Let’s Talk About Bird Flu

[No Coop No Problem]

This is ostrich farm in BC Canada. They got AI in December. Have been fighting and just had a federal court denial for exemption of culling.
So much for natural immunity being utilized. The hundreds of ostriches left are healthy and the government still is going to cull.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ostriches-killed-avian-flu-1.7534114

I bet those ostriches are in far superior health than the politicians ordering them to die and the thugs on the ground coming to murder them

 

[Goosebaby]

This is ostrich farm in BC Canada. They got AI in December. Have been fighting and just had a federal court denial for exemption of culling.
So much for natural immunity being utilized. The hundreds of ostriches left are healthy and the government still is going to cull.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ostriches-killed-avian-flu-1.7534114

The natural immunity of the ostriches only extends to their species and the particular strains of hpai they are resistant to. It’s worth studying to understand it but unless a species like chickens which lack natural immunity to hpai are altered at the genetic level to have an immune response that doesn’t react so severely to hpai they’ll likely never develop it like these ostriches.
Species that don’t have a strong immune response to a virus are typically carriers of that virus so if that is the case with these ostriches, then there are grounds to cull, however if they’re testing negative for hpai then there’s no logical reason to cull.
In a broader scope hpai is pretty much endemic in the wild duck population at this point so there really isn’t a hope of it going away any time soon so eradicating one ostrich farm makes little difference even if they are continually shedding the virus. The virus will still exist and reappear after the ostriches are gone.

It really makes no sense to cull at this point, there’s nothing to be gained from it and it’s not going to make a difference besides harming valuable research by needlessly killing these beautiful birds. Honestly I think the issue is the lack of understanding of bird flu by the court.

 

[chanceosunshine]

The natural immunity of the ostriches only extends to their species and the particular strains of hpai they are resistant to. It’s worth studying to understand it but unless a species like chickens which lack natural immunity to hpai are altered at the genetic level to have an immune response that doesn’t react so severely to hpai they’ll likely never develop it like these ostriches.
Species that don’t have a strong immune response to a virus are typically carriers of that virus so if that is the case with these ostriches, then there are grounds to cull, however if they’re testing negative for hpai then there’s no logical reason to cull.
In a broader scope hpai is pretty much endemic in the wild duck population at this point so there really isn’t a hope of it going away any time soon so eradicating one ostrich farm makes little difference even if they are continually shedding the virus. The virus will still exist and reappear after the ostriches are gone.

It really makes no sense to cull at this point, there’s nothing to be gained from it and it’s not going to make a difference besides harming valuable research by needlessly killing these beautiful birds. Honestly I think the issue is the lack of understanding of bird flu by the court.

The court was only allowed to consider the original order and nothing else regarding the case, like how the ostriches recovered or the like.

https://saveourostriches.com/ These poor people and ostriches need support. I think the only thing that can help now is people standing up for them.

 

[Molpet]

It's in Brazil commercial poultry farms now
https://www.farmprogress.com/livestock/farm-progress-america-may-19-2025

 

[Molpet]

Funding cut for AI vaccine
https://www.reuters.com/business/he...2l40TyyZgp2hItmLeo_aem_NhUYSdPRLU6Q3KGIaHLbBQ

 

[SourRoses]

Funding cut for AI vaccine
https://www.reuters.com/business/he...2l40TyyZgp2hItmLeo_aem_NhUYSdPRLU6Q3KGIaHLbBQ

It's so wrong. Just throwing money already spent away and dooming the poultry industry and poultry hobby to more illness and losses.

 

[Molpet]

Ban on swaps and shows lifted for IL
https://www.farmweeknow.com/livesto...cle_0d64f9f2-8488-43d0-b6cd-2a3421cc85b0.html

 

[Molpet]

3rd case in AZ
https://ktar.com/arizona-news/bird-flu-maricopa-county-arizona/5712977/

 

[Apis mellifera]

Agroterrorism is real and we can only hope it doesn't happen. After the last 4 years who knows who has what in this country now.

https://www.agweb.com/news/policy/p...ist-accused-smuggling-potential-agroterrorism

 

[2 Acres]

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?

Well after finding a "paper" on green tea extract to protect chickens from H5N1 (and being laughed at by a few people on this forum), I bought some green tea and and steeped the bags in a hot teakettle. 4 bags approximately per one gallon. I rung the bags out over the teakettle, and poured the green tea into a 2 gallon pail (with watering nipples).

I then added another gallon of water. Evidently it was so tasty the girls (and boys) went right to the pail.

I just used Bigelow decaffeinated green tea... and add more as needed.