Bird Flu season usually starts anytime from November onwards and happens to a varying extent most years.  Seasoned chicken keepers are accustomed to it and generally are set up and ready.  Some years it is simply avoiding contact with wild birds by putting feeders and drinkers out of reach of them, and other years it is a total chicken 'lockdown' where they have to be kept undercover.

 

Those new to chicken keeping can be very alarmed when the warnings come on the news, and it is a serious issue, but the preventative steps we are asked to take by Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) are good general practice during winter, so well worth adhering too regardless of the current bird flu situation.

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Please see paragraphs below and view the Defra pages to work out what area you are in and what you need to do.  The rules are changed regularly so our guidance is only advice, please check with Defra for current and detailed information.

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16th January 2025

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From Sunday 16th January AIPZ plus Housing Measures will come into force across Worcestershire and Herefordshire (please check the Defra website for other areas) meaning your poultry must legally be kept undercover.

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Steps to see what zone you are in and what you need to do:

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1.  Register with Defra – Now a legal requirement whether you have one or 1,000 birds.  Register your flock and you will then get updates of current outbreaks and what you legally need to do:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds

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​​​​2.  Work out what zone you are in on the Defra map:  https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cb1883eda5547c6b91b5d5e6aeba90d

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Zones:

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AIPZ - An Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity.  Similar zones can be in force in Scotland and Wales with slightly differing rules.

AIPZ with housing orders - Certain areas with a greater risk have to keep their birds housed as well as adhering to the AIPZ rules.

Bird Flu Disease Control Zones - These are areas surrounding a premises where a confirmed case of Avian Flu has been detected.  They are either 3km or 10km areas around the affected premises and generally have much stricter rules.

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3.  When you know your zone, look at the rules relating to your area.  

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For AIPZ rules: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading

Additional rules if you are in a AIPZ with Housing Orders zone:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-housing-your-birds-safely

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General good winter biosecurity regardless of Avian Flu

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• House or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds

• Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing

• Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control

• Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis

• Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points

• Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

• Keep vermin under control

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Things to consider with Avian Flu​

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The disease is brought in by wild birds and their droppings.  To limit risk you need to prevent your poultry having  contact with wild birds, their saliva or droppings.

 

• Can wild bird droppings fall into the run?

• Where can wild birds gain access to your poultry and share their feed and water?

• Can vermin tread in wild bird droppings and carry them into the run?

• Can you tread in wild bird droppings and walk them into the run on your footwear?

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We would suggest the following:

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• If you have waterfowl, separate them from poultry.

• Prevent wild birds accessing your hens feed and water (and don’t forget about their stored bedding and feed).

• Prevent wild birds accessing your chickens as much as possible, some ideas: 

-  Cover the run with a solid roof or run cover –  have a look at our run covers to cover the top and sides of the run.

-  Use a fine windbreak netting, scaffold net or our clear run sheeting to prevent birds getting in through the sides.

-  Ensure all food and water is undercover.

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• Minimise how often you walk in and out of the chicken’s area to prevent treading contaminated materials into the run.

• Use a foot dip containing a Defra approved disinfectant or a separate pair of shoes every time you enter the run.  Make sure the container you use for a foot dip has a lid to prevent other animals or birds drinking it and to prevent it become diluted with rainwater.  Underbed storage boxes can be used effectively as foot dips.

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• Use a ground sanitiser regularly on the ground inside the run – Agrisec 250 is a good choice, not only does it dry the ground, it contains Halamid which is Defra approved.  You can check other disinfectants here: https://disinfectants.defra.gov.uk/

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• Cover any standing water in the garden to stop attracting any wild birds in.

• Keep on top of vermin – rats and mice will not only carry contaminated material into your hens area but carry other diseases and must be controlled.

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• Monitor your birds health for any signs of illness. Check the Defra website for signs of Avian Flu and if you have any concerns please contact your vet.

• Ensure you birds are in excellent health with good immunity.  A high quality feed and clean water at all times.  Try adding a multivitamin supplement to the water, our Superseeds make a healthy treat.

• As your hens are spending more time indoors ensure they don’t get bored. Try:

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• Hanging up veg and treats or our Alfalfa blocks which make an excellent, healthy boredom buster.

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• Ensure they always have something to dig in underfoot.  Chickens spend much of the time digging and it is essential they can fulfil this need to scratch about.  Put woodchips in the run for them to dig in and sprinkle some treats or Super Seeds down for them to find. For very muddy areas lay pallets down to cover the mud and allow the hens somewhere dry to stand.

• If your hens are indoors give them a dustbath to clean themselves in.

• Consider feeding a good quality coarse layers mash (our Supreme Layers mash & Versele Laga both make excellent mash feeds).  Mash takes longer to eat then pellets so keeps the hens busy for longer.

• If space allows put branches into the run so the hens can jump up, hang treats from the branches.

• Treat them to a roll of turf if they don’t have access to grass or hang up our Alfalfa blocks to keep them busy and give them their greens.

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