Question

[Masuzzie]

So far, happily, my birds are healthy but I’ve been reading about avian flu, so my question is, should the worse case scenario happen, and I have to kill and dispose my beloved chickens/rooster (i really hate that I’m even writing this), what do I do to my yard? Is there a process to clean it? Or does time kill all viruses? Can I take the eggs from avian exposed chicken and incubate them? Or do I need to buy new baby chicks from our local farm supply?
Just an FYI, the birds have a secured home and then they have a run that’s about 50-75 yards long, chicken wire on the sides, open on the top, so any bird can fly down and join them. I also have 3 Guinea Fowls in the mix. I had 4 but about 2 weeks ago it flew out and I think a coyote got it (it only killed the Guinea, didn’t eat it)

 

[azygous]

What is your location?

Here is the basics you need to know. https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-health/avian-influenza-basics-noncommercial-poultry-flock-owners

It appears this virus lasts up to eight weeks in the soil before it degrades. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3784916/

 

[Masuzzie]

What is your location?

Here is the basics you need to know. https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-health/avian-influenza-basics-noncommercial-poultry-flock-owners

It appears this virus lasts up to eight weeks in the soil before it degrades. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3784916/

Thank you so much for helping me with that research! I live in central coast CA. So far I’ve not seen any signs of concern but because they have about a 150 foot fenced chicken area with open top, any bird can fly in and interact with them. I just want to know what to do to prepare the yard in case the worse case scenario happens

 

[azygous]

I'm facing the same thing here in Colorado. Although I have a covered run, and the chickens aren't out all that much in winter, I still need to be aware that visitors could be bringing the avian flu virus to my chickens. I have friends that are avid bird watchers, and they frequent the water fowl sanctuaries. Since the virus can last two months on shoes, I've set up a shallow shoe disinfectant tray so they can dip the soles of their shoes before seeing the chickens.

It pays to be anal where this virus is concerned.