Avian flu is scaring a lot of us. I don't believe your family is in danger. Most of the strains of the disease do not appear to be zoonotic. Of course, anything is possible in today's world.
I am continuing to treat and handle my poultry as I always have. Although I have stopped filling my bird feeders on the other side of the property, I have resident sparrows, among others, that will keep scavenging anything they can find in or near the coops and countless migratory birds gathering this time of year. I cringe every time resident Canada geese fly over on their way to a nearby public pond.
Iowa has many commercial chicken operations that are being struck, and the flu is also hitting some backyard flocks. The newscasters comment this morning that really aggravated me: Egg prices probably won't increase. THAT'S the concern? Not the death of a million birds. Ugh.
And, at the end of the un-asked-for rant, I would like to sincerely welcome you to BYC! Best wishes for you, your family and your flock!
I am continuing to treat and handle my poultry as I always have. Although I have stopped filling my bird feeders on the other side of the property, I have resident sparrows, among others, that will keep scavenging anything they can find in or near the coops and countless migratory birds gathering this time of year. I cringe every time resident Canada geese fly over on their way to a nearby public pond.
Iowa has many commercial chicken operations that are being struck, and the flu is also hitting some backyard flocks. The newscasters comment this morning that really aggravated me: Egg prices probably won't increase. THAT'S the concern? Not the death of a million birds. Ugh.
And, at the end of the un-asked-for rant, I would like to sincerely welcome you to BYC! Best wishes for you, your family and your flock!
So happy you have joined us.
Hello and welcome to BYC. You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of, with many knowledgeable members who are willing to help you along your journey with any questions you may have. Enjoy 
At this point, I'm not particularly worried about myself or family members contracting Avian Influenza (AI), but I worry more about the effects of possible quarantines and the flock having to be culled or getting sick and dying, ect. To minimize risk, consider keeping your flock in a sizeable coop and run with a roof and minimize contact with wild birds. Another thing you might try to do is avoid having other chicken-keepers enter the run (so they don't bring in germs on their shoes) and have specific shoes that you only wear into the coop (to avoid tracking in outside contaminants.) Best of luck to you in whatever you decide. Keeping chickens is definitely a rewarding hobby for us! 
