Let’s Talk About Bird Flu

[BYC Project Manager]

Hi everyone,

With bird flu (avian influenza) affecting flocks across the globe, it's more important than ever to stay informed and prepared. This disease doesn't just pose a risk to our flocks—it can also affect other animals and even humans in certain cases.

Let’s use this thread to share:

1. What precautions you're taking to protect your flock.
2. Questions or concerns you have about bird flu.
3. Reliable resources or tips that could help the community.

Remember, staying informed and proactive is the best way to keep ourselves and our feathered friends safe. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and tips!

Also, feel free to participate in our poll: What Are You Doing to Protect Your Flock From Bird Flu (H5N1) Infection?

 

[Chicken Heel]

As for my chickens and turkeys, no one but me and my wife are around them. They are also confined so no free ranging which limits their exposure to wild birds for the most part.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Bird flu is scary. Especially since there are birds literally eating and drinking out of my chicken's waterers and feeder, and living in the run and the coop roof. But, my chickens are confined, they have been for a few weeks, mostly because of the snow and ice and wind so that helps

 

[mrskenmore]

Following this as I want to be educated and informed rather than led by media

 

[TOMTE]

I've learned that while the risk of songbirds spreading the disease to backyard flocks is fairly low, it's better safe than sorry when it comes to feeding wild birds. You don't have to take your feeders down, if you're able to hang them well away from your flock, and deep clean them weekly. Same goes for bird baths.

Wild waterfowl are the most likely to spread HPAI.

Here you can see detections of HPAI by category (commercial and backyard flocks, wild birds, mammals, and livestock) and by state. Here's an example for Michigan.

I get none of my information from the media, and all of it from here and official websites like the one linked above. And that's the best advice I can give. Any information that you get not directly from an official source, FACT CHECK!

 

[mrskenmore]

I've learned that while the risk of songbirds spreading the disease to backyard flocks is fairly low, it's better safe than sorry when it comes to feeding wild birds. You don't have to take your feeders down, if you're able to hang them well away from your flock, and deep clean them weekly. Same goes for bird baths.

Wild waterfowl are the most likely to spread HPAI.

Here you can see detections of HPAI by category (commercial and backyard flocks, wild birds, mammals, and livestock) and by state. Here's an example for Michigan.
View attachment 4038433

I get none of my information from the media, and all of it from here and official websites like the one linked above. And that's the best advice I can give. Any information that you get not directly from an official source

Well said!! Thank you for the information- my girls are currently on lock down due to a visiting hawk

 

[PopoMyers]

No free ranging at all. No visitors inside their area. Feed is secure in treadle feeders. They have their own very spacious fenced in yard to roam, protected as well by aviary netting and electric fence. We don't have any wild waterfowl around.

 

[Bawkbok]

We stopped feeding the wild song birds two months before acquiring chickens. We also turned over the bird baths and no longer fill them which I feel bad about since rain is scarce around here and there is so much destruction of trees and scrub due to new housing construction. Additionally, we have black vultures who circle the yard daily and a hawk that frequents the area that used to drink from the bird bath a year ago. Even with these precautions there are many Cardinals, a cat bird, wrens, finches and other song birds in the yard all the time. There are not many treed lots left in this neighborhood and we have trees and shrubbery which they roost and nest in. The wild birds have also taken a liking to visiting the open air compost pile. When I find wild bird poop in the yard, I try to pick it up with the pooper scooper. They are all just trying to survive.
We are limiting free range time which does not bode well with the girls. The wildlife volume will diminish once migration season is over but I'm concerned we'll never be rid of the vultures - we had 9 all around in the trees and circling, eyeing the girls the other afternoon and my hubby panicked and said "they have to go in NOW". He was standing right next to them holding a 6 foot stick like he was ready for battle, lol. I don't know if vultures are carriers or not but I'm assuming all wild birds are suspect. Working hard to manage the balance.

 

[The Birb King]

Mine don't free range, and I haven’t heard of the flu in my area so I think they should be okay. However there are wild mallards that fly over the yard and the coop almost every day, so that is slightly concerning.

 

[AnnPann]

No free ranging bc my neighbors pond is a favorite Canadian Goose stopover this time of year.

Anyone who goes near the run/coop/garden has to wear shoes that haven’t ever been worn anywhere off our property.

I always do a quick visual health check on every chicken before I clean the coop and I wear a high quality mask when I clean and change clothes after cleaning.

I actually worry a lot more about my barn cats bc I have much less control over their diet and activities.