Bird Flu Crisis.

[Elaine Elder]

In highly pathogenic avian influenza , the disease appears suddenly in a flock and many birds die either without premonitory signs or with minimal signs of depression, inappetence, ruffled feathers and fever. Other birds show weakness and a staggering gait. Hens may at first lay soft-shelled eggs, but soon stop laying. Sick birds often sit or stand in a semi-comatose state with their heads touching the ground. Combs and wattles are cyanotic and oedematous, and may have petechial or ecchymotic haemorrhages at their tips. Profuse watery diarrhoea is frequently present and birds are excessively thirsty. Respiration may be laboured. Haemorrhages may occur on unfeathered areas of skin. The mortality rate varies from 50 to 100%.
In broilers, the signs of disease are frequently less obvious with severe depression, inappetence, and a marked increase in mortality being the first abnormalities observed. Oedema of the face and neck and neurological signs such as torticollis and ataxia may also be seen. The disease in turkeys is similar to that seen in layers, but it lasts 2 or 3 days longer and is occasionally accompanied by swollen sinuses. In domestic ducks and geese the signs of depression, inappetence, and diarrhea are similar to those in layers, though frequently with swollen sinuses. Younger birds may exhibit neurological signs.

Government scientists theorize that when ducks and other migratory waterfowl from different flyways gather at their northern breeding grounds this summer, they could expose each other to the highly pathogenic H5N2 virus, then carry it back south this fall along several migration routes, perhaps including the Atlantic Flyway. That flyway includes several of the country's top poultry producing states including Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Delaware and Maryland.

Bird Flu Outbreak Could Head Eastward With Fall Migration
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/bird-flu-outbreak-head-eastward-fall-migration-30346589

5.3 million Iowa laying hens to be destroyed in bird flu outbreak
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2015/04/20/avian-flu-chicken-eggs/26094811/

Where it stands: The avian flu outbreak and Minnesota turkeys
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/08/avian-flu-running-tally

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Are you saying not to let my chickens hang out with the wild ducks this summer? They'll be disappointed but it sounds like it's for their own good.

 

[ChicKat]

Yes, the 5Million in Iowa was on the news today -- the radio announcer said that it represents about 2% of the country's egg production.

 

[silky ma]

LETS NOT FREAK OUT HERE!

I had something come thru last end of September thru the beginning of October that made my chickens of all ages sick as heck and I ended up having to put them all down but one hen and her 2 chicks because the 3 were with me in the mountains in Truckee ...I live Rancho Cordova outside Sacramento ca. The vet was not sure what the h"ll happened. There were various symptoms ranging from
sneezing, coughing, swollen cruddy eyes, and ears that looked like purple cauliflowers that would bleed. It went thru so dang fast! one day a gal was healthy the next day it was *** happened to her! And the next day anmother 1 -2 would come down with it.

I left with my girls okay and came back 3 days later to hell breaking loose. My girlfriend did not know what to do.!
Since returning my hen and her 2 roos have been sleeping indoors in a pen and go out only in an area of yard the others never had access to.
My vet said any virus would die out in 2 weeks and I could use the chicken yard and coop again. I decided to let it all rest for a year and I will use a virus killing spray before using the area and hen house again.
Now If I had been there during this attack I would of been able to dose my flock of 9 with an anti viral but it was too late upon my return. Since then My roo has had episodes of sneezing which he and my hen gets dosed with Elderberry extract / syrup that I buy
by the case each year for not only my animals use but my hubby and I take since I am immune compromised. I have an extreme to non existent white blood count.

So I would just get the elderberry---non sugar added variety, great pricec on line. And dose your flock when you see something pop up for a week. Add it to the water till a healthy maroon color and change it ever other day if the weather is cool or every day if warm.

 

[silky ma]

I forgot to mention if you have a sick chicken now then take a syringe and fill it with 1 - 11/2 ml of elderberry syrup and then suck into the syringe the same amount of filtered water ...open their beak and squirt it in. do this 3 xs a day for 3 days then 2xs a day for 1-2 weeks.

 

[Elaine Elder]

Get your birds tested for Mycoplasma Gallisepticum. 30 to 60 days for MG to die. Sunlight kills instantly. The Western U.S. has not heard of it YET.
please see my post on that disease.
Chickens do not get colds. Only diseases that have cold like symptoms.
Also test for HPAI
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
according to the USDA map on www.aphis.usda.gov search hpai for more info.
you are at higher risk for that on the west coast

 

[ChicKat]

LETS NOT FREAK OUT HERE!

LOL doesn't seem to me like anyone is freaking out. Having knowledge isn't freaking out IMO. Sorry that you lost your flock - You are lucky that you could retain some. Good luck with thieir future health.

Get your birds tested for Mycoplasma Gallisepticum. 30 to 60 days for MG to die. Sunlight kills instantly. The Western U.S. has not heard of it YET.
please see my post on that disease.
Chickens do not get colds. Only diseases that have cold like symptoms.
Also test for HPAI
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
according to the USDA map on www.aphis.usda.gov search hpai for more info.
you are at higher risk for that on the west coast

They are also saying that the summer heat will kill the avian influenza - The west coast fly-ways and all the migratory bird paths that criss-crossed those were areas where they are telling people not to let migratory wild birds intermingle with your own flock. Which is kind of common sense, but you can't always be there -- unless they have protected run - it could just happen as the migratory birds want to snack on the chicken feed if they are able.

ETA - Elaine, I appreciate the alert and the listing of symptoms that you did for us. Thanks.

 

[ChicKat]

Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote for the Cream Legbar Club's next newsletter:



".......related to biosecurity, I received information in a letter dated Feb. 5th, that
outbreaks of Avian Influenza (AI) in migratory waterfowl along the Pacific flyway states of
Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and California have affected chickens there. The
strains of AI: H5N2 and H5N8 are not a risk to human health. Commercial flocks in British
Columbia, and one in California as well as backyard flocks in Washington and Oregon have
been affected. AI has been detected in wild birds that use a flyway which intersects the
Texas migratory bird flyways. As a result the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is
advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to
prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds. "

 

[Theda's Mom]

If the vector is wild birds, does it require face-to-face contact to transmit avian flu from bird to bird, or can the virus travel on the bottoms of one's shoes or the hooves of a horse?

 

[joyfulkeeper]

I have to say that I am kind of freaking out. I live in southern Minnesota where the outbreak is devastating right now. I have a free range laying flock and pastured meat birds. I'm praying that lots of sunshine and a great immune system will keep my flock healthy.