Bird flu prevention

[cheitz20]

I know that avian influenza is on the rise right now, and I have a backyard flock of 6 chickens that will be a year old this spring. They have a coop and a moderately sized run, but we let them out once a day to free range (usually with supervision) in our small fenced backyard.

This might be a dumb question, but I was wondering if preventing wild birds from accessing the coop/run is enough to prevent my flock from getting sick, or if I should completely cut them off from their outdoor time until the spread of the disease goes down? I guess I'm just curious if the disease spreads through direct contact, or if my chickens can get it just by being in the same yard that some wild birds may have been in.

 

[nuthatched]

You could cover your run.

 

[Broken_echo13]

I know that avian influenza is on the rise right now, and I have a backyard flock of 6 chickens that will be a year old this spring. They have a coop and a moderately sized run, but we let them out once a day to free range (usually with supervision) in our small fenced backyard.

This might be a dumb question, but I was wondering if preventing wild birds from accessing the coop/run is enough to prevent my flock from getting sick, or if I should completely cut them off from their outdoor time until the spread of the disease goes down? I guess I'm just curious if the disease spreads through direct contact, or if my chickens can get it just by being in the same yard that some wild birds may have been in.

I would keep an eye on any report of wild birds having Avian flu and only lock them down if there are any cases in your area. Along with doing your best to keep wild birds away from the run.

Heres a link to see Avian Influenza reports in the US
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...an/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds

 

[Korzak]

There was a flock in Guilford that had to be destroyed. That said, the guy had chickens with ducks, and the ducks were mingling with wild ducks.

https://www.ctinsider.com/shoreline/article/ct-bird-flu-guilford-flock-20060830.php

 

[townchicks]

It is spread through the feces, as well as mucus from infected birds, so your chicken could get infected even if there are no birds in the yard at the same time as your hens.

 

[curiouseclectic]

I know that avian influenza is on the rise right now, and I have a backyard flock of 6 chickens that will be a year old this spring. They have a coop and a moderately sized run, but we let them out once a day to free range (usually with supervision) in our small fenced backyard.

This might be a dumb question, but I was wondering if preventing wild birds from accessing the coop/run is enough to prevent my flock from getting sick, or if I should completely cut them off from their outdoor time until the spread of the disease goes down? I guess I'm just curious if the disease spreads through direct contact, or if my chickens can get it just by being in the same yard that some wild birds may have been in.

I’m in the exact same position. I have a small, covered, enclosed run where I feed/water my small flock of four but I like to let them into the yard for short supervised trips.

I’m wondering what people consider ‘in the area’. I’m in Western PA so the numbers aren’t terrible but there was a case a county over.