HEADS UP AVIAN INFLUENZA ALERT

[chicknmania]

Way too close.

Within a few miles. I just hate the thought of them not being able to go outside in the nice weather, now that it's finally here.

 

[enola]

Just keep telling yourself that as long as they are inside, they probably won't get sick. If they do get Avian Flu, you won't be able to keep thm any more. It won't seem so bad then.

 

[chicknmania]

Yeah. Thanks.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's very worried. That's what I have been telling myself.

 

[Buck Oakes]

Heres a tracking system of the virus

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/porta.../sa_detections_by_states/ct_ai_pacific_flyway

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm in the Mississippi flyway and am a bit concerned but I'm still free ranging. The lady behind my property has a pond but it has been years since any waterfowl have actually walked on my property. Geese fly over a couple times a day and I'm hoping the don't take a dump as they do.
I have 5 flocks currently and am about to put a bunch of chicks out. 19 6 day olds overdue to move to the brooder house and another 55 eggs in the incubator.

I heard a report yesterday that said they believed the H5N2 would replace less pathogenic strains and will be around for a long time.
http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/usda-chief-veterinarian-avian-flu-may-spread-nationwide-devastate-the-industry/
California has a new strain too - H5N8.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/04/21/poultry-turkey-avian-flu-crisis/26100287/

40 countries have now banned US poultry exports.

 

[gjensen]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...phe-mounts-amid-concern-virus-may-be-airborne

 

[gjensen]

You guys keep in mind, the infected commercial flocks are kept "under roof" to. Confinement, obviously, is not preventing the infection of flocks of poultry.

 

[chicknmania]

Heres a tracking system of the virus

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/porta.../sa_detections_by_states/ct_ai_pacific_flyway

Thank you, this is useful.

 

[chicknmania]

You guys keep in mind, the infected commercial flocks are kept "under roof" to. Confinement, obviously, is not preventing the infection of flocks of poultry.

They exercise a lot higher biosecurity than we possibly can, and they are still getting infected. But being under roof is a start. What else can you do besides try, pray, and hope for the best.

 

[enola]

The single biggest thing small flock owners can do is have a pair of shoes/boots that you wear ONLY in the chicken house. Don't wear your shoes to the feed store and then walk into your hen house.

Stay away from other flocks of chickens, chicken swaps and chicken shows.

Don't let any one near your chickens!