Official BYC Poll: What Are You Doing to Protect Your Flock From Bird Flu (H5N1) Infection?

[HenHouse Henry]

Love oregano, in my kitchen. it also has spread from some plants in my garden, so there's plenty here. Tasty!
Mary

I divide my plants in the spring and fall, the honey bees love the flowers. I have it planted all along the run, chunnel (chicken tunnel), and coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

there is some evidence to suggest that added honey to their water helps relieve heat stress, improves egg quality, and works as an antioxidant.

I am strongly against adding anything to the birds' water unless you also give them a source of clean, fresh, PLAIN water as well.

Putting a sugar -- any sugar, no matter how natural -- into the water in hot weather guarantees faster than usual bacterial growth.

The reason that honey is antibacterial in it's pure form is that it's such a high concentration of sugar that bacteria can't grow in it. Plain white sugar would do the same -- and is actually used as a wound treatment in certain parts of the world where antibiotic ointments are not widely available.

 

[HenHouse Henry]

I am strongly against adding anything to the birds' water unless you also give them a source of clean, fresh, PLAIN water as well.

Putting a sugar -- any sugar, no matter how natural -- into the water in hot weather guarantees faster than usual bacterial growth.

The reason that honey is antibacterial in it's pure form is that it's such a high concentration of sugar that bacteria can't grow in it. Plain white sugar would do the same -- and is actually used as a wound treatment in certain parts of the world where antibiotic ointments are not widely available.

I have three waterers, two fresh and one with tea. yes always have fresh water for them. I only use the honey if the birds seem stressed or last year when our temps hit 109, I set it out with ice in the morning and then empty it after an hour or two. otherwise, I just use oregano tea. My grandma always did this for her flock and it's something I have done for my hens. This original post was in response to what are we doing to protect our flocks. This is what I do.

 

[raingarden]

The reason that honey is antibacterial in it's pure form is that it's such a high concentration of sugar that bacteria can't grow in it.

Honey also has a low pH that helps limit microbial bacteria. They have found honey in Egyptian tombs that still hasn't rotted away.

Sea turtle rescue facilities use honey as a topical skin treatment.

 

[3KillerBs]

Honey also has a low pH that helps limit microbial bacteria. They have found honey in Egyptian tombs that still hasn't rotted away.

Sea turtle rescue facilities use honey as a topical skin treatment.

But once you dilute it with water it's just feeding the bacteria like any other sugar.

 

[raingarden]

But once you dilute it with water it's just feeding the bacteria like any other sugar.

Agreed. I suspect they use it on the sea turtles because it sticks to the skin for a while and they don't want to be putting Neosporin or synthetic antibiotic in the water.

 

[springvalley123]

Where is the evidence that proves it can devastate the industry? It shouldn’t be hard for them to prove using statistics. You don’t think it makes sense to test the birds before killing en masse? Wipe out tens of millions because of a few positive results?

Indeed! destroying the evidence (chicken bodies) speaks volumes.

 

[raingarden]

Ya' know, they'er not ametures or not making stuff up. A lot of thought, planning and experience has gone into making the system what it is.

 

[Folly's place]

So true! How much actual 'learning' do you have in public health, epidemiology, livestock management, veterinary medicine, or the history of pandemics? The people managing this crisis do know what they are doing!
Mary

 

[Justso]

And the virologist are afraid the AI will develop into a new virus that is contagious for humans too.

Kind reminder that AI H5N1 in some circumstances can transmit to humans. Unfortunately it's a very deadly disease but currently not a stable enough of virus to spread within humans. This virus along with others is constantly being evaluated to see if it will be our next pandemic.
If you don't choose to report any deaths in your flock or in your area, please do be very careful and wear protection including an n95 mask in the vicinity of your birds. Study up on biosecurity and how to protect yourself well. That means not just washing your shoes.
They're only a relativly small number of people who have ever contracted this virus, with a 50% mortality. The important thing is for it not to be you, or your family, or your neighbors who catch this virus.
Again, with this virus it's not just about the birds.