Avian Flu/Biosecurity Best Practices

[Dreammaker]

Hi everyone,

Just when I thought I'd reached the peak of my anxiety/sadness/$#@*&$! with Covid, now I hear about Avian Flu spreading throughout the U.S. I'm in Massachusetts and the closest case has been recorded in NH. I'm sure it's inevitable that it will reach MA if it hasn't already.

I have a small flock of 6 in a very spacious coop/run. They don't free range due to predators. I don't visit family or friends with birds, so I'm not introducing other flocks' potential problems into my own. They're happy and healthy (albeit cranky about the winter weather). I don't have any wild bird feeders on my property. Obviously, there's nothing else I can do to keep wild birds from my yard; it's basically impossible. Questions:

Should I be storing my chicken-keeping tools (rake for tidying up the run and shovel for turning litter) in the garage? I've been leaning them against our fence, but I'm not sure that's good practice being that they're out in "wild bird country" that way.

Is it ok to leave my birds' feeder and waterer in their run as they are? Do these need to be brought in? I am doubtful that wild birds are getting to these. The run is enclosed with 1/2" hardware cloth (I'm sure it's theoretically possible for a small bird to squeeze in, but I've yet to see one in there).

Should I not be putting scratch in the run, seeing as it's basically food to wild birds?

And lastly... How concerned should I--a humble backyard chicken hobbyist--actually be?

 

[Peter_Rabbit_Farm]

As for your tools I would keep them in your garage, and make sure to disinfect them before use for cleaning out the coop.

As for the scratch as long as the wild birds have no way to access the scratch than it is fine.

As to how concerned you should be. If even one bird comes down with it you must cull all poultry on your property. It has a very high mortality rate, and can spread like wildfire.

You can pick it up from the feed store or even the grocery store on your feet which could infect your flock

I would get a bucket of water mixed with disinfectant soap and wash your feet in that every time you go into the coop. Keep that bucket next too the coop. Change the water every few days. Or you can have a pair of boots in the coop, and only use that pair in your coop.

Also keeping your run covered helps too. Preferably a solid top, but a mesh top may work too. Covered runs are best for keeping you birds safe.

If you add new birds in to your flock quarantine them for a minimum of a month. I know you said you were not going to do that but it is good to know for the future, just in case.
I personally quarantine for a month, then do a blood test on both flocks to ensure no disease transmission. I test for:
- Avian influenza
- coryza ( I think I spelled that wrong)
- Salmonella

To prevent wild bird coming in your yard don’t put bird suet or seeds out for them, also adding owl or hawk dummies around help

I show my poultry, and they need a clean blood test to be able to show. So I have bio security measures already in place.

PS - I am in south eastern Pennsylvania, so I too am worried about the outbreak of Avian influenza.

 

[Dreammaker]

Thanks for the tips! I like to think I'm off to a good start with the precautions I take, but I'll keep the tools cleaned and stored in the garage for sure. I do have a designated pair of "chicken boots" that are only worn in the run/coop. I hadn't thought of a disinfectant bucket, but will consider that also. We have young kids who run all over the yard, so a disinfectant spray I can hang up out of reach might be safer. We also have a covered run, as you mentioned (corrugated metal) and the run and all windows are covered in 1/2" hardware cloth. Hopefully our birds will be just fine.

P.S. Do you have a recommendation for a disinfectant soap that's safe for the chickens? I wasn't sure about diluted bleach.

 

[Weeg]

Should I be storing my chicken-keeping tools (rake for tidying up the run and shovel for turning litter) in the garage? I've been leaning them against our fence, but I'm not sure that's good practice being that they're out in "wild bird country" that way.

I might bring them in, just to be super careful. Try to leave them in areas with sunlight since I read on the USDA website that sunlight can help control diseases.

Is it ok to leave my birds' feeder and waterer in their run as they are? Do these need to be brought in? I am doubtful that wild birds are getting to these. The run is enclosed with 1/2" hardware cloth (I'm sure it's theoretically possible for a small bird to squeeze in, but I've yet to see one in there).

I think its fine. Anything that you store where the chickens are is going to be at less a risk than the chickens in the run. If a bird could get into the run to eat the feed, I would be more concerned about the chickens getting infected through poop, dropped feathers, or direct contact than after eating the same feed.
As long as birds can't get into the run, then anything you store in there, plus the chickens will be fine. With this being talked about, can you sanitize the tools then place them inside the run up against the coop wall? This would protect them from the wild birds, and you wont have to go grab them from the garage every time you need them.
Lysol is a really great disinfectant for diseases btw.

