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!

 

[Michelle_my_bell]

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

We do not put out any dry food, I feed my geese's food under water, close all barn/house doors during the day, do not leave food or water out at night, remove all bird feeders/hummingbird feeders, store all food in a secure well vented area, remove all standing water (I only fill up my goose's pool twice a week and empty it when they go to bed at night), I keep my yard clean of feathers and straw so it does not attract any animals searching for bedding, I no longer throw any scratch or other food directly on the lawn so birds have no reason to 'stop by' and last not but not least i'm considering poultry netting over a small portion of my yard and their house OR i'm buying a large shed to keep them in until this has slowed down a bit. I am so freaking scared right now! Can you tell LOL

 

[Ruby Law]

I haven't had chickens in over a year due to a highly deadly strain of Marek's they contracted as day-olds. Just my luck. But there are lots of anti-viral and generally immune boosting herbs that chickens can have. For instance, St. John's Wort is very anti-viral and chickens can have it.

DG specifically from Chinese licorice (do NOT use it from American or European licorice) is antiviral in humans and chickens. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24920229/.

There's also baicalin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33008383/

Those are the strongest I could find for chickens. And of course, adding regular herbs like thyme, oregano, etc. boost their immune systems too.

I hope everyone starts understanding that we need to get our chickens around the country stronger and more resilient. Cull the weak and sick, and keep the strongest to breed. I am so sick of disease running rampant in our chickens!
Good luck to you!

 

[The Good Grumble]

Currently hard winter, snow and cold has set in here in Vermont. So the chickens in general are anti-any precipitation and happily staying in their covered roofed and tarped run. I have lots of fun things for them to do. Most importantly, wild birds cannot get in. No visitors but ME! And I have separate bird only boots, gloves hat and coat etc.

If I go to the farm store, that’s a separate outdoor clothing set, or my backyard, separate outdoor clothing set. Yes, I have 3 sets of boots coats & hats.

I love my birds, so I am going to do what I can for them to get them through. Plus they all started laying again. (Weird) and stores are out of eggs!