***UK RESIDENTS - BIRD FLU ADVICE***

[DancingWthDucks]

According to the advice on DEFRA's website I've been reading this morning, you should be making every effort to make your garden unattractive to wild birds, and discourage them from using any bodies of water.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-winter-2016-to-2017

I'm currently outside the high risk zones, and I'm trying to make a decision about letting my girls out again once the measures are lifted at the end of the month. I want to let them have a bit of freedom again, but in the high risk areas they are advising some areas to maintain max biosecurity and housing until the end of April! :/  so I don't think the threat is completely over yet.

There isn't a major threat of Avian Influenza- DEFRA are just being overly cautious because they don't want an epidemic...... During Foot and Mouth, out of the millions of animals that they slaughtered and only 20% actually had the disease, which just shows that they do sometimes go a bit overkill.

If I was you, I'd just let my ducks outside- there's a TINY risk of them becoming infected, and as long as you are being careful (such as covering up food and not introducing new birds) then I'm sure that they will be just fine.

 

[rachd1987]

@DancingWthDucks you're right - I'm probably over thinking it! I think it's just been a tense situation being in the waiting game for a while. My girls are dying to play out now!

 

[Ihaveducks]

According to the advice on DEFRA's website I've been reading this morning, you should be making every effort to make your garden unattractive to wild birds, and discourage them from using any bodies of water.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-winter-2016-to-2017

I'm currently outside the high risk zones, and I'm trying to make a decision about letting my girls out again once the measures are lifted at the end of the month. I want to let them have a bit of freedom again, but in the high risk areas they are advising some areas to maintain max biosecurity and housing until the end of April! :/  so I don't think the threat is completely over yet.

I am also not in a risk zone. It it's not far from us on the map. Will we be able to let them out (with supervision) without netting? Or does netting have to be a thing. I've been told so many different things, I just don't know what to think.
My five ducks are stuck in a shed with one window and they're constantly trying to escape. I've hung up toys, been giving treats. They're sick of it!
The wild ducks keep coming back because our top field is a little flooded.

 

[Ihaveducks]

I don't know if I should risk it or not

 

[DancingWthDucks]

I don't know if I should risk it or not

I'd take that risk! I'm only just inside a 'higher risk zone' and would do anything to be able to let my flock free range again....... There's a TINY risk of your birds getting it, and as long as you take the sensible precautions (ie: coverup food and water) I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine!

 

[laurita1510]

What's everybody deciding? I'm not in a recession area but the woman on the helpline was useless. Just said read the website. I mean we can cover their food and water but the ducks forrige (can't spell it) for food so surely that's a risk? What are you all doing?

 

[jools2014]

I have been able to let my birds out today which has been wonderful-I'm not in a high risk zone thank goodness. I'm going to clean the henhouse out at the weekend and then hopefully things can go back to normal for the most part. No more mess from the ducks and soggy wet sawdust constantly in the house yayyy!

 

[rebrascora]

Not sure why the outbreak reported on below has been so slow to get larger media coverage particularly as it was just before the restrictions were amended, but it has made me very cautious as it's only about 15 miles away.

http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/new...irmed-2080ba80-8936-49bb-8d1f-06d3b34f2ffc-ds

I'm in an area where I could relax my precautions a bit, but after reading this I'm probably going to continue keeping them in.

 

[ChickenGrass]

Thankfully no birds in commercial flocks and "backyard flocks"
Have been found with bird flu in Ireland yet,
But there has been 12 wild birds found.
No birds have been found in Ireland for about 2 weeks,
But the department of agriculture put the "compulsory" housing order forward to the 30th April.
I also saw that in Ireland free range commercial flocks can't sell their eggs as 'free range'
As of the 16th of March because at that stage they will have been housed for 12 weeks indoors,
And that's the maximum free range flocks can be housed for the whole year.
I think it's the same problem in the UK?

Fionn.

 

[Isaac 0]

I just want to say I feel for all of you. I'm in the US but I'm sure it's just a matter of time until we need to take the same precautions all of you are. I'm so sorry all of you have to go through this. I would be worried sick. I can't imagine having to coop my ducks up inside for that long! It's bad enough when we have a huge snow storm and they can't get out for a few days. Sending good vibes all of your ways and to all of your ducks, chickens etc. After all of this is over please let the rest of us know what worked, helped, how to prepare etc. Good luck to you all.

Look up (Bird flu Tennessee) One in Wisconsin too.