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

[Sonya9]

You're not paying attention to the details.

There are High Pathogenic and Low Pathogenic forms. This is the high Pathogenic strain -- very high mortality.

Actually yes, I did pay attention to the details. Can you cite some studies regarding this alleged 90-100% mortality rate along with how the study was performed?

"Mortality and Pathology Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in Commercial Poultry Production Systems in Nigeria

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Commercial layer-type, pullet, cockerel, and broiler chicken flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Nigeria between 2006 and 2008 were investigated for morbidity, mortality, and pathology. Of the one hundred and fifty-three (153) farms confirmed with HPAI infection mortality rates were 11.11% in commercial layers, 26.84% in pullets, 45.51% in cockerels, and 73.92% in broilers in a total of eighteen (18) states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A total of 316 carcasses were examined of which 248 were commercial layer, 25 were pullet, 14 were cockerel, and 29 were broiler."

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2014/415418/

 

[Poodlemum]

The zoo 0.5 miles away from has tested positive today. I knew that park would be a hot zone due to ponds and waterfowl, we’ve stopped visiting it just in case. Is there a reliable way to decontaminate ground? We’d like to expand the covered run if we’re going to be here for the long haul

 

[Disheygirl]

I did stumble on to some clear corrugated roofing; enough to cover both my runs. Luckiest little accident my flock ever had. Keeps out rain, hawks, and birds without blocking the sun in winter.

That is a really good idea - I'm working on a plan for a coop + run with roof - just because I've wanted one and need to pull the trigger and figure it out, but for 13 birds it's no small feat. Do you mind sharing a picture of what you did with the corrugated roofing? I have my netting held up by metal posts that I set a foot into the ground so I'm trying to get a visual on how that would work in the interim. I'm really tired of a wet run when it rains.

 

[Disheygirl]

Actually yes, I did pay attention to the details. Can you cite some studies regarding this alleged 90-100% mortality rate along with how the study was performed?

"Mortality and Pathology Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in Commercial Poultry Production Systems in Nigeria

​

Commercial layer-type, pullet, cockerel, and broiler chicken flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Nigeria between 2006 and 2008 were investigated for morbidity, mortality, and pathology. Of the one hundred and fifty-three (153) farms confirmed with HPAI infection mortality rates were 11.11% in commercial layers, 26.84% in pullets, 45.51% in cockerels, and 73.92% in broilers in a total of eighteen (18) states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A total of 316 carcasses were examined of which 248 were commercial layer, 25 were pullet, 14 were cockerel, and 29 were broiler."

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2014/415418/

I heard - and I know that anecdotal evidence isn't necessarily a reflection of reality - that since if a bird tests positive they cull the entire flock, then there's the 100% mortality being reported.

I'm finding the same kind of information as you - yes, birds can die if they get it, but it's not 100% mortality and doesn't automatically wipe the whole flock out. The science behind it says something different than the sensationalist news and g-men. I'm a "trust, but verify" type and I can't seem to verify.

 

[BDutch]

I heard - and I know that anecdotal evidence isn't necessarily a reflection of reality - that since if a bird tests positive they cull the entire flock, then there's the 100% mortality being reported.

I'm finding the same kind of information as you - yes, birds can die if they get it, but it's not 100% mortality and doesn't automatically wipe the whole flock out. The science behind it says something different than the sensationalist news and g-men. I'm a "trust, but verify" type and I can't seem to verify.

There are many different types of Avian Influenza. And even within one kind, like the HPAI , H5N1 there are many varieties. The virus mutates from year to year, or even faster, just like the human flu and Corona.
Mortality in earlier HPAI was extremely high and only affected poultry.
This HPAI is less deadly, that’s why it’s spreading so easily. And it also affects many other birds.

From the dutch wildlife and health site translated by google: https://dwhc.nl/vragen-en-antwoorden-over-vogelgriep-bij-in-het-wild-levende-vogels/
Now, in 2021/2022, barnacle geese, greylag geese and mute swans will mainly die from the bird flu virus. In addition, various other bird species are also victims of the virus. Waterfowl (including waders, gulls and terns), birds of prey and corvids are particularly sensitive.

