Avian Influenza outbreak - Housing??

[LucyCorbett]

Hi, due to an avian influenza outbreak in England, my 3 free-range hens are going to have to be moved into some sort of sheltered area. They have always been free-range hens as I got them from a farm which free-ranged them and I have always let them have my small garden so I don't think they are going to like the change too much, but from what I know hens now have to be inside?

Does anyone know what this actually means? Can I keep them in a run? If so does anyone have any ideas as I'm stuck as to what to do with them. My mum has suggested a shed but the idea just seems cruel to me, they need their outside time surely? I have an omlet coop and was considering building them a sort of run attached but I'm not overly sure, as I know they love their space, but I don't think there's much choice in this situation.

Anyone else in the UK got any ideas or what you have done?

 

[LaFleche]

Flock down means to have your birds penned up in an enclosed area where no wild birds can get in or poop on.

You could provide something like a hoop run, covered with a tarp to prevent any wild bird droppings getting to your chickens.

Here is a good example, although this might be too big for only 3 hens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hoop-coop-for-our-layer-flock.1497498/post-25004146

 

[PippinTheChicken]

They need to be in a fully enclosed run that no wild birds can get into

 

[BleuSaphir]

You can make an enclosed run…make sure no gaps are available where small birds can get through.

 

[Tervuren]

I’m not from the UK, but I enjoy this YouTube channel called English Country Life. She has a video explaining the latest restrictions, hope this helps!