days now and come running to me whenever they see me almost like they're tame. I feed the geese off to the side of my yard in hopes of keeping them from congregating where we walk. @MGG You and your amazing flock will be in my thoughts and prayers