Feeding Wild Birds

[TOMTE]

Any game and fish department.

If chickens can spread the bird flu amongst the flock (and to humans), why not to wild birds?

Even though wild bird carriers of HPAI are often asymptomatic, that doesn't necessarily mean that some aren't getting the virus by being in close proximity to backyard flocks and hatcheries etc where there's contamination. To me, since it's often spread through feces and other bodily fluids, and because chickens poop so much, it doesn't seem far fetched that a wild bird coming into contact with contaminated chicken feces might then become a carrier for the virus.

I'd be interested in a study on this but internet searches haven't turned much up.

 

[R2elk]

If chickens can spread the bird flu amongst the flock (and to humans), why not to wild birds?

Even though wild bird carriers of HPAI are often asymptomatic, that doesn't necessarily mean that some aren't getting the virus by being in close proximity to backyard flocks and hatcheries etc where there's contamination. To me, since it's often spread through feces and other bodily fluids, and because chickens poop so much, it doesn't seem far fetched that a wild bird coming into contact with contaminated chicken feces might then become a carrier for the virus.

I'd be interested in a study on this but internet searches haven't turned much up.

Avian flu is controlled in domestic flocks by destruction of the domestic flocks leaving no domestic birds to spread the disease. There is no such control over wild birds leaving them as the only source of the disease.

 

[TOMTE]

Avian flu is controlled in domestic flocks by destruction of the domestic flocks leaving no domestic birds to spread the disease. There is no such control over wild birds leaving them as the only source of the disease.

Perhaps with big operations, but I can't see most people exterminating their entire backyard flock over a bird flu infection, especially if it's treatable case by case.

I don't think there's a way to test for where exactly the illness originated in any individual wild bird or wild bird population. Therefore, we can't say with absolute certainty that our poultry don't spread disease to wild birds.

 

[R2elk]

Perhaps with big operations, but I can't see most people exterminating their entire backyard flock over a bird flu infection, especially if it's treatable case by case.

I don't think there's a way to test for where exactly the illness originated in any individual wild bird or wild bird population. Therefore, we can't say with absolute certainty that our poultry don't spread disease to wild birds.

If the governing agencies find out about a confirmed case of avian flu in a domestic flock, they require that the whole flock be destroyed.

Two years ago we had some cases here and the local flocks that were involved were destroyed. The whole state was put on "lockdown" with no trades, exchanges or sales of local poultry other than from confirmed AI free sources such as hatcheries and retail sales of hatchery chicks.

Avian flu exists in wild waterfowl flocks.

 

[TOMTE]

If the governing agencies find out about a confirmed case of avian flu in a domestic flock, they require that the whole flock be destroyed.

Two years ago we had some cases here and the local flocks that were involved were destroyed. The whole state was put on "lockdown" with no trades, exchanges or sales of local poultry other than from confirmed AI free sources such as hatcheries and retail sales of hatchery chicks.

Avian flu exists in wild waterfowl flocks.

Sure, but before the agencies find out about a case, before the infected flock is exterminated, there is plenty of time for the illness to spread. And what if they never find out? There are so many variables that come into play here. Destroying the flock will prevent any more infection but infections that already happened won't be magically taken back.

 

[sourland]

If chickens can spread the bird flu amongst the flock (and to humans), why not to wild birds?

They might/can, but given that flocks are in a more controlled environment than migrating birds it's far more likely that the converse will happen. Simple logic.

 

[ValerieJ]

Even so, it's still a possibility and I want to take every precaution to prevent more decline in the wild bird population

But I'll keep my eyes open for lice and mites on my flock, thank you for that info!

Sounds like the best solution for you is to stop feeding the wildlife. I feed wild birds about 300 feet away from my chickens. I want to protect my chickens from bird flu, that has come to Washington a couple times in the last few years.

 

[sourland]

Put out 9 water stations at the beagle club this morning. At the present time there is no natural standing water on the grounds.

 

[TOMTE]

They might/can, but given that flocks are in a more controlled environment than migrating birds it's far more likely that the converse will happen. Simple logic.

I know that. I wasn't wondering what's more likely, I was stating that it's not logical that our poultry flocks don't or can't spread HPAI to wild birds.

 

[sourland]

I know that. I wasn't wondering what's more likely, I was stating that it's not logical that our poultry flocks don't or can't spread HPAI to wild birds.

I don't think anyone has indicated that conclusion.