Spreading disease

[kinof49er]

He everyone! I have a flock of 12 hens and 1 rooster. I keep my chickens in my large 1/2 acre backyard and they never (or can't) leave the premises. My neighbor does not keep their chickens contained and they often fly over the fence and come into my yard to eat and forage. I am concerned about the neighbor chickens bringing disease, specifically avian flu, into my flock. What is the best way to communicate or handle this situation? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Briza]

I'd think that any wild birds that visit both of your yards would spread avian flu between the two flocks even if your neighbors chickens didn't fly into yours. You might be able to raise the height of your fence with something like chicken wire if you want to keep them out.

 

[Mrs. K]

Truthfully, if her birds have been in your flock, your flock has been exposed to whatever they have and vice versa. To properly keep two flocks quarantined from the transmission of disease, they need to be maintained about 33 feet apart. So if they are closer than that, and separated by some type of fencing, germ wise, it is one flock.

I am a bit confused on the one way movement of birds into your yard, but no movement of your birds into hers. Do you have your wings clipped? If your birds are much younger, it may only be a short amount of time before they are traveling girls too.

I do understand how you may just want your own birds in your own yard, and rightly so, you have a couple of options.

* discuss it with her, and fix the fencing or suggest clipping the wings on her birds too.
* don't say anything, just clip the wings of her birds, and put them back.

Mrs K

 

[kinof49er]

Mrs. K, My flock consists of Buff Orpingtons. They are too heavy to scale the 4 foot fence. That is why I chose this breed.

 

[Mrs. K]

well maybe, I have had BO's that 4 feet was nothing... it just depends, but if it is working for you then good.

 

[aart]

Ditto if they are sharing a fence line they are already sharing 'germs'.
Avian flu I wouldn't be too concerned about anyway, it's mostly in the big poultry houses(and I think it incubated/originated there anyway).

BUT......I would be ticked off if the neighbors animals were in my yard just on principle.
All animal owners should keep their animals on their own property.
Hope you can work it out(and d@mn glad I don't have close neighbors to deal with for many reasons).