Seeking Advice on Safe Free-Ranging During Avian Flu/ Are we still free ranging or absolutely not?

[Ahernaa8045]

Hi everyone,

Ive read several discussions about people choosing not to free-range their chickens due to the current severity of avian flu, and I have also kept mine confined in their run for the past couple of months. However, based on my location and circumstances, I believe my risk level may be relatively low.

We have never had waterfowl or mallards visit our yard, though we do have some songbirds and other tree-dwelling birds that occasionally come into the grass. That said, there is a specific area in my yard that is mostly free of trees, where I rarely see birds.

Since free-ranging has always been an important part of my chickens routine, I am looking for a way to do it safely. My idea is to use a circular dog fence to create a contained free-range area in a spot where birds are not typically present. This would help keep my chickens away from trees and other areas where wild birds tend to land.

I always want to protect my chickens, but I also know they miss free-ranging. I am located in Maryland, and while there has been an avian flu case in my county, it is quite far from me. Given these factors, I wanted to seek advice from others do you think this approach would be a reasonable way to allow some free-ranging while minimizing risk?

I appreciate any insights you can share!

 

[SunriseChickers]

I never had to personally deal with avoiding the avian flu risks in my flock, but for general "ranging" when avoiding the dog was a need, we had them in chicken tractors.
Most basic one we had was a wooden base, with (I think) 1/2" PVC pipes arched over to create a frame for chicken wire to go over. It had a rope tied to one end and was fairly easy to move. Probably about (WxLxH) 5'x8'x4'. We could secure tarps to it to offer partial shade when needed.
The other tractor we had was entirely framed with wood and neatly secured with hardware cloth. It was low and square. Probably about 2'x10'x2'. The top panel was divided into two latching "lids". It was quite a bit heavier (used a tractor to move it by a chain) but it also offered much more predator protection.
Either way, they both kept the chickens confined, and were able to keep them from interacting with and wild animals, including birds. A tarp across the entire top section could also keep wild birds from pooping in there.
Best of luck and wisdom with your flock!

 

[Folly's place]

We are in a higher risk area, AI in wild birds closer than we are happy about, so our flock in locked in for now. Two years ago they were in for about six months, and I'm expecting the same this year.
Next week I'm planning to take some birds to the local auction, so we will have fewer (especially that extra cockerel!) so the birds aren't stressed being inside.
Bah! Humbug!
Mary

 

[Seaslug]

Being in MD, you are in the Mid-Atlantic Flyway. More so than having waterfowl in your yard, I would consider the following:

Do you have areas that are used by waterfowl near you? Not just bodies of water, but farm fields are also popular stop over areas. And consider local populations of waterfowl that live in your area throughout the year. Remember that "near" has to be considered "as the crow flies" and not driving distances, because, obviously, birds are flying, not driving.

Next I would consider how many domestic birds live near you. Do you have a lot of chicken farms? Lots of backyard chickens? This could allow AI to move quickly if it hits the area. What about diary cows and manure pits? They increase the odds of AI, if in that population, moving into other populations through wild birds as they can access it in the pits.

I have no doubt that chickens enjoy free ranging. But I do question whether or not they pine to free range when they are in their run, especially if their run is well equipped with interesting enrichment and provides diet variety.

We are, and have been, keeping our girls in their run, which can not be breached by wild birds.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This has to be a personal decision. How risk adverse are you? How much would it devastate you if yours got the avian flu and had to be destroyed? Would your flock need to be destroyed if one of your neighbors had it in their flock?

My suggestion is for you to do a risk benefit analysis. As best you can, determine what your risks are, how likely those are to happen, and how severe the consequences will be if they do happen. Weigh that against your perceived benefits and make your decision. Your risks are never going to be zero no matter what you do.

Good luck!

 

[AGeese]

I'm in poultry alley and it's near impossible to separate the wild from my flock. I would drive myself crazy if I went above and beyond keeping birds out of their coop area, and the coop reasonably clean.

If you fence your birds into a clearing also be aware of the risk of them being unable to escape from overhead predators.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Either way, they both kept the chickens confined, and were able to keep them from interacting with and wild animals, including birds. A tarp across the entire top section could also keep wild birds from pooping in there.

Only issue with a tractor is since they're meant to be moveable, you could potentially move it onto a patch where a contaminated bird previously pooped. I have no idea how long AI can stay in the environment so that may or may not be an issue.

 

[Bawkbok]

As Ridgerunner stated, this is strictly a personal choice. The aforementioned factors should be considered.

We live in a city with the nearest body of water being a river about 6 miles away as the crow flies. There are no tributaries, farms or ponds anywhere near us so the waterfowl fly over is minimal to non-existent. There are a few other chicken keepers in the area but we are blocks apart. We do have song birds (mostly Cardinals) that flit about the yard. To us, letting the girls free range for grass, bugs, sun bathing and most importantly, exercise is worth the minimal risk of exposure.

Don't live your life in fear and don't follow the majority just because it seems like the thing to do. Do what you think and feel is right for your birds and your situation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also just to give feedback from a completely opposite type of set up, I have water on 3 sides of my property. I have wild ducks, a "pet" heron that's here about 30% of the time, as well as a variety of songbirds. When AI first showed up in my county a couple years ago we did go on lockdown for about 6 months and the flock was fine with it, but we've since gone back to limited free ranging in the afternoon. There's simply no way to fully quarantine my birds from wild birds visiting the property (our run isn't roofed, songbirds can still get into the run, if the creek floods the water is going to end up in the run anyhow) so I no longer try to.

What we can control is not wearing our "chicken shoes" away from the chicken area, and not having visitors. So very minimal mitigation.