How Are You Covering Your Chicken Run for Avian Influenza?

[Weeg]

Figured this is a very interesting, and good question for the current situation. How is everybody covering their chicken runs? Me, and likely others would use some inspiration. I have a very wonky, and flimsy run that I don't think can be easily covered by tarps, though it will be a last resort.
Have plenty of hog panels for something hoop coop style, but not sure I can get any 2x4's long enough for the large run I will need.
Interested to hear everyone else's ideas, I'm sure I'm not the only one looking for inspiration.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Here's advice from the USDA.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...se-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program

 

[David61]

https://pinnonhatch.com/poultry-supplies/p/heavy-knotted-poultry-netting-2mesh
best netting, can't be beat.
hog panels staggered every so often with netting on top.
like a the British poly tube.

 

[mowin]

Both my runs are already covered and predator proof. Still letting my flock free range in the afternoons. However, I stop putting out wild bird feeders.

 

[Acre4Me]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/coop-updates-for-biosecurity-hpai.1513415/#post-25471902

I started this thread just for coop/run updates.

I chose the plastic HD deer netting bc easy to handle, and I could easily attach it to roof framing, and it is the right size to cover my fencing. Also, the openings are 1”, so no birds will get in, and chicks won’t get out. My run roof is solid.

 

[Iluveggers]

We have a bunch of tarps tied together. Isn’t very pleasant looking but it will do the job. Looking to expand the run & hopefully add more tarp. We will see…I can’t wait til the threat is over.

 

[Weeg]

https://pinnonhatch.com/poultry-supplies/p/heavy-knotted-poultry-netting-2mesh
best netting, can't be beat.
hog panels staggered every so often with netting on top.
like a the British poly tube.

Simply netting isn't much/any protection from Avian Influenza. All of my runs are covered with fish netting, I'm looking for a solid roof.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Simply netting isn't much/any protection from Avian Influenza. All of my runs are covered with fish netting, I'm looking for a solid roof.

I am not familiar with your run, but we made a roof for our run using welded wire and covered it with a tarp. I was thinking of using shade cloth on the outside. I've got a ton of it.

I'm fortunate to be out of the hot zones so far, but all of this is good info for when it gets here.

If (when) it does come here, we have 3 possible plans. 1 - put chickens in the garage. 2 - build a big hoop coop run, add hardware cloth up the sides and on the front, and cover the rest with a tarp. 3 - cover their current run with offset netting and/or shade cloth.

I will read all the threads/articles linked above, too. Wanna be prepared...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

IMHO, the main concern comes from feces dropped by migratory birds, especially waterfowl and raptors.
If you don't have a solid roof on the run and chicken areas, it can still be a problem.
22 million chickens and turkeys have been euthanized so far this year.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Has anyone seen an updated tally of wild birds tested positive?
The most recent numbers of wild bird deaths I've seen are not from this wave but rather from 2015/16 and 2019.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...QNrVycDRNcjc19XV08ggyEjfSz8Kv4KC7EBFANjvecc!/