 

[Disheygirl]

There are many different types of Avian Influenza. And even within one kind, like the HPAI , H5N1 there are many varieties. The virus mutates from year to year, or even faster, just like the human flu and Corona.
Mortality in earlier HPAI was extremely high and only affected poultry.
This HPAI is less deadly, that’s why it’s spreading so easily. And it also affects many other birds.

From the dutch wildlife and health site translated by google: https://dwhc.nl/vragen-en-antwoorden-over-vogelgriep-bij-in-het-wild-levende-vogels/
Now, in 2021/2022, barnacle geese, greylag geese and mute swans will mainly die from the bird flu virus. In addition, various other bird species are also victims of the virus. Waterfowl (including waders, gulls and terns), birds of prey and corvids are particularly sensitive.

That is more in line with what I've read on the non-sensationalistic sites - there is plenty that says that if a bird catches the H5N1 strain, that it's probable that it dies. It doesn't say that it's an automatic death sentence for all birds in the flock.

The news, however, reports that birds from xyz tested positive for avian flu (which - like you said - there are many different strains, and they never clarify which one) and the birds all died. Which is true - they did - because people culled them, not because they died from the flu.

My question is - why cull an entire backyard flock because one tests positive? If one bird catches it and dies, it dies. What is the probability that ALL of them in a flock 1) catch it, and 2) die? (That's not rhetorical - I want to find the answer.) And why on earth are they wiping out entire backyard flocks? Most people will never set foot near a commercial hatchery. So if you know you have a positive case, quarantine the bird and be mindful.

I feel like the programming of the past two years has scared people to the point that they lose all ability to think critically. It's not a dig...fear is a powerful mechanism for control...and because of that, people are losing their pets to government overreach. It's sad.

 

[3KillerBs]

My question is - why cull an entire backyard flock because one tests positive? If one bird catches it and dies, it dies. What is the probability that ALL of them in a flock 1) catch it, and 2) die? (That's not rhetorical - I want to find the answer.) And why on earth are they wiping out entire backyard flocks? Most people will never set foot near a commercial hatchery. So if you know you have a positive case, quarantine the bird and be mindful.

Because we can't put a significant part of the nation's food supply at risk because some people are fond of their pets.

I live in a chicken farming area. When I go to church tomorrow and shake my jr. pastor's hand I'm in contact with a chicken farmer.

If you think that you're not going to put other people's birds at risk when you have a sick bird you're deluding yourself.

 

[Disheygirl]

Because we can't put a significant part of the nation's food supply at risk because some people are fond of their pets.

I live in a chicken farming area. When I go to church tomorrow and shake my jr. pastor's hand I'm in contact with a chicken farmer.

If you think that you're not going to put other people's birds at risk when you have a sick bird you're deluding yourself.

But that’s the thing - there is no proof that this could wipe out the nation’s food supply. No statistical or scientific evidence that proves that - at least not that I’ve found.

When a virus is truely a threat, deception is unnecessary. There’s no need to inflate the danger because the evidence exists. When it’s not, they do what we’re seeing them do - half truths, wordplay, and manipulation. The news blasts “avian influenza” like the sky is falling. It’s absurd.

The USDA’s site says that rapid tests used to confirm AI cannot distinguish between HP and LP. Confirmatory tests can, and take between 5-10 days. Before I let anyone kill my pets, they’re going to test every single one and wait five to ten days for results. I wouldn’t care if had to stay on my property and wait for the results.

If they’re doing it any other way, it’s gross negligence.

 

[Disheygirl]

Another example of “if it were so dangerous they wouldn’t have to inflate or mislead”. Look at the asterisk. So if one bird tests positive, they count ALL birds on the premises. One positive case, kill all the birds.

Were 35M affected? Yes, because they were all killed. Seems like if they weren’t trying to fearmonger, they’d have positive cases instead…but it would probably be a really low # and fear sells.

Source - USDA website

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I don’t see a lot of cross talk between the FB BYCs site and this one, but have you all seen this post? I’m not sure why moderators turned off comments as the OP was posting updates in the comments…

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BackyardChickensBYC/permalink/10160349479704734/