Getting New Chicks During Avian Flu Outbreak

[Tonyroo]

I just wonder how temporary, though, you know?

I admit I'm feeling a little discouraged. One of my best hens just died a few minutes ago. It's been a rough week.

Sorry I don't know how temporary it will be. I would have to think it might be a seasonal event. Eventually the virus will die off with most of the wild birds affected by it. Until then, keep your birds safe.

I do remember Newcastle lasted about 4 to 6 months. It ended on the month of June. When the weather got really warm.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Sorry I don't know how temporary it will be. I would have to think it might be a seasonal event. Eventually the virus will die off with most of the wild birds affected by it. Until then, keep your birds safe.

I do remember Newcastle lasted about 4 to 6 months. It ended on the month of June. When the weather got really warm.

Gawd, it seemed so much longer than that, but that's doable.

 

[Vicktoria Giuergia]

I'm so glad you have planned out what needs to get done. I think you'll be well prepared. Remember this is for precautionary measure and temporary inconvenience.

I'm not very familiar w/this current bird virus except for having to pay a lot more at the market for eggs due to the virus. At least that's what the note on the refrigerator says.. are they being a little over prepared? Maybe in this case you can't be over prepared.
Like I said, I'm not very familiar w/this current bird virus Better safe than sorry. I guess.
Can anybody fill me in on this problem so I understand better?

 

[Acre4Me]

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/ai

Here is a link to the agency that oversees this. Lots of good info.

Wild birds carry Avian influenza, usually Low pathogenicity (LPAI). But, sometimes it is High Pathogenicity( HPAI). This year, it is a near 100% mortality in chickens, turkeys. So, once detected in a flock, the flocks of backyard or commercial poultry are culled to stop the spread.

Eggs are more important than just for eating and hatching chicks. They are also important in the medical field for various reasons. The flu vaccines are grown up in eggs, as one example. That is a lot of eggs for one medical purpose. Also, there is the very real possibility that HPAI could mutate enough to easily infect humans. I *think* I read that the flu pandemic of 1918(?) was from an avian influenza strain, and that was highly impactful to human populations, another reason for the strong response from USDA APHIS.

So, keeping your birds from interacting with wild birds is key to keeping them safe, and why a run cover is best to keep wild bird poop out of their area, and to keep wild birds away from their feeders and waterers.