Avian influenza found in South Carolina

[SeaChickens]

Two flocks with cases found in Montana:

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-per...-flu-strikes-montana-flocks-reappears-indiana

I believe at least one or both of these is in the Pacific Flyway, so that is the first detection there (not counting the bald eagle in Vancouver, BC from a while back) as far as I have read. I was hoping against hope that it would not make it all the way westward this spring but it does appear to be on the way.

 

[Sonya9]

might it also - since they mention large gatherings- be about what a human might track in on their shoes?

I would think the main worry is a bunch of people bringing birds to one spot (where they can infect each other) then selling/swapping them which could cross infect a bunch of other flocks.

Realistically the chicken feed isle at TSC is just as likely to harbor infected poop tracked in on shoes. Guess folks could do what very responsible dog breeders do to prevent parvo -- bleach the soles of your shoes before entering your property! That may be overkill.

 

[Iluveggers]

I would think the main worry is a bunch of people bringing birds to one spot (where they can infect each other) then selling/swapping them which could cross infect a bunch of other flocks.

Realistically the chicken feed isle at TSC is just as likely to harbor infected poop tracked in on shoes. Guess folks could do what very responsible dog breeders do to prevent parvo -- bleach the soles of your shoes before entering your property! That may be overkill.

Honestly, I have to go to TSC this week to grab some stuff. I may keep a pair of old flip flops in my trunk in a basket, and only wear them in feed stores. When I get back out to the car I can put on my clean shoes to drive. I already have one pair of shoes I only wear when I go in the coop & run. Wouldn’t be too difficult and not a horrible overreaction either.

 

[khind]

Honestly, I have to go to TSC this week to grab some stuff. I may keep a pair of old flip flops in my trunk in a basket, and only wear them in feed stores. When I get back out to the car I can put on my clean shoes to drive. I already have one pair of shoes I only wear when I go in the coop & run. Wouldn’t be too difficult and not a horrible overreaction either.

Yes, that's considered a good biosecurity practice even in less worrisome times, to add a layer of protection to one's flock from other pathogens and illnesses (e.g., Marek's).

 

[RubelliteRose]

Honestly, I have to go to TSC this week to grab some stuff. I may keep a pair of old flip flops in my trunk in a basket, and only wear them in feed stores. When I get back out to the car I can put on my clean shoes to drive. I already have one pair of shoes I only wear when I go in the coop & run. Wouldn’t be too difficult and not a horrible overreaction either.

We each keep a can of lysol in the car and spray our shoes and the floor before leaving our last stop so it has time to kill anything on the drive home. Never thought I would be looking forward to the 100+ degree days of summer.

 

[Sonya9]

Yes, that's considered a good biosecurity practice even in less worrisome times, to add a layer of protection to one's flock from other pathogens and illnesses (e.g., Marek's).

Yeah....unfortunately I got Mareks when I started my flock 8 yrs ago. I thought I was being a super responsible new chicken owner, found a local NPIP breeder and bought some fancy chicks, then since he had so many birds I offered to buy a couple of "special needs chickens".

Special needs came with Mareks. Had several losses the first couple of years but then changed flock management practices (to reduce stress especially when introducing young birds) and use a common generic herpes med (off-label) occasionally if a bird is traumatized. Haven't lost another bird to it in 6 yrs and several of mine have passed at 7 or 8 yrs from old age.

Whether it is Covid or Mareks or H5N1 if I get scared I start googling research papers and it paid off. I am not fanatical about biosecurity, my birds are still free ranging every day (I live in a low-risk area and am far more worried about the state than the bird flu). Heck one of my birds is a part-time house chicken that sleeps inside most nights so all the pathogens in this house are shared equally.

 

[Sonya9]

Neat tool to check the incoming/outgoing duck migration levels in your area. Also tells you if the current population is high or low (for hunters).

https://www.ducks.org/migrationmap/

 

[Molpet]

I just had 2 wood ducks in the creek I chased off.

 

[NanaK]

I just had 2 wood ducks in the creek I chased off.

Aww, and they are so pretty. But sometimes we have to do what we have to do. I'd do the same.

 

[RoyalChick]

Neat tool to check the incoming/outgoing duck migration levels in your area. Also tells you if the current population is high or low (for hunters).

https://www.ducks.org/migrationmap/

Very helpful. Thanks for posting.