Avian influenza found in South Carolina

[Folly's place]

The USDA site has recommendations, look there. A solid roof matters, to keep out fecal material from those migrating birds.
Mary

 

[ReneesRanch]

Just saw on the USDA website today, found in a widgeon (duck?) . Look it up on their site, not good news.
Mary

Also just found in Maine. So it’s all over the place. Spreading fast. Keep wild birds away from your flock.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Here is the Maine statement

They still have not updated their website identifying the birdf species in which it was detected, as of a moment ago. Most recent data listed is from the 16th.

 

[Iluveggers]

That was me, speculating.

I just read (well, keyword searched) the US Trade Agreement between the US and China. It uses the FSIS definition of poultry, which is not quite the same as the USDA definition. The FSIS definition is found in 21 USC Section 453 "Definitions" (e) and (f)

(e) The term "poultry" means any domesticated bird, whether live or dead.

(f) The term "poultry product" means any poultry carcass, or part thereof; or any product which is made wholly or in part from any poultry carcass or part thereof, excepting products which contain poultry ingredients only in a relatively small proportion or historically have not been considered by consumers as products of the poultry food industry, and which are exempted by the Secretary from definition as a poultry product under such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to assure that the poultry ingredients in such products are not adulterated and that such products are not represented as poultry products.

What does this mean? I don’t understand any of it.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

So what do you all recommend? Do we no longer let them free range? Maybe I should just build a larger run and use much smaller mesh it to keep wild birds out. I mean I get house wrens. Those guys are so tiny. Any guidance you all can provide would be great. I am in CT. Nothing here yet but with it in the carolinas and migrations happening soon, I haven’t put out any seed at all.

The usual biosecurity methods. Do you have anything that attracts wild birds to your property? I'd move the wild bird feeders as far away from your flock as possible or completely remove them for now. Even if they're empty, if the feeders are there, wild birds will come in to check them out. In my opinion, having dedicated coop shoes or a way to disinfect shoes before entering the coop is smart. There are some extreme measures that one could take but I am just being as careful as possible. Things are much different for me since I have a pond and can't keep wild waterfowl away from it. If you look at the guidelines, you'll find a list of things and you can do whatever you're able to do. I wish you, your flock and everyone here well

 

[U_Stormcrow]

What does this mean? I don’t understand any of it.

That's the point of a trade agreement!

and if the USDA is using the FSIS definition, it means someone had a backyard flock of a non-domesticated species.

Of course, if the USDA is using the USDA definiton of poultry, they could mean "pet" _

Poultry is any domesticated bird used for food. Varieties include chicken, turkey, goose, duck, Rock Cornish hens, and game birds such as pheasant, squab and guinea fowl. Also included are huge birds such as ostrich, emu and rhea (ratites). See individual species for information regarding purchasing, storing and preparing poultry.

Like a budgie, cockatiel, parrot, or maccaw. But since this havs been travelling mostly thru ducks so far, a handful of "pet" swans might make an attractive host.

until they say more, we are left speculating mostly blindly.

 

[NanaK]

I've been searching to find out the type of the non-poultry also.
The only thing I can think of is maybe raptors. Some people are into falconry. I did read somewhere they get it. Also there are wildlife rehabs. They could have any types of birds.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

So what do you all recommend? Do we no longer let them free range? Maybe I should just build a larger run and use much smaller mesh it to keep wild birds out. I mean I get house wrens. Those guys are so tiny. Any guidance you all can provide would be great. I am in CT. Nothing here yet but with it in the carolinas and migrations happening soon, I haven’t put out any seed at all.

I decided to focus on keeping my birds out of the waterway (ditch) and try to not draw wild birds to my property rather than keep them cooped up. That may change based on how the virus is spreading in my area.

 

[DonyaQuick]

So what do you all recommend? Do we no longer let them free range? Maybe I should just build a larger run and use much smaller mesh it to keep wild birds out. I mean I get house wrens. Those guys are so tiny. Any guidance you all can provide would be great. I am in CT. Nothing here yet but with it in the carolinas and migrations happening soon, I haven’t put out any seed at all.

It is in CT in the coastal counties at least according to the wild bird cases list. If you're inland it may not be there yet but given it's on long island and up through Maine expecting it along the whole coast doesn't seem unreasonable right now.

 

[igorsMistress]

i was looking for a list of birds that are susceptible to this flu and found this page

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/15/3/07-1410-t1

It includes ducks and other water fowl, but also includes a pigeon and dove, green pea fowl, chicken ancestor red jungle fowl, a variety of starling, mynah birds, parakeets, and owls. There are others on the list but I’m sure you get the idea. Any bird out there is susceptible and could be a carrier.

Also read an article that says nine states total have confirmed cases. Another said a fourth commercial flock in Indiana has it. Scary stuff.