Bird flu/ Avian Influenza UK/England advice…

[Flutterbudget]

Hi,

So it was brought to my attention that bird flu is getting a bit rife again here in the UK and I was wondering wether I keep my ducks in their pen permanently until it all blows over or still let them have some time free ranging. Could someone advise me on what would be best for them? I’d hate for anything to happen to them because they are indeed my babies. If anyone could pass on some sort of knowledge about bird flu too that would be greatly appreciated

— Katie.

 

[KingD]

Hi,

So it was brought to my attention that bird flu is getting a bit rife again here in the UK and I was wondering wether I keep my ducks in their pen permanently until it all blows over or still let them have some time free ranging. Could someone advise me on what would be best for them? I’d hate for anything to happen to them because they are indeed my babies. If anyone could pass on some sort of knowledge about bird flu too that would be greatly appreciated

— Katie.

I believe all poultry In the UK should be kept housed up at the present time due to the preventing of bird flu. I think there should be some straightforward guidelines online about it. I'll see if I can find them for you.
Just a min

 

[Perris]

It matters quite a lot where exactly in the UK you are.

Here's a list of cases in wild birds, with approximate locations, week by week through 2021
https://assets.publishing.service.g...ata/file/1045174/ai-findings-2021.csv/preview

and here's a list of commercial/captive/domesticated cases, with locations
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-i...es-in-england#cases-and-disease-control-zones

Obviously if there are clusters near you or you're in a control zone, it would be wise to keep them and especially their water covered.

 

[KingD]

Copied from the Government website:

The UK is facing its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 60 cases confirmed across the country since the start of November. To help mitigate the spread of disease, the Government introduced new housing measures last month which means that if you keep chickens, ducks, geese or any other birds you are now legally required to keep them indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures. If you do not do this, the disease could kill your birds and you could be fined.

I believe there are slightly different rules for different areas. You don't need to share where you live but its probably worth doing a but if research on it yourself.

 

[ChickenMumAbi]

As I understand, there is currently a nationwide housing order in place- at least in England.

Latest advice here:

 

[Flutterbudget]

It matters quite a lot where exactly in the UK you are.

Here's a list of cases in wild birds, with approximate locations, week by week through 2021
https://assets.publishing.service.g...ata/file/1045174/ai-findings-2021.csv/preview

and here's a list of commercial/captive/domesticated cases, with locations
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-i...es-in-england#cases-and-disease-control-zones

Obviously if there are clusters near you or you're in a control zone, it would be wise to keep them and especially their water covered.

There’s a zone 30 mins away from me which is unsettling me so I did stop free ranging them from yesterday. They’re in a big pen with plenty of water and no other birds can get inside. I don’t suppose you’d know how long the whole thing lasts at all? It’s horrible to not let them roam around in the grass though I know it’ll be beneficial in the long run

 

[Flutterbudget]

As I understand, there is currently a nationwide housing order in place- at least in England.

Latest advice here:View attachment 2955556

Thank you hope it won’t be for long, I so love seeing them free range on the grass

 

[Perris]

There’s a zone 30 mins away from me which is unsettling me so I did stop free ranging them from yesterday. They’re in a big pen with plenty of water and no other birds can get inside. I don’t suppose you’d know how long the whole thing lasts at all? It’s horrible to not let them roam around in the grass though I know it’ll be beneficial in the long run

If I remember correctly it lasts 3 months. If it goes on any longer, commercial egg producers can't keep labeling their eggs as 'free range' (which is a meaningless term anyway, but hey) so there's huge pressure to lift the restrictions, even if AI is still about

 

[787junglist]

Im from Puerto Rico and here it happens once every year.. animals showing symptoms are culled with no time to waste...but there's no bird lockdown or government involvement in it...

 

[DustyDivas]

Think you have your answer above already
However it's also a good idea to sign up/register with APHA (or regional animal welfare for your part of UK). They send you updates regularly which is super helpful.
I also found these very helpful:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#latest-situation

https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cb1883eda5547c6b91b5d5e6aeba90d

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-the-spread-webinars/stop-the-spread-webinars
Should have the recordings from the webinars on this link soon.

Last winter the AI flockdown was less than 16 wks long... So hopefully similar or shorter this year.