Avian Flu Outbreak with Free Range Flock

[Familyof8isalwayslate]

We are trying to figure out what bio-securities to put in place or if any are needed with Avian Flu. It is two states away, but if it does come closer, what do you do?

We have a small flock that free ranges all day, we don't have a run. They have a hanging feeder and hanging water in the coop with an extra water outside. We don't have trees in our yard, so the extra water is needed in the warmer months (the rooster is protective if small birds stop by and we have lots of shade). There are two ponds very close to us that geese use for migration every year, but they don't stop in our yard ( one is about two football fields away). Smaller birds love our yard for the worms and other insects. There is a large field (not ours) behind us that doesn't get cut regularly, so prefect for mosquitoes come spring. There are plenty of commercial farms around our area. We live in farm country with rats, mice, and moles.

How to deter the rodents from our yard?
-the stray cats/snakes only do so much
How to keep mosquitoes from the water/coop?
How far does the flu travel from the pond area?
Does the regular cleaning/vitamins take care of most of the problems?

I understand if I am over thinking, so please feel free to say so!

 

[azygous]

Wild birds transmit avian flu. If you are concerned that it's a danger, you need to keep your chickens under cover so wild birds don't drop infected poop where your chickens can become exposed.

Keeping a flock under cover of a roof, goes further than any other measure to keep your flock safe. Also, if you suspect migrating birds are flying over, you need to institute biosecurity measures that involve disinfecting your foot wear before you enter your coop or run in case you stepped in contaminated wild bird poop.