Bird Flu

[Debbie292d]

Songbirds are not the problem some here are saying it is. Just look it up. It's more the waterfowl.

Songbirds usually don't get HPAI, and if they do, can't spread it well.

We researched this before deciding to continue filling our wild bird feeders. We only use BOSS, black oil sunflower seeds, so don't get the junk birds like English sparrows and starlings.

My apologies to those who are offended by my reference to them as "junk" birds but they do damage here ripping baby bluebirds out of their homes and starlings especially are known for carrying lice.

We have our silkies on Chinese Skullcap in hopes that if they would ever be exposed, they'd not catch it.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does anyone know if there are any precautions we could take to prevent our backyard flock from getting the bird flu?

Here is a link that covers a lot of material on how to prevent AI:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/bro-protect-poultry-from-ai.pdf

 

[TOMTE]

Songbirds are not the problem some here are saying it is. Just look it up. It's more the waterfowl.

Songbirds usually don't get HPAI, and if they do, can't spread it well.

We researched this before deciding to continue filling our wild bird feeders. We only use BOSS, black oil sunflower seeds, so don't get the junk birds like English sparrows and starlings.

My apologies to those who are offended by my reference to them as "junk" birds but they do damage here ripping baby bluebirds out of their homes and starlings especially are known for carrying lice.

We have our silkies on Chinese Skullcap in hopes that if they would ever be exposed, they'd not catch it.

Good info!

My choice to not feed the songbirds during winter isn't just because of bird flu but other communicable diseases too. Not necessarily for the sake of my chickens but for the wild birds. There have been cases of house finch eye disease here which is becoming a serious threat to certain native songbirds; notably house finches, but also purple finches, american goldfinches, and evening grosbeaks (which in particular are really struggling). Fat finch disease and avian pox are others that spread more easily when birds congregate at baths and feeders.

House Finch Eye Disease by Project FeederWatch

 

[Debbie292d]

Good info!

My choice to not feed the songbirds during winter isn't just because of bird flu but other communicable diseases too. Not necessarily for the sake of my chickens but for the wild birds. There have been cases of house finch eye disease here which is becoming a serious threat to certain native songbirds; notably house finches, but also purple finches, american goldfinches, and evening grosbeaks (which in particular are really struggling). Fat finch disease and avian pox are others that spread more easily when birds congregate at baths and feeders.

House Finch Eye Disease by Project FeederWatch

That's interesting as I never knew of or seen any eye diseases and we get a ton of the goldfinches here. Per the map, Wisconsin hasn't had it here since 1997.

Still, it makes me wonder if something like this comes around again, would they make something to mix in their feeders to help them?

 

[Mamaof13]

Here is a link that covers a lot of material on how to prevent AI:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/bro-protect-poultry-from-ai.pdf

Thank you so much for this link. It was very helpful .

 

[Mamaof13]

We do not put out any dry food, I feed my geese's food under water, close all barn/house doors during the day, do not leave food or water out at night, remove all bird feeders/hummingbird feeders, store all food in a secure well vented area, remove all standing water (I only fill up my goose's pool twice a week and empty it when they go to bed at night), I keep my yard clean of feathers and straw so it does not attract any animals searching for bedding, I no longer throw any scratch or other food directly on the lawn so birds have no reason to 'stop by' and last not but not least i'm considering poultry netting over a small portion of my yard and their house OR i'm buying a large shed to keep them in until this has slowed down a bit. I am so freaking scared right now! Can you tell LOL

I agree! We’re scared too! My birds are my babies. I don’t want any of them getting sick. We have our babies in a very large, totally enclosed run. And we constantly monitor them, making sure nothing gets near them, but I still worry lol.

 

[TOMTE]

That's interesting as I never knew of or seen any eye diseases and we get a ton of the goldfinches here. Per the map, Wisconsin hasn't had it here since 1997.

Still, it makes me wonder if something like this comes around again, would they make something to mix in their feeders to help them?

I don't think so. Nothing that would be approved by any major bird conservation organizations, in any case. I think they touched on it in that article, but there's no way to gauge the effectiveness of medications on wild populations and at best, it would probably only help a sick bird live longer, which would extend the amount of time that it could spread disease.

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

Does anyone know if there are any precautions we could take to prevent our backyard flock from getting the bird flu?

Here are some precautions that I take as a breeder with several different birds

(1) Prevent using bird feeders around your coop or where your flock free ranges
(2) Give your birds fresh water daily to ensure they don't get sick you never know if a wild bird/animal drank out of it
(3) Keep food and water hidden, in the coop is best. Birds will eat any grain they find and if below a tree may poop on it too
(4) Don't let wild birds hang out with your flock, we had a group of birds that would stand around until I fed my chickens. I recommend getting an own and mounting it somewhere visible to all birds.
(5) Keep them in a cover roof, some of mine have tarps over them so bird droppings don't get in my coop.

If you have any questions please let me know

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

Currently hard winter, snow and cold has set in here in Vermont. So the chickens in general are anti-any precipitation and happily staying in their covered roofed and tarped run. I have lots of fun things for them to do. Most importantly, wild birds cannot get in. No visitors but ME! And I have separate bird only boots, gloves hat and coat etc.

If I go to the farm store, that’s a separate outdoor clothing set, or my backyard, separate outdoor clothing set. Yes, I have 3 sets of boots coats & hats.

I love my birds, so I am going to do what I can for them to get them through. Plus they all started laying again. (Weird) and stores are out of eggs!

I've been keeping my hens in the barn and just like yours they started laying. Guess who's not paying $3 for a dozen eggs now

 

[Mamaof13]

Here are some precautions that I take as a breeder with several different birds

(1) Prevent using bird feeders around your coop or where your flock free ranges
(2) Give your birds fresh water daily to ensure they don't get sick you never know if a wild bird/animal drank out of it
(3) Keep food and water hidden, in the coop is best. Birds will eat any grain they find and if below a tree may poop on it too
(4) Don't let wild birds hang out with your flock, we had a group of birds that would stand around until I fed my chickens. I recommend getting an own and mounting it somewhere visible to all birds.
(5) Keep them in a cover roof, some of mine have tarps over them so bird droppings don't get in my coop.

If you have any questions please let me know

Thank you for this. I feel better knowing that I am doing everything right.