Bird flu and backyard chickens: biosecurity, housing orders and reporting

Why it matters for small flocks

• Wild birds, especially waterfowl and gulls, can carry the virus and spread it in droppings, feathers and contaminated water.
• The virus can travel into a garden on boots, equipment, feed and bedding, as well as directly from wild birds.
• In many countries, suspected bird flu in kept birds is a notifiable disease: you are legally required to report it. Failing to report can be an offence.
• Public health advice in the UK has been that the risk to human health is very low, but it is still sensible to avoid touching sick or dead birds.

Biosecurity at home

• Keep wild birds away: cover feeders and drinkers, keep feed indoors, and do not let your hens share water with wild birds. Remove spilt feed.
• Footwear: keep a pair of boots just for the run, or use a disinfectant foot dip at the entrance and keep it fresh.
• Clean and disinfect: clean equipment, housing and paths regularly with an approved disinfectant, following the label.
• Limit visitors: only let people into the run if they need to be there, and ask them to clean their footwear.
• Avoid ponds: fence off ponds or standing water that attracts wild ducks and geese.
• Quarantine new birds: keep newcomers separate for a period before mixing them with your flock.
• Record keeping: note movements of birds and eggs, and visitors.

Housing orders and prevention zones

• The scope of housing measures varies. They have applied to all kept birds in some areas, or to keepers above a certain flock size or who sell or give away eggs in others.
• Measures can be national or local, and are lifted and reintroduced as the risk changes.
• If housing is required, keep birds in a covered, enclosed area where wild birds cannot get in. A covered run designed in advance makes this far easier.
• Keep birds enriched while housed: extra perches, hanging greens, dust baths and scratch areas help prevent boredom and pecking.

Signs of bird flu

• Sudden deaths, sometimes several at once.
• Swollen head, comb or wattles, or blue or dark discolouration.
• Loss of appetite, a sharp drop in egg laying, or lethargy.
• Breathing difficulty, coughing or sneezing.
• Diarrhoea.
• Loss of coordination, twisted neck or other nervous signs.

If you suspect bird flu

1. Do not move birds, eggs or equipment off your property.
2. Report your suspicion straight away. In England, that means the Defra Rural Services Helpline; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own contact through APHA, local field services or DAERA. In other countries, contact your national veterinary authority.
3. Speak to your poultry vet, but be aware they will tell you to report it if bird flu is suspected.
4. Avoid touching dead birds with bare hands.

Wild birds