Bird Flu

[Mamaof13]

Does anyone know if there are any precautions we could take to prevent our backyard flock from getting the bird flu?

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

High Biosecurity and good sanitation.

Bird flu is spread by birds, so dont allow wild birds to feed from your chickens feeder, drink from their waterer. If you feed the wild birds, stop that, or move the wild bird feeder as far as possible from your chickens.
If you visit other farms/places with any poultry, use completely different shoes and clothes.
Clean all the items that have been near other chickens/birds.
Don't allow rats/mice/other rodents near your chickens

Hope that helps!

 

[Mamaof13]

Thank you. I figured keeping them separate from other birds, animals and other people would help.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Thank you. I figured keeping them separate from other birds, animals and other people would help.

Of course, im happy to help!

 

[TOMTE]

Yup, just like was already said, biosecurity is the best prevention. Keep wild birds away from your flock, and don't let them all congregate together (ie at feeders/baths). Even flocking birds spend a considerable amount of time away from each other during the day to prevent the spread of disease.

If you do feed the birds, clean their feeders once every couple weeks with a bleach water solution and let them thoroughly dry before putting them back out. You can also do something like feeders out for one day, take them away for 2 days, back out for a day, repeat. This encourages the wild birds to disperse and forage naturally, but still come back to the feeders for a boost occasionally (they do not need it, even in winter; we feed the birds for us).

 

[Mamaof13]

Yup, just like was already said, biosecurity is the best prevention. Keep wild birds away from your flock, and don't let them all congregate together (ie at feeders/baths). Even flocking birds spend a considerable amount of time away from each other during the day to prevent the spread of disease.

If you do feed the birds, clean their feeders once every couple weeks with a bleach water solution and let them thoroughly dry before putting them back out. You can also do something like feeders out for one day, take them away for 2 days, back out for a day, repeat. This encourages the wild birds to disperse and forage naturally, but still come back to the feeders for a boost occasionally (they do not need it, even in winter; we feed the birds for us).

 

[Mamaof13]

Thank you!