Let’s Talk About Bird Flu

[Bawkbok]

This is heart breaking. For anyone that follows the live Bald Eagle cam in SW FL is probably already aware.

https://www.wfla.com/news/animals/l...in-what-happened-to-deceased-florida-eaglets/

 

[old mama hen]

Hi everyone,

With bird flu (avian influenza) affecting flocks across the globe, it's more important than ever to stay informed and prepared. This disease doesn't just pose a risk to our flocks—it can also affect other animals and even humans in certain cases.

Let’s use this thread to share:

1. What precautions you're taking to protect your flock.
2. Questions or concerns you have about bird flu.
3. Reliable resources or tips that could help the community.

Remember, staying informed and proactive is the best way to keep ourselves and our feathered friends safe. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and tips!

Also, feel free to participate in our poll: What Are You Doing to Protect Your Flock From Bird Flu (H5N1) Infection?

While I usually let ours free range I’ve got them penned up. Besides feed they have plenty of scratch and scraps. The pen is made where birds can’t make their way in.

 

[theoldchick]

Well, my neighbor is spreading untreated chicken/turkey feces on his pasture from the local poultry farm. There are several tons of it sitting in huge piles stinking up the place and attracting all kinds of birds, four-legged critters that will spread whatever is in raw fecal matter. This is how Bird Flu is spread: Poultry facilities not properly disposing the fecal matter.

 

[TOMTE]

Well, my neighbor is spreading untreated chicken/turkey feces on his pasture from the local poultry farm. There are several tons of it sitting in huge piles stinking up the place and attracting all kinds of birds, four-legged critters that will spread whatever is in raw fecal matter. This is how Bird Flu is spread: Poultry facilities not properly disposing the fecal matter.

Yuck! How irresponsible.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Here's my situation: I was really wanting to get a flock this year after a big move and giving my flock away, BUT I now live in an area with a lot of wild birds and geese, and I have barn cats. I don't want to attract more wild birds with chicken feed, because it means risking not only infecting my chickens but also my cats.

There are ways to protect any chickens I got (no free range, hardware cloth everywhere, etc), but if birds were attracted to the coop, my cats might take the opportunity to get an easy meal. These cats do have food and water available at multiple times a day, but they LOVE to hunt. They also wouldn't be happy inside, so that isn't an option either. I realize that there's always risk to having outdoor cats but I'd like to keep it as low as possible.

I am not seeing a good way to have my cats and chickens too. Any advice?

ETA: There has been bird flu reported in a neighboring county.

 

[TOMTE]

Here's my situation: I was really wanting to get a flock this year after a big move and giving my flock away, BUT I now live in an area with a lot of wild birds and geese, and I have barn cats. I don't want to attract more wild birds with chicken feed, because it means risking not only infecting my chickens but also my cats.

There are ways to protect any chickens I got (no free range, hardware cloth everywhere, etc), but if birds were attracted to the coop, my cats might take the opportunity to get an easy meal. These cats do have food and water available at multiple times a day, but they LOVE to hunt. They also wouldn't be happy inside, so that isn't an option either. I realize that there's always risk to having outdoor cats but I'd like to keep it as low as possible.

I am not seeing a good way to have my cats and chickens too. Any advice?

ETA: There has been bird flu reported in a neighboring county.

Sorry, but the only real solution is to keep the cats inside or rehome them. Most cats can be perfectly happy inside after a (sometimes long and frustrating) period of adjustment but you need to adapt to their lifestyle. They need places to get up or under, lots of play time to satisfy their instinct to hunt, full access to at least most of the house (which will now be their territory so the more of it that they're able to patrol and spend time in the better), several litterboxes... It's a commitment and a process. It's not for everybody.

Some will disagree but all studies on outdoor cats and their lifespans and negative impact on the environment point to this.

ETA
An article weighing the pros and cons: Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Cats: An Assessment of Risks and Benefits
And this one I've linked somewhere else: FAQ: Outdoor Cats and Their Effects on Birds

 

[SourRoses]

Well, my neighbor is spreading untreated chicken/turkey feces on his pasture from the local poultry farm. There are several tons of it sitting in huge piles stinking up the place and attracting all kinds of birds, four-legged critters that will spread whatever is in raw fecal matter. This is how Bird Flu is spread: Poultry facilities not properly disposing the fecal matter.

Wow, that's a concern on multiple levels. Nitrogenous wastewater runoff from the piles when it rains... aquifer contamination... multiple diseases, including parasites... etc.
You might call your county extension office to inquire who is responsible for overseeing farming practices.
Or if you're on good terms, write him a friendly note detailing your concerns and ask him to spread the manure thinner and/or have someone come pick up the excess still sitting in piles if he has too much.

 

[theoldchick]

Wow, that's a concern on multiple levels. Nitrogenous wastewater runoff from the piles when it rains... aquifer contamination... multiple diseases, including parasites... etc.
You might call your county extension office to inquire who is responsible for overseeing farming practices.
Or if you're on good terms, write him a friendly note detailing your concerns and ask him to spread the manure thinner and/or have someone come pick up the excess still sitting in piles if he has too much.

Thanks for the information. I've reported him to EPA.

 

[Seaslug]

Well, my neighbor is spreading untreated chicken/turkey feces on his pasture from the local poultry farm. This is how Bird Flu is spread: Poultry facilities not properly disposing the fecal matter.

Wait, I don't think I am understanding this: what do you mean by "untreated" and "proper disposal"?
As far as I am aware, it is recommended that animal and human waste not be put used "raw" as fertilizer, as it can "burn" plants. So it is often biological digested/composted, which can appear to be just sitting in a large pile with bedding. That is how the chicken farm down the road from me deals with their waste. It is how I deal with my (much more limited) chicken's waste.
It is not unusual that animal and human waste is used as fertilizer on fields. I was under the impression that it was less likely to result in environmental runoff than inorganic chemical fertilizer applications. What would the proper disposal of animal waste be?

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Seems like everyone here is on lock down. Just curious in backyard chicken forum how many have lost chickens to the flu? We are a pretty big community- seems like we should be seeing posts on it.
I give my birds fresh water daily and quality feed. They get kale and sometimes plain yogurt.
Keep their coop clean and remove waste weekly if not more often.