Avian bird flu??

[Wegs813]

We have a neighbor that raises turkeys for Jennie-O. Yesterday my husband called said neighbor to ask him a question about waterers and the first thing out of neighbors mouth was "I will have to tell my son that he can no longer come to your house. Backyard chickens are the number one cause of Avian flu." Is this the truth or misinformation?

 

[ranchhand]

"Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and has been limited, inefficient and unsustained."

For the whole article from the CDC, go to:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm


Sounds like a turkey is raising turkeys! He's worried about your chickens?

 

[ranchhand]

Eeek, I missed it!

 

[Wegs813]

Thanks for the info. He seemed to be very concerned that his son would come to our house and then go home and contaminate his turkeys. I understand having some concern, but I would think with some precautions things would be just fine. I do understand that those turkeys are his job...but for real??!!!

 

[robin416]

There are strict guidelines for those raising poultry for commercial production, one of them is to have no contact with outside or backyard flocks. No matter the strain of influenza found in a commercial flock the entire flock is destroyed. Our backyard flocks can experience low pathogenic influenza virus' that are not reportable and do no harm to our own birds but to commercial producers its a different story.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Commercial producers raise the birds in a VERY unnatural environment, and the birds a extremely susceptible to disease, no matter what it is.
He is also doing what his job description requires of him. If he does not follow the rules, he will have everything taken away from him by the company he works for.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My guess is that your neighbor just started in a commercial operation and has seen some really frightening information. I don't know specifically about bird flu but we backyared operations are normally a much bigger danger to the commercial operations than they are to us. Many commercial operations take biosecurity very seriously. Casual visitors are not allowed in certain areas. People who do go into certain areas are required to shower, change clothes, wear coverals or overshoes, etc. Delivery trucks roll through disinfectant before they are allowed to go to certain parts. They screen out songbirds that can carry diseases and parasites. Many commercial operations never allow their hens to have access to the outside and keep them in cages. A visit from one diseased bird can wipe out 10,000 laying hens. I can understand why they do it, even if I don't like it.

I do not do any of that, so yes, there is a greater chance of my chickens catching something than many commercial operations. And many diseases can be transmitted on dirty shoes. Your neighbor may be over-reacting but I sure can't blame him. With certain precautions the visits would be fine, but can you trust children to always be consistent in taking those precautions?

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Absolutely I would respect this man's wishes. In this economy, the risk of viral contamination FAR OUTWEIGHS the benefits of socializing! The containment/isolation practices are not foolproof, not by a longshot. And, its an incredible amount of extra work and time to try to keep his flock safe, and sale-able by harvest time. The guy's putting his everything into raising his birds, viral contamination could send him into bankruptcy, he risks everything.

I have been humbled by viruses a few times as a nurse. We gown, glove, wash, wear the plastic shoes and hats, negative pressure rooms; sweat rolling down our backs trying to prevent transmission of viruses. AND STILL IT SPREADS! A virus is just a little strip of DNA/RNA, its not even a live organism. Its like a spec of dust with a computer program in it, to be activated when conditions are just right. A turkey farmer is right to respect the precautions outlined by people who have been there, done that, and scientifically studied the best ways to prevent transmission.

Maybe your kids could still be friends electronically? Can they Facebook or skype? Or old-fashioned penpals?

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Many commercial operations never allow their hens to have access to the outside and keep them in cages.
And we wonder why they are so susceptible to disease

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Big thing chicken can carry blackhead, no harm to the chicken, but deadly to turkey and peafowl. Reason I dont let other people in my peafowl pens. Guess he must not trust his son not to go around the turkeys, after he has been around your chickens.

He needs to teach his son, about going around the turkeys.