Bird flu anxiety as snow melts

[Dynamissa]

I’m in upstate NY … and we have had SO much snow. Welll, it’s going to finally get above freezing which means snow melt.

My birds have been safely buttoned up all winter … but once all this damn snow starts melting I’m pretty sure the completely Covered run they’re in (not allowed to free range) is going to start flooding a bit now and again.

It’s also not perfect with the tarps… some of the melt has already run into the run and of
Course they are enthralled with the water. I’ve had Covid and this awful flu A in the last month alone taking care of a kid and a husband who also got
Them .. I’ve been unable to spare the energy to go out there and shovel the snow off
The run or from around it. Not that it would matter .. there’s so much snow that my yard is absolutely going to flood.

I’m so anxious about them getting the bird flu this way… we have no water on our property and have never seen waterfowl fly directly overhead but I’m still so anxious.

I have hhealth anxiety in general on a good day. But these 5 birds are technically my daughter’s (6) pets and we’ve already lost one early one, and our dog just before Christmas. It’s been bad for her… and these little idiot birds are my pals too.

Just wondering if anybody has any take on this.

Thanks.

 

[Loving my girls]

You poor love the s**t has really been landing on you.
I can only advise on what I would do
I would start with a good cup of coffee.
Then get a blank sheet of paper and a pencil.
Write down all the issues in a list.
Then cross out all of those that you can do nothing about, such as worrying about something out of your control.
Then work on what you can do.
This thread will certainly help with the list but start with the smallest thing and tick them off as you go through them.
It will help I think.
Oh and at the end have a large gin and tonic

 

[Bronx girls]

I’m so sorry to hear about all you have been going through I too have the same concerns including health anxiety I can totally understand and relate. I also lost 2 of my chickens take it one day at a time, like the above post said make a list and check off what you can control sending a big hug.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I'm sorry for your losses
I agree with Loving my girls' great advice!

 

[Dynamissa]

You poor love the s**t has really been landing on you.
I can only advise on what I would do
I would start with a good cup of coffee.
Then get a blank sheet of paper and a pencil.
Write down all the issues in a list.
Then cross out all of those that you can do nothing about, such as worrying about something out of your control.
Then work on what you can do.
This thread will certainly help with the list but start with the smallest thing and tick them off as you go through them.
It will help I think.
Oh and at the end have a large gin and tonic

Thanks for the suggestion, haha.

I’ve been trying to get into therapy for all this for ages, but the wait is months long, then inevitably it gets cancelled and scheduled out more months. Nothing ever happens.

I used to take medication before my daughter but after it only
Exacerbates my anxiety and depression 10x … plus the bedroom side effects which makes the depression worse… so I’m stuck stewing in it, and then life throws all this at me. I’m so exhausted

 

[Dynamissa]

I’m so sorry to hear about all you have been going through I too have the same concerns including health anxiety I can totally understand and relate. I also lost 2 of my chickens take it one day at a time, like the above post said make a list and check off what you can control sending a big hug.

I’m so sorry for your losses. And anxiety is the worst… thank you

 

[Dynamissa]

I'm sorry for your losses
I agree with Loving my girls' great advice!

Thank you!

 

[K0k0shka]

To help check something off the list, I would suggest paying a local teen to shovel snow for you - maybe around the chicken area, so it doesn't get flooded directly as much? If you can afford it and the volunteer is willing, have them shovel more when they're done with the coop - around the house, yard etc. maybe push it to an area that will drain away from the chickens.

 

[Loving my girls]

Thanks for the suggestion, haha.

I’ve been trying to get into therapy for all this for ages, but the wait is months long, then inevitably it gets cancelled and scheduled out more months. Nothing ever happens.

I used to take medication before my daughter but after it only
Exacerbates my anxiety and depression 10x … plus the bedroom side effects which makes the depression worse… so I’m stuck stewing in it, and then life throws all this at me. I’m so exhausted

I think it’s the same all round the world. There is either a sudden and/or huge reduction of mental health professionals or (and this is more scary) the demands and needs of the population has increased.
I was very lucky to be diagnosed bipolar type two during recuperation from a major breakdown. I have also been lucky to have been assigned a psychiatrist (a rarity over here).
Quite honestly I’m not sure I could cope at all if this had not happened.
A bit weird being grateful for having a breakdown

 

[Bronx girls]

I’m so sorry for your losses. And anxiety is the worst… thank you

Yes anxiety is the worst and mix that in with panic attacks ugh!!