Should I not be putting scratch in the run, seeing as it's basically food to wild birds?

If the birds can't get into the run, you can put whatever you want in their. Birds will not be less attracted to chicken food then they are to scratch. If you should be worried about scratch I'd be worried about the feed as well. Since your run is 1/2" HC, I'm not to concord about your poultry getting infected directly as long as they're in the run.

How concerned should I--a humble backyard chicken hobbyist--actually be?

You should be concerned. In California (I think California?) when there was the Newcastle disease outbreak in 2015 (my dates may be wrong) officials would come and kill any flock that was remotely infected. Then, any neighboring flocks that may have been exposed. This is to keep the disease from spreading. They did the exact same thing last year when an egg production barn became infected. Culled every, single, bird. Destroyed the bodies, and reimbursed the owner. Thats what they will do to your flock if you catch it. So yes, you should be concerned.
Plus, even without that, High Pathogenic avian influenza causes sudden death, thats the most common symptom. HP is going around NC, and SC, so HP is going to be spreading. It could kill your whole flock before officials could.
I don't want to scare you, because there are precautions you can take to keep from getting it, but I think that knowing all the risks helps us take the action we need to keep our flocks safe. Nice job being proactive! These are all very good questions.

 

[Peter_Rabbit_Farm]

Thanks for the tips! I like to think I'm off to a good start with the precautions I take, but I'll keep the tools cleaned and stored in the garage for sure. I do have a designated pair of "chicken boots" that are only worn in the run/coop. I hadn't thought of a disinfectant bucket, but will consider that also. We have young kids who run all over the yard, so a disinfectant spray I can hang up out of reach might be safer. We also have a covered run, as you mentioned (corrugated metal) and the run and all windows are covered in 1/2" hardware cloth. Hopefully our birds will be just fine.

P.S. Do you have a recommendation for a disinfectant soap that's safe for the chickens? I wasn't sure about diluted bleach.

Some basic dawn dish soap non-sented would do a descant job.

 

[Weeg]

P.S. Do you have a recommendation for a disinfectant soap that's safe for the chickens? I wasn't sure about diluted bleach.

I use Lysol for my boots if I have to take them off the property. You simply spray it on a CLEAN and SPOTTLESS boot, and let dry for 5 minutes. After its dry I don't worry to much about it harming the chickens.
Remember, you can't disinfect something if you don't clean it first. I use a tooth brush to get every bit of poop, bedding, mud, etc off my boots before disinfecting them.
You could also use disposable boot covers for the kids. May be easier, though I might do a quick Lysol spray over the top of that if your really concerned.
Heres an article on basic biosecurity, thats also something that you should look into- https://the-chicken-chick.com/biosecurity-for-backyard-chickens/

 

[Weeg]

Some basic dawn dish soap non-sented would do a descant job.

Dawn is safe for animals, but I'm not sure that it would be affective in killing AI. You could definitely use it as the initial clean, but beyond that I'd want to use a proven disinfectant spray to make sure my boots where clean. Lysol is common.

 

[Peter_Rabbit_Farm]

Dawn is safe for animals, but I'm not sure that it would be affective in killing AI. You could definitely use it as the initial clean, but beyond that I'd want to use a proven disinfectant spray to make sure my boots where clean. Lysol is common.

Thanks for the advice, I have been using dawn for a few years. I’ll start using the Lysol that you suggested.

 

[Weeg]

Thanks for the advice, I have been using dawn for a few years. I’ll start using the Lysol that you suggested.

No problem! You seem to be very knowledgeable about biosecurity. I think that dawn is probably very helpful in removing mud etc before disinfecting, but for again viruses which are very viral, I like to use Lysol. Glad I could help!

 

[Dreammaker]

Wow! Thank you so much, Weeg! I really appreciate everyone's advice on this. Great idea re: storing the tools in the run (once disinfected). I may consider adding some sort of hook system to keep them off the ground in there, but it would save me quite a walk not having to go to the garage. I will definitely figure out a better boot cleaning system too, beyond just having a designated pair of boots.

When I first heard about this, I was hoping it was not a real threat to a chicken keeper like myself, but alas, it looks like it is. I'll do the best I can to protect my birds and hope for the best!

I wonder... How long will this outbreak/pandemic last? Avian Flu, that is (not Covid).