Neighbor concerned about bird flu

[chickenana707]

Hello all - I am relatively new to raising chickens, and new to this forum. I will be getting my chicks in a couple weeks, and I let my neighbors know what the plan is (coop placement, etc), because we live in a neighborhood, and although it’s my right to have them, I want to be respectful about this so that they don’t feel uncomfortable with the situation and know that they’re welcome to bring any concerns to me. The chickens are not allowed to free range where I live so they will be in a spacious covered coop/run. One of my neighbors is very elderly…never spends any time outside...and is worried about bird flu. What would you say to a neighbor who’s nervous about your small (6 hens), backyard flock getting bird flu?

 

[nuthatched]

Tell her to stop watching the 'news'.
Not really, that would be rude.


In all reality, it's very unlikely for your birds to get bird flu and even less likely to get it from them.

 

[FrostRanger]

Your birds would be dead before she had any risk of catching it from them since they will be contained. She's at much great risk from wild birds than someone else's chickens not on her property. People *can* get bird flu but it's not *that* likely especially if you aren't interacting with infected birds. I still would be careful around wild or sick bird though

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

Tell her to stop watching the 'news'.
Not really, that would be rude.


In all reality, it's very unlikely for your birds to get bird flu and even less likely to get it from them.

Reassure your neighbor that you will endeavor to keep your birds as healthy as can be ... and give her your first half-dozen eggs.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Your birds would be dead before she had any risk of catching it from them since they will be contained. She's at much great risk from wild birds than someone else's chickens not on her property. People *can* get bird flu but it's not *that* likely especially if you aren't interacting with infected birds. I still would be careful around wild or sick bird though

Not all strains cause high mortality in chickens. There's like 16 different avian strains if I remember correctly, & they all vary, & symptoms differ slightly.

 

[farmer90]

I don't get why she's nervous about bird flu when she never spends any time outside and doesn't have any birds?

 

[AinaWGSD]

You can try to assure your neighbor by sharing your plan to keep your flock protected from bird flu. Try explaining that it is transmitted from wild birds to chickens primarily through droppings, saliva, and dander and your birds will be in an enclosed, covered run and therefore not as likely to come in contact with infected wild birds. Give them links to health officials with information about how bird flu can be spread to humans and assure them that your chickens will be confined to your property.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

Try explaining that it is transmitted from wild birds to chickens primarily through droppings, saliva, and dander and your birds will be in an enclosed, covered run and therefore not as likely to come in contact with infected wild birds. Give them links to health officials with information about how bird flu can be spread to humans and assure them that your chickens will be confined to your property.

WHOA! Way too much information!
Keep it simple!
IMO

 

[kattabelly]

Not all strains cause high mortality in chickens. There's like 16 different avian strains if I remember correctly, & they all vary, & symptoms differ slightly.

True, but it's probably the HPAI that's all over the news that the neighbour is worried about.

 

[AinaWGSD]

It's really not too much info compared to whatever information the neighbor's already absorbed that makes them concerned. I've simplified it below and it's only 4 points.

1. Bird flu is spread from wild birds to chickens by infected droppings, saliva and dander.

2. Op is doing XYZ to protect their chickens from exposure to bird flu from infected birds.

3. Humans get bird flu from close contact from infected animals.

4. Op is keeping their birds confined to their property, therefore the neighbor will not be in close contact with their birds and cannot get bird flu from them.

Op  should have more information and/or trusted sources available to address any additional concerns the neighbor brings